Hi everyone!
I wanted to share my GMAT journey with the community. Reading other debriefs was incredibly helpful while I was preparing, so I hope this can do the same for someone else.
Starting PhaseI began studying in January 2025 after deciding to apply for MBA programs in 2025/2026. I hadn’t used any GMAT prep tools before, but after talking to friends and doing some research,
Target Test Prep (TTP) stood out as the most complete and structured platform. I subscribed to the Maximum Learning Plan (6 months) and committed to following the plan exactly as designed—no skipping, no shortcuts.
From the beginning, I was very disciplined. My study goal was to put in 25–30 hours per week, every week. On weekdays I’d study 2–4 hours, and weekends were longer—up to 6–8 hours per day. I treated this like a part-time job.
Study Strategy with TTPI followed TTP’s roadmap exactly. That was one of the biggest advantages of the platform: no need to guess what to do next. It gave me structure without limiting flexibility.
Some features that really made a difference:
- End-of-chapter tests – These locked in each concept before moving forward.
- Thorough bank of practice problems, broken down by difficulty – This helped me build mastery progressively.
- Theory explanations – Very detailed and clear. I never felt confused or underprepared.
Importantly, I only used TTP for my learning and practice. I did not use the official GMAT guidebook, nor did I do any of the problems from it. All my studying came from the TTP platform itself. I finished the full theory portion in about 4 months, then spent the next 1.5 months on mock exams and review.
Practice & Official MocksAfter completing the course, I took the two free official mocks and bought the additional four. These were my scores:
- Mock 1: 615
- Mock 2: 665
- Mock 3: 635
- Mock 4: 675
- Mock 5: 625
- Mock 6: 655
The mocks felt very similar in difficulty to the actual GMAT Focus Edition. In fact, I’d say they were a solid indicator of what to expect. That said, I outscored all my mocks on the real test, which I attribute to being well-rested, mentally ready, and fully dialed in on timing and test-day execution.
Test Day – GMAT Focus EditionOn test day, I felt confident and calm. I had practiced under timed conditions with all my mocks, and it paid off. My final score:
- Total Score: 695 (98th percentile)
- Quant: 86 (91st percentile)
- Verbal: 85 (94th percentile)
- Data Insights: 82 (93rd percentile)
I was spot-on with timing across all sections. One thing I believe made a huge difference:
I got the first question right on all three sections, and I managed to maintain long streaks of correct answers throughout. I truly believe this was a game changer. Getting the first question wrong can be very detrimental in the adaptive scoring algorithm, and long errorless streaks significantly help your score.
Because of TTP, there were no surprises—every concept, every question type felt familiar. I walked out knowing I had done well.
Key Takeaways & Tips- TTP is all you need. I didn’t use any other prep resources—not even official GMAT problems—and I never felt like anything was missing.
- Stick to the plan. TTP gives you a roadmap. Follow it, don’t try to outthink it.
- Prioritize consistency. I studied every day, even if just a little. Momentum is key.
- Mock under real conditions. No pausing, no skipping. It’s the only way to build test-day stamina.
- Timing matters. Nail the first question. Stay calm. Avoid panic if a question seems hard—focus on long streaks of correct answers.
- Six months is more than enough. In my experience, longer prep windows can lead to burnout or second-guessing. Four months of study + 1–2 months of mock testing worked well.
Final ThoughtsThe GMAT Focus is tough, but absolutely manageable with the right approach. TTP was the only resource I needed, and it got me to the 98th percentile on my first try. I never felt underprepared, and I highly recommend it for anyone aiming for a high score without having to piece together a million different resources.
Good luck to everyone on their journey!