Sunday, March 29, 2009
Broke the 700 Mark!
So its less than a week before test day and I just took the GMAC Test Prep 1 -- scored a 720!! 49Q and 39V
I need a bit more work on the verbal. Unfortunately there isn't one section of the verbal I'm lacking on, its pretty much all over. I'll have to review a few of the idioms (using Spidey's notes) and go over some CR and RC strategies using my Kaplan notes.
Going to take GMAC 2 a bit later today. Hopefully by the end of the week the score has been nicely boosted to 780!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
I need a bit more work on the verbal. Unfortunately there isn't one section of the verbal I'm lacking on, its pretty much all over. I'll have to review a few of the idioms (using Spidey's notes) and go over some CR and RC strategies using my Kaplan notes.
Going to take GMAC 2 a bit later today. Hopefully by the end of the week the score has been nicely boosted to 780!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Test Date is Set
Alas - the test date has been finalized. Unfortunately that means I have some real preparation to do. Though I know this, I can't seem to get started on these problems. Guess I should have worked a bit harder earlier on and taken in a few weeks ago. Oh well, we'll see what happens.
Test Date: Friday, April 3, 2009 at 12:15pm
Test Date: Friday, April 3, 2009 at 12:15pm
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
And all it takes is a little practice...
The goal is almost in my hands! I was a bit disappointed when I didn't do so well on the Ultimate Practice Test. I immediately knew that I need A LOT more practice if I was going to score above a 750. Its not an easy task scoring in the 99th percentile.
So I worked through several batches of problems yesterday and decided to try my hand at another practice test today - CAT 4. The math wasn't too bad - seemed easier actually. Maybe it's because of constant practice of Kaplan problems. Whatever the reasoning may be, I am proud to say: Quantitative Percentile 99%!!!!!! Unfortunately, I still got 6 questions wrong - bummer! None were in the first 10 and they were all equally spaced after.
- Breakdown:
- Data Sufficiency: 73%
- Problem Solving: 91%
Verbal - oh verbal. So my problem with Verbal is that I get tired and lazy when I get to the section. Its not difficult and I answer the questions correctly when I go back for a second try. It's just pure laziness. I need to sit through a few more practice exams and build some stamina.
- Critical Reasoning: 29% [OUCH!]
- Reading Comprehension: 63%
- Sentence Correction: 85%
- Short Passage: 67%
*Reading comp failure is due to my lack of concentration and fatigue. Though on UPT day RC: 38%, SP: 50%
Task at Hand:
- Countless Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning Questions need to be done
- Need to throw in a few Reading Comps
- Have 4 more CATs to work on
Left to Achieve: 90 Points
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
So I worked through several batches of problems yesterday and decided to try my hand at another practice test today - CAT 4. The math wasn't too bad - seemed easier actually. Maybe it's because of constant practice of Kaplan problems. Whatever the reasoning may be, I am proud to say: Quantitative Percentile 99%!!!!!! Unfortunately, I still got 6 questions wrong - bummer! None were in the first 10 and they were all equally spaced after.
- Breakdown:
- Data Sufficiency: 73%
- Problem Solving: 91%
Verbal - oh verbal. So my problem with Verbal is that I get tired and lazy when I get to the section. Its not difficult and I answer the questions correctly when I go back for a second try. It's just pure laziness. I need to sit through a few more practice exams and build some stamina.
- Critical Reasoning: 29% [OUCH!]
- Reading Comprehension: 63%
- Sentence Correction: 85%
- Short Passage: 67%
*Reading comp failure is due to my lack of concentration and fatigue. Though on UPT day RC: 38%, SP: 50%
Task at Hand:
- Countless Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning Questions need to be done
- Need to throw in a few Reading Comps
- Have 4 more CATs to work on
Left to Achieve: 90 Points
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Practice Test Wasn't So Ultimate...190 to Go
I just returned from the so-called Ultimate Practice Test. I'll be honest right away - there wasn't anything ultimate about it. Yes, I had the opportunity to drive to the actual test center (an awfully long drive from work) and yes I got to sit through a timed test (something I"ve been doing at home for weeks now), but all in all, I wasn't impressed. They didn't even give me my score right away!! I had to wait until I drove the hour back home to check it online. Guess the Kaplan teacher was right - it was a waste of time.
But then again, I realized that I need a bit more practice. I've read a couple more blogs by people who have gotten 760 and 790s - some impressive people. So, I'm hitting the books again - this time, I'm hitting them harder.
Planned Test Day: March 26, 2009 (might push it 1 week at the most)
Goal: 780
Current Average Score: 620
Left to Achieve: 190 points
Course of Action: 160 points
120 question batches per day - 60 OG, 60 online -- got a plethora of sources lined up if I exhaust these
Practice Test Every Other Day
SC Notes from Rajat and hopefully Manhattan
And every other problem I can manage to do!
Let it begin...
“Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.”
But then again, I realized that I need a bit more practice. I've read a couple more blogs by people who have gotten 760 and 790s - some impressive people. So, I'm hitting the books again - this time, I'm hitting them harder.
Planned Test Day: March 26, 2009 (might push it 1 week at the most)
Goal: 780
Current Average Score: 620
Left to Achieve: 190 points
Course of Action: 160 points
120 question batches per day - 60 OG, 60 online -- got a plethora of sources lined up if I exhaust these
Practice Test Every Other Day
SC Notes from Rajat and hopefully Manhattan
And every other problem I can manage to do!
Let it begin...
“Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.”
Let the Journey Begin...
I have been reading a lot of blogs lately on a variety of topics - fashion, politics, venture capitals, GMATs, CFAs, MBAs, MDs - the list goes on. I recently started a blog (more of a diary) on the happenings of my life. After reading a few MBA blogs, I decided, hey! why not record my journey to my MBA. I think its a fantastic idea and it's something you can look back on a few years from now and be happy you took the time out to write it all down.
So here it goes - wish me luck!
A quick bio: I'm a female in my early 20s who just recently graduated college (GO TERRIERS!) with a BA in Economics. Currently, I am working as a temporary Fixed Income Analyst at a media/data source I'm sure you've all heard of. Unfortunately (and sometimes fortunately) the job is only a temporary contract position. Hence, I'm still on the hunt for a place I can call home. In the meantime, I'm diligently studying for the GMAT. I started a Kaplan course a few months ago and that ended last weekend. Today - in 3 hours!! - I'm taking the Ultimate Practice Test. I think this is why I chose Kaplan over any of the other test preps - I get to go to my actual test center and take the test with real GMATers. I'll be able to rid myself of minor test day anxieties of driving to the test center and knowing what it looks like.
The follow-up question to "I'm taking the GMAT" is "What bschools are you looking to apply to?" To that, I'll have to say, we're going to have to wait and see. It all depends on my GMAT score. My undergrad GPA was abismal. Graduating top of my class in high school, I dont know how I managed to pull of such a sad undergrad GPA, but alas, it is what it is. I'd like to say my hopes are set on returning back to Boston (HBS), moving to California (Standford), or making use of my apartment in the windy city (UChicago) -- I'll keep you updated.
Test-prep so far:
Kaplan GMAT Course
Kaplan Books - Coursebook, 800 Book, Math workbook
OG 11th Edition
Still working on:
1000 DS
1000 SC
The rest of the OG
Online Kaplan Quizbank
* I've read/heard that Kaplan is the hardest test prep out there -- I'm hoping this helps my score.
I'll post my views on the Ultimate Practice Test after I take it this afternoon. For now, I'm off to review my essay tactics and do some last minute cramming - I promise I won't do this for the actual test.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - Confucius
So here it goes - wish me luck!
A quick bio: I'm a female in my early 20s who just recently graduated college (GO TERRIERS!) with a BA in Economics. Currently, I am working as a temporary Fixed Income Analyst at a media/data source I'm sure you've all heard of. Unfortunately (and sometimes fortunately) the job is only a temporary contract position. Hence, I'm still on the hunt for a place I can call home. In the meantime, I'm diligently studying for the GMAT. I started a Kaplan course a few months ago and that ended last weekend. Today - in 3 hours!! - I'm taking the Ultimate Practice Test. I think this is why I chose Kaplan over any of the other test preps - I get to go to my actual test center and take the test with real GMATers. I'll be able to rid myself of minor test day anxieties of driving to the test center and knowing what it looks like.
The follow-up question to "I'm taking the GMAT" is "What bschools are you looking to apply to?" To that, I'll have to say, we're going to have to wait and see. It all depends on my GMAT score. My undergrad GPA was abismal. Graduating top of my class in high school, I dont know how I managed to pull of such a sad undergrad GPA, but alas, it is what it is. I'd like to say my hopes are set on returning back to Boston (HBS), moving to California (Standford), or making use of my apartment in the windy city (UChicago) -- I'll keep you updated.
Test-prep so far:
Kaplan GMAT Course
Kaplan Books - Coursebook, 800 Book, Math workbook
OG 11th Edition
Still working on:
1000 DS
1000 SC
The rest of the OG
Online Kaplan Quizbank
* I've read/heard that Kaplan is the hardest test prep out there -- I'm hoping this helps my score.
I'll post my views on the Ultimate Practice Test after I take it this afternoon. For now, I'm off to review my essay tactics and do some last minute cramming - I promise I won't do this for the actual test.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - Confucius
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