It's Over...

Today was my GMAT appointment. After Thursday's GMATPrep Test (610) I was pretty nervous. I got a good nights sleep, woke up, ate a good breakfast, and left with plenty of time to make it to the center. Walked in, read the rules, got fingerprinted, they took my picture, and I was led into the actual testing room. I went through the administrative stuff, selected my schools (USC, UCLA, UNC, NYU, and Wake Forest), then started the AWAs. I felt both of these went fine.

I opted not to take the break in between AWA and Quant. I don't know why, but I just wanted to keep going. Unlike practice tests, I used every available minute for the Quant section. I felt I did a good job here, and gladly took my break before Verbal. Now, my Q had been pretty consistent lately, but my V had started dropping. Once again I found myself on the last three questions with 25 minutes to spare, never a good sign. There were a few questions where it seemed like two answers were perfectly acceptable, and others where none seemed correct. After the exam, I went through the survey and stuff, then accepted my score (I didn't pay $250 to NOT see where I was at).

680. A bit below my target of 700, but above what I had been scoring at lately. My practice tests, in order, were: 580, 600, 660, 700, 680, 650, and 610. So, this score actually sits at the top part of my distribution. Here's the kicker: I got a 44Q/38V split. That's the best I've ever done in Q, but well below my usual mark in V. Had I gotten a bit better on V, I would have nailed that 700 I was looking for! So close!

In all, I can't complain about Q, but I'm fairly upset about V. I had always tested much better on Verbal, and struggled with Quant, and it seemed everything switched at the end. Maybe it was the change from Manhattan GMAT tests to actual GMATs that did it.

Now, I have to decide if its worth applying to my target schools. I know with my GPA it's a hard sell at any of my schools, but maybe it's worth shooting for them anyway.

D-Day Approaches

Sorry All! It's been a crazy few days, which is why I haven't gotten to post. Work, family drama, relationships, and the 4th of July weekend took most of my time. My GMAT appointment is Saturday at noon. On Sunday, I took MGMAT #6 and got a 650. Lower than my last two (700 and 680), but I chalked it up to the fact that I had been partying since Thursday, and probably wasn't in the best frame of mind.

Tonight, I took GMATPrep #1. I wanted to get a sense of actual questions (other than from OG11). I got a 610. I still can't believe it. My splits were 41Q (actually about right) but 33V, which is INSANELY lower than what I typically get. Did I just get accustomed to answering Manhattan GMAT questions? What the heck happened? Mom offered some words of encouragement...I was on an unfamiliar PC (which I'll be on Saturday), the room was insanely hot, and I had spent 10 hours at work. Maybe she's right. I felt OK going into it, and I know a few of the verbal questions hung me up, but I still couldn't believe it was that bad. I've never scored that low on verbal!

This has obviously scared me for Saturday. What if this score is more reflective of my tests, and not the MGMAT scores? Also, why are my scores so spread out (580, 600, 660, 700, 680, 650, 610)? Very strange.

Hopefully the last two were just outliers, and I'm actually closer to the middle range of those scores than the first or last few.

Studying, Scandals, and Puppies

There's just over two weeks to go for my GMAT appointment. I keep working through the quant parts of OG11 (my verbal is pretty good, so I'm not focusing too much on that), slowly going through the last few questions and beginning to focus on DS. I've got one more MGMAT prep test, and of course the two GMATPrep tests. I'll definitely do at least one this weekend, maybe two. I'm excited to take a GMATPrep, as they're the closest representation to an actual GMAT score.

One thing I've been focusing on is slowing down. It may sound strange, given there are about 37 questions that need to be answered in 75 minutes, but some of my problems on quant are that I move too fast. This has lead to careless mistakes (ie, I know the answer is c)4, but I pick D as my choice because I'm flying through). I've also started double-checking my work in order to be as sure as I can. Another skill I need to learn is knowing when to cut my losses and move on. This happens often on the geometry questions, especially the 700-800 level ones. I'll try and figure it out, but become hopelessly lost. This results in time wasted on a problem you can't answer, forcing you to move even faster in later questions.

Just some random thoughts on the whole GMAT cheating scandal: Getting into a top notch MBA program is filled with lots of pressure, and the prospect of spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours studying and preparing and yielding zero results has led to people making poor decisions. As Tinydancer said in her blog (and detailed on the Clear Admit blog and over at Businessweek), this is not the first time a cheating scandal has happened, nor will it be the last. Those I feel truly sorry for are the ones who didn't know what ScoreTop was about, and who thought they were simply buying a question bank to better prepare themselves for the GMAT. This could potentially hurt legitimate prep resources, such as the GMAT Club question sets, or Manhattan GMAT, as prospective applicants wonder where the questions are from. I know it made me pause and think for a moment. In the end, those who used the service may find themselves unable to apply to most top schools (as their scores were cancelled and they are banned from taking it again), and students already in school may be expelled.

This weekend there's not much going on outside of GMAT-related activities. The Humane Society is selling tickets for a wine tasting, so I'll be helping out with that, and we've got some adoption events. I've been planning something for the HSGA, and hope to sit down with the volunteer coordinator soon and show her what I've got in mind. It would make things a lot easier for everyone involved, and hopefully lead to more volunteers!

Not Too Smart!

Apparently I hadn't actually confirmed my GMAT appointment for June 28th. I was checking it a bit ago (procrastinating once again!), and I realized I hadn't followed through. And, naturally, that date - and all around it - are full. Next available slot: Saturday, July 12th, at 12:15PM. Maybe this is actually better, as it will give me more time to buckle down. I just hope it doesn't lead to me procrastinating since the test isn't for a few weeks now.

Last night I got three straight PS questions wrong in OG11, all in the 170s. I nearly wanted to throw up when I checked. I blame it on a brain fart; definitely shook my confidence a bit. I studied the correct answers and really tried to shore up what I had done wrong. Sometimes it feels like I'll learn from a mistake, only to be done in by the new process when I see a similar question! Frustrating.

I've also thought about my target schools. With my GPA (2.82 at WFU), are they realistic? Could I even get an interview at USC/UCLA/NYU? Should I start looking more at the 25-45 range of schools? It's disconcerting to see my GPA below the 20% mark.

2 Weeks to Go

June 28th is rapidly approaching. I took MGMAT #5 and got a 680...a bit down from MGMAT #4 (700). My verbal held steady at 41, while my quant dropped back to 41. It's very clear that quant is my weak area...I feel fine going through practice sets in OG11, and get the overwhelming majority of them correct. For some reason, doing the Q portion of the MGMAT tests kicks my butt! I don't get it. I'm going back through the MGMAT books, to sort of kick-start my brain and bring me back above the 70% mark, which I clearly need to get a 700 or higher. Pretty soon I'll start with the GMAT Prep tests that you get when you sign up for the test. I've heard they are the most accurate representation.

On a side note, yay me for getting mention in last week's Fridays From The Frontline on the Clear Admit Blog. People do read this! Yay!

I'm up for a new position at work, moving more into a marketing/analysis role than the data role I've been in for the past 2 years. I know this may look strange on my application, that I'm taking another job (albeit within the same company) so close to application time. I just don't feel that, because I plan to apply to an MBA program in the fall, to begin in fall of 2009, I should pass up any other growth opportunities until the app season sorts itself out. I think the only downside that can't necessarily be explained is why I'd put my firm in a position where they put me in this job, train me, and I leave in a year. Any thoughts?

The Mythical 700

I took Manhattan GMAT test #4, and got a 700. Midway through the quant portion, I wanted to quit and start over, as I felt I was doing terrible. Verbal felt good. When I got my score report, it was Q43/V41, a 70/93 breakdown for a total score of 700. I love my verbal score, but disappointed in my quant. My problem solving questions have gotten worse from last time (though my DS has gotten better), and I'm just not improving as much as I need. Still, going from 580 to 700 isn't a bad jump!

It's Been Too Long

Sorry for the lack of updates. I seem to be posting once a week. Maybe it's just because it's the summer, and I can only comment on my GMAT studying so many times before all seven of my readers shout out "Enough!" Studying has been going ok...I think I'm doing well, especially when I get into a mental fight with OG11. I swear, sometimes I know my answer is right, and the book is wrong. I did the first 50 RC questions and got 45 correct, so that's pretty good. I'm through the first 140 PS questions, and I'd say I've gotten 120 correct on the first pass. I really want to take a GMAT Prep test to see how I'd do on a legit test, instead of relying on my Manhattan GMAT scores (660). Maybe Sunday.

The work situation hasn't improved much. It's just so frustrating sometimes. I have a meeting with my manager on Friday to discuss some things, and my future. Hopefully we can have a constructive conversation and actually move forward. I'm heading out to go golfing for the first time, hopefully I don't do too poorly.

Evidence of Progress

Another crazy busy weekend! Friday night was a going-away party for a co-worker, then just the usual stuff. Saturday was an early start. I had a Humane Society event at a bank branch opening, and we raised some money and more awareness, which is always good. It's cool to see the look on people's faces when they see a puppy. After that, running errands with mom, then studying for the GMAT, then to a friend's birthday party then to another party. I need a break!

I decided to take another Manhattan GMAT test (I seem to be saving the GMATPrep tests), and wasn't sure how I would do. I keep working through the OG11, but wasn't sure how it would translate to Manhattan GMAT. To recap, my first two tests were a 580 and a 600. After this time, a 660 popped up. Woohoo! That's gotta be more than a variance in guessing, right? Definitely made me feel better. Quant jumped up three points (from 40 to 43), all of which came in DS (I actually missed more PS questions than last time); verbal jumped four points, to 37, with gains in CR and RC. Definitely happy about the gains in DS and CR, as those were my weakest, but I'm concerned about my score dropping in PS.

Regardless, this does instill some confidence as I approach my June 28th test date. Overall, I've raised my score 80 points, and have 40 more to go for my goal. I feel good, knowing I haven't focused much on SC (I've got the Manhattan GMAT SC bible, so that'll help) and I've got plenty of more practice questions in the OG to go (I've only done 56 PS questions!) Moral of today's story: My confidence that was shattered is slowly coming back!

D-Day is set!

I did it. On Saturday, June 28th, 2008, at 8AM Eastern, I will sit for my (first) attempt at the GMAT. People had long been telling me that once a date is set, you really start buckling down and have a clear end in site. No more aimless studying, or putting off that last problem set because tomorrow is another day. I have roughly six weeks to get it done. There are no trips scheduled in that timeframe, no birthdays or vacations. It will be all GMAT, all the time.

I went through some of the Problem Solving sets in OG11. I got 31 out of the first 32 correct, and thought to myself, "Hey, maybe I've turned the corner and I'm gonna do it!" Then I realized that the questions at the beginning of the group of 250 are much easier than those at the end. Oops. False hope stinks.

This Saturday is a Humane Society event...the bank I work at is having a branch opening near my house, so I'll be volunteering there, handing out literature and trying to get some dogs and cats adopted. It's good to get back into this, as I haven't done anything since early April (right before I left for LA); I don't want the AdComs thinking I'm just doing it to put it on my application! Though, now whenever another volunteer opportunity comes up (Junior Achievement, Big Brothers Big Sisters, etc.) I wonder if I join now, will they think I did it for resume filler? Will they see a lack of leadership positions within my extra curriculars and say "He's full of it!" This is what I worry about.

In other news, let's all keep the people of both Myanmar and China in our thoughts and hearts as they deal with their natural disasters, the cyclone and earthquake, respectively. I've lived through a few hurricanes, an earthquake, more tornadoes than I can count, and I can say that none of them are fun. The loss of life from these events is astounding...estimates of 100k and 50k from these latest disasters. That's more people than I've met in my life!

Too Nice To Be Inside

Admit season seems to be coming to a close. Reading the BW forums or checking the blogs, it seems everyone who applied this season knows whether or not they were accepted somewhere. Apologies to those who are still in waitlist purgatory; I hope the wait doesn't kill you, and that in the end everything works out ok for you.

I've been doing the diagnostic test from OG11. Both Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency left me squarely in the Average category, which wasn't surprising. Reading Comprehension put me in the Above Average category, while my marks for Critical Reasoning was right at the cusp between Average and Above Average; that WAS surprising. My scores on Manhattan GMAT were pretty awful. I guess when everyone says the Manhattan GMAT tests are more difficult, they weren't kidding. Next up, I'll take the Sentence Correction portion to finish the diagnostic test.

Let me ask you this...is it true that your scores on the OG practice tests, Manhattan GMAT practice tests, etc., are all lower than your score on the actual GMAT? Seems to be that that is the consensus. I sure hope that's true. I've read of people getting 630s and 640s on Kaplan practice tests, then scoring 750s and higher on the actual GMAT. I'm not looking for a score that high; I just want something around 700, to give me the best possible chance at my target schools. I know my GPA won't allow me to even think about the big schools (H/S/W, Chicago, Columbia, MIT, Kellog), but I figure with my alternate transcript (more on this later) and a 700 or so GMAT score, then my schools (USC, UCLA, UNC, Duke, Darden, NYU, Texas) would be slightly in reach. Or maybe I'm still too far out of it. Won't know until I apply, right?

As for the alternate transcript...I enrolled last week in the UCLA Extension Online program, and signed up for Math for Managers. Veronica Ho at USC's Marshall Admissions Office specifically recommended it, and I had heard other good things about it. It's a for-grade course and will end before the application season starts, so I'm hoping I can go to AdComs and say "I know some marks on my undergrad transcript are lower than usual, but I took this course to show that I can handle the rigors of the MBA program). I sure hope this works out for my benefit.

In other news, it's 70 and sunny, and I'm not meant to be caged inside right now! I may eat lunch outside instead of at my desk. I love the office at lunch, because it's so quiet, I can get a lot of work done. Oh, and for those who are interested, the meeting with the parents went well. A good dinner on the grill (including some smoked venison jerkey!), a walk around their farm, and just some good conversation. I apparently got the seal of approval from both the parents, the sister, and the dog. Yay me!

The Studying Continues...

First off, thanks to all those who left comments talking me down from my anxiety attack. I think at some point we all question whether this journey is truly the one for us, and I thank everyone for telling me I can do it and to keep at it. It meant a lot to me!

I went through and redid the CR questions from the back of my Kaplan GMAT book, and got 10 out of 11 correct. Yay! I've also spent all of yesterday and today focusing on geometry quant questions, as those seem to be my weakest points. I ordered the OG11 and Manhattan GMAT SC book, the so called bibles of studying. I don't know why I didn't buy them sooner, as everyone and their mothers has recommended them as essential to any GMAT studying.

In other news, it appears I've been named a moderator over at the GMAT Club forums, which is awesome. For those of you who don't know what it is, head on over to http://www.gmatclub.com/wiki/Main_Page and click the Forums link. I started a thread for 2009 applicants, and I encourage all of you to join in on the discussions. There is an insane amount of knowledge there; those who used it as a resource tend to stick around even after they have matriculated, so it's an awesome resource.

I'm hoping Friday after work I can sit down and take another Manhattan GMAT test. This weekend will be pretty busy, with a wedding Saturday and driving to Youngstown to see the GF's mom and step-dad - first time meeting them! Wish me luck!

Procrastination...

I realize I've been sorely lacking in motivation to study for the GMAT. Ever since I got back from my USC visit, I don't think I've opened a book or taken a practice test! This must end, and will do so tonight. I need to do a better job of preventing outside influences (read: friends at the bar or the GF) from keeping me from studying.

I also realize that I should set a date, to give me an end goal. Right now I just sort of float through the process, knowing it's ok if I don't study because I haven't set a date. Well, that also will change. I'm thinking the middle of June would be ok. If I need to retake the test, that would give me time to study and fix my errors and take it again a month or so late, and leave plenty of time for a possible third test (if needed...God I hope not!)

I know I need to focus on sentence correction and data suffiency, as those are my two worst areas. Any tips on DS?

I'm Going, Going, Back, Back, To Cali, Cali...

I finally booked my trip. After emailing both UCLA and USC, I got word from USC that I could participate in their Ambassador program on April 7th. It includes an information session and a class visit. I looked for a travel partner (the GF and the family are too busy), but came up short. I said, "what the heck! Let's go anyway." So I found a good deal, and I'll be in Los Angeles from Saturday the 4th until Tuesday the 8th. Not sure what I'll do on my off days...if anyone has any suggestions (I've really never been to LA), I'm all ears.

Studying has been a bit more focused when I have the time. Focusing on CR and a few parts of quant, because I noticed I had missed some questions there. The plan is to take another practice test Saturday, so hopefully I'll show some improvement.

Congrats to all those who got good news this past week, and for those that didn't, keep your heads up!

A Humbling Experience

I took a practice GMAT from Manhattan GMAT.  I used the real timing guidelines and tried to minimize distractions.  After it was all said and done, the score popped up: 580 (39Q/31V).  Wow.  I knew I had a lot of work to do, but I had no idea it was going to be this bad!  I had hoped to start in the 650 range, and work on my weaknesses to get to my 700 goal.  Now, I'm not so sure where to begin!  Luckily, Manhattan GMAT provides decent analysis, telling you exactly which question types and areas you got wrong.  I guess I'll take those suggestions and go back and improve my performance.  Time wasn't an issue; I finished all sections with plenty of time to spare.  Then again, maybe that is my problem.  Maybe I'm going to fast - it's a problem I've had in many areas before.

For verbal, it looks like sentence correction is my biggest weakness, with CR and RC being about equal.  For the quant section, I need help in about every area.  I've already purchased the Manhattan GMAT (wow, I'm starting to sound like a spokesman!) area-specific books, so I'll go back through them and study harder.

Hopefully I'll be able to put in a few hours each day and take another test next Saturday.  I should show some improvement in all areas.

In other news, I heard back from the AdCom at USC-Marshall, and they stated the last day to participate in the Ambassador program would be April 9th.  Needless to say, this moves up my trip plans!  Now I'm not sure I'll be able to make it.  It'll cost $500+ just to fly and stay there a night or two.  Any advice?