GMAT Cracked - 740 (Q-49, V-41), AWA 6.0

[USMba]

Well p_jez gave a very good suggestion of being aware of the fact that many a times we tend to use the information from part A into part B and vice versa. This is a very common trap and should be very actively avoided. There are only limited types of DS questions which can be asked (read limited set of mistakes which you can make). I would recommend that go back to your previous tests and check out and may be 'note down' all mistakes you did in the past. Make sure that you understand what led to those mistakes and avoid them in future.

Also for the last day or two ... i would say relax a bit. May be just run through your notes and avoid taking exams. I know its tempting but it doesn't help much.
Good luck and keep us posted on your results..
Best,
MB
Founder of IndusMinds

[p_jez]

D-Day experience:

I was based in Pune when I took the GMAT. Luckily for me, I was on a break between jobs and hence it was not hectic at all. My appointment was for 3PM, Mumbai. The last time I had a certification test, I had arrived at the center more than an hour in advance and was admitted right away. However, when I reach Pearson at 1PM, they wouldn't let me in. Ditto with a few more people who reached around the same time.

A guy there had a car, we went out nearby for a cup of tea (I was actually searching for a Red Bull to keep me awake - couldn't find one). Reached back by about 2:45. 15 more mins, and then the door opened. We were asked to sit inside and read the rules and regulations (I think we had to sign as well - don't remember actually). Then the IDs were checked, a photograph taken. Finally we were issued keys to a locker each. We had to take out *everything* - no finger rings, no chains, no caps, no wristwatch, no keys, even the religious threads some people have on their wrists - they actually had scissors for cutting these. We all thanked our stars that we didn't have to leave our clothes in the locker too.

Finally, exam time! We were all conducted to our respective desktops and the test began. Started off with the essay. For the analysis of issue, almost at the end, with barely 2 mins remaining I realized that I had forgotten to write the key "if so and so evidence had been pointed out..." for each para! Hurriedly did that. For the argument, I used just 1 example, with 2 sub-examples within it. Barely finished it, just about half a minute to spare. Took the break I was allowed and went to the restroom. I also followed one rule I set for myself - that I won't drink more than 2 sips of water when thirsty - didn't want to waste time/concentration with extra restroom breaks/holding out.

Quants started off nicely, with increasing difficulty. Right in the middle I encountered a totally simple questions. Just as I was about to hit "Confirm", I got thinking about the simplicity of the question - it didn't fit in the difficulty level I was in. Read the question again and realized that I had fallen for a trap - I was answering something else, not what was asked. Whew! marked the correct choice and moved on. Towards the end I was really short of time, had to guess for the last 3 questions. I would not have been able to finish otherwise. Took the break after this again.

Verbal was very easy for me. Breezed through it, with about 15 mins to spare. Clicked the "Report Score" button and waited. The most agonizing half a minute I had had in last year... 740! That was a relief. Took the printout that was given at the reception - be sure not to misplace that - it is the only place where the code to download your official score is mentioned. Three weeks later checked online, my official report was ready. 6.0 in AWA!

So that was it. 2 months of hard work, irritation and frustration, all paid off. All the best to you all! Remember, the GMAT is more about how you keep your cool under pressure.

Cheers

[fattu]

You got a awesome score in AWA. Did you practice that during your mocks ?.
I haven't been doing that and a little worried now as it appears sitting 4 hrs to take a test would be a different ball game altogether.
It would also help if you can tell from where did you read essays for practice

[p_jez]

@fattu:

No, I didn't read any essays for practice - just those in Kaplan, but specifically those in OG. Be sure to read all the three versions, along with the explanations - scoring 6.0, 4.0 and 2.0. That'll give you a better idea of what not to do.

Finally, be very very sure to understand Princeton's template concept - its ultra simple. Prepare the templates for yourself, write an essay or two using those. Then practice getting 4-8 bullet points for a topic in 2-4 mins and vetting them down to 2-3. Remember, the validity of your points will most probably not be tested IMHO, but the way you construct your arguments and use examples in doing so will be.

I did not take any 4 hour test at home - I practiced essays separately and the practice tests separately. Even for the Kaplan tests, I would just click "confirm" with blank essays and get on to Quants/Verbal.

Cheers

[fattu]

Thanks p_jez for your insightful response...

You never know how individual respond to different situations.. So i think it would be good idea if I take one or two mocks with essays.. just to see whether my concentration doesn't break towards the end of the test

Originally Posted by p_jez

@fattu:

No, I didn't read any essays for practice - just those in Kaplan, but specifically those in OG. Be sure to read all the three versions, along with the explanations - scoring 6.0, 4.0 and 2.0. That'll give you a better idea of what not to do.

Finally, be very very sure to understand Princeton's template concept - its ultra simple. Prepare the templates for yourself, write an essay or two using those. Then practice getting 4-8 bullet points for a topic in 2-4 mins and vetting them down to 2-3. Remember, the validity of your points will most probably not be tested IMHO, but the way you construct your arguments and use examples in doing so will be.

I did not take any 4 hour test at home - I practiced essays separately and the practice tests separately. Even for the Kaplan tests, I would just click "confirm" with blank essays and get on to Quants/Verbal.

Cheers

[mittal.gaurav1]

And guys, one more thing...
Though I am giving my GMAT now, I intend to work for sometime before my MBA.
Does choosing the B-schools have any significance for me? (I am kind of running short on time for last minute prep, so don't want to spend more time on looking up B-schools)

[p_jez]

@mittal.gaurav1:

The questions in OG are those which are retired from the GMAT - i.e., they will not appear there anymore. However, the difficulty level and question types is what you should be looking at from there. Powerprep - are you referring to the tests distributed for free at mba.com? I really don't know, because somehow that software never installed for me. If you are referring to Kaplan's tests, then you should expect a better score on the actual GMAT. In my case, I scored 630 and 650 on Kaplan.

Your scores will usually be valid for another 5 years or so. So if you have a fair idea of where you will apply, it'll only save you money during your application process ($28 per score report right now).

Hope this helps...

Cheers

[Bunty4Billi]

Thank u Jez..I can see that my RC accuracy is improving..still working on DS...thanks a lot for ur advice...

Originally Posted by p_jez

Thanks USMba... That was a nice post.

Bunti4Billi, for DS keep an important rule of thumb in mind - after you've eliminated "A" as an incorrect choice, you should ensure that you are not using the information in "A" to check if "B" is correct.

For RC, what USMba said is excellent advice. Also note that for questions asking "what is stated in the passage" as against "what is inferred in the passage" - you just need to find that info again. Are you using Kaplan's method - of noting a one-liner info about each para?

Cheers

[ashish_iitr]

Originally Posted by p_jez

Preparation Strategy:

I had browsed through the net looking for GMAT prep advice, and based upon what I found, I decided to use the following books for my GMAT prep:

1. Kaplan GMAT Review (I got the 2008 edition)
2. Princeton Review (I got the 2008 edition)
3. Official Guide (OG) (I got the 11th edition - not sure whether this is the latest)

I had a fleeting thought that I would subscribe to ScoreTop. In hindsight, good that I didn't.

I purchased Kaplan and Princeton together, this was in February 2008 I think. However, all of a sudden my workload increased and for quite some time I had to let them go. Finally, in April I managed to start studying again.

Another noteworthy event during this time was that I resigned from my job to take up another one. I deliberately decided to be at home for a month and a half and study. I negotiated my joining date with the new company and then took the last available GMAT slot before this - 30th May 2008.

This is my feedback about the three books:

Kaplan GMAT Review: Excellent for overall study. Got 630 & 650 in their CD companion tests

Princeton Review: Very good for brushing up your basics. The AWA templates part is excellent

OG: Indispensible. Solve it entirely.

All in all, I solved the entire Kaplan and OG twice, analyzing each wrong answer. Princeton - the examples are neither tough, nor enough.

More details in a later post.

Cheers

congrats for getting excellent score!. can you please help for reading comprehension side,what all the subjects they might come from (havnt yet started any gmat material). and i would like myself to be acquainted with all related jargons.
so would you recommend me couple of subjects and related books to understand them better?

[USMba]

Ashish,
You need not know any essay topics in advance. Its not testing your GK about various subjects but rather your reading comprehension skills. As a matter of fact you may end up getting some topic which you might have never heard of. Practice how a RC is approached in general. Books like Kaplan might be a good bet.
Best,
MB
Founder IndusMinds.com