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VD2507
Joined: 23 Apr 2020
Last visit: 27 Oct 2025
Posts: 99
Given Kudos: 16
Location: India
Schools: ISB '27 (D) Said '27 (A)
GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q87 V81 DI80 
GMAT 1: 620 Q44 V31
GMAT 2: 670 Q48 V34
GMAT 3: 690 Q49 V35
GPA: 9.13
Products:
20 Jul 2024, 04:58
Kudos
Bookmarks
It was in 2020 when I first decided to take on the GMAT. Four years later, here I am with a score of 655. Am I thrilled? Not really. But am I okay with it? Absolutely.
Here’s my journey, focusing on what not to do. I hope my story helps you in your own GMAT prep.
The Preparation Phase: Lessons Learned
1. Don’t Be Inconsistent My biggest mistake was not being consistent. I had many professional and personal issues, but looking back, I realize I could have still given 3-4 months of steady prep. The key? Be consistent. Don’t rush, but stay steady.
2. Quality Over Quantity At first, I just wanted to solve as many questions as possible. Watching videos from e-GMAT made me feel like I understood everything, but my test scores didn’t agree. The truth? Understanding is more important than just finishing. Break down each question and really get it, especially in verbal.
3. Apply What You Learn Right Away Watching GMAT Ninja videos made me feel like I got all the concepts. But I didn’t apply them immediately, missing the chance to understand. The lesson? Apply what you learn right away.
4. Find What Works for You Every prep course has its way of teaching. For example, e-GMAT’s pre-thinking method for CR questions didn’t work for me, even though it does for many. We all learn differently. My advice? Find the techniques that suit you best. Don’t stick to a method that doesn’t work for you.
5. Enjoy the Process I was so focused on getting a high score that I forgot to enjoy the journey. I was obsessed with percentages and marks, not the learning. The wisdom here? Enjoy each question and the learning process.
The Mock Test Phase: Confidence is Key
Here’s a look at my mock test scores. You’ll see some good numbers—720, 730—but I couldn’t get these scores in the real exam. Why? Confidence. I lacked confidence, and that held me back.
My Journey from 620 to 690
My improvement to 690 is thanks to e-GMAT. They went above and beyond to help me. However, I eventually decided to switch to GMAT Focus as the old GMAT wasn't working out for me. Just after my third attempt, I chose to go for GMAT Focus. Again, inconsistency kicked in, and I was out of preparation from December 2023 to mid-May 2024. This affected my score. This time, I went with Target Test Prep. I liked its mission-based materials. I would have gone for Target Test Prep earlier if I knew how well it suited my learning style. (Again, this is not to say anything against e-GMAT).
1. Solving Official Guide Questions This time, I focused on solving more questions from the Official Guide. I also only used official mocks. Use them efficiently.
2. Identify Weaker Areas Try to find your weaker areas, if possible. I could never pinpoint mine. One day I struggled with one topic, and the next day with another. I made peace with telling myself that it was not the topic but the specific question that confused me.
Topic-wise Tips:
If possible, get enrolled in a course. It’ll help you learn in a structured way. I would blindly suggest e-gmat or TTP.
I broke down each section’s time:
I completed the Quant section with almost 8-9 minutes remaining, which I used to revisit bookmarked questions. I changed three answers from incorrect to correct, so only one question was wrong in Quant.
In Verbal, I didn’t get much time to review (7 incorrect). In DI, I changed one answer from correct to incorrect and one from incorrect to correct (7 incorrect).
Below is my score breakup for easy reference –
Final Thoughts
I wrote this debrief to convey the following:
Thank you e-GMAT, Target Test Prep, BB, and GMAT Ninja (Charles and team). You guys are the absolute best.
Good luck, future GMAT conquerors!
Here’s my journey, focusing on what not to do. I hope my story helps you in your own GMAT prep.
The Preparation Phase: Lessons Learned
1. Don’t Be Inconsistent My biggest mistake was not being consistent. I had many professional and personal issues, but looking back, I realize I could have still given 3-4 months of steady prep. The key? Be consistent. Don’t rush, but stay steady.
2. Quality Over Quantity At first, I just wanted to solve as many questions as possible. Watching videos from e-GMAT made me feel like I understood everything, but my test scores didn’t agree. The truth? Understanding is more important than just finishing. Break down each question and really get it, especially in verbal.
3. Apply What You Learn Right Away Watching GMAT Ninja videos made me feel like I got all the concepts. But I didn’t apply them immediately, missing the chance to understand. The lesson? Apply what you learn right away.
4. Find What Works for You Every prep course has its way of teaching. For example, e-GMAT’s pre-thinking method for CR questions didn’t work for me, even though it does for many. We all learn differently. My advice? Find the techniques that suit you best. Don’t stick to a method that doesn’t work for you.
5. Enjoy the Process I was so focused on getting a high score that I forgot to enjoy the journey. I was obsessed with percentages and marks, not the learning. The wisdom here? Enjoy each question and the learning process.
The Mock Test Phase: Confidence is Key
Here’s a look at my mock test scores. You’ll see some good numbers—720, 730—but I couldn’t get these scores in the real exam. Why? Confidence. I lacked confidence, and that held me back.
My Journey from 620 to 690
My improvement to 690 is thanks to e-GMAT. They went above and beyond to help me. However, I eventually decided to switch to GMAT Focus as the old GMAT wasn't working out for me. Just after my third attempt, I chose to go for GMAT Focus. Again, inconsistency kicked in, and I was out of preparation from December 2023 to mid-May 2024. This affected my score. This time, I went with Target Test Prep. I liked its mission-based materials. I would have gone for Target Test Prep earlier if I knew how well it suited my learning style. (Again, this is not to say anything against e-GMAT).
1. Solving Official Guide Questions This time, I focused on solving more questions from the Official Guide. I also only used official mocks. Use them efficiently.
2. Identify Weaker Areas Try to find your weaker areas, if possible. I could never pinpoint mine. One day I struggled with one topic, and the next day with another. I made peace with telling myself that it was not the topic but the specific question that confused me.
Topic-wise Tips:
If possible, get enrolled in a course. It’ll help you learn in a structured way. I would blindly suggest e-gmat or TTP.
- Quant: Just follow any course for a structured way of learning.
- Verbal: With the weird SC questions out, verbal has become both easier and harder. I was confident I would score at least 82, but...well. For CR, watch GMAT Ninja videos—they’re awesome. For RC, again, watch GMAT Ninja videos. I don’t think I’m qualified to give advice here as I only scored in the 70th percentile in verbal.
- DI: Learn all five different types of questions. Practice is key.
I broke down each section’s time:
I completed the Quant section with almost 8-9 minutes remaining, which I used to revisit bookmarked questions. I changed three answers from incorrect to correct, so only one question was wrong in Quant.
In Verbal, I didn’t get much time to review (7 incorrect). In DI, I changed one answer from correct to incorrect and one from incorrect to correct (7 incorrect).
Below is my score breakup for easy reference –
Final Thoughts
I wrote this debrief to convey the following:
- Life gets hard sometimes, but don’t lose focus like I did. GMAT Focus needs your focus. If an inconsistent guy like me can get into the 93rd percentile, you definitely can. Trust me on this, enjoy the learning phase and don't rush to attempt mocks.
- Don’t stretch your preparation. It will hurt you.
- Be CONSISTENT.
- Keep your work at the office, especially since you aren’t allowed to work from home.
- Share your journey with your parents. They understand.
Thank you e-GMAT, Target Test Prep, BB, and GMAT Ninja (Charles and team). You guys are the absolute best.
Good luck, future GMAT conquerors!
23 Jul 2024, 09:46
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi DD16,
Congrats on a well-fought 4-year journey! You may already know this, but many students would have given up well before you did. That determination will help you succeed in whatever you do moving forward.
Congrats on being done, and good luck with all that is ahead!
Congrats on a well-fought 4-year journey! You may already know this, but many students would have given up well before you did. That determination will help you succeed in whatever you do moving forward.
Congrats on being done, and good luck with all that is ahead!
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