2022 January GMAT 710 V35 Q50 (Weekend Prep Class + Dustin Terminator) – Part One

Exam Scores

• First Attempt: 590 Q:48 V:22 IR:5 AWA:5 (2021/1/5)
• Second Attempt: 630 Q:51 V:23 IR:4 AWA:X (2021/8/12)
• Third Attempt: 630 Q:50 V:25 IR:6 AWA:X (2021/10/2)
• Fourth Attempt: 710 Q:50 V:35 IR:8 AWA:5 (2021/11/29, online)

Background and Preparation Information

• Background: National Chung Cheng University, Department of Finance, TOEFL: 102
• Preparation Time: 2020/05-2021/06 (while working: school + internship) + 2021/07-2021/11 (full-time), total duration of one and a half years.
• Preparation Materials: A2 Weekend Prep Class materials, Dustin Terminator Course, OG, PP1-6 (official mock tests purchased), GWD, Manhattan Prep, A2 GMAT question bank

Foreword

My English wasn’t particularly good; I even took the TOEFL five times to get a score of 102 (I strongly recommend taking the GMAT first and then the TOEFL. After finishing my GMAT prep, I took the TOEFL without much preparation and scored over 100).Achieving a GMAT score of 700+ was thanks to A2 GMAT and the Dustin Terminator course, along with A2’s consultations and Dustin’s encouragement. I’m grateful they believed I could do it and didn’t give up on me, despite my slow progress.

<First Attempt 590 Q:48 V:22> – Took the Exam Without Sufficient Preparation After the Prep Class

I attended the weekend prep class from May to June 2020. I chose the weekend class because I had school and internships during the weekdays, so I could only attend classes on weekends. I felt the weekend class had fewer sessions but longer class times, and the content was very solid. I wanted to finish the course quickly. At the time, I was also studying for the TOEFL and planned to focus on the TOEFL first before taking the GMAT. So, after finishing the prep class, I didn’t take the GMAT immediately but took the TOEFL first. After the TOEFL, I reviewed the prep class materials once and used my commute time to do OG questions on my phone. I didn’t review them or take any practice tests, so I wasn’t surprised by this score.

<Second Attempt 630 Q:51 V:23> – Prepared for Three Months After Completing the Terminator Course

After my first attempt, I sought a consultation with A2. I wanted to hear the teacher’s advice (I don’t know where I got the courage!). I was immediately lectured, but A2’s consultation provided a lot of practical advice. I did some SC and CR questions for him on the spot, and he said I was relying too much on techniques and not solving based on meaning. He explained that I wasn’t unable to understand the questions but rather trying to use techniques to get answers quickly. A2 then asked about my math preparation, and I said I had only done the problems from the prep class. He then commented that I should be able to score 49 or 50 after reviewing the question bank. So, I focused on improving my Verbal, and for math, I only spent the last two weeks before the exam familiarizing myself with certain types of problems.

After the consultation and a month or two of effort, I worried if my preparation direction was correct. Although A2 suggested that one or two months of preparation would be enough, I didn’t feel ready to take the exam. Therefore, I decided to study for a longer period. However, I then started an internship at XX Securities (my previous internship had ended a month prior). I thought I could prepare for the GMAT while interning, but I realized I didn’t have enough time (the internship was quite demanding, with homework to complete). My study time decreased significantly. Later, I saw that Dustin was offering a Terminator course and enrolled because I felt it would help me prepare more efficiently and allow Dustin to review my preparation methods.

After taking Dustin’s Terminator course, I gained a deeper understanding of how to apply the correct problem-solving steps in practice. My accuracy gradually stabilized. My busy internship finally ended, allowing me to dedicate two to three months to intensive study before taking the exam. During this period, I reviewed the Terminator course materials, followed Dustin’s pre-exam study plan, and worked through OG, PP, and GWD. In the week leading up to the exam, I took official mock tests daily.

When I took the exam in person, I was extremely nervous. To boost my confidence, I decided to take the Quantitative section first, followed by Verbal. This time, I did review the math question bank. After finishing the Quant section, I felt I had performed well, so I confidently proceeded to the Verbal section. The result was disastrous. I was shocked by the difficulty of the actual exam questions. I couldn’t focus on the questions, and my problem-solving steps became disorganized. I didn’t properly apply the steps I had practiced so well, and the final score reflected this.

<Third Attempt 630 Q:50 V:25> – Prepared for One and a Half Months

After the second attempt, I immediately requested an ESR and asked Dustin to analyze it for me (thank you, Dustin, for the timely rescue!). He said that although I hadn’t reached the high-scoring range in the earlier sections, I had answered all the Verbal questions correctly towards the end. He suggested that my problem-solving steps had become disorganized, leading to that score. Therefore, Dustin advised me to solidify my problem-solving steps and take the exam again after another month and a half of preparation. So, I redid the OG questions, summarized my notes, and took the official PP mock tests.

Although the score remained the same this time, my SC improved (from 10% in the second attempt to 50% in the third), and CR saw a slight improvement. However, my RC score dropped from 60% to 30%. I asked A2 to analyze the ESR report again (and was thoroughly lectured again!). He said I performed very well in the first stage but faltered in the second. He also noted that my question-answering time was shorter than average, indicating I was rushing to finish and guessing towards the end. Combined with the decline in reading quality, it’s no wonder the score was like this.

A2 directly guided me through an RC passage (thank you again, A2, for spending your valuable time to help me TT). I finally realized where my problems lay. For example, I wasn’t paying enough attention to the implied stance taught in the prep class (the author definitely supports women, Black people, Native Americans, etc.). I also wasn’t thoroughly understanding the meaning of every word in the passage and the direction indicated by the surrounding context. So, I went back to listen to the prep class recordings and diligently reviewed the lecture notes (you’ll find many notes you didn’t take during the class).

I strongly recommend everyone to review A2’s lecture notes (I reviewed them countless times, and reread them three days before the exam to reinforce my memory). Even if you’ve taken other courses, it’s essential to review A2’s lecture notes to build a solid foundation; otherwise, other courses won’t be as effective. I also advise everyone to seek A2’s consultation whenever you have questions. He can analyze all your problems. Don’t be afraid of being criticized (if he’s willing to criticize you, it means he’s still willing to help you). Honestly, after the third attempt, I was close to giving up. Many schools had already started their first-round applications. It was A2 who told me:

“A score of 700 isn’t that difficult; it’s not like you can’t achieve it.”

That’s what motivated me to keep pushing forward.

<Fourth Attempt 710 Q:50 V:35> – Prepared Online for One and a Half Months, Just Barely Made the Application Deadline XD

Next, I will detail how I achieved significant improvement in one and a half months (V25 > V35). I hope this will be helpful for students who are stuck in the V20s. From my third to fourth attempt, I believe I took two key actions that helped me achieve a Verbal score of 35:

1. I watched all the OG explanation videos and noted down the test points mentioned by the instructor in my summary document.
2. I re-listened to the prep class recordings and reviewed the lecture notes weekly.

SC, CR

I opened my previously created summary file and used the explanation videos to record the test points mentioned by the instructor. As I worked through more problems, I noticed recurring test points. I then used the search function to find similar test points and categorize them, allowing me to review entire concepts during my summary sessions. Afterward, I practiced PP questions, again categorizing the test points into my summary file. I personally only completed all the questions in PP1 and half of PP2. Thorough review is more important than blindly doing a large volume of questions. I continued to practice PP questions until the exam, to get accustomed to these more challenging problems, so I wouldn’t be surprised during the actual test (I didn’t properly review my PP practice in previous attempts, nor did I summarize, essentially wasting the practice).

RC

I adopted Dustin’s method of analyzing passage structure, identifying Topic, Argument, Elaborate, etc. With more practice, you’ll realize that passage structures generally fall into a few common types. You can categorize these in your summary file for pre-exam review. Learning how to analyze passage structure allows you to answer most questions, even if the content is difficult or the topic is unfamiliar. However, during review, you must look up every word to fully understand the passage. Remember to also incorporate the implied stance taught in class to anticipate the article’s content, which means engaging in Active Reading.

2022 January GMAT 710 V35 Q50 (Weekend Prep Class + Dustin Terminator) – Part Two

This second part will focus on the Dustin Terminator course and my online exam experience.

Exam Scores:

First Attempt: 590 (Q:48 V:22 IR:5 AWA:5) 2021/1/5

Second Attempt: 630 (Q:51 V:23 IR:4) 2021/8/12

Third Attempt: 630 (Q:50 V:25 IR:6) 2021/10/2

Fourth Attempt: 710 (Q:50 V:35 IR:8 AWA:5) 2021/11/29 (online)

Background: National Chung Cheng University, Department of Finance TOEFL:102

Preparation Time: 2020/05-2021/06(while working: school + internship) 2021/07-2021/11(full-time) Total duration of one and a half years

Preparation Materials: A2 Weekend Prep Class materials, Dustin Terminator Course, OG, PP1-6 (official mock tests purchased), GWD, Manhattan Prep, A2 GMAT question bank

Foreword

This article will focus on sharing how the Dustin Terminator course helped me and my experience with the online exam (including the problems encountered and the differences compared to the in-person exam). I hope to provide useful information for those still preparing for the GMAT.

Dustin Terminator Course

In the Terminator course, I significantly improved my reading comprehension skills and built a solid foundation for understanding meaning. Through Dustin’s one-on-one guidance, I learned how to apply the correct problem-solving steps. Dustin provides a very detailed and comprehensive study plan that can be tailored to each individual. I followed his study plan before my final exam, which ultimately led to my success in conquering the GMAT.

SC

Anyone who has taken Dustin’s course knows his famous saying: “Explain it in plain language.” I believe learning to explain things in plain language is crucial. Sometimes, you might think you understand a question or a passage, but when asked to explain it in plain language, you struggle, which indicates you don’t truly grasp it.

After learning to explain questions in plain language, you need to identify what test point the author is trying to assess and analyze the level of error in the original sentence (grammar, logical consistency, etc.). Then, examine the options to see if they improve upon the original sentence’s issues. If an option corrects the error, eliminate the original sentence. If not, keep it for now. Finally, use comparative analysis to select the correct answer. Always remember to do a final check, quickly rereading the chosen answer before moving to the next question.

One key point Dustin emphasizes is: “Always eliminate options.” Sometimes, the error found in the original sentence might also be present in later options. In such cases, it’s not the primary test point (during my exam, I also felt some correct answers weren’t perfectly written, and I had to rely on comparing options to choose the right one).

CR

Dustin’s method of predicting the answer was incredibly helpful and stabilized my CR accuracy. Prediction is very important for me because if I don’t spend time thinking about the question and directly look at the options, I tend to get easily misled by the distractors.

Dustin teaches three methods for prediction in class, and for each question, you should identify at least two logical gaps before looking at the options. These three methods can be applied to most questions. However, I found myself most frequently using the substitution method and the horizontal method. These two techniques can solve most problems and were effective in the actual exam.

However, I strongly recommend drawing a logic chain for long CR questions or any question you don’t understand after 30 seconds. I used to avoid drawing logic chains, fearing it would take too much time and believing I could figure it out mentally. But I later realized that drawing a logic chain helps me quickly understand the question and find the logical gaps faster. Not drawing it actually led me to get stuck and spend more time on the question.

RC

My biggest takeaway from the Terminator course was in the RC section. I must say, Dustin’s approach to RC is truly remarkable. He can help you quickly understand even the longest passages in a short amount of time. Dustin’s passage structure analysis allows you to rapidly identify the Topic, Argument, Elaborate, and Extension sections, and also helps you anticipate the author’s attitude and the passage’s structure.

I am once again amazed by the universal passage structures Dustin developed from analyzing hundreds, if not thousands, of question bank passages. During the actual exam, I used this method to grasp the main content of most passages. If you practice by drawing out the structure of every passage and categorizing them, you’ll find that there are only a few common structures.

During my fourth attempt, when I was running out of time on a reading passage, I quickly scanned it, analyzed the structure in one minute, identified the A/E points, and then answered the questions. About three questions were detail-oriented, while the others tested function. For function questions, I used the passage structure and scanned the text again to find the answer. Dustin also mentioned that RC passages only contain about 30% valuable content, so don’t expect to understand everything perfectly in a short time. Mastering the passage structure is key (of course, when reviewing and summarizing, you must understand it 100%. As A2 often says: “Don’t be lazy”).

Online Exam Experience Sharing

Exam Process:

I encountered a minor issue: I hadn’t downloaded the “open meeting” software beforehand. The proctor gave me a link to download it and asked me to inform him once done (this software is used for the online proctor to record your screen and video throughout the exam, and they also use it for communication). I recommend downloading it before the exam to avoid any hassle. The link the proctor provided led me to a Korean version, and I couldn’t find an option to switch to Chinese. I ended up clicking randomly, but thankfully, I re-established contact with the proctor (by clicking the left option when the pop-up window appeared XD).

Aside from this issue, the exam went quite smoothly. I read online that if the proctor needs to remind you during the exam, a chat window will pop up to interrupt you. I found this to be manageable. My proctor did interrupt me once during the exam. He spoke through the microphone, saying he forgot to check my whiteboard and asked me to show it to him quickly. It only took a few seconds, and I was taking the math section at the time (I always have ample time for math), so it didn’t significantly impact me. Problems usually occur during the first section, so I advise choosing your most confident subject for the first section XD.

Overall, even if issues arise, the online proctors can assist you promptly (don’t worry if you don’t understand their English; they can remotely control your computer to fix problems, and they’ll wish you good luck and say, “I know you got this” XD).

Differences from In-Person Exams:

Firstly, I found the question length in the online exam to be shorter, particularly noticeable in SC. I’m not sure if this is due to the question pool, but shorter questions don’t necessarily mean easier ones XD. The difficulty level is the same. I encountered a few short questions where the grammar and meaning were perfectly sound, and no obvious test point was apparent. In such cases, I had to compare the options based on fluency and choose the answer. It’s crucial not to overthink and to implement timely stop-loss strategies (apply Dustin’s dynamic stop-loss method).

Secondly, online exams do not provide ESR reports. Therefore, if you don’t perform well, you won’t be able to analyze your performance (if this is a concern for you, carefully consider whether to choose the online test). Lastly, the score release is very slow. Due to the high volume of online exams globally, the system’s workload has increased significantly. I received my score after nearly 30 business days (and that’s business days!). If you email them to inquire, they won’t respond; you just have to wait anxiously.

Finally, I’d like to explain why I chose the online exam. Primarily, I realized I get too nervous during in-person exams, which hinders my thinking process XD. I know many people struggle with this, and some might consider it an excuse for poor performance. However, if you notice that your performance in an in-person setting is not optimal, whether due to nervousness or skill level, why not try an online test? Taking the exam in the most comfortable environment allows you to fully demonstrate your abilities and identify areas for improvement. I felt I was in a good state during my online test, able to calmly tackle the questions and leisurely draw logic chains (I drew logic chains for almost every CR question and only guessed on the last 6-7 questions, which shows that finishing the questions is more important; not finishing is okay).

That’s all for my experience sharing. I hope it has been helpful to you who are still striving. I am genuinely someone with limited aptitude and not very strong English skills (I took the TOEFL five times to break 100). I’ve come this far through sheer perseverance and tears. So, you must believe in yourself that you can do it. If I could do it, so can you!

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Peking University Alum’s GMAT Comeback: 480 to 720 【GMAT Verbal V20→V32 心得】學測英文11級的我，如何靠 Dustin GMAT 終結者逆天改命？ GMAT 680 High Score Tips (Fourth Attempt): How I Fought My Way Back to R2 with the Terminator Course After Missing R1 GMAT 685 (PR97) Insights: How Dustin GMAT Helped Me Build a Strong Foundation and Reshape RC and DI Problem-Solving Strategies