Krovvidy's Journey from 680 to 740!

[krovvidy]

Date: 11/17/2008
Place: San Francisco
Score: 740 (50Q, 40V)

Hello Folks

After debating for about 4 months whether I should re-take the test or not, just 3 weeks back I finally decided to give it another dash. This time, I wanted to keep my prep short & sweet as well as focused. Thanks to the earlier havoc (http://www.urch.com/forums/just-fini...2v-65-ile.html (680 = 88%ile (50Q = 95%ile, 32V = 65%ile))), this made me realize my strengths & weaknesses in black & white.

Preparation:
*Manhattan SC - recap of the rules
*OG11 Verbal
*Verbal SETS from 21 to 30 - under timed conditions (beware of the incorrect OAs)
*GMATPrep-1 : 720 (3 days before the real test)
*GMATPrep-2 : 710 (2 days before the real test)

Some take-aways from my prep:
*Time-slice the 37 Quant qns into 3 sets - each set to be completed in 25 min. (I targeted, 12-12-13)
*Time-slice the 41 Verbal qns into 3 sets - each set to be completed in 25 min. (I targeted, 12-14-15)
*Stick to OG11 for Verbal. Solve all the qns and understand the Official Explanations of every single qn

Test Day:
AWA: Went okay - I am not very positive because I didn't manage the time as well as I'd have liked.

Quant: I felt, lack of practice in Math was telling on me a little bit. By the end of Quant, I started getting restless though I was able to complete section 8 min ahead of time. During the break, I had to really calm myself down to regain the focus.

Verbal: The test went through pretty smooth - and had about 5 min left for the last 2 qns. However, I felt that the RC passages were lengthier than those in OG11.

Result: Believe me, I was prepared for the worst (even a repeat of 680), but when I saw a 740 - I had no emotions (awe-struck!). The proctor thought it didn't go well, but when he saw the score on the printout, he said "hey ... chill bud, you're so funny!"

Vote of THANKS:
I cannot forget ve_boss' words of wisdom after my 680 -
".... I'd advice you to retake. What is the risk? If you don't reach your expectations then...oh well ! Your score is already a good one ! But if you succeed in the next test as you want.. then tell the world!! You're in an ideal situation ! ...."

Cheers to TM ... I am so glad that I've known you folks. I've been receiving PMs with loads of encouraging words even when I was offline for months ... Thanks friends.

I have 12 days to go for my first app deadline - so I am not writing a long debrief. I'll be happy to assist you in any way I can. I wish you all luck. Have fun.

Best
Krovvidy

[Gmater-1]

Let me the first one to congratulate you

[buji]

Congrats ! Great Score

[suchikumar]

This is super great Krovvidy.. well done and well deserved.. All the Best Buddy.. it is awesome

[cheeseburst]

Congrats krovvidy.....good show....
I m 30 days away from my test and am at around41-44 level in quant...wht shud be done to tk it to 49-50??is it manageable in a month's time???
Pls help......
Good luck for applications.....

Date: 11/17/2008
Place: San Francisco
Score: 740 (50Q, 40V)

Hello Folks

After debating for about 4 months whether I should re-take the test or not, just 3 weeks back I finally decided to give it another dash. This time, I wanted to keep my prep short & sweet as well as focused. Thanks to the earlier havoc (http://www.urch.com/forums/just-fini...2v-65-ile.html (680 = 88%ile (50Q = 95%ile, 32V = 65%ile))), this made me realize my strengths & weaknesses in black & white.

Preparation:
*Manhattan SC - recap of the rules
*OG11 Verbal
*Verbal SETS from 21 to 30 - under timed conditions (beware of the incorrect OAs)
*GMATPrep-1 : 720 (3 days before the real test)
*GMATPrep-2 : 710 (2 days before the real test)

Some take-aways from my prep:
*Time-slice the 37 Quant qns into 3 sets - each set to be completed in 25 min. (I targeted, 12-12-13)
*Time-slice the 41 Verbal qns into 3 sets - each set to be completed in 25 min. (I targeted, 12-14-15)
*Stick to OG11 for Verbal. Solve all the qns and understand the Official Explanations of every single qn

Test Day:
AWA: Went okay - I am not very positive because I didn't manage the time as well as I'd have liked.

Quant: I felt, lack of practice in Math was telling on me a little bit. By the end of Quant, I started getting restless though I was able to complete section 8 min ahead of time. During the break, I had to really calm myself down to regain the focus.

Verbal: The test went through pretty smooth - and had about 5 min left for the last 2 qns. However, I felt that the RC passages were lengthier than those in OG11.

Result: Believe me, I was prepared for the worst (even a repeat of 680), but when I saw a 740 - I had no emotions (awe-struck!). The proctor thought it didn't go well, but when he saw the score on the printout, he said "hey ... chill bud, you're so funny!"

Vote of THANKS:
I cannot forget ve_boss' words of wisdom after my 680 -
".... I'd advice you to retake. What is the risk? If you don't reach your expectations then...oh well ! Your score is already a good one ! But if you succeed in the next test as you want.. then tell the world!! You're in an ideal situation ! ...."

Cheers to TM ... I am so glad that I've known you folks. I've been receiving PMs with loads of encouraging words even when I was offline for months ... Thanks friends.

I have 12 days to go for my first app deadline - so I am not writing a long debrief. I'll be happy to assist you in any way I can. I wish you all luck. Have fun.

Best
Krovvidy

[TaTum]

Congratulations on your superb score, and I have no doubt that you deserve it! You accomplishment really inspired me to continue challenging the GMAT. I wish you best of luck in the world with your application!

Just one question. Last time I took the test, I got 660 (V29,Q50), which is close to your previous score. How did you make such substantial improvement on Verbal? Particularly, I have a problem with intricate RD passages.

[bose]

congrats! you deserve it.

[CrazyGmatter]

Congrats!!!..Expected one indeed..

[DMoney]

Well done & deserved

[smalishah84]

Congratulations on going in for the second time and really giving the GMAT a thrashing ....well done.