geekybiz1

Congo Bro..!! Happy for ya.. coz I know u slogged it hard.. 710 is a good good score..!! Congrats once again!

Nope mate. Certainly not to my knowledge.

gud 2 cya as well mate.. my apps thing is stuck up due to certain personal things going on. am actually looking at applying next year but need to slowly work on more than one things. how about you? which schools are you looking at? btw, i'll drop an update on the books once i get some information. They are highly recommended ones.

I am trying to get hold of two books that have been highly recommended as a must read by many: Great Application Essays for Business School by Paul Bodine How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs by Richard Montauk. Anyone has any idea where these books would be available in India? I've tried to search but to no avail. Also, somehow couldn't get it through from Amazon - didnt find it on ebay.in.. Do I have any other option than asking some friend in US to send them across?

Gmat sets emailed. As far as SC is concerned - get hold of Manhattan SC and solve OG 11 in tune with Manhattan SC chapters. Once done with these two parallely - test yourself with OG 10 SC questions. Also read explanations of 800Bob and Erin on this forum for SC questions - they are real good. HTH.

Gud goin mate! Congratulations. Hope 2 see ya in the apps battle now... its a bigger head ache than gmat..!

Some good news to share with you all friends - Scored 6.0 in AWA section!!! I havent yet received my scores by post, but just as I searched my mailbox for Pearson's mail ID (I was gonna mail them today for not having received my official score), I found a mail that was sent on Sept 7 that gmail classified as trash mail automatically (thank god it wasnt deleted!). This email had a link from where I could download the PDF format of my official scorecard. This printable PDF has the title "Official Scorecard" so I beleive I can use a printout of this. Anyways, now I am atleast sure that my score has not got scrapped because of any silly mistake - so am relaxed now! -------------------------------------- Also posted a couple of practise essays that I wrote - not sure if they would be useful to anyone.. but give it a look at: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/gmat-awa/50851-6-0-my-awa-experience.html

Hey...! I scored a perfect six with AWA as well... I certainly used a template but am not able to find it right now. So, I have just attached a practise issue and argument that I had written then. Note that my issue and argument on G-day was slightly different from the format I have used in attached document. In the G-day essays, I used examples more extensively (as per advice from TMians) and tried to explain-comprehend rather than just mention (as per explanation in OG 11). Cheers!

Congrats Gaurav.. Btw, your ability to just remember all the answers always impressed me..!

Congrats for your score mate!

From what I understand, we receive it via snail mail only. Atleast I have not received any email communication for my AWA scores (or for anything else - for that matter) from Pearson.

Friends, Jst wanted to know - how much time it takes in getting the results by mail. I havent yet received my official score by post - took my test on 26 Aug. Apart from being curious about my AWA score - am jst getting worried if I havent screwed up something (like my address or survey or some option on the exam!) Should I mail Pearson or do I need to wait a bit more?

Rawkin score mate! Well done!! Congratulations Lets get the apps rolling now....!!

Congrats mate! All the best for your apps.. which now appears to be a more difficult part to me!

Yes mate, am primarily looking at ISB! Also thinking about Insead, AIM. How abt you? You appear to be targetting ISB as well?

I found GMATPrep quants very similar to what I saw on the actual GMAT as far as type of questions are concerned. The level of difficulty may have been just a little bit higher - but not substantially different (a possible reason of this can also be the fact that I never scored as good in gmatprep quants as i did in actual G). About the Qs that I saw - I dont think any of them were very different from what we discuss on forum. Infact, I feel we discuss good quality questions here that are very near to what we actually see on the real G. Apart from your Qs, I did a lot of Qs posted by Nuthan and a few posted by rits700, Charu and a few others. You know I cant share any of the Qs I saw - dun wanna get this silly 720 screwed up..!

Sets 15 to 20 are comparitively tougher, while sets 21 to 30 are more recent, so I would ideally prefer doing sets in the following order: Sets 26 to 30 first, then Sets 15 to 20, then Sets 21 to 25 and then 1 to 14 in reverse order. On lines of putting on the approach thing.. even thinking about writing on approaching the entire exam kind of tires me.. (yea, m too lazzzy!) so I guess I'll write in parts over a few days... Approaching the Quants - a few hints Observing the Trends with DS Number Properties Qs: I was good with PS, but DS was a headache - especially DS with number properties. I originally used number plugging approach - but it would take so much time that I used to end up screwing up other Qs due to timing problem. I found that a better way with number properties DS questions is to determine the number trends. Once practised well, this approach gives a higher accuracy and saves time. I certainly discovered it to be a better approach. I closely observed the way GMAT-HELP was solving the problems. I started this when I observed this in one of the threads in quants by gschmilinksy asking gmat-help, manish, chixn4tu and others to post their approach. Going through this thread is a good advantage. With observing number trends, I mean we should be knowing things like: Comparison of 1/a and a: if a>1, 1/a if a=1, 1/a=a if 0a and so on... Comparison of a and a^2 Possibility of |x|+|y|=|x+y| under different possible x and y values, etc, etc.. I observed the above trends and tried to put them to use wherever possible. Once I got into a habbit of these, I started deriving trends in Qs wherever possible for the given equations. This minimized number-plugging. I do not beleive that I eliminated number plugging completely - but I think a major part of my time management went to this approach. I strongly feel that GMAT Quants is test of applying logic with math - keeping this focus in mind certainly helped me in keeping the correct direction of preparation. Last week before the D-day Exactly 1 week before my exam, I gave my last GPrep. I simulated this GMATPrep to be precisely as similar as possible to the real G. I gave this test at the same time as I would give the real G. Went to a reading library to give the exam to avoid any possible disturbance. Once done with this, I analyzed the results of this test. I worked over the weaknesses for next 3 days and then gave Manhattan CAT. This would be my last prep test - 3 days before the actual G. I did not want to give any prep test right before the test since I feared that a bad score on a prep test would hamper my confidence levels. In case if I would get bad score before 3 days, it would still give me couple of days to get my confidence levels back to the mark. However, I had scored good on both these tests - 770 and 750 respectively - so the confidence level was high. For the last two and half days, I decided to do all the GMATPrep questions. I had been avoiding these questions on forum so far to ensure that I do not see familiar questions. The best way to find these for quants is to search Clintonn's posts. I did all of those. I also searched with terms "Gprep", "Gmatprep", "gmat prep" and found quite a few questions in verbal section. In the meanwhile, I continued to do GMAT Sets for RCs (since I could not find RC resource on the forum). By the end, I had done all the RCs on all the GMAT Sets.

Frnds! If I can help in anyway - lemme know. After havin taken so much from so many wonderful ppl on testmagic.com, would love to give back and help!

I did RCs from all the sets. I did sets 27-30 and 15-20 using Ursula's excel sheet with 75 mins time limit. I did some SCs and CRs from rest of the sets randomly. I beleive it is a good strategy to use this excel sheet with sets - however, the only annoying this is that due to repetition of many Qs - one cannot judge if timing thing is working out fine. I found Verbal sets 16-20 tougher in general than sets 1-15. The reason why people beleive sets 21-30 have a greater probability is that they have been published more recently. Though, I dont think I got any other Qs except one RC from sets - though I am bad at remembering Qs! Also note - I did not do any quant sets after doing 28-30, which I found to be very easy. My sequence of doing sets would be 26-30 first. 16-20 next. 21-25 next and first 15 at last. imjimmy, Whether quants in sets are easier compared to real gmat depends on the difficulty level of GMAT Qs you reach upto. So, while these Qs are certainly easier than the Qs that you would see when you are on track for say q50 - but if you drop this score a bit - GMAT Sets may match the difficulty level. Also - dont judge your accuracy levels purely from OAs at the end of those PDFs. A lot of them are incorrect. If you are getting 5-6 wrong in the first few sets (around sets 1-5), continue doing the sets and analyze your mistakes. For quants, I often classified my mistakes into: -Silly mistake -Concept not known -Concept known but didn't click -Too tough to solve I would then post or look for those Qs on the forum and look at how others solved it and would make sure I pick that approach gradually. I haven't done more than two quant sets (since I probably got 1 or 2 wrong in two sets together) so no idea of probability of Qs appearing from any part of the sets. I must say though, a lot of Qs were based on similar concept as Qs in GMATPrep. Qs were not exactly the same but the concept tested were precisely same. chatru, Atleast for me, the problem was not to use erasable board or marker. They were quite okay. Infact, when I went to the testing center a week before my D-day and got a chance to look at them - I thought, they would be fine. The problem for me was that markers would run dry in between - despite the fact that I was getting them changed. In the later part, I stopped asking for changing marker since it was making no difference.

JJs - you'll need scoretop VIP membership. I dont have it and I have no idea about JJs. GMAT Sets - lemme know your email id and I'll mail them. I'll write on this very soon.

I would say - do GMAT Sets for verbals. Don't be over-awed by the number of sets - a lot of questions across sets are repeated. I got an RC (the third one) exactly from one the GMAT Sets. But avoid GMAT Sets quants - they are just too easy. Prefer GMATPrep questions - they are the best indication and the questions on this forum - they are as difficult as it actually gets. Manhattan - do SCs if you get hold of them. Manhattan SCs are very good. Avoid CRs - they are BAD. RCs are good - I initially thought Manhattan RCs are bad - but looking at some of the tough ones I got, I would say, their existence in Manhattan tests is justified. Manhattan quants in their 3 exams is good - not as tough as the toughest Qs on actually GMAT - but still worth a go. Another important hint - dont collect a lot of new material during the last stage of your preps.

I dont think they are supposed to give used markers. At a charge of $250, they should be able to afford these useless markers. But I guess some centers may be giving used ones (beleive me friends, I dun wanna give my country a bad name at all, but...) - I very much feel that the ones I got were used ones - though I couldn't prove.

My wonderful experience with Pearson VUE Before talking about anything else, I would like to talk about a few great things that happened before and during my exam at the local Pearson center here. My exam was scheduled for 10 AM, I reached the center at 8:45 AM - wanted to get it done earliest possible in the morning. The Test Administration lady asked me if I would like to start immediately. I decided to wait for 15 minutes to settle into the environment and then start. Once I was ready, I went to her for the initial formal procedures. This includes things like signing on that digital pad, finger print, etc, etc.. But mid-way this procedure, the test admin software got stuck up! The lady decided to restart the system and whew! Once shut-off, the system didn't start!! Being a computer professional, I probably knew the problem and asked if I could help (all she was doing was restarting it again and again and there was no one there to help her). I started to think how annoying it would be to come on some other date for the exam. She refused and then called someone from outside. While she went outside to call someone, one poor chap sitting in the test room was raising his hand for something (I could see this on her video screen) but the lady wasnt around..! Poor fellow might have wasted 3-4 minutes before the lady was back..!! The assistant who came to get the computer back running also didnt know anything more than restarting the system!! However, dunno how, but the system started after their restart trials of 30 minutes. I finally started my exam at 9:30. During the exam, that silly marker would keep on going off - it would simply turn dry - not sure why. I probably changed it twice. During a break, I asked the admin lady what was the problem with the silly markers - and the advice that I got from her was to make sure I close the marker-cap everytime I dont use it. What she meant was - between questions, while I was reading Qs and not using marker, I should close the cap!!! Woooooh.. I never knew GMAT tests one's quant and verbal capabilities while the poor test-taker is made to close and open marker caps for 4 hours! I'm probably gonna drop a mail to GMAC - but I wonder if it makes a difference, since many people have already done so, but this hasnt made GMAC change their decision. Though all this went on, I was still able to maintain my focus. D-Day and days leading to it I had taken a leave from work for three days from Wednesday onwards. Gave Manhattan's last test on Wednesday first up. This would be my last prep test. Scored 750 - so the confidence level was not hurt at all. Rest of Wednesday, I had planned to revise the rules-concepts that I had learnt. This included my math notes jotted on few paper-sheets while I practised stuff and Manhattan SC guide. I never had any notes-rules-concepts for CR/RC. On Thursday, I intended to do a lot of practise. So, I started working through GMATPrep quant questions posted on the forum. I had avoided these questions earlier to make sure I do not know answers before I encounter them in my GMATPrep tests. I then worked through 10-odd RCs from GMAT Sets. I had kept these RCs for the last days. Did GMATPrep CRs and SCs from the forum as well. On the day before the test, I intended to spend maximum time relaxing since I did not want to feel burnt out by the time I reach the test. I decided to do the "Review Questions" section of GMATPrep that includes 15 Qs for every type on this day. Spent rest of the day watching TV. Also went out to meet a couple of friends in the evening who didn't know I was taking GMAT - just to ensure that I stay away from GMAT discussions. Went out for dinner with family as well. By this time I was completely relaxed and calm. However, just when I got back from the dinner at around 11:30 PM - tension started to build in. I had intentionally got up very early that day to ensure I get good sleep the night before D-day. But, the tension overtook. Somehow, got sleep very late.. but then, got up at around 3-4 AM... could feel the anxiety at that time - I guess I had got a DS Q wrong in my dreams! Anyhow, I luckily got back the sleep and woke up at 6 AM. (I didnt intend to get up at 6, but couldnt help it!) On the D-day morning, I was surprisingly calm - read the newspaper (to make sure I feel as normal as possible) - then decided to review my math notes and have a look at my AWA template. I had my normal coffee and fruit that I prefer on my daily breakfast - I was sure I did not want any changes to my routines, so I remained stuck to daily things.Done with all this - I thought it would be better if I take the test before any tension sets in. So I reached the test center at around 8:45 AM. I took some juice, water and more fruit for the breaks! The argument question was relatively easy. I was able to find the flaws well and I think I've written this one well. The issue was not one of my favourites - but went through the issue in a calm fashion as well. Took the 10 minutes break. During the break - went to the wash room, had some juice and felt relatively confident. By this time, I was feeling quite good. The first couple of quant questions were easy - dead easy. Did them twice since I didnt want to get any of the first 15 incorrect. But 6th or 7th question was something deadly on octagon! Completely stumped me. I had no idea - so instead of wasting time on this, I decided to move on. I was always targetting q50 so I did not want to waste time on something that I didn't know. I knew that for q50, I could afford to get 4-5 incorrect. 11th question was a very, but I had read Clintonn's analysis of questions difficulty trends, so I did not take this as indication of correctness of my responses. At around 25th question, I had 30 minutes to go. And the difficulty level at this time started to get suffocating. But the advantage here was that I had a lot of time now - 2.5 minutes per Q. Luckily, I also got a couple of Qs that were not tough but sneaky. Such questions are deadly if you miss the trick - but time-savers if you find the loophole quickly. I was lucky to find the loopholes quickly. The last two questions were dead tough. Especially the 36th one - but I had 7 minutes for last two Qs - spent 5 minutes solving the second last one! During the break after quants, I was feeling confident. It was appearing as if everything is on track. The first verbal Q was SC where I got stuck between two of the options - but finally picked one and moved ahead. Next one was SC Q as well - relatively easy. Got my first RC around 6th question - was an average RC - not very tough - not very easy. Around 13th question, which appeared to be a tough CR - I felt the drain. The question didnt make sense to me..! I am normally very good at CRs so this was unusual. Timing was going good - so thought of taking a 30 second breather. Closed my eyes - took a deep breath and got back. Solved the Q by POE. Right after this Q - got an RC - probably an 80 liner - one of the toughest RCs I have ever seen - it was on atoms, elements, fusion process of atoms in formulation of universe...!!! It included lotsa universe and chemical related terminology. Felt the drain again. Took another 30 seconder and tried to inspire with a bit of self-talk. I think it is from this point onwards that my verbal answers should have started going wrong - since this RC was certainly of high difficulty level. This RC took a lot of time - and I started to get slow. I had 15 minutes for my last 10 Qs - 4.5 minutes for my last 3 - probably sign of stress. Though, last couple of Qs were SCs that I was able to do in 30 seconds - was able to finish the verbals right in time. Done with the exam - went through that annoying survey. Even at this time, I was confident and had not realised that the stress had won over me in the verbals - so when I saw that 720 - felt very low and started thinking immediately of a retake and am still thinking...!! I intend to write very soon on other aspects such as: 1. My take on the material that I used as part of my preps 2. Prep tests to take 3. Over-all strategy for preps 4. Approaching the test (I think this is one of the most important things to understand and realize) Also, any specific questions are welcome.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. A score of 720 types is really awkward. Such scores, though typically above average scores of people who get into the good ones, kind of leave you with a bit of dissatisfaction. But, putting the dissatisfaction factor aside, do you beleive a 720 can have any negative impact on my apps? I'm just trying to get a rational reason behind my GMAT retake, if any. I beleive if I take it again, I may not get q51, but certainly nothing below q49 - but I should certainly be able to get much better than v35. Btw, I'll soon post a debrief (hopefully tomorrow). I have a lot to share - including a lot of not-to-do's! -------------------------------------------------------------- Though I'll post my debrief later, I would like to thank a lot of wonderful people around on this forum.. Firstly, Erin - thanks for setting this one up - its a tremendous resource for a lot of GMAT Takers like me. Bungholio - you rock my friend. Thanks a lot for all the help. Each and every part of your advice was helpful. GMAT-HELP, you are awesome with quants. And the effort that you put into detailing the steps, approach for solving those problems is amazing. Beleive me - a lot of credit for that q51 goes to you. 800Bob - Your SC posts are a true asset to this forum. Though you dont appear to be around these days, your past posts helped a lot. GSchmilinsky - Your approach of learning impresses me - I hope I had adopted your approach of learning earlier. I'm sure you gonna rock! Manish, you rock with quants. Am sure you gonna nail a perfect q51 with 1/4th the effort that someone like me had to put in! I would also like to thank shud (for my early days of preparation), Clintonn (for his GMATPrep Qs), and past members like Twinnsplitter, CTG1983, TicTacToe - they all inspired a lot!

Was looking at 750. My prac scores reflected that as well. The culprit was my q51 - I probably was too stressed at the end of quants. And I was surprised looking at that figure of 35. I had never scored more than 50 in quants or less than 36 in verbals (includes Manhattan tests) in any of the prep tests. Not sure if I should retake. Any advices on that?