This story might be useful to a few friends out there who have been wanting to do something about their careers, life and the little things related.
The story begins back in 2018 (YES, 4 BIG YEARS AGO!) I decided to give GMAT a shot since I thought giving CAT was to cliché. Also, I thought I'd look cool and different amongst my friends who were appearing for other Indian examinations. After much day-dreaming and procrastination, I enrolled with an institute which has tooo many students and hence apparently tooo many success stories. Studied with the them for almost an year, sometimes actually studied, but otherwise was mainly partying or attending functions, gave the exam and got a 640. Yes that was the beginning of my end. Gave another random attempt and got a 620. Both these attempts were in 2k19. Jump to 2k20, gave up on my job, and tried to prepare full time. This time got a 660 (Q 51 V31), NOT happy but thought this is a good sign now. Towards the end of 2020, had booked by 4th exam, but a tragedy on personal front happened and I bombed the first attempt. We are in 2021 now, booked my 5th attempt in Jan, and got my best GMAT Score 680 (Q 47 V 37). Was sort of happy since this increased my confidence to the sky. I thought that perhaps this is it. One more attempt and I am done. 6th and 7th attempts score were both 640. I need to not tell or explain how was I feeling at the time. Since 2021 had gone and I was completely enervated and denigrated by the GMAT.
Owing to the crappy job and an even more crappier pay, I was determined that I just can't end here. So here commences after a break of a month or two my journey toward GRE. In the month of March, started with a GRE prep company, though comprehensive for Quants but had only a couple of videos for verbal. Prep was going just about fine and then while conversing with a college senior, came across through the OG GregMAT. Instantly, fell in love with his reading videos and subscribed the very day to GregMat +. I was enjoying the journey but somehow did not understand regarding how well prepared I were for the exam. That's when someone from Greg's team suggested to follow the two month plan and that was it.
I managed to complete the 2 month plans in 2 months (gave up on social media, friends' get together, trips, alcohol, smoking and what not
). The 2 month of grueling gave me a ton of confidence and focus, which I think were missing throughout my journey with the GMAT. I saw myself becoming a much better reader, where in I was able to break the passage in a 7 word summary and move on. Doing so eases off the anxiety and helps in performing better. Another strategy that I was able to master this time was POE. In test I remember relying on this strategy especially under timed conditions. For SC AND TC nothing works better than time strategy, math strategy and my favorite pairing strategy. Greg's list is amazing and his "So you think, you know these words" keeps one grounded
.
Testing experience: got a VQVQV, still do not know which one was experimental. However, one thing which I'd like to tell is that I was bowled over by a long RC passage in the very first verbal section. However, thought of Greg and was like... F it will come back. The technique worked, was able to breeze through the other RCs, had already done SC and TCs in the beginning. The Quant is sure shot much more challenging than the free tests but much on par with the paid ones. The second Q section I got had a couple of absolutely ruthless questions and the impact they had on me can be seen in my Q scores. On the completion of my test I was so excited and happy that I almost gave a hug to my invigilator (not sure what else he could be called), called (almost) everyone, and purchased a box of chocolates for the test center peeps.
All I'd want to say that as long as there is GregMat on the web, there is always hope. The two month is THE BEST ON THE MARKET.
The difference with Greg and other companies (especially the ones in GMAT) is that there marketing game is on point but content wise there is just no upgradation. The techniques and their way of teaching I believe is only to help those who are not in need of help. I am sorry for the strong language but my past experience in GMAT has made my thought process this way.
I really hope no one has to go through the number of attempts I went through and I'd say follow Greg, that's the best we could do to our prep. Would love to have a conversation regarding any aspect.
Also one question: Any opinions regarding whether I should reappear for the exam