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Apr 2601:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
Learn how Keshav, a Chartered Accountant, scored an impressive 705 on GMAT in just 30 days with GMATWhiz's expert guidance. In this video, he shares preparation tips and strategies that worked for him, including the mock, time management, and more.
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2512:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
May 0111:00 AM PDT
-12:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
06 Aug 2024, 02:10
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To begin, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire GMAT community. Your support, advice, and shared experiences have been crucial to my success. Now, I hope to inspire others by sharing my journey.
GMAT Score Breakdown
After months of dedicated preparation, I'm pleased to report a score of 685 on the GMAT (Q90, V86, DI76). This places me in the 97th percentile overall, with a 100th Percentile in Quant with a 98th percentile in Verbal. While I had initially aimed higher, I'm proud of this achievement and how far I've come.
Discovering e-GMAT
My GMAT journey began with a disappointing 575 on the diagnostic test. As an IIT Bombay graduate with a decade in the construction industry, I realized I needed a structured approach. Self-study with official guides wasn't effective, so when I came across e-GMAT in online forums, the positive reviews caught my attention. This decision proved to be a turning point in my GMAT preparation.
Quant Preparation
Quant had always been my strong suit, given my engineering background. However, I needed to refresh my skills after a decade away from academics. e-GMAT's Quant course helped me revisit fundamental concepts and learn time-saving techniques. Their adaptive learning feature, PACE AI for Quant, was a game-changer. It allowed me to save exactly 48 hours by skipping familiar topics and focusing on areas that needed more attention.
During my preparation, I solved around 400 Quant questions from various sources. My consistent Q90 scores in mocks boosted my confidence. I'm proud to say that I maintained this performance on test day, scoring a Q90, which puts me in the 100th percentile for Quant. My accuracy for the last 20 hard questions in different Quant areas was impressive: 70% for Number Properties, 75% for Word Problems, 85% for Algebra, and 100% for Arithmetic.
Overcoming Verbal Challenges
Verbal was my main weakness, particularly Reading Comprehension. My engineering background hadn't prepared me for the nuanced passages on the GMAT. e-GMAT's approach, however, was transformative. Their pre-thinking strategies for Critical Reasoning changed how I approached arguments, turning uncertainty into confidence. My CR Hard accuracy improved dramatically from 50% to 85%.
Mastering Reading Comprehension
The RC strategies were equally impactful. I learned to analyze passages efficiently, identifying key information quickly. My reading speed improved dramatically, from 7 minutes per passage to 3-5 minutes, which was crucial for time management during the test. My RC Hard accuracy saw a significant jump from 50% to 80%.
Verbal Practice and Progress
I completed approximately 450 CR and RC questions, primarily using e-GMAT's Scholaranium platform and Verbal Online course. Maintaining a detailed error log was instrumental in tracking my progress and identifying areas for improvement. Seeing my Verbal percentile jump from the 80th to the 98th was incredibly motivating.
Tackling Data Insights
Initially, Data Insights was intimidating. The time pressure and complex multi-source reasoning questions seemed daunting. However, e-GMAT's structured approach helped me develop an effective strategy. I focused on speed reading and creating equations for data-sufficiency questions, avoiding mental calculations. My hard question accuracy for the last 20 questions reached impressive levels: 80% for MSR, 70% for TPA, 100% for DS, and 70% for GITA.
Data Insights Practice To master DI, I worked through about 300 questions, mainly from e-GMAT's Scholaranium and GMAT Club. The variety and difficulty of these questions prepared me well for the actual test. I also utilized e-GMAT's Cementing Quizzes and Topic Tests to refine specific DI skills.
Despite my thorough preparation, the DI section on test day proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. The time pressure felt more intense than in my practice sessions, and I found myself spending too long on the initial questions. This led to a rushed approach towards the end, where I had to guess on the final question due to time constraints. Additionally, the multi-source reasoning (MSR) questions, which had been my weakness during preparation, appeared more complex than expected. I think the stress of the actual test environment affected my performance, causing me to second-guess some of my strategies. In retrospect, I realize I should have stuck more closely to my time management plan and perhaps practiced more under strict test-like conditions. While my DI76 score is still respectable, I believe I could have scored higher if I had managed my time more effectively and maintained better composure during this section.
Mock Test Journey
My mock test scores showed a clear progression:
Initial diagnostic: 575 e-GMAT Sigma X mock: 685 SIGma-X mock: 715 e-GMAT, Official GMAT mock 2: 715
After each mock, I thoroughly analyzed my performance, identifying mistakes and creating improvement strategies. Between mocks, I focused on targeted practice using e-GMAT's resources.
Last Mile Program Impact
e-GMAT's Last Mile Program was crucial to my success. My mentor, Drillam, provided valuable insights and helped me identify key areas for improvement. This personalized guidance was instrumental in refining my strategy and boosting my confidence in the final weeks before the test.
Test Day Strategies
On test day, I followed my planned sequence: Quant, Verbal, break, then DI. This order allowed me to tackle the most challenging sections when I was fresh. I maintained a calm mindset by reminding myself of my preparation. For each section, I had specific time management strategies to ensure I completed all questions.
When I submitted my final answers, my heart was racing. As I saw the 685 flash on the screen, I experienced a mix of emotions – relief, joy, and a sense of accomplishment, with a slight tinge of disappointment at not crossing the 700 mark. However, seeing the percentiles – 97th overall and 98th in Verbal – filled me with pride. In that moment, all the hard work felt worthwhile.
Advice for GMAT Aspirants
To those preparing for the GMAT: trust the process and remain consistent. Find a preparation method that suits you and stick with it. Use setbacks as learning opportunities. Create a study plan and follow it diligently. I managed with 1.5 hours of daily study while working full-time – it's challenging but achievable.
Monitor your progress, analyze your mistakes, and continuously work on your weaknesses. Remember, the GMAT tests not only your knowledge but also your strategy and mental endurance. Believe in your abilities. With the right preparation and mindset, you can achieve your target score.
I'm deeply grateful to everyone who supported me on this journey. To the e-GMAT team, my mentor Dhurv, and the entire GMAT community – your guidance and support were invaluable. I'm excited to apply to top programs like London Business School, INSEAD, and IIMs with my score. Remember, with dedication and the right resources, you too can succeed on the GMAT
Gaurav Dongre
GMAT Score Breakdown
After months of dedicated preparation, I'm pleased to report a score of 685 on the GMAT (Q90, V86, DI76). This places me in the 97th percentile overall, with a 100th Percentile in Quant with a 98th percentile in Verbal. While I had initially aimed higher, I'm proud of this achievement and how far I've come.
Discovering e-GMAT
My GMAT journey began with a disappointing 575 on the diagnostic test. As an IIT Bombay graduate with a decade in the construction industry, I realized I needed a structured approach. Self-study with official guides wasn't effective, so when I came across e-GMAT in online forums, the positive reviews caught my attention. This decision proved to be a turning point in my GMAT preparation.
Quant Preparation
Quant had always been my strong suit, given my engineering background. However, I needed to refresh my skills after a decade away from academics. e-GMAT's Quant course helped me revisit fundamental concepts and learn time-saving techniques. Their adaptive learning feature, PACE AI for Quant, was a game-changer. It allowed me to save exactly 48 hours by skipping familiar topics and focusing on areas that needed more attention.
During my preparation, I solved around 400 Quant questions from various sources. My consistent Q90 scores in mocks boosted my confidence. I'm proud to say that I maintained this performance on test day, scoring a Q90, which puts me in the 100th percentile for Quant. My accuracy for the last 20 hard questions in different Quant areas was impressive: 70% for Number Properties, 75% for Word Problems, 85% for Algebra, and 100% for Arithmetic.
Overcoming Verbal Challenges
Verbal was my main weakness, particularly Reading Comprehension. My engineering background hadn't prepared me for the nuanced passages on the GMAT. e-GMAT's approach, however, was transformative. Their pre-thinking strategies for Critical Reasoning changed how I approached arguments, turning uncertainty into confidence. My CR Hard accuracy improved dramatically from 50% to 85%.
Mastering Reading Comprehension
The RC strategies were equally impactful. I learned to analyze passages efficiently, identifying key information quickly. My reading speed improved dramatically, from 7 minutes per passage to 3-5 minutes, which was crucial for time management during the test. My RC Hard accuracy saw a significant jump from 50% to 80%.
Verbal Practice and Progress
I completed approximately 450 CR and RC questions, primarily using e-GMAT's Scholaranium platform and Verbal Online course. Maintaining a detailed error log was instrumental in tracking my progress and identifying areas for improvement. Seeing my Verbal percentile jump from the 80th to the 98th was incredibly motivating.
Tackling Data Insights
Initially, Data Insights was intimidating. The time pressure and complex multi-source reasoning questions seemed daunting. However, e-GMAT's structured approach helped me develop an effective strategy. I focused on speed reading and creating equations for data-sufficiency questions, avoiding mental calculations. My hard question accuracy for the last 20 questions reached impressive levels: 80% for MSR, 70% for TPA, 100% for DS, and 70% for GITA.
Data Insights Practice To master DI, I worked through about 300 questions, mainly from e-GMAT's Scholaranium and GMAT Club. The variety and difficulty of these questions prepared me well for the actual test. I also utilized e-GMAT's Cementing Quizzes and Topic Tests to refine specific DI skills.
Despite my thorough preparation, the DI section on test day proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. The time pressure felt more intense than in my practice sessions, and I found myself spending too long on the initial questions. This led to a rushed approach towards the end, where I had to guess on the final question due to time constraints. Additionally, the multi-source reasoning (MSR) questions, which had been my weakness during preparation, appeared more complex than expected. I think the stress of the actual test environment affected my performance, causing me to second-guess some of my strategies. In retrospect, I realize I should have stuck more closely to my time management plan and perhaps practiced more under strict test-like conditions. While my DI76 score is still respectable, I believe I could have scored higher if I had managed my time more effectively and maintained better composure during this section.
Mock Test Journey
My mock test scores showed a clear progression:
Initial diagnostic: 575 e-GMAT Sigma X mock: 685 SIGma-X mock: 715 e-GMAT, Official GMAT mock 2: 715
After each mock, I thoroughly analyzed my performance, identifying mistakes and creating improvement strategies. Between mocks, I focused on targeted practice using e-GMAT's resources.
Last Mile Program Impact
e-GMAT's Last Mile Program was crucial to my success. My mentor, Drillam, provided valuable insights and helped me identify key areas for improvement. This personalized guidance was instrumental in refining my strategy and boosting my confidence in the final weeks before the test.
Test Day Strategies
On test day, I followed my planned sequence: Quant, Verbal, break, then DI. This order allowed me to tackle the most challenging sections when I was fresh. I maintained a calm mindset by reminding myself of my preparation. For each section, I had specific time management strategies to ensure I completed all questions.
When I submitted my final answers, my heart was racing. As I saw the 685 flash on the screen, I experienced a mix of emotions – relief, joy, and a sense of accomplishment, with a slight tinge of disappointment at not crossing the 700 mark. However, seeing the percentiles – 97th overall and 98th in Verbal – filled me with pride. In that moment, all the hard work felt worthwhile.
Advice for GMAT Aspirants
To those preparing for the GMAT: trust the process and remain consistent. Find a preparation method that suits you and stick with it. Use setbacks as learning opportunities. Create a study plan and follow it diligently. I managed with 1.5 hours of daily study while working full-time – it's challenging but achievable.
Monitor your progress, analyze your mistakes, and continuously work on your weaknesses. Remember, the GMAT tests not only your knowledge but also your strategy and mental endurance. Believe in your abilities. With the right preparation and mindset, you can achieve your target score.
I'm deeply grateful to everyone who supported me on this journey. To the e-GMAT team, my mentor Dhurv, and the entire GMAT community – your guidance and support were invaluable. I'm excited to apply to top programs like London Business School, INSEAD, and IIMs with my score. Remember, with dedication and the right resources, you too can succeed on the GMAT
Gaurav Dongre
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