Every 6-10 weeks someone asks me how I studied for the GMAT and any advice I have. Well, here’s my story!
Unfortunately, in college I was friends with a bunch of over achievers who thought it’d be a good idea to take the GMAT during senior year after they’d secured full time jobs. So, due to peer pressure and insecurity, I too signed up to take the test.
I took the ManhattanGMAT class which was ~7 weeks long. Each week consisted of 2 hours in a classroom, and 2 hours or so of homework. I’d say I did around 1/2 of the recommended homework each week. After taking the prep course, I immediately signed up for a date to take the actual exam which was about 2 weeks out. The date was during my finals week at NYU, but I wanted to take it before I headed out for a post-graduation trip to Asia with friends (the same ones who’d peer pressured me into taking this exam!!).
Before the prep course, I took a practice test and scored ~610 (my memory is slightly hazy, but it was in that ballpark). My goal was to get to a 700 by the time I took the test, and I was around a 680 by the time I finished the prep course.
The number one piece of advice for anyone taking this test is to create and use flashcards to internalize the information you need to answer the most difficult questions. This was a strategy I stole directly from my Dad who used it to become a doctor (much harder than getting into bschool – so it seemed battle tested).
With that in mind, I went through the 7-8 books that the test prep course had provided, and made a flashcard for any piece of info that I thought would help me answer questions. I made them for the types of triangles, grammar rules, and for the toughest types of questions (two trains going towards each other, the ones that require factorials, etc).
I had 200-300 flashcards, and would look at them when I had 5 mins on the subway, or while waiting for a friend. When I’d correctly answered a given card in three consecutive cycles (I put the card on the bottom of the deck after I’d tried to answer it), I discarded it.
The week before the test, I studied for 3-4 hours/day (mostly the flashcards plus some practice problems). The day before, I didn’t do anything but workout, eat some good food, and watch a movie. It’s important to rest your brain and de-stress! Now, I’d probably also do an extra long mediation session but I wasn’t into that back then.
I don’t remember exactly the slope of the curve, but there was a huge increase in my scores in the week before the test. I started off maybe at the 700 mark for a practice test, and then got a 720, and a 750 before my studying ended (don’t take too many practice tests. They are good to gauge where you’re at, but take a lot of time and aren’t very instructive in helping you improve). I’m pretty confident if I’d pushed the test back another week I could have continued to improve…but the commonly accepted rule says increasing your score above a 700 doesn’t help too much in getting you into school. Btw, I share these numbers only so you can see my progress from the original 610 to when I took the exam and what I did to get there – not to brag!!!
The day of the test of course I was a bit nervous. The worst part of the GMAT is that they ask you “do you want to accept this score” after you take the test. Basically, you can say “no” – and it’s like it never happened. But, if you “accept the score” it goes on your record. My advice: just accept the score unless you had a monumental meltdown for some reason. Because of the way the test works, you get harder questions if you answer questions correctly. So, if you’re getting hard questions, even if you can’t answer them, you’re doing well!
In the end, I scored a 740. I remember not being completely happy with the score when I got it, and the person working the front desk who’d given me the score basically said “I don’t get it – if I got that score, I’d be jumping up and down!”
My advice is to not put that much pressure on yourself. And, if you score above the range you need to get into your dream school, go celebrate! Luckily, I came to my senses about 10 mins after leaving the test center and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for a few days.
Good luck, don’t stress, and look forward to two of the best years of your life 🙂
Excellent, what a blog it is! This web site gives
helpful data to us, keep it up.
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included
you guys to my blogroll.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this
blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Do you have any video of that? I’d want to find out more details.
I got this website from my buddy who told me regarding this web page
and at the moment this time I am visiting
this site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
You are amazing! Thanks!
Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the superb work!
Every weekend i used to visit this website, for the reason that i want
enjoyment, since this this website conations actually nice funny information too.
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established
blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do
you have any points or suggestions? With thanks
I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers however this post is in fact a pleasant post, keep it
up.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously feel this site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably
be back again to see more, thanks for the advice!
Article writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with then you
can write or else it is complex to write.
I visit every day some websites and blogs
to read articles, however this webpage provides quality based writing.
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It
positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
I hope to contribute & aid different customers like its helped me.
Good job.
Usually I do not learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it!
Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also visit this weblog on regular basis to get updated from latest
reports.
You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I feel I would never understand.
It sort of feels too complex and extremely wide for me.
I’m having a look ahead in your subsequent put up, I’ll attempt to get
the hang of it!
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine.
Please let me know where you got your design. Bless you
Wonderful blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring
writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Right here is the right webpage for anyone who hopes to find
out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for a long time.
Excellent stuff, just excellent!
Link exchange is nothing else except it is just placing the other person’s website link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar
in support of you.
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this
site, and your views are nice in support of new people.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your blog.
You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love
to write some material for your blog in exchange for
a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
Thanks!
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles or reviews all the time
along with a mug of coffee.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to
see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she
can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83
views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and
design. Excellent choice of colors!
What’s up, I want to subscribe for this website to get most up-to-date updates, therefore where can i do it please assist.
Good day very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful ..
Superb .. I will bookmark your site and take
the feeds additionally? I’m satisfied to find a lot of useful
info right here within the publish, we want work
out extra techniques in this regard, thank
you for sharing. . . . . .
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.
I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Thanks for sharing!
You’re so cool! I do not suppose I have read something like that before.
So great to discover another person with original thoughts
on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up.
This web site is one thing that is required on the internet,
someone with a bit of originality!
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my
iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to
take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog
loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyhow, excellent site!
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up anything
new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site, as I experienced
to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load
correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes
affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of
your respective intriguing content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.
Hello friends, pleasant piece of writing and good urging commented here,
I am truly enjoying by these.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you
happen to be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark
your blog and will come back later in life. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice evening!
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this article.
It was funny. Keep on posting!
I like it when individuals get together and share opinions.
Great site, stick with it!
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time
and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself
personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
obviously like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your
posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find
it very troublesome to tell the reality however I will certainly come again again.
I simply could not go away your website prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a
person supply on your guests? Is going to be again regularly in order to check up on new posts
I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s content daily along
with a mug of coffee.
Ahaa, its nice discussion on the topic of this piece of writing at this place at this web site,
I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Very good info. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve bookmarked it for later!
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally
I have found something which helped me. Thank you!
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be
running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility
but I thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though!
Hope you get the issue solved soon. Cheers
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff previous to and you are
just too wonderful. I actually like what you’ve bought here, really like
what you are stating and the best way during which you say it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great web site.
Great article. I’m facing many of these issues as well..
Excellent website. A lot of useful information here.
I am sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious.
And of course, thank you to your sweat!
Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening
in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, fantastic blog!