Will not bother a lot but feel like sharing and getting some words from you guys.
My GMAT story: studied for 3 months, intensively over the last 2 months (considering my workload for me was every evening for 3-4 hours on workdays + full week-ends).
Prep tests:Oct 10 -
MGMAT 1 -
650 Q40 V38
Oct 17 - Gmat Prep 1 -
690 Q45 V40
Oct 24 -
MGMAT 2 -
630 Q39 V37
Oct 31 -
MGMAT 3 -
640 Q43 V35
Nov 22 - Kaplan 2 -
730 Q47 V43
Nov 28 -
MGMAT 4 -
730 Q49 V41
Dec 11 -
MGMAT 5 -
760 Q49 V45
Dec 13 - Gmat Prep 2 -
750 Q48 V46
Along the way took several quant and verbal tests from the club, including some special sets, like probability, work, mixtures - the ones that I felt needed additional polishing. Plus, of course, the majority of
OG questions (all from the
OG Quant and
OG verbal), all of Kaplan. For verbal additionally used
MGMAT SC and RC, Powerscore CR.
Obviously, used GMAT club, read the math and verbal topics, picked up lots of great insight.
Error log is a great tool, used it extensively as well.
Quant always seemed a bit harder for me, mostly because of careless mistakes. I do admit I am not equally fluent in all areas (still need to work on tough combination/probability tasks, modules and inequalities, and sets) but in general I felt more or less confident for at least 45-46.
Verbal was easier to improve (as one may notice from my prep test progress), thanks to
MGMAT SC, and generally better understanding of the RC/CR approach. By the test day was rather confident about getting 44-45 here.
Took Gmat Prep 3 days prior to the exam, got good result. Today I was looking at 720 - 750 range. Got 660 Q41 V40. Do not know how...
AWA went well (seemed, at least, we'll see from the score report) found good reasoning for both sections, proofread. Took a break.
Math. Did not seem any harder than what I saw on the prep tests, seemed even easier. Just like on the prep tests, had issue with timing and had to guess the last 5-6 questions. Had the same in the last few prep tests where I scored well. Also, became a bit suspicious when in the second dozen of questions got a very simple one, like "what is 0.something of 1 percent in numerical value" with fractions as answers...
Verbal did not seem threatening to me. Was tight on time, but did not do any guessing. Did not have any question which I would spend more than 3 minutes on.
I am very disappointed but not devastated and now want to retake in a month as my first choice school's deadline is luckily just a bit later than the possible retake date
I know this has probably been asked several times now, but still - is there any chance for some kind of mistake on the part of GMAC?
Understanding that the answer is most likely negative
will appreciate any specific piece of advice as to how realistic for me is to raise the score to 700+ in one month's time.
Few additional words for better understanding of my situation:
1. I am 29 and very eager to get into an MBA for fall 2010.
2. My goal - Top 5 ONLY
3. IMHO my work, educational, and leadership background make me a strong candidate and I know I should get 2 very good recommendation from the current and former managing partners of the local office.
4. I am not a morning person at all, but had to take the test at 10 AM as there was no other available time slot. Was not sleepy though.
Thanks!