Monday, March 19, 2012

Prep Update

So I took the GMAT Prep tests. I scored a 750 and a 740, but I would admit that I did 'cheat' a bit. I didn't give up my practice of checking for the right answer after attempting, and hence, in some cases (2 or 3 questions) I actually changed my answer before moving on. Hence, wouldn't say that the score above represents my actual score - but was happy with how I was performing.

I did start my SC prep - read through MGMAT, rather glanced through it, but it helped me IMMENSELY. I then picked up the SC section from the Official Guide, and am happy to report that I got 95% right - amazing accuracy for me, up from high 70s/early 80s. The plan is to wrap up MGMAT SC Guide and the official guide questions by end of this week. Devote next week to CR, the next to RC.

After that, I'm actually going to the US for 2 weeks or so. When I return on the 23rd of Apr, I plan on devoting 2 weeks to my Quant prep. I have scheduled my test for 20th May, so I should be able to get a solid 1 week of tests in between, including a proper simulation on the weekends, including the Saturday right before my actual test on Sunday.

I seem to be on target for a 720+, look forward to a 740+ - Now THAT would be awesome!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Cracking the GMAT

So with a lofty target set in my eyes, I am out on my GMAT prep. having taken the exam in the past, I am finding it tough to study first from the books and then move on to practice tests etc. So I took on a different approach. i took 6 tests from MGMAT and the way I did them was, I solved each question, then googled that question simultaneously to see whether my answer was wrong or right. After reading the explanation right there right then, sometimes pausing my test, and not changing the original answer I posted in the MGMAT CAT, I moved onto the next one. This helped me 1. learn real time 2. make a list of concepts i need to revise and 3. made it more exciting for me to take tests

I scored between 730 and 780 on the tests.

Then I took the 2 official MGMAT prep tests between yesterday and today. I scored a 760 on both (Q51 V41, Q50 V42). My target will now be to

1. take 6 more mgmat tests over the next 2 weeks
2. do them without looking at any answers simultaneously AND in one go with proper simulated timing
3. Cover the official guides and revise areas of weaknesses
3. reset the MGMAT CAT Prep software and retake the 2 official CATs
4. As soon as I feel confident, register for the next available GMAT test and kill it

My target remains 720+ and although I brim with confidence, I hope I dont falter at the last step.