Scored 730 (650 in first attempt) :)

[amitabh123]

Guys,

I finished my GMAt on 29th august and scored 730 (Q49,V40). My first attempt was 650(Q49,V31) on june 15th. My first score was not reflective of my true competancy with the exam, and I started prepatation right away after my first attempt. I knew that I could do better and I was determined to do so. So, anyone in the same shoes, do not get discouraged. GMAT, at times may not be true indicator of your preformance. All you have to do is prepare once again enthusiastically and greater determination. Also, remember, if you score less than expected, usually there are gaps in your preparation which you have not figured out. Make sure to be honest with yourself and hit it hard then. I did the same.

I would like to thank the testmagic forum for a wonderful environment and the knowledge it provides.

I shall be dividing this post into 2 parts.

First, my experience of GMAT.
Second, what did I change from the last attempt, expecially verbal.

[bulls106]

Congrats Amitabh. Great Score. Good luck with your apps

[totoro]

thanks for sharing. your words are encouraging.
the debrief especially how you improved your verbal score will help me greatly!

good luck on your app~

[amitabh123]

My test day experience:

It was raining and I reached the center about an hour early. Did the usual stuff and then went to the room. I had scored 6 in AWA in the last GMAT and was very confident of writing the essays. I finished the forst essay in about 28 minutes and the second one in about 25 minutes. The only tip which I can provide in writing the essays is : Stick to a format and then write as much as you can; preferably 5-6 paras and try to give examples and analogies. I think that is suffiecient to get a good essay score.

Anyways, I took the 8 minute break, went to the restroom and then had a cup of tea. Came about a minute early and started the Quant section. I was realtively confident of the Quant section. As being an IITian and MITian and good mock test score, I felt comfortable. My first 10-14 questions were easy. I would like to point out that my question 15-27 or 28 were nightmares. Too long problem solving and tough data sufficiency questions. I would not say that they could not be solved but I wasn't expecting such questions. Even GMAT manhattan questions were ok as compared to what I got. Anybody preparing, do not take quant questions for granted. GMAT seem to have increased the overall quality of the Qaunt questions and one needs to prepare accordingly. Anyways, I did most of the questions and took guesses on 3-4 questions in the Qaunt section. The only thing that I was getting out to time bacause of the lenghty questions. Anyways,I had about 5 minutes left for the last 7 questions and I had to guess the last 2 questions. The only tip which I can provide for this question is that do not take quant light if you are good in MATH. GMAT has increased their level of Math questions. GMAT manhattan quant practice is a must and try to score 49+ in the mock tests.

Anyways, after the quant section, I knew that I was not scoring 50 or 51. I was determined to get a good scored and decided that I am going to give my best in the verbal section of the test. Went to the restroom, drank of cup of tea and came to the room. I was totally focussed and determined for verbal. I think the only option left for me was to give my best in verbal despite an average Math section. Compared to the last attempt, I was prepared much better for the verbal section (I shall be posting preparation part soon, little busy with the job and app preparation). I reached a minute early and started the verbal part of the test. First 3 questions were easy SC's and then 3 critical reasoning and then and SC and then reading comprehension. The first 12-15 questions were easy and the anwers were easy to identify. One thing which was helping me is that I had increased my SC correction rate from 80% to about 95%. After the 15th questions there some long Sc's and long critical reasoning's. Not difficult but were time consuming. I was getting little slow on the time part because of these lengthy questions. I had about 9 minutes left in the last 9 minutes. I was praying for a small easy reading comprehension and got a 40 line reading comprehension. Was able to read it quickly and answer the questions. The last two questions were lenghty critical reasoning's and I had to guess. Overall, it was a verbal section as expected. The level would be the same as GMATprep. Its just that I was well prepared for the verbal and most of the answers seemed evident. As compared with the last time, I was not making any random guesses and I was satisfied with the answer. I was expecting much higher on the verbal that 40, but I think my time crunch and some silly mistakes would have lended me 40. Anways I am satisfied with 40 as well since in my last attempt I scored only 31.

Let me know if you any specific questions. I shall compile a debrief of my verbal preparation soon. One tip for sure in verbal: Be very honest in your preparation; If you are making random guesses or not confident of one of the answers, it is not that you are getting tough quesions or having a bad day, there are gaps in your preparation. Be very honest and then prepare. There are subtle things which needs to be corrected and studied. Your hit rate for sc and critical reasoning should be about 95% to 100%. That's the only way to get 40+ in verbal. Gurus, please correct if you don't agree with the same.

[sk_gmat]

Congrats Amitabh for the great score ! Your success surely inspires me. I am very keen to know from you

1) What did you do differently in the 2nd attempt / prep? What materials did you prepare from and how did you measure your improvement over each section(given that most of the questions are familiar to you from the 1st prep)

2) Which tests did you use during your 2nd prep as most of us exhaust tests during 1st attempt (at least I have)

I am sailing in the same boat as you were few days back. Trying to see what should I do now to make sure I am not failing this time. I have written twice and have scored nearly same in both the attempts though I was very confident in the 2nd attempt of scoring 730. Anyway, I am still confident that I can do that with the right strategy and prep. Looking for some advice from you.

Thanks

[santroz]

Hey Amitabh..congrats man..awesome score..I am eagerly waiting for your verbal preparation strategy..

[shaanrizvi]

I took the GMAT on 2nd September (680 - 47Q, 35V). And surely, the difficulty of the Quant questions on the real test has increased!

[romrubiens]

Nice score Amitabh

[GMAT mission]

Amitabh - first nice work - great score.

What materials did you use for the prep? What tests did you take as mocks?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated! Best of luck on rest of app.

[shweta_gmat]

Great score Amitabh.. cant really wait to read about your verbal strategy.. especially since i am in the same boat..!! Scored a 30 on the verbal.. and i need to boost it to a 40+ ..