How to Break Through 700 on the GMAT? My Key Epiphany from 590 (3rd Attempt) to 710 (4th Attempt)
August 2023 GMAT 710 V35 Q50 (Evening Training Class + Dustin Finisher Class)
不確定自己現在幾分？
12 題免費測出分數區間 →
[Test Scores]
- First Attempt 580 Q49 V20 IR:7 (cancelled) 2021/09/13
- Second Attempt 560 Q49 V18 IR:5 (cancelled) 2022/05/30
- Third Attempt 590 Q45 V26 IR:4 AWA:4 2022/08/31
- Fourth Attempt 710 Q50 V35 IR:7 AWA:5 2022/11/16
[Educational Background]
NTU Bio-Industry Communication and Development student preparing + foreign company internship
[Preparation Time]
- July-August 2021: Training Class ~ September 2021 First Attempt
- October-December 2021: Preparing half-heartedly while interning
- February-April 2022: Finisher Training Class + Snake
- May 2022: Second Attempt
- May-August 2022: Focused on Verbal and saw improvement, but Math scores dropped
- September-November 2022: Re-listened to A2’s recordings, re-read the handouts, and combined with Dustin’s reading training and logical thinking, finally achieved 710!
[Study Materials Used]
- V: A2 Training Class handouts, Dustin Finisher Course, OG, OV, PP 1-4, GWD mock tests, KMF, Dustin’s blog
- Q: KH handouts, Snake, GMAT Exam Questions (Jijing)
[Interlude]
My friends were also taking classes at A2, so I signed up with them! I remember that before the training class started, we suddenly encountered the pandemic, and it was temporarily changed to online classes. I hadn’t received my handout package the day before class, but A2 and the administrative staff immediately drove to deliver the handouts to me in another county on the same day. Even before class started, I was encouraged by the warmth of A2 GMAT, which motivated me to study hard!
[Foreword]
For the July-August training class, I felt I was extremely diligent in class, taking notes diligently and reviewing everything. However, this confidence led me to believe I remembered all the concepts after my first and second attempts, and I only reviewed the notes I had written separately.
It wasn’t until I was preparing for my fourth attempt that I suddenly realized I needed to re-read A2’s handouts and listen to the recordings. I discovered I had missed so many details, so I want to remind everyone to truly absorb what A2 says! After practicing questions for a year or two, and with the improved reading ability and problem-solving mindset from Dustin’s training class, listening to the course recordings again truly revealed how well-structured A2’s handouts are. The entire SC framework became clear, it was like a sudden enlightenment!
[First Attempt 580]
After finishing the training class, I studied for a month and a half, completed OG and PP1-2, and decided to test the waters. As expected, I performed terribly. After the first attempt, I took my ESR to A2 for a consultation. The teacher gave me a question and asked me to translate it for him. He immediately pointed out my issues: trying to rely on cleverness and existing English ability to take the test, and not reading carefully enough, leading me to miss a lot of information in a single question.
[Second Attempt 560]
During the training class, I perfectly remembered A2’s repeated advice: “A day without GMAT makes one feel hideous!” However, after each attempt, I would get extremely discouraged and doubt myself for a long time before starting again. But each time I restarted, I would just keep practicing questions (mistakenly believing I remembered all the concepts).
So, after two months of practicing questions, I still felt my error rate was too high. I then enrolled in Dustin’s Finisher Class, which gave me a completely different mindset for approaching questions and simultaneously improved my reading ability! I highly recommend Dustin’s Finisher Class; it’s perfect for students who need a push. At the time, I was interning, taking classes, and preparing for the test. Dustin would regularly discuss my progress one-on-one with me. He completely pinpointed my lack of diligence, and it was evident that my score even dropped immediately after taking the test again :(
[Third Attempt 590]
My internship ended, and I was shocked awake by my declining scores. So this time, I seriously practiced the reading mindset Dustin taught, focusing entirely on Verbal. My Verbal scores improved, but I neglected Math, falling into the trap of “gaining one thing, losing another.” QQ
[Fourth Attempt 710]
I didn’t cancel my previous score because I thought that was all I could achieve, and with the application deadline approaching, I was incredibly anxious, fearing my scores would only get worse.Finally, I decided to give myself one more chance, realizing I needed to start from scratch and pay attention to both Verbal and Quant! After much reflection, I pulled out A2’s handouts again, studied them with the recordings, and simultaneously maintained my math skills. Only then did I finally achieve my target score!
[SC]
In my first two attempts, I relied on what I thought were remembered concepts to repeatedly work through OG and PP1-2. Even when following the teacher’s problem-solving steps and even marking the hierarchy of test points, every time I got something wrong, I’d just look at the explanations or KMF and assume I understood. Little did I know, I was making a huge mistake!
After solid training through Dustin’s Finisher Class, my reading ability significantly improved, and I gained a better grasp of SC sentence structure and modification.
After re-reviewing A2’s SC handouts for my fourth attempt, I organized the test points more comprehensively. For every mistake, I cross-referenced the handouts and my own notes, re-examining that specific test point. Even for questions I answered correctly, I would look at why other incorrect options couldn’t be chosen. If I couldn’t explain it myself, it meant I didn’t fully understand.
[CR]
I always felt confident about this section before the test. When I first finished the class and worked on the handout questions, my error rate was the lowest among Verbal sections, but it became terrible once I started practicing with PP.
Later, through Dustin’s Finisher Class, I learned a different way of thinking: after reading the question, first anticipate my own answer (during the test, the thought “explain it in plain language” would even pop into my head), and then look at the options. I used to be easily misled by options or eliminate answers based on irrelevance, and looking back, I realized I was often just skimming. But using Dustin’s method suited my thinking better. After solving each question, I would also consider why other options couldn’t be chosen. I think this step is really important, and reviewing incorrect options also helps reinforce many concepts!
[RC]
My reading score was highest in my first attempt. At that time, A2 pointed out that I was relying too much on my existing English skills, just brute-forcing my way through. I wasn’t really accustomed to or aware of how to accurately grasp the article structure. Especially under time pressure, I often just randomly picked answers by scanning keywords. But with more practice, I realized the two most important points for RC are:
- Grasp the article structure and the main idea of each paragraph when reading.
- Locate the relevant text when answering questions.
[Q + Math Snake]
For Math, I really must warn everyone not to neglect it. In my first attempt, I thoroughly reviewed the handouts and completed the questions, achieving Q49. For my second attempt, I continued practicing questions. I highly recommend the Snake course: 12 questions daily, small frequent meals, but balanced exposure to different concepts, and practice with questions of a certain difficulty level. My Quant level was maintained!
The key was that during my third attempt, I intensely focused on Verbal, thinking I remembered all the Math concepts and didn’t specifically practice. The result was “gaining one thing, losing another”!! Verbal improved, but Quant dropped to 45, causing my overall score to remain stagnant. I didn’t even break 600 in three attempts; I could literally die from my own stupidity == (You really need to listen to the teacher’s advice).
[Dustin Finisher Course]
The Finisher course solidly honed my reading ability from the ground up. Dustin would have us do reading comprehension tests in class, and homework assignments also involved reading articles and continuously practicing reading questions to see if our reading ability improved. The enhancement in reading ability, combined with recording my problem-solving thought process and then receiving Dustin’s feedback, allowed my blind spots and areas for improvement to be quickly and effectively identified. It was truly efficient!
Dustin has a very comprehensive and detailed study plan. He would regularly meet with us one-on-one to allocate the amount of material to study and questions to practice, based on my available study time, creating a personalized study plan just for me. Whenever I felt stressed or encountered difficulties, I could always bring them up with Dustin, and he would help me adjust based on my individual situation. It was truly tailor-made!
The most thoughtful aspect of the Finisher Class was also assigning us to small groups to discuss questions. Furthermore, before the exam, you could even book Dustin’s accompanying service to receive his encouragement before entering the test center. In the Finisher Class, besides abundant resources and fellow students to strive with, there’s also excellent teacher guidance and companionship. It truly is a reassurance on the path to conquering the GMAT!
[IR/AWA]
For IR, I practiced for my first attempt and then took the test directly. I didn’t specifically practice for subsequent attempts. The main thing is to be careful; if your reading ability is up to par, IR should be stable!
You should memorize the Seven Deadly Sins from the AWA handouts; they are very useful! I would pull out the handout templates and the Seven Deadly Sins to memorize them the day before each exam when I was anxious, which helped to slightly distract my attention from being too nervous about V and Q!
[Summary]
You really need to listen to the teacher’s advice. Blindly practicing questions is truly just a waste of time. For incorrect options, you need to delve into why they can’t be chosen, and then review the concepts. You don’t necessarily need to do many questions, but they must be precise~Being unable to settle down, not preparing for the GMAT in one go, and “gaining one thing, losing another” were the reasons I couldn’t break the 600 mark three times. You need to build up your reading ability, constantly review concepts, organize test points, and with the resources from A2GMAT, Dustin’s blog, and the Finisher course, adjust your mindset, and you will eventually achieve your target score! Everyone, keep up the good work, and I wish you all an early GMAT conquest!
