How I Scored 750 on the GMAT (Top 3 Best Resources, My Score History, Recommended Study Schedule)

Summary

In this video, Ben shares his personal journey and strategies for acing the GMAT, a crucial part of the NBA application process. He reveals his initial score fluctuations, the importance of focusing intensely before the exam, and the value of perseverance during the test. Ben recommends three key resources: Target Test Prep for quant, YouTube channels Aditya Kumar and GMAT Ninja for verbal, and the Official Guide for practice exams. He also outlines an ideal study schedule, emphasizing the necessity of adapting it to individual needs and concludes with a reminder to practice under exam-like conditions.

Takeaways

• 📈 Ben scored a 750 on the GMAT after a lot of practice, hard work, and research.
• 🔍 He recommends using the official guide practice exams sparingly due to the limited number of unique tests available.
• 📚 Ben's scores fluctuated during his study period, but he advises not to panic as this is common.
• 🍻 A poor initial exam score can be improved by focusing intensely in the weeks leading up to the test, avoiding excessive social activities.
• 🎯 Target Test Prep (TTP) is highly recommended for quant preparation, with a 5-star rating on GMATClub.com.
• 📹 YouTube is an underutilized resource for GMAT prep, with Aditya Kumar for quant and GMAT Ninja for verbal being top choices.
• 📖 The Official Guide (OG) materials are essential for practice, providing questions from the actual GMAT.
• 🗓️ An ideal study schedule includes starting with a non-official practice test, mastering material with TTP, and regularly taking practice exams.
• 🧘‍♂️ Ben suggests focusing intensely in the last two weeks before the exam and doing advanced questions to build stamina.
• ⏰ Practice exams should be taken at the same time of day as the actual GMAT for consistency.
• 💪 Even if the GMAT feels difficult during the test, it's important to push through as the exam is adaptive and designed to challenge.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the GMAT exam and tips on how to prepare for it.

What was the speaker's GMAT score?

The speaker's GMAT score was 750.

What are the three resources the speaker recommends for GMAT preparation?

The three resources recommended are Target Test Prep (TTP), YouTube videos by Aditya Kumar for quant and GMAT Ninja for verbal, and the official GMAT guide materials.

Why does the speaker advise against heavy socializing before the exam?

The speaker advises against heavy socializing because it can distract from studying and impact performance on the exam, as was the case when the speaker scored 700 after a week of socializing.

What is the significance of taking a practice test from a non-official source initially?

Taking a practice test from a non-official source initially helps to understand the format and type of questions on the GMAT without using up the limited official practice tests.

How did the speaker improve their GMAT score from 700 to 750?

The speaker improved their score by focusing intensely on studying for two weeks, doing 40 to 60 practice questions a day, and avoiding distractions.

What is the role of Target Test Prep (TTP) in GMAT preparation according to the speaker?

Target Test Prep (TTP) is a resource that breaks down the GMAT into individual topics with lessons and practice sets, helping build confidence and mastery in both quant and verbal sections.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of using the official GMAT guide materials?

The official GMAT guide materials are emphasized because they provide previous practice exams with questions that closely resemble those on the actual GMAT.

What does the speaker recommend doing in the last two to three weeks before the GMAT exam?

In the last two to three weeks, the speaker recommends doing 10 to 30 questions each day for each section and focusing on advanced questions to build stamina and familiarity with harder questions.

What additional advice does the speaker give for exam day preparation?

The speaker advises taking practice exams at the same time of day as the scheduled exam and doing light practice or review the day before the exam to stay fresh.