My GMAT Journey to 700 in 7 Attempts: High-Score Tips from a Mature, Working Test-Taker on How I Improved from 540 to 700

December 2020 GMAT 700 V34 Q50 Experience (7-Week Intensive Training Class)

My GMAT Journey

• Attempt 1: 540 Q49 V1X AWA:4 IR:1 (2017/6/19)
• Attempt 2: 610 Q50 V23 AWA:5 IR:4 (2018/11/8)
• Attempt 3: 600 Q49 V23 (2019/2/13, Canceled)
• Attempt 4: 560 Q49 V1X (2019/6/4, Canceled)
• Attempt 5: 630 Q50 V24 AWA:5.5 IR:7 (2019/11/4)
• Attempt 6: 680 Q51 V28 AWA:5.0 IR:5 (2019/12/23)
• Attempt 7: 700 Q50 V34 AWA:5.0 IR:5 (2020/06/22)

Background and Study Materials

• Educational Background: Graduate Institute of Engineering, National Taiwan University
• English Proficiency: GEPT Advanced Level (equivalent to high school English exam) 14 / TOEFL 88 before GMAT / TOEFL 105 after GMAT
• Main Study Materials:
  • A2 Verbal SC/CR/RC Handouts (8+ times)
  • Dustin Blog (2~3 times)
  • Dustin Verbal Terminator Handouts (3+ times)
  • Dustin 1-on-1 Consultation (2 times)
  • KH Math Handouts
  • Experience Sharing Articles (hundreds)

Foreword

I am an older (around 29 years old) working professional who took the GMAT seven times intermittently. I hope this experience sharing article can help those who are still struggling. The application process is tough, but it will also help you grow a lot mentally. Please be sure to stick to your dreams and realize them step by step.

The GMAT is a very difficult but actually not-so-difficult exam. It all comes down to one word: “heart” (watched too much God of Cookery…). But my friends, you must have the realization that “without a score, your dream cannot be fulfilled.” However, don’t focus too much on the score (the outcome); just strive to have “no regrets.”

Summary of My Overall Test Experience

Attempts 1-4 (Scores between 540-610)

Looking back at these four attempts, I was truly naive, mistakenly believing that the GMAT was an exam of similar difficulty to the GEPT/College Entrance Exam/TOEFL. I blindly drilled questions and reviewed handouts, approaching the GMAT with the same study methods I used in elementary school, without truly understanding the essence of the GMAT or employing an effective, systematic learning approach. The result was that after four attempts, my highest score was only 610, with only four more test opportunities left, and my confidence had plummeted.

Attempts 5-7 (630 → 680 → 700)

After my fourth attempt, I took a 4-month break to reflect deeply on my study problems. I read countless experience sharing articles and went through Dustin’s Blog over and over again before truly realizing why everyone (including many experts) calls the GMAT the ultimate boss for MBA applications. I started to bravely listen to A2’s class recordings again, thoroughly re-learning the handouts according to A2’s logic, and also bravely signed up for Dustin’s Verbal Terminator specialized class.

I completely changed my attitude, learned a complete training method from A2/Dustin, and diligently carried out the training. Watching my scores climb higher and higher, I truly never imagined that someone with such significant reading difficulties like me could learn how to read and conquer the GMAT. I have to say it again, it all comes down to “heart.” The resources here at A2 are truly more than you can use.

How I Systematically Prepared for the GMAT

1. Reading Comprehension Training

Reading comprehension was my Achilles’ heel. I started daily intensive reading training, summarizing every SC sentence, every CR question, and every RC paragraph into concise “plain language.” If you don’t know what “plain language” means, please refer to Dustin’s Blog (https://dustingmat.com). Additionally, I trained on background knowledge for less familiar areas. For example, my weakest areas were biology and astronomy, so I picked one article daily from Science Daily/past GMAT RC questions for reading training to strengthen my background knowledge. Over time, I gained a general grasp of the topics that appear on the GMAT.

2. SC (Sentence Correction)

The essence of solving SC is to categorize the error levels of each option: absolute errors (grammar/meaning) and relative errors (ambiguity/redundancy). I believe that if you are willing to diligently review each option step by step, your SC score can reach at least 70% or higher. For correct options above 70%, it’s more about subtle semantic differences. Many high-score questions, after eliminating options, require you to read from beginning to end and choose the option that “feels” most correct. I cannot provide much information on this aspect as my SC score was only 78%. For experts, please consult A2 and Dustin!

3. CR (Critical Reasoning)

CR, for many, initially seems the easiest but later turns out to be the hardest, and it was no exception for me. High-score CR questions require not only quick and accurate reading comprehension but also the ability to rapidly structure the logical chain of the problem. GMAT logic questions have several common logical relationships, including cause and effect, means-end, analogy, etc. It’s advisable to first understand the overall logical structure of CR questions and then statistically analyze common ways incorrect options are presented, which can help you conquer CR more effectively.

4. RC (Reading Comprehension)

RC was the most challenging part for me from when I first started studying for the GMAT until the end, but it was also where I made the most progress (9% -> 70%). Simply put, RC tests your grasp of the GMAT article structure and your reading comprehension ability. Common GMAT article structures do not deviate from the five major levels: Context/Topic/Argument/Evaluation/Extension. After understanding the structure, the next step is to comprehend the meaning, tone, and attitude within the text, which requires a high level of reading comprehension. If you’re still unsure what I’m talking about, please go through Dustin’s Blog or A2’s class recordings to quickly re-establish your understanding of RC!

5. Quantitative (Math)

My math review method was very simple: I re-drilled all the unfamiliar questions in KH’s handouts a week before each exam, combined with the current JJ (Jing Jing, referring to past exam questions/summaries). My scores were generally good! If you’re facing a bottleneck in math, please consult Master KH!

A Few More Words from an Old Timer

1. The GMAT is very difficult and arduous, and it’s easy to get lost. I urge everyone to find study partners and conquer the GMAT together!
2. Always help yourself first before asking others for help. Taiwan is very fortunate to have excellent teachers and students, but this exam is something you have to face yourself before others can truly help you. So, before asking for help, reflect on your own problems and come up with a solution for them first!
3. It all comes down to “heart.” Correct your attitude, find your motivation for the exam, and just do it! You can definitely do it!

Related posts:

Critical Reasoning: Standard Approach Scoring 710 with a Weak English Foundation: 5 Tests, Hard Lessons, and Dustin’s Course GMAT 690 on My Sixth Attempt: A Working Professional’s Journey and Recommended Study Methods Admitted to Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)! My Journey and Preparation Strategies from Struggling to Finish RC to Scoring 625 on the Actual Test