GMAT Score Jump: 485 to 625 for ASU Admission
The Life-Changing Exam: GMAT New Format 625 Score, Accepted to ASU, Thanks A2!
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– Academic Background: Tamkang University, Department of Risk Management and Insurance
– Preparation Time: Course: June-July 2023 Weekend Class / Full-time Study: January 2024 – September 2024
– Study Materials: OG (2023, 2024), GWD, PP Mocks 1-6, USB CR PP 1-4, RC PP 1.2, OV, Greedy Snake, Mock Exam Course, DI Text Questions
– Test Scores:
- 1st Attempt: 485 (22nd percentile) Q80 (64th percentile) V71 (5th percentile) DI71 (26th percentile) on 02/02/2024
- 2nd Attempt: 575 (59th percentile) Q86 (91st percentile) V75 (18th percentile) DI75 (48th percentile) on 07/12/2024
- 3rd Attempt: 565 (52nd percentile) Q85 (88th percentile) V74 (18th percentile) DI75 (48th percentile) on 08/12/2024
- 4th Attempt: 625 (81st percentile) Q88 (95th percentile) V75 (18th percentile) DI80 (84th percentile) on 09/06/2024
Timeline
After being shocked by my score on the first attempt, I immediately enrolled in Dustin’s “Terminator” class. By gradually improving the quality of my reading comprehension and question-solving skills, along with vocabulary building, I was finally able to face the exam with confidence.I encourage all students who are serious about the GMAT to fully commit to their studies and be prepared for a long-term battle. I wish all students, past, present, and future, the best of luck in achieving their target scores.
Subject Preparation
SC
When I first enrolled in the course, it was right before the GMAT format changed. I was lucky to learn SC concepts that have really helped my English long-term. The class taught me professional English vocabulary and grammar, which was way beyond what I learned in high school. The SC materials didn’t just help me with the GMAT; they also boosted my English reading and writing for TOEFL and my general ability to read complex English texts.
A2’s SC compilation is industry-leading. The materials are organized so well that students can get a solid grasp of the subject quickly. If I ever had a question about grammar, I’d go back to these materials. Most importantly, the SC skills I gained helped me across the board on the GMAT, including CR, RC, and DI.
CR
After almost a year of prepping, CR was still my weakest area. I was always confused about question types and reasoning directions, especially with harder questions.
Dustin’s “Terminator” class really focused on building a strong foundation in logical reasoning. He pushed us to form our own thoughts after reading a question, then record them on our phones. Listening back helped us check if our logic was solid. Only then did we look at the answer choices. After doing this repeatedly, I could tackle tough questions, figure out my own answer first, and then see if it matched the options. It really built my logical thinking skills. This method let me quickly eliminate wrong answers and pinpoint the right one.
Even though my final Verbal score wasn’t what I’d hoped for, the way I learned to think about CR was completely new and incredibly valuable, especially for someone like me who grew up in Taiwan.
One last tip: When you walk into the test center, you need to be completely focused. Those first three questions really impact your Verbal score. Getting harder questions right later won’t make up for mistakes on easier ones. (Editor’s note: scoring does not depend on question order; early mistakes hurt because the later questions you are sent become easier, not because early questions carry more weight.)
RC
This was the section I struggled with the most initially. The articles were tough to read, and the sentence structures and vocabulary in the answer choices were even harder.
I kept a notebook to track and categorize new vocabulary related to archaeology, history, astronomy, and so on. This made me more comfortable with difficult words. The more words I knew, the less time I wasted trying to understand questions and answers, freeing up time to actually pick the right choice.
I added an extra hour each day to use Dustin’s ChatGPT tool to generate different kinds of articles, which definitely improved my reading speed. Astronomy articles were particularly tricky for me, so I made sure to read at least one every day, timing myself and writing a summary to boost my learning.
Once my vocabulary and reading speed were up to par for the GMAT, I started categorizing questions. For example, I learned to clearly tell the difference between detail and inference questions. While practicing, I constantly thought about how sentences connected. I also used my SC skills to spot important information. After reading an article, I’d create a quick outline of the main points. This became second nature with practice. But remember, it’s crucial to summarize the article in your own words before jumping to the answer choices. Otherwise, you might find yourself second-guessing and rereading the passage over and over.
Q
Math is probably the easiest section for most people to get a good score on. But don’t underestimate its importance. In the new GMAT format, hitting a perfect score in any one section can really boost your overall score, and Q is the most realistic section to aim for perfection.
KH’s materials are thorough and clearly laid out, covering all the necessary content concisely. This helps students prepare efficiently. I recommend students attend the “Greedy Snake” math class (High-Frequency Difficult Math Problems) because many students tend to neglect their Q preparation. Participating in this class encourages students to complete one math problem set daily, maintaining their familiarity and touch with the subject. The course also includes review videos, accelerating students’ absorption and understanding of difficult problems.
During the PP mock exams leading up to the real test, I told myself I was going for a perfect score. You really need to keep that mindset during the actual exam.
DI
DI was the section where I saw the biggest improvement, and it’s the main reason my score jumped so much.
DI questions are varied and can be complex. But I truly believe it’s a section where you can gain a lot of points. Once you get the hang of the easier questions, your score will climb pretty quickly.
I practiced DI questions on Gmat Club for a bit each day. Just be aware that online question quality can vary. Once you get familiar with the common DI question types and use the test-taking tips from the prep course, you’ll definitely see a big jump in your DI score.
Sincere Recommendations
The GMAT is different from traditional exams in Taiwan; it requires clear direction and guidance. A good prep course can help you get a higher score more efficiently. After you achieve a good score, the prep course also offers great alumni services, which are super helpful.
Plus, if you’re willing, the teachers at A2 GMAT host online Q&A sessions every month. I really recommend A2 to anyone planning to take the GMAT.
