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Apr 2601:30 AM EDT
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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.
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Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
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Apr 2912:30 AM EDT
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Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
May 0111:00 AM PDT
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May 0306:30 AM PDT
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Verbal trouble on GMAT? Fix it NOW! Join Sunita Singhvi for a focused webinar on actionable strategies to boost your Verbal score and take your performance to the next level.
25 Sep 2024, 04:04
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Hey there, fellow GMAT aspirants! I recently scored a 675 on the GMAT Focus Edition. I'd love to share my journey with you all, hoping it might inspire and help you in your own GMAT prep.
A Little About Me:
I'm a Chartered Accountant with a BCom and MCom under my belt. After working for two years at Deloitte, I decided to pursue an MBA to broaden my horizons in M&A consulting.
My GMAT journey started with a 635 and ended with a 675 (Q90, DI82, V78). It's been quite a ride, full of challenges, hard work, and personal growth.
The Beginning: Finding My Path
When I started, I knew Quant was my strength, but Verbal and DI were areas I needed to work on. After some research and recommendations from seniors, I decided to use e-GMAT as my primary study resource. Their trial videos and comprehensive Verbal course seemed to align perfectly with my learning style. This decision proved to be a game-changer in my GMAT journey.
Section Breakdown: The Good, The Bad, and The Quant-tastic
Quant: From Strong to Stellar
Quant was my forte, but I was determined to push myself further. I dedicated extra time to topics like Number Systems, which weren't my strongest suit. Through consistent practice and targeted study, I boosted my confidence in areas like Probability and Permutations & Combinations. I leveraged the PACE engine of the e-GMAT course which helped me save 35+ hours on my Quant prep. The diagnostic quizzes at the beginning of every module would allow me to focus on my weaker areas only thus saving me a lot of hours.
During mocks, initially, I was consistently scoring around Q86, which was good but not great. The game-changer came when my mentor, Dhruv, suggested I start with Quant as it was my strongest section. This strategy would help maximize my overall score.
After implementing Dhruv's advice, I started scoring Q90 consistently in my practice tests. On test day, I stuck to this strategy and a strict 3-minute-per-question rule. This approach, coupled with rigorous practice, helped me ace all 21 questions and score a Q90! It was a thrilling moment that validated all my hard work and the effectiveness of starting with my strongest section.
Data Insights: Conquering New Territory
DI was a new challenge for the Focus Edition, and initially, I was pretty nervous. I approached it systematically, starting from basics and gradually tackling more complex problems.
Dhruv, my mentor helped me develop a personal strategy for Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) questions, which were particularly time-consuming. I'd solve all non-MSR questions first, then tackle the MSR ones in the last 5-10 minutes. This approach worked well in my practice sessions and on the actual exam.
Verbal: The Tough Nut to Crack
Verbal was my biggest challenge, but I saw significant improvements throughout my preparation.
For Critical Reasoning, I developed a pre-thinking approach which dramatically improved my performance. My accuracy on hard CR questions jumped from a modest 40% to an impressive 75%. This boost in performance was a huge confidence booster.
In Reading Comprehension, I made substantial progress in both speed and accuracy using the reading strategies explained in the RC course of e-GMAT. I managed to reduce my reading time for an RC passage from 7 minutes to just 4 minutes. Even more impressively, I cut down the time taken to answer subsequent questions from over a minute to a mere 30 seconds. This improvement allowed me to tackle more questions within the time limit.
Despite these improvements and consistently scoring in the V80s on practice tests, I ended up with a V78 on the actual test. Looking back, I realize I let the pressure get to me and didn't apply the strategies that had been working so well in my practice. I spent too much time on a difficult RC passage, which threw off my timing for the rest of the section. It was a tough lesson in the importance of staying calm and sticking to your strategy, even under pressure.
My Study Approach: Leveraging e-GMAT's Resources
Last Mile Push Program
e-GMAT's Last Mile Push (LMP) program was instrumental in my preparation. My mentor, Dhruv, provided personalized guidance that was tailored to my strengths and weaknesses. We set clear milestones for each section, which helped structure my prep effectively.
One of the most valuable aspects of the LMP program was the regular feedback sessions. Dhruv would analyze my performance data and provide insights that I might have missed. For instance, he noticed that my Quant scores were consistently strong and suggested I start with this section on test day to build confidence - a strategy that ultimately helped me secure my Q90.
Scholaranium: Data-Driven Practice
e-GMAT's Scholaranium platform was a goldmine for practice questions. What set it apart was its advanced analytics. After each practice session, I could dive deep into my performance data. The platform showed me not just my accuracy, but also my timing on different question types and difficulty levels.
The analytics were instrumental in my Verbal improvement. For Critical Reasoning, the data pinpointed specific question types I was struggling with, allowing me to focus my efforts more effectively. This targeted approach led to the significant boost in my hard CR accuracy that I mentioned earlier.
In Reading Comprehension, the timed analytics were crucial. I could track how my reading speed and question-answering time improved over weeks of practice. This visual representation of my progress was incredibly motivating and helped me stay focused on continually improving my speed without sacrificing accuracy.
These insights from Scholaranium were key to the improvements I saw in both my CR accuracy and RC timing, which I discussed in the Verbal section. The data-driven approach allowed me to make the most of my study time and see tangible results in my performance.
Mock Tests: Simulating Test Day
e-GMAT's full-length practice tests were crucial in my preparation. They closely mimicked the actual GMAT in terms of difficulty and adaptive nature. The detailed post-test analytics helped me refine my section order strategy and time management skills.
After each mock, I'd spend hours analyzing my performance, question by question. This helped me identify patterns in my mistakes and areas where I was losing time unnecessarily. The ability to compare my performance across multiple mocks also gave me a clear picture of my progress over time.
Test Day: The Final Showdown
Test day was intense! Following my practiced strategy, I started with Quant, my strongest section. This approach paid off as I nailed all 21 questions, securing that Q90 I had been consistently achieving in practice. DI went well, though I faced a tricky question that threw me off a bit. Verbal was last, and I'll admit, the pressure got to me. I didn't manage my time as well as I had in practice, which affected my performance in this section.
Key Takeaways and Advice
1. Consistency is key. Regular, focused practice made a huge difference in my performance.
2. Don't skip around in your prep. Complete each section thoroughly before moving on.
3. Practice staying calm under pressure. The actual exam environment is different from practice tests.
4. Time management is crucial. Stick to your per-question time limits, even when stressed.
5. Be prepared for test center conditions. For example, I couldn't use water to calm my nerves like I did during practice sessions.
6. Start with your strongest section. This strategy helped me secure a Q90 by beginning the test on a confident note. Consider how you can leverage your strengths in your section order.
7. Leverage data-driven practice. The analytics from tools like Scholaranium can provide invaluable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
8. Don't underestimate the value of mentorship. Having an experienced guide like Dhruv to provide personalized advice made a huge difference in my preparation strategy.
Final Thoughts
This journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. While I didn't hit my target V80+, I'm proud of my Q90 and overall 675 score. The experience taught me a lot about perseverance, strategic thinking, and performing under pressure.
I'm grateful for the structured approach and resources provided by e-GMAT, especially the LMP program and Scholaranium. These tools, combined with my dedication and hard work, were key to my success.
To all you GMAT aspirants out there - believe in yourself, stay consistent, and trust the process. With the right mindset, hard work, and effective resources, you can achieve your GMAT goals. Good luck, and may the GMAT odds be ever in your favor!
A Little About Me:
I'm a Chartered Accountant with a BCom and MCom under my belt. After working for two years at Deloitte, I decided to pursue an MBA to broaden my horizons in M&A consulting.
My GMAT journey started with a 635 and ended with a 675 (Q90, DI82, V78). It's been quite a ride, full of challenges, hard work, and personal growth.
The Beginning: Finding My Path
When I started, I knew Quant was my strength, but Verbal and DI were areas I needed to work on. After some research and recommendations from seniors, I decided to use e-GMAT as my primary study resource. Their trial videos and comprehensive Verbal course seemed to align perfectly with my learning style. This decision proved to be a game-changer in my GMAT journey.
Section Breakdown: The Good, The Bad, and The Quant-tastic
Quant: From Strong to Stellar
Quant was my forte, but I was determined to push myself further. I dedicated extra time to topics like Number Systems, which weren't my strongest suit. Through consistent practice and targeted study, I boosted my confidence in areas like Probability and Permutations & Combinations. I leveraged the PACE engine of the e-GMAT course which helped me save 35+ hours on my Quant prep. The diagnostic quizzes at the beginning of every module would allow me to focus on my weaker areas only thus saving me a lot of hours.
During mocks, initially, I was consistently scoring around Q86, which was good but not great. The game-changer came when my mentor, Dhruv, suggested I start with Quant as it was my strongest section. This strategy would help maximize my overall score.
After implementing Dhruv's advice, I started scoring Q90 consistently in my practice tests. On test day, I stuck to this strategy and a strict 3-minute-per-question rule. This approach, coupled with rigorous practice, helped me ace all 21 questions and score a Q90! It was a thrilling moment that validated all my hard work and the effectiveness of starting with my strongest section.
Data Insights: Conquering New Territory
DI was a new challenge for the Focus Edition, and initially, I was pretty nervous. I approached it systematically, starting from basics and gradually tackling more complex problems.
Dhruv, my mentor helped me develop a personal strategy for Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) questions, which were particularly time-consuming. I'd solve all non-MSR questions first, then tackle the MSR ones in the last 5-10 minutes. This approach worked well in my practice sessions and on the actual exam.
Verbal: The Tough Nut to Crack
Verbal was my biggest challenge, but I saw significant improvements throughout my preparation.
For Critical Reasoning, I developed a pre-thinking approach which dramatically improved my performance. My accuracy on hard CR questions jumped from a modest 40% to an impressive 75%. This boost in performance was a huge confidence booster.
In Reading Comprehension, I made substantial progress in both speed and accuracy using the reading strategies explained in the RC course of e-GMAT. I managed to reduce my reading time for an RC passage from 7 minutes to just 4 minutes. Even more impressively, I cut down the time taken to answer subsequent questions from over a minute to a mere 30 seconds. This improvement allowed me to tackle more questions within the time limit.
Despite these improvements and consistently scoring in the V80s on practice tests, I ended up with a V78 on the actual test. Looking back, I realize I let the pressure get to me and didn't apply the strategies that had been working so well in my practice. I spent too much time on a difficult RC passage, which threw off my timing for the rest of the section. It was a tough lesson in the importance of staying calm and sticking to your strategy, even under pressure.
My Study Approach: Leveraging e-GMAT's Resources
Last Mile Push Program
e-GMAT's Last Mile Push (LMP) program was instrumental in my preparation. My mentor, Dhruv, provided personalized guidance that was tailored to my strengths and weaknesses. We set clear milestones for each section, which helped structure my prep effectively.
One of the most valuable aspects of the LMP program was the regular feedback sessions. Dhruv would analyze my performance data and provide insights that I might have missed. For instance, he noticed that my Quant scores were consistently strong and suggested I start with this section on test day to build confidence - a strategy that ultimately helped me secure my Q90.
Scholaranium: Data-Driven Practice
e-GMAT's Scholaranium platform was a goldmine for practice questions. What set it apart was its advanced analytics. After each practice session, I could dive deep into my performance data. The platform showed me not just my accuracy, but also my timing on different question types and difficulty levels.
The analytics were instrumental in my Verbal improvement. For Critical Reasoning, the data pinpointed specific question types I was struggling with, allowing me to focus my efforts more effectively. This targeted approach led to the significant boost in my hard CR accuracy that I mentioned earlier.
In Reading Comprehension, the timed analytics were crucial. I could track how my reading speed and question-answering time improved over weeks of practice. This visual representation of my progress was incredibly motivating and helped me stay focused on continually improving my speed without sacrificing accuracy.
These insights from Scholaranium were key to the improvements I saw in both my CR accuracy and RC timing, which I discussed in the Verbal section. The data-driven approach allowed me to make the most of my study time and see tangible results in my performance.
Mock Tests: Simulating Test Day
e-GMAT's full-length practice tests were crucial in my preparation. They closely mimicked the actual GMAT in terms of difficulty and adaptive nature. The detailed post-test analytics helped me refine my section order strategy and time management skills.
After each mock, I'd spend hours analyzing my performance, question by question. This helped me identify patterns in my mistakes and areas where I was losing time unnecessarily. The ability to compare my performance across multiple mocks also gave me a clear picture of my progress over time.
Test Day: The Final Showdown
Test day was intense! Following my practiced strategy, I started with Quant, my strongest section. This approach paid off as I nailed all 21 questions, securing that Q90 I had been consistently achieving in practice. DI went well, though I faced a tricky question that threw me off a bit. Verbal was last, and I'll admit, the pressure got to me. I didn't manage my time as well as I had in practice, which affected my performance in this section.
Key Takeaways and Advice
1. Consistency is key. Regular, focused practice made a huge difference in my performance.
2. Don't skip around in your prep. Complete each section thoroughly before moving on.
3. Practice staying calm under pressure. The actual exam environment is different from practice tests.
4. Time management is crucial. Stick to your per-question time limits, even when stressed.
5. Be prepared for test center conditions. For example, I couldn't use water to calm my nerves like I did during practice sessions.
6. Start with your strongest section. This strategy helped me secure a Q90 by beginning the test on a confident note. Consider how you can leverage your strengths in your section order.
7. Leverage data-driven practice. The analytics from tools like Scholaranium can provide invaluable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
8. Don't underestimate the value of mentorship. Having an experienced guide like Dhruv to provide personalized advice made a huge difference in my preparation strategy.
Final Thoughts
This journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. While I didn't hit my target V80+, I'm proud of my Q90 and overall 675 score. The experience taught me a lot about perseverance, strategic thinking, and performing under pressure.
I'm grateful for the structured approach and resources provided by e-GMAT, especially the LMP program and Scholaranium. These tools, combined with my dedication and hard work, were key to my success.
To all you GMAT aspirants out there - believe in yourself, stay consistent, and trust the process. With the right mindset, hard work, and effective resources, you can achieve your GMAT goals. Good luck, and may the GMAT odds be ever in your favor!
25 Sep 2024, 06:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congrats for the score
All the best for applications
Posted from my mobile device
All the best for applications
Posted from my mobile device
25 Sep 2024, 07:57
Kudos
Bookmarks
Great Debrief! Please add tag of debrief as well , will help others/reach
