Here are some details from my GMAT prep:
Q. How much was the total duration for GMAT prep?
A. Exactly 2 months. I started in mid Aug by taking a Princeton online test in which I got 590 without any preparation. So I was confident to at least touching 700 in two months of prep. Moreover as I had prepared for IIT and IIM CAT exams earlier so the basics were pretty ok.
Q. What was the preparation material used in the prep?
A. I joined at one of the institutes where I attended weekend classes for the preparation. Though one doesnt need classes if the preparation is focused and single minded, but as my job was pretty hectic so I joined classes to put some discipline into the prep and interact with other ppl taking the exam. It turned out to be a good experience as I could get some useful tips in the classes and keep the prep on track.
I started with Princeton Review and OG and was able to add roughly 50 marks to my initial score to reach approximately 650 in the mock tests. but after 650 the level of questions increses and one need practice on tougher problems to move the score further. On realising this I bought KAPLAN 800, KAPLAN GMAT Verbal workbook OG quantitive review and covered on about 75-80% of them.
The most useful book for raising the score till and beyond 700 seems to be KAPLAN 800. It helps you to get familiar with the tougher questions and move faster through the easier questions.
Q. What were the parts of the test I found tough?
A. The two sections in which I committed the most mistakes were DS and SC. I found it was the same for a number of other people too. About 80% of my incorrect answers were in these sections inspite of devoting the maximum time for practising them.
Q. how was the performance in mock tests?
A. In all I took seven full mock tests, 5 from Princeton and 2 GMAT Prep Tests.
The scores in Princeton tests in the order I got them are:
- 590 (2 months before test)
- 670
- 610
- 660
- 620 (1 day before test)
In GMAT Prep:
- 700 (1 week before test)
- 710 (2 days before test)
My understanding is that Princeton tests are not reflective of the actual GMAT test because of 2 reasons:
- the questions are much easier than actual GMAT
- the logic to calculate GMAT marks is different from actual GMAT, so even if you get more correct answers, your score will be much below that in a GMAT prep test
This is an important point because this means that you cannot deicde on your performance level from a princeton test, which is really a shame. Hence the most you can use them for is to practice holding your concentration for 4 hours. Hence even though I got 620 in a Princeton test just the day before my GMAT, I know that the problem is in the test and not in my prep
I would have liked to take some of the Kaplan tests, but couldnt arrange for them before my GMAT test date.
Well I guess some of you may find this info useful, if you have any other questions then do ping me
I will write a little bit about the strategy that I used to attack different sections after a while, now have to get back to work on my essays....
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