730 (Q49, V41) My first GMAT... a thrilling experience!

[TheMiro]

Hi everyone!

My name is Alessandro, I am completing bachelor's degree in Engineering in Milano, Italy.

I learned about this forum the night before my GMAT: I was disappointed for this because I found a lot of interesting tips and hints.

I did my first GMAT attempt on 27th April. The preparation took me a week. I used mainly GmatPrep and Kaplan800.
I think that 730 score is a pretty good result for a first timer-- other people in the test center was going to kill me, I guess.

Coming from engineering I was pretty confident with quantitative, I had to learn some idioms and "tricks" for verbal, anyway.

I really think that GMAT tests one's skills, but also the ability to handle stressful situation, the ability to focus, and creativity(time is the key, you have to be creative to loose some "knots").

GMAT makes you stay in your room like a soldier in a bunker, but when you click "Show score", then see it... You feel like Armstrong on the moon surface. Put off your "ear defenders", and start again to listen to all the sounds and noises like computer buzzing and so on...

I think I portrayed the feeling, right?

I will give you some other details about my experience in the next days!

[m.campanella]

Hey Alessandro!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Fantastic score!! Really great job on your verbal particularly if you are not a native english speaker!

Where are you thinking of applying? I ask you this because I am thinking of applying to SDA Bocconi in Milan! Who knows, we might end up classmates!!

Take care!

[TheMiro]

Thank you!

Anyway, no SDA for me, I am only 22 years old.
I am applying for Master of Science in International Management, in Università Bocconi, just as you.

Best wishes for your application!

[StephanieThao]

Well done, as we try to do it one time, don't prepare that you have to do again--> the score must be better.

Originally Posted by TheMiro

Hi everyone!

My name is Alessandro, I am completing bachelor's degree in Engineering in Milano, Italy.

I learned about this forum the night before my GMAT: I was disappointed for this because I found a lot of interesting tips and hints.

I did my first GMAT attempt on 27th April. The preparation took me a week. I used mainly GmatPrep and Kaplan800.
I think that 730 score is a pretty good result for a first timer-- other people in the test center was going to kill me, I guess.

Coming from engineering I was pretty confident with quantitative, I had to learn some idioms and "tricks" for verbal, anyway.

I really think that GMAT tests one's skills, but also the ability to handle stressful situation, the ability to focus, and creativity(time is the key, you have to be creative to loose some "knots").

GMAT makes you stay in your room like a soldier in a bunker, but when you click "Show score", then see it... You feel like Armstrong on the moon surface. Put off your "ear defenders", and start again to listen to all the sounds and noises like computer buzzing and so on...

I think I portrayed the feeling, right?

I will give you some other details about my experience in the next days!

[gmattering666]

woah, 700+ with just a week of preps .. impressive!

[tania77]

serioulsy a great score....born Genius I guess....within short time u have managed to score 730

[mitzi]

Wonderful score!

Best wish for your future endeavor! Looking forward to seeing your details. Thanks.

[gotit]

Wow, congratulations! You're a G-natural! I totally agree with you that it tests your ability to handle stressful situation and to focus. Very true!

[aerospace22]

I also studied for a week and received a score of
Q 51(99%) and V42(95%) on June 24th 2009. Received my AWA mark only a week later and received a 6.

Just finished undergrad in Economics from Canada and going to LSE finance.

The fact that you studied for only a week and did well does not show anything special. It only means that we were prepared well, luckily, for the GMAT. A lot of smart people who try hard can break 700. See if you can get close to 800, which might be your true potential with a month or two of studying instead of talking about the mark you received with a week of studying.

Kim

[TheMiro]

Originally Posted by aerospace22

I also studied for a week and received a score of
Q 51(99%) and V42(95%) on June 24th 2009. Received my AWA mark only a week later and received a 6.

Just finished undergrad in Economics from Canada and going to LSE finance.

The fact that you studied for only a week and did well does not show anything special. It only means that we were prepared well, luckily, for the GMAT. A lot of smart people who try hard can break 700. See if you can get close to 800, which might be your true potential with a month or two of studying instead of talking about the mark you received with a week of studying.

Kim

Hey Kim, take it easy... My intention was not to say "I am special, I broke this idiot test and bla bla bla".

I was just implying that if you have a correct, strong, background, for example if your major is engineering or math or statistics, you don't have to panic and moreover you don't have to prepare for several months as I read in other threads on this forum.

I studied only for a week because the deadline of the admission for my chosen grad course was really close, and therefore I had no other choice.

I don't think that my objective should be obtain a 800 or so...
I believe that GMAT is only a key, not a goal. Your goal must be to pass admission for an university, or a Phd, or whatever, and then do your best, and finally go hunting for your desired job.

Life is some kind of journey, maybe.
I repeat, GMAT is just a key, and 730 is a pretty sufficient key in my opinion.

And don't worry, I will do my best in my future university, since my GMAT granted me admission with full scholarship at Bocconi University, International Management master of science.

Best regards