Hey everyone!
I'm Srishti, and I recently scored a 665 on the GMAT (93rd percentile). It's been quite a ride from my initial 515, and I wanted to share my experience with you all.
In my first Diagnostic Mock, I scored a measly 515(V77,Q79,DI78). It was pretty disheartening, but I tried not to let it get to me.
I kept reminding myself,
"This is just day zero." After some research, I decided to go with e-GMAT. Their personalized study plan based on my initial score really appealed to me. Moreover, the self paced nature of the course really worked for me. I started in January, tackling Verbal first.
Verbal: 33%ile to 80%ileFor CR, I initially relied on intuition, often getting stuck between the last two answer choices. The
e-GMAT course introduced me to pre-thinking, which was a game-changer. At first, it felt time-consuming and unnatural, but with consistent practice, it became second nature. I went from barely managing 40% accuracy on hard CR questions to consistently hitting 70% and being able to solve most questions in under 2 min.
For RC, my biggest challenge was scientific passages – the vocabulary and complex concepts often left me overwhelmed. I developed a strategy of active reading, taking notes (initially on paper, later mentally), and pausing after each paragraph to ensure comprehension. This approach not only improved my understanding but also significantly boosted my speed. I also tried taking up more and more scientific passages to make myself more comfortable with the same. Critically analysing and focusing on very specific areas of my preparation was something that helped me improved my score drastically.
The cementing quizzes were crucial in bridging the gap between understanding concepts and applying them under pressure. By the end, I was tackling Verbal with a confidence I never thought possible, culminating in a V82 on test day.
Quant: Building on StrengthsQuant was my relative strength, but I still had room for improvement. My main issues were silly errors and time management. I developed a strategy of making clear mental notes about important information in the question stem (like "x is positive" or "x > y"). I also realised that while most questions in Quant themselves were not that difficult, a very small point could change the answer completely, hence, I started paying a lot of attention to detail, something that came in very handy for DI as well.
The e-GMAT Quant course and Scholaranium quizzes were incredibly helpful. I practiced over 500+ questions, which refined my skills. My accuracy improved from
59%ile to 91%ile, and I got my timing down to about 2 minutes even for tough questions.
Data Insights: 28%ile to 89%ileThe DI section initially felt daunting, but I was surprised to find that my improved Verbal and Quant skills transferred well. MSR was my biggest challenge at first – those three questions felt like they could make or break my score. I tackled this by applying my RC strategies. For Graphs and Tables, I developed a strategy of quickly sorting information mentally and focusing on very specific information based on the options, which helped me answer questions more efficiently. Two-Part Analysis and Data Sufficiency questions felt more comfortable, thanks to my strengthened Quant skills.
I practiced DI intensively for about 2-3 weeks, focusing on timing and accuracy. This focused effort paid off big time – my score jumped from the 38th to the 89th percentile! It was a huge confidence booster and showed me that with the right approach, even new and challenging sections can be mastered.
Personalized Support for the Final StretchWhile I had been in touch with my mentor Abha throughout my preparation, the LMP provided a more structured and intensive support system. My mentor took a deep dive into my profile and created a detailed study plan tailored with 15 clear milestones to my specific needs.
We identified my weak areas - like assumption questions in CR and certain topics in Quant - and developed targeted strategies to address them. The plan included specific question types to practice, accuracy goals for medium and hard questions, and even filters to use on GMAT Club and official guide.
We had regular check-ins where we'd discuss my progress, analyze my performance data, and adjust the plan as needed. Having someone to bounce ideas off and discuss strategies with was incredibly valuable.
There were times when Abha believed in me more than I believed in myself, which was a huge confidence booster. The LMP wasn't just about preparation; it also helped me develop the right mindset for test day. When I faced setbacks or moments of doubt, Abha was there to provide perspective and keep me focused on the end goal. Looking back, I realize that this personalized guidance in the final stretch was crucial in helping me achieve my target score.
Mock Tests and Mindset ShiftsIn my first few mocks, I'd see one section (usually Verbal or Quant) underperform while the others did well. This inconsistency was incredibly frustrating and often left me doubting myself. I remember one mock where I scored a 635, but my Quant score (usually my strongest area) tanked.
After discussions with my mentor:
1. We decided my section order, starting with Quant instead of Verbal. This simple change made a surprising difference in my confidence and overall performance. I also started maintaining a detailed
error log for my mocks, analyzing not just what I got wrong, but why. This helped me identify patterns and areas needing more focus.
2. Another game-changer was learning to let go of questions after two minutes if I wasn't making progress. It was tough at first, but it significantly improved my time management. By the end, I was consistently scoring in the 665-695 range, this progression gave me the confidence boost I needed going into the real test.
Test Day ExperienceOn test day, I felt surprisingly calm. I started with Quant, which went well and boosted my confidence. DI had one tricky question that threw me off a bit, but I didn't let it shake me. By the time I got to Verbal, I was in a good rhythm.
When I saw that 665 flash on the screen, I was overjoyed. It wasn't just the score – it was knowing that all those months of hard work had paid off.
Key Takeaways- Stay calm and patient. This journey takes time.
- Identify and focus on your specific problem areas.
- Be flexible with your strategies. What works for others might not work for you.
- Practice, practice, practice – but make sure it's focused and purposeful. Apply smart work instead of hard work.
- Don't rush to book your exam. Wait until you're consistently hitting your target scores in mocks.
Remember, the GMAT is as much about mindset as it is about knowledge. Stay positive, trust your preparation, and don't let setbacks discourage you.
Good luck to all of you on your GMAT journeys! 😊