7-Time GMAT Taker Achieves 680 with Perfect RC Score
June 2022 GMAT 680 V30 Q50 (Online Comprehensive Course + Dustin’s Finisher) Part.1
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Test Scores
- Test 1 (Jan 28, 2021): 600 (IR 3)
- Test 2 (Mar 8, 2021): 590 (IR 5)
- Test 3 (Apr 28, 2021): 600 (IR 4) – Enrolled in Finisher Course after this test
- Test 4 (Aug 16, 2021): Cancel
- Test 5 (Oct 6, 2021): 640 (IR 5)
- Test 6 (Mar 7, 2022): 640 (IR 1)
- Test 7 (Mar 29, 2022): 680 (Q50 V30 IR 4)
Academic Background
TOEFL 100 (R27) – January 2022
Preparation Time
- February 2021 to October 2021: 11 months total (7 months while working + 4 months full-time)
- Took a three-month break to prepare for and take the TOEFL.
- January 2022 to March 2022: 3 months full-time
Preparation Materials
- OG, OV, PP1-4
- GWD
- A2 Online Comprehensive Course Materials
- Dustin Verbal Finisher Course Materials
- KH Greedy Snake (for Quant)
Foreword
When I started preparing for the GMAT in my junior year, I simply thought that enrolling in a well-known prep course like A2 would be enough. This naive approach led me into a cycle of GMAT frustration. After repeated tests with no improvement, and seeing some classmates who were also preparing give up after a few attempts without reaching their target scores, I seriously considered quitting the GMAT myself. However, my stubbornness wouldn’t let me give up without achieving the score I wanted. I decided to try every resource and avenue A2 offered. It took seven attempts, but I finally managed to overcome the GMAT and prove I wasn’t intellectually lacking.
(Tests 1, 2, 3)
After finishing the online course around October, I procrastinated until December to register for my first test. I had only gone through the OG once and completed PP1, thinking it would be sufficient. As expected, my first score was roughly proportional to my effort. I approached the next tests with the same mindset: more practice questions should lead to a score increase of several points each time. However, the GMAT proved me wrong. After completing PP2, PP3, and redoing the OG, I still couldn’t comprehend the RC passages, my CR skills worsened, and for SC, I was just randomly eliminating options.
(Tests 4, 5)
After going through the Finisher course, I could clearly feel that I understood the meaning of the questions and the structure of the passages. However, my stress and mindset were unhealthy by the fourth test. I was rushing to get a score before the end of the year for applications, which created immense pressure to perform well. As a result, I couldn’t even focus on the questions during the exam. All I could think about was what would happen if I failed again. Consequently, I ended up canceling my score. After a few weeks of rest and reflection, realizing I had missed the application deadline for that year, I decided to calm down and approach the test with a clear mind. Finally, after the fifth attempt, I saw improvement, which gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
(Tests 6, 7)
After reaching the limit of five tests per year, I had to pause and prepare for the TOEFL. I resumed GMAT preparation in mid-January. I re-listened to the SC lecture recordings and started doing two RC passages daily, following Dustin’s method of outlining the passage structure and forcing myself to anticipate the content. Although my score remained 640 in the sixth test, my RC performance had reached the 50th percentile. So, I decided to give it one last shot, and in the seventh attempt, I finally broke through and achieved a perfect score on the RC section.
Section Insights (Part.1)
SC (Sentence Correction)
I must say, A2’s SC lecture notes and video explanations are incredibly clear, offering many practical problem-solving techniques. However, the prerequisite is reading comprehension – understanding the intended meaning of the sentence is crucial to effectively use A2’s tools to eliminate incorrect options. If you jump straight to applying elimination techniques without grasping the meaning, your scores will likely remain stagnant, leading to another canceled test. Furthermore, I highly recommend downloading all the lecture recordings. Listening to them multiple times often reveals hidden gems and key points from A2 that you might have missed during the initial viewing. Each listen brings a new perspective and a deeper understanding.
CR (Critical Reasoning)
A2’s CR lecture notes clearly categorize different question types and provide practical analysis for less common ones. However, the key takeaway is similar to SC: while it’s satisfying to see answers emerge quickly by eliminating options based on A2’s techniques, over-reliance on these shortcuts (like randomly eliminating based on keywords like “some” or “only,” as A2 often points out in Q&A sessions) without carefully reading the meaning will inevitably lead to mistakes. You might not realize this during practice, but it will catch up to you.
I only listened to the CR lectures once because I didn’t download the recordings at the time. This meant I couldn’t review them for my later tests. I believe re-listening would have significantly improved my CR speed and accuracy.
RC (Reading Comprehension)
This is perhaps the section where I gained the most insight. Going from fearing it the most, to almost giving up and relying solely on SC and CR, to finally getting every passage correct in the actual exam was the most unexpected outcome.
Starting from my fifth test, I began practicing two RC passages daily. I followed Dustin’s method of outlining the structure and used A2’s RC textbook. I compared my outlines with A2’s structure, noting any differences in key points or overall framework. Crucially, I reviewed why each incorrect option was wrong and where the correct answer was located in the passage. Even more importantly, I analyzed why the other options were incorrect. Was it because the cause-and-effect relationship was misrepresented (this might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget the true causality after reading the whole passage, so it’s vital to re-locate causal keywords)? Or was the option’s tone too extreme while the passage was neutral? Understanding the flaws in the incorrect options is key to selecting the right answer during the actual test. For difficult questions where the correct option might be ambiguously worded or hard to grasp, being able to eliminate the other choices is essential for finding the answer.
Q (Quantitative)
With my average math abilities, I initially expected Quant to be a challenging section. However, after taking the test, I realized that achieving a high score wasn’t too difficult, but reaching the absolute top was. I scored 48 on my first four attempts. The KH Greedy Snake course was a game-changer for my Quant score. Since enrolling, my scores have consistently been 49 or above, often reaching 50, which finally put me on track to aim for a 51. If you struggle with Quant, I highly recommend the Greedy Snake course for its exceptional value.
Conclusion (Part 1)
The most fundamental requirement for this exam is reading comprehension. Many students, including myself initially, felt they understood the questions but still got them wrong. A major reason for this is not yet possessing the basic reading ability to truly comprehend the text and avoid misinterpreting it based on personal assumptions. If you find your score stuck in a plateau, or you’re consistently running out of time, seek a consultation with A2 immediately. Knowing the problem but not how to solve it is a clear sign to enroll in the Finisher course to address those issues. Ultimately, you must face the challenge and manage your mindset – this is incredibly important. Without the ability to adjust your mindset under pressure, even with strong skills, you won’t perform well.
Don’t be afraid of taking multiple tests. While many “GMAT gurus” on forums achieve high scores in just a few attempts, there are many others, like me, who needed several tries to reach their target scores. So, don’t feel inadequate. Your persistence alone puts you ahead of many. A low score doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of ability; it simply means you need more attempts and the right approach. I hope that those still struggling will experience a breakthrough, just as I did, and that your perseverance will ultimately lead to success.
June 2022 GMAT 680 V30 Q50 (Online Comprehensive Course + Dustin’s Finisher) Part.2
Test Scores
- Test 1 (Jan 28, 2021): 600 (IR 3)
- Test 2 (Mar 8, 2021): 590 (IR 5)
- Test 3 (Apr 28, 2021): 600 (IR 4) – Enrolled in Finisher Course after this test
- Test 4 (Aug 16, 2021): Cancel
- Test 5 (Oct 6, 2021): 640 (IR 5)
- Test 6 (Mar 7, 2022): 640 (IR 1)
- Test 7 (Mar 29, 2022): 680 (Q50 V30 IR 4)
Preparation Materials
- OG, OV, PP1-4
- GWD
- A2 Online Comprehensive Course Materials
- Dustin Verbal Finisher Course Materials
- KH Greedy Snake (for Quant)
Foreword (Finisher Course)
After failing my first, second, and third attempts, and not knowing how to address my weaknesses, I resolutely enrolled in Dustin’s Finisher course, hoping to achieve my target score before the end of the year. I had heard about how this course had helped many people, and I knew of individuals who had improved significantly. I was also aware of the substantial workload. With no other options left, I decided to sign up immediately.
At the time, I was still a student and the pandemic had just broken out domestically. The course transitioned to online delivery after the initial sessions. For someone like me studying in the south, this was actually more convenient, saving me the travel time to Taipei every few weeks. The downside was that group discussions might have been less dynamic.
(Tests 4, 5 after course completion)
After going through the Finisher course, I could clearly feel that I understood the meaning of the questions and the structure of the passages. However, my stress and mindset were unhealthy by the fourth test. I was rushing to get a score before the end of the year for applications, which created immense pressure to perform well. As a result, I couldn’t even focus on the questions during the exam. All I could think about was what would happen if I failed again. Consequently, I ended up canceling my score. Right after the test, I seriously considered giving up on the GMAT and either starting work or switching to the GRE. Fortunately, I had a conversation with a study group member from the Finisher course. After sharing our experiences and encouraging each other, we decided to persevere together. Having people to fight alongside you during the preparation process is incredibly important, and the unexpected benefit of the group discussions in the Finisher course was something I hadn’t anticipated.
After a few weeks of rest and reflection, realizing I had missed the application deadline for that year, I decided to calm down and approach the test with a clear mind. I reread the Finisher course materials, and finally, after the fifth attempt, I saw improvement, which gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
(Tests 6, 7)
After reaching the limit of five tests per year, I had to pause and prepare for the TOEFL. I resumed GMAT preparation in mid-January. Since I had already completed the courses, I focused on reviewing the materials myself. I re-listened to A2’s SC lecture recordings, combined with the Finisher course’s approach to semantic-based elimination. I also started doing two RC passages daily, following Dustin’s method of outlining the passage structure and forcing myself to anticipate the content. Although my score remained 640 in the sixth test, my RC performance had reached the 50th percentile. So, I decided to give it one last shot, and in the seventh attempt, I finally broke through and achieved a perfect score on the RC section.
Section Insights (Part.2 – Dustin’s Finisher)
SC (Sentence Correction)
Having taken both A2’s and Dustin’s courses, I initially found their approaches to be quite different, which made me uncomfortable. However, I eventually realized that the difference lay merely in their starting points.
Dustin’s Finisher course primarily focuses on developing reading comprehension skills to identify issues within a sentence, such as unclear expression or redundancy. This ability is cultivated through weeks of intensive sentence deconstruction, reviewing SC explanations from recordings, and incorporating Dustin’s feedback. This systematic approach, combined with the correct problem-solving steps, leads to consistently selecting the right answer.
During this training, Dustin created a group chat for us to ask questions. He encouraged group members to answer first, share their thoughts, and then Dustin would point out any errors in our reasoning or incorrect approaches. This process helped correct bad habits and address blind spots I wasn’t aware of.
CR (Critical Reasoning)
Dustin’s CR approach doesn’t focus on categorizing question types. Instead, it emphasizes active thinking and adjusting our problem-solving mindset. The goal is to form our own answer before even looking at the options. This not only saves time but also improves accuracy, preventing the common mistake of repeatedly checking the question after reading the options. It becomes much easier to find the answer you anticipated among the choices. A significant benefit of this training method is its applicability beyond the GMAT, proving useful in everyday life and future graduate studies.
RC (Reading Comprehension)
By the time I reached the RC section, I had already undergone two months of reading comprehension and logic training. Dustin then taught us how to clearly analyze the arguments in various passages and develop effective reading strategies. For instance, he advised skimming the structure for unfamiliar long passages, focusing only on key details, while for shorter, more familiar passages, a normal reading pace would suffice. However, the most crucial factor was the solid improvement in my reading ability during the previous months, which allowed me to build upon that foundation. Without sufficient reading proficiency, practicing RC would be futile, and even if I thought I understood the passage, I wouldn’t be able to select the correct answer.
Conclusion (Part 2)
If you, like me, have consistently scored below the 40th percentile in RC, I highly recommend seeking Dustin’s expertise. However, even with an excellent tutor, a diligent and persistent student is necessary for the treatment plan to be effective. A miracle cure won’t work if you don’t follow the prescribed regimen.
Finally, the process of improving semantic comprehension is arduous and may not yield immediate results. But once you reach that level, you’ll find that the answers to RC questions are clearly present in the text, unlike CR, which requires more intricate logical deduction.
