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shaanrizvi · 2009 September 8th, 05:25 PM

Hello guys,

The following were my practice test scores before the first attempt: (in chronological order):

I started preparing during the 2nd week of August

GMATPrep 1 - 680 (44Q, 39V)
GMATPrep 2 - 720 (47Q, 41V)
GMATPrep 1 - 740 (49Q, 41V) - After re-installing GMATPrep

I figured I will probably get something between 680-720 on the actual test. I did a lot of practice but focused solely on Quantitative in the last 2 weeks. Took the GMAT on 2nd September and got 680. I shouldn't have been surprised because this was what I estimated and I wasn't but it felt wrong!

I obsessed about it for 3-4 days. Felt like a loser. Didn't feel like spending USD 300 again for another shot but figured I have to do this.

I realized the following flaws in my former strategy: I focused way too much on Quant. Really. In the last 2 weeks, I barely touched Verbal except for the 1 or 2 practice tests I did. Secondly, I think I didn't get enough sleep (from 2 am to 9 am) and also woke up too early. My test was at 12 and I could have easily had another hour of sleep. Thirdly, I somehow panicked a little on the Math section and that sort of hurt me. I ended up rushing through the end of the section so badly that I had to guess the last 2 questions.

Perhaps that even ruined my rhythm for Verbal. In addition, I had a can of Redbull right before the Verbal section and as I don't drink tea, or coffee and don't take caffeine on a regular basis, that may have worked against me. However, I don't know for sure.

I've decided to give it another shot. I just went through the entire Powerscore Critical Reasoning Bible and ordered the Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction guide.

I took a PowerPREP practice test yesterday and my score was : 730 (49Q, 41V) I was surprised because I knew I had panicked quite a bit on the Verbal section.

Does anyone have any tips for me? I want to aim at crossing the 750 barrier! My weakest links are critical reasoning, SC, Geometry and Number Properties. I want to aim at crossing the 750 barrier so that even if I get a little less than what I aim for, I still land in an excellent range!

Also, leave any comments that you may have on my story so far! I can use all the criticism and support I can get!

romrubiens · 2009 September 8th, 06:03 PM

Shaan,
680 is a very good score.

If you are not a regular Redbull drinker, then it won't work for you. I have tried everything from bananas to chocolates. from redbull to glucose drink.. They don't work unless you are regular with them.

In my last attempt, I went to center with my passport only.. nothing else.. no books or food..

For maths, I don't think rushing towards the end ( even if you end up answering them wrong) hurt you in any way. Its always the 1st 21 questions...which matter.. 47 suggest you got approx 5 questions wrong... couple of them in 1st 21. Try to get a 100% score in 1st 21..

I'm not a Verbal bond, but regular practice is a must for it.

shaanrizvi · 2009 September 8th, 06:35 PM

How many times have you taken it, if you don't mind me asking? You sound very experienced when you say "I have tried everything"!

I think next time I should just have enough breakfast to make sure I don't feel hungry during the test and I should just have a bottle of water for the breaks.

I am not sure if I agree with you about the score explanation for Quant! :S I always get more than 10 questions wrong in the practice tests and still score more than 47. I think it depends on the difficulty of the questions you get wrong.

But I am sure I made a lot of silly mistakes. The first question was worded very strangely and it sort of made me panic a little. I regained control but I spent too much time on a couple of other questions. I need to stick my strategy of : Firstly, figure out whether you have a chance at solving the question. Secondly, think about how you can do it? If you don't know how, there is no use wondering around spending 3 minutes trying to find a way!

I need practice! And I can't download anything from this forum yet. So I am increasing practice and posts at the same time. Hehe. Trying to be helpful!

tkt · 2009 September 11th, 01:02 AM

decent score ... don't rush to take another GMAT .... take another one if you are consistently scoring >720 .. i mean only a suggestion

shaanrizvi · 2009 September 11th, 08:57 AM

I only scores <720 in the first GMATPrep that I took (680, after very little preparation). After that I've scored 720, 740, 760 (GMATPrep Refreshed) and 730 (PowerPrep).

Also, I feel I was seriously under-prepared for Verbal. In the two weeks before the test, I prepared mostly for Quant. I just need to score 41 or over on Verbal.

2009 September 8th, 05:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
shaanrizvi 680 to 750. HELP! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Helsinki Posts: 123	680 (47Q, 35V) on 2nd September - Going to re-take on 5th October! Hello guys, The following were my practice test scores before the first attempt: (in chronological order): I started preparing during the 2nd week of August GMATPrep 1 - 680 (44Q, 39V) GMATPrep 2 - 720 (47Q, 41V) GMATPrep 1 - 740 (49Q, 41V) - After re-installing GMATPrep I figured I will probably get something between 680-720 on the actual test. I did a lot of practice but focused solely on Quantitative in the last 2 weeks. Took the GMAT on 2nd September and got 680. I shouldn't have been surprised because this was what I estimated and I wasn't but it felt wrong! I obsessed about it for 3-4 days. Felt like a loser. Didn't feel like spending USD 300 again for another shot but figured I have to do this. I realized the following flaws in my former strategy: I focused way too much on Quant. Really. In the last 2 weeks, I barely touched Verbal except for the 1 or 2 practice tests I did. Secondly, I think I didn't get enough sleep (from 2 am to 9 am) and also woke up too early. My test was at 12 and I could have easily had another hour of sleep. Thirdly, I somehow panicked a little on the Math section and that sort of hurt me. I ended up rushing through the end of the section so badly that I had to guess the last 2 questions. Perhaps that even ruined my rhythm for Verbal. In addition, I had a can of Redbull right before the Verbal section and as I don't drink tea, or coffee and don't take caffeine on a regular basis, that may have worked against me. However, I don't know for sure. I've decided to give it another shot. I just went through the entire Powerscore Critical Reasoning Bible and ordered the Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction guide. I took a PowerPREP practice test yesterday and my score was : 730 (49Q, 41V) I was surprised because I knew I had panicked quite a bit on the Verbal section. Does anyone have any tips for me? I want to aim at crossing the 750 barrier! My weakest links are critical reasoning, SC, Geometry and Number Properties. I want to aim at crossing the 750 barrier so that even if I get a little less than what I aim for, I still land in an excellent range! Also, leave any comments that you may have on my story so far! I can use all the criticism and support I can get! Last edited by shaanrizvi : 2009 September 8th at 07:19 PM.

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2009 September 8th, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
romrubiens 2 beat 750 this time !!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 393	Shaan, 680 is a very good score. If you are not a regular Redbull drinker, then it won't work for you. I have tried everything from bananas to chocolates. from redbull to glucose drink.. They don't work unless you are regular with them. In my last attempt, I went to center with my passport only.. nothing else.. no books or food.. For maths, I don't think rushing towards the end ( even if you end up answering them wrong) hurt you in any way. Its always the 1st 21 questions...which matter.. 47 suggest you got approx 5 questions wrong... couple of them in 1st 21. Try to get a 100% score in 1st 21.. I'm not a Verbal bond, but regular practice is a must for it.

2009 September 8th, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
shaanrizvi 680 to 750. HELP! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Helsinki Posts: 123	How many times have you taken it, if you don't mind me asking? You sound very experienced when you say "I have tried everything"! I think next time I should just have enough breakfast to make sure I don't feel hungry during the test and I should just have a bottle of water for the breaks. I am not sure if I agree with you about the score explanation for Quant! :S I always get more than 10 questions wrong in the practice tests and still score more than 47. I think it depends on the difficulty of the questions you get wrong. But I am sure I made a lot of silly mistakes. The first question was worded very strangely and it sort of made me panic a little. I regained control but I spent too much time on a couple of other questions. I need to stick my strategy of : Firstly, figure out whether you have a chance at solving the question. Secondly, think about how you can do it? If you don't know how, there is no use wondering around spending 3 minutes trying to find a way! I need practice! And I can't download anything from this forum yet. So I am increasing practice and posts at the same time. Hehe. Trying to be helpful!

2009 September 11th, 01:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
tkt Eager! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 39	decent score ... don't rush to take another GMAT .... take another one if you are consistently scoring >720 .. i mean only a suggestion

2009 September 11th, 08:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
shaanrizvi 680 to 750. HELP! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Helsinki Posts: 123	I only scores <720 in the first GMATPrep that I took (680, after very little preparation). After that I've scored 720, 740, 760 (GMATPrep Refreshed) and 730 (PowerPrep). Also, I feel I was seriously under-prepared for Verbal. In the two weeks before the test, I prepared mostly for Quant. I just need to score 41 or over on Verbal.

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