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Ashitha006
Joined: 29 Jan 2020
Last visit: 20 Jul 2023
Posts: 17
Given Kudos: 34
Location: India
Schools: ISB '24 (A)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V36
GPA: 3.33
31 Mar 2023, 03:28
Kudos
Bookmarks
My GMAT journey had almost all the elements of an Indian soap opera, 
Although I had a deep-seated desire to pursue a career in business, being an Indian I found myself strangely averse to the CAT exam. As an undergraduate, I witnessed many of my peers flocking to CAT preparation courses, but the idea never quite resonated with me. It wasn't until I spent a year on the job that I realized just how strong my aspirations truly were. It was at this point that I made the decision to act smart and start actively working toward my dream.
I decided to go for the GMAT route as it offered me chances to apply for abroad universities as well.
I used some free online resources to prepare for the GMAT but got distracted by my marriage and other responsibilities. The pandemic prompted me to reconsider the GMAT, but my pregnancy made me uncertain about pursuing an MBA. I was hospitalized due to anemia and breathing difficulties. I was allergic to iron rich foods and iron supplements were no different. So the only way was to administer iron via intravenous injection. I required oxygen support whenever I was given this IV. I visited the hospital regularly to receive this treatment till the baby birth. However, my mother's encouragement inspired me to study and my father and husband joined the cheer team. I enrolled in egmat's online course and start preparing for the GMAT. The course helped me refresh my fundamentals and the mock exams helped me plan timing strategies. Despite being six months pregnant, I attempted the GMAT and scored 640, which was disappointing as my strategies failed.
After taking some time to clear my head, I evaluated my GMAT performance and identified areas that needed improvement. I had not anticipated that my anemia would cause me to black out halfway through the online GMAT.
I focused on practicing my weak areas, meditating, and raising my hemoglobin levels in the weeks following my failed attempt. GMAT Club became my usual hangout spot for motivation. While EGMAT course helped me strengthen my fundamentals, the GMAT club helped me hone Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension skills. Additionally, I used the official GMAT guides from GMAC. Though I saw improvement, my body was still struggling, but I remained determined to complete the GMAT before my baby arrived. Unfortunately, during my second attempt, I once again blacked out midway through the exam. However, this time, I did not feel discouraged. I took it as a sign to rest and enjoy the remaining time of my pregnancy.
My baby came 17 days early and I had to undergo an emergency C-section. I left the hospital after a week; I had breast engorgement and my legs were weighed down by all the fluids during the surgery. Upon returning home, my postpartum depression hit me hard, coupled with a swollen body and an unmanageable mind. For about two months, I was in a haze and struggled to function normally. Fortunately, with the support of my parents who were there for me day and night, and my husband who helped me with even the simplest tasks, I gradually regained control of my life. Three months later, I resumed my studies and completed my PMP certification before returning to my GMAT preparation. With my daughter by my side, even participating in my studies by blabbering along with me during RC passages, I attempted the GMAT for the third time when she was about five months old. This time, I achieved a score of 690. While it wasn't a perfect score, I was thrilled to have accomplished this feat given the challenges I had faced during my preparation.
During my entire journey, I had moments of doubt, questioning whether it was the right time or if I was neglecting my baby. However, in hindsight, I now realize that pursuing my MBA journey was definitely worth it. I hope that by sharing my story, it can inspire and encourage others who may be doubting their own journey to find the courage to push forward. In fact, reading a similar article on GMAT club helped me greatly in my own journey.
The to succeeding GMAT is to have the best physical and mental condition during the test. Eat well, try to stay hydrated throughout, and most important, attempt the exam when you are confident that you can do it. This does not mean waiting to book the test you get confident. Once you are fairly confident, book the test date and then build your confidence towards the test date. During the test focus... Focus... FOCUS...that's your only job. Stay in the present, don't worry about the question that you did or the one that's yet to come.
Although I had a deep-seated desire to pursue a career in business, being an Indian I found myself strangely averse to the CAT exam. As an undergraduate, I witnessed many of my peers flocking to CAT preparation courses, but the idea never quite resonated with me. It wasn't until I spent a year on the job that I realized just how strong my aspirations truly were. It was at this point that I made the decision to act smart and start actively working toward my dream.
I decided to go for the GMAT route as it offered me chances to apply for abroad universities as well.
I used some free online resources to prepare for the GMAT but got distracted by my marriage and other responsibilities. The pandemic prompted me to reconsider the GMAT, but my pregnancy made me uncertain about pursuing an MBA. I was hospitalized due to anemia and breathing difficulties. I was allergic to iron rich foods and iron supplements were no different. So the only way was to administer iron via intravenous injection. I required oxygen support whenever I was given this IV. I visited the hospital regularly to receive this treatment till the baby birth. However, my mother's encouragement inspired me to study and my father and husband joined the cheer team. I enrolled in egmat's online course and start preparing for the GMAT. The course helped me refresh my fundamentals and the mock exams helped me plan timing strategies. Despite being six months pregnant, I attempted the GMAT and scored 640, which was disappointing as my strategies failed.
After taking some time to clear my head, I evaluated my GMAT performance and identified areas that needed improvement. I had not anticipated that my anemia would cause me to black out halfway through the online GMAT.
I focused on practicing my weak areas, meditating, and raising my hemoglobin levels in the weeks following my failed attempt. GMAT Club became my usual hangout spot for motivation. While EGMAT course helped me strengthen my fundamentals, the GMAT club helped me hone Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension skills. Additionally, I used the official GMAT guides from GMAC. Though I saw improvement, my body was still struggling, but I remained determined to complete the GMAT before my baby arrived. Unfortunately, during my second attempt, I once again blacked out midway through the exam. However, this time, I did not feel discouraged. I took it as a sign to rest and enjoy the remaining time of my pregnancy.
My baby came 17 days early and I had to undergo an emergency C-section. I left the hospital after a week; I had breast engorgement and my legs were weighed down by all the fluids during the surgery. Upon returning home, my postpartum depression hit me hard, coupled with a swollen body and an unmanageable mind. For about two months, I was in a haze and struggled to function normally. Fortunately, with the support of my parents who were there for me day and night, and my husband who helped me with even the simplest tasks, I gradually regained control of my life. Three months later, I resumed my studies and completed my PMP certification before returning to my GMAT preparation. With my daughter by my side, even participating in my studies by blabbering along with me during RC passages, I attempted the GMAT for the third time when she was about five months old. This time, I achieved a score of 690. While it wasn't a perfect score, I was thrilled to have accomplished this feat given the challenges I had faced during my preparation.
During my entire journey, I had moments of doubt, questioning whether it was the right time or if I was neglecting my baby. However, in hindsight, I now realize that pursuing my MBA journey was definitely worth it. I hope that by sharing my story, it can inspire and encourage others who may be doubting their own journey to find the courage to push forward. In fact, reading a similar article on GMAT club helped me greatly in my own journey.
The to succeeding GMAT is to have the best physical and mental condition during the test. Eat well, try to stay hydrated throughout, and most important, attempt the exam when you are confident that you can do it. This does not mean waiting to book the test you get confident. Once you are fairly confident, book the test date and then build your confidence towards the test date. During the test focus... Focus... FOCUS...that's your only job. Stay in the present, don't worry about the question that you did or the one that's yet to come.
Updated on: 31 Mar 2023, 08:10
Originally posted by GmatKnightTutor on 31 Mar 2023, 05:56.
Last edited by GmatKnightTutor on 31 Mar 2023, 08:10, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by GmatKnightTutor on 31 Mar 2023, 08:10, edited 1 time in total.
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All the best and good health going forward.
31 Mar 2023, 08:05
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Oh wow, this is one of the most remarkable stories I've ever seen on GMAT Club, Ashitha006! And I'm so sorry to hear that your pregnancy and birth and recovery were all so challenging. I had a front-row seat for a couple of pregnancies and a whole lot of postpartum depression, so your story hits home for me.
Frankly, it's absolutely mind-blowing that you even attempted the GMAT under those circumstances. You somehow got a 640 while pregnant and struggling with anemia?!? That's impossible -- your brain was literally starved for oxygen, and you still managed to do well?! And then you got a 690 just five months after giving birth, while (presumably) very badly sleep-deprived, since... well, every parent is sleep-deprived with a five-month-old in the house. And you STILL got a 690?!?!
I started teaching GMAT students way back in 2001, and I've literally never seen anything like this. You just got a really, really good score after a full year of getting your body and mind torn apart. It's truly incredible, and I can't even begin to describe how much I admire and respect you for what you've accomplished.
Thank you so much for this debrief, and please let us know where you land for graduate school. And if you're ever in Colorado, USA -- even if it's years from now -- please reach out. You're amazing, and it would be an honor to meet you in person.
Enjoy every minute with your daughter!
Charles
Frankly, it's absolutely mind-blowing that you even attempted the GMAT under those circumstances. You somehow got a 640 while pregnant and struggling with anemia?!? That's impossible -- your brain was literally starved for oxygen, and you still managed to do well?! And then you got a 690 just five months after giving birth, while (presumably) very badly sleep-deprived, since... well, every parent is sleep-deprived with a five-month-old in the house. And you STILL got a 690?!?!
I started teaching GMAT students way back in 2001, and I've literally never seen anything like this. You just got a really, really good score after a full year of getting your body and mind torn apart. It's truly incredible, and I can't even begin to describe how much I admire and respect you for what you've accomplished.
Thank you so much for this debrief, and please let us know where you land for graduate school. And if you're ever in Colorado, USA -- even if it's years from now -- please reach out. You're amazing, and it would be an honor to meet you in person.
Enjoy every minute with your daughter!
Charles
