I started my GMAT journey last year in April 2023. Since then, I've gone through all the GMAT Ninja videos, the entire TTP course (Quant, Verbal, DI), and even the eGMAT Last Mile Push program but I can't seem to break the 705+ barrier which is my target score. I got a 645 on my first official attempt and then a 575 on my second official attempt a month later which is really discouraging. I've used up all 6 official mocks (with 1 reset for each one as well so 12 mocks in total) and I've gone through the OG Guide 2024 questions for Quant and CR with some DS as well. I even spent a few hours with a private tutor to improve CR and while it was helpful, it was too expensive to continue for even more than a week.

My issue with each section is as follows:
Quant: I'm more quantitative in nature so I have more of an affinity to the quant section. That said, the Quant section really doesn't get into super hard math but my issue is figuring out the quickest way to solve the problems in 2 mins or less. In my most recent official exam, literally a third of the questions in Quant were Algebra problems that involved solving for x or some other variation which I could do with sufficient time but I had to rush because I was doing everything by hand and the calculations were taking too long which makes me wonder if my process was faulty. Also, bc ppl tend to do better in quant, if you miss like 2 questions you're suddenly bumped down to like 80th percentile so its super hard to improve since sometimes you have brain farts and completely blank on a work rate problem.

Verbal: CR is my worst nightmare. Even when I understand the conclusion, the answer choices always seem to confuse me and on my most recent exam, several questions had answers none of which I found convincing to be the answer choice. I feel like CR is hard to improve bc i overthink a lot and I end up convincing myself that multiple answers could be the answer even though I know thats not the case. Prethinking doesnt help me bc some of the hard problems are literally impossible to prethink for. You'd have to be a god to even consider those wacky or seemingly irrelevant answer choices to be correct. As for RC, well I easily get bored by the science/history passages so focusing has been tough for me but I know that the answers can all be supported by the passage so I just have to go digging in the passage. Again, timing can be an issue but I still tend to do better in RC than CR.

DI: Holy smokes this section is like Quant and Verbal on crack. Time management is a huge issue bc I think for the most part (bar a few exceptions) I can get every question right in this section with sufficient time. But on my most recent exam, I ended up rushing bc I had 7 mins to solve 7 DI problems which is basically impossible. MSR problems obviously take the most time but I have no idea how to manage my time or what I should be even looking for sometimes in terms of quick ways to analyze graphs.

Basically, at this point I have no idea how to improve. I took both exams at the test center (1st one was at 8am and 2nd was at 10:30am) so maybe that added to the nerves? I'm considering either doing my 3rd attempt at home (any experience regarding this would be helpful) or just switching to the GRE bc everyone tells me its easier even though I know none of the vocab. I'm also targeting M7 schools so that's why I really want a 705+. On my mock exams, they ranged from 575-685 and I even got a 705 once and a 735 (even though the 735 had half of the questions repeated from previous mocks so I still remembered the answer). I also work in Finance full time so finding time to study has been hard since when I get home around 7pm usually I'm already tired and it's hard for me to focus at that point and grind verbal problems.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Could someone explain to me how to properly find the minimum and maximum values when solving a question involving overlapping sets? I saw an explanation on ChatGPT, but it was a bit too complicated. Also, could you explain this in the context of a triple Venn diagram? That would be very helpful.

I just finished my Quant prep and getting started with verbal. How do I start my prep any free resources on YouTube which teaches how to go about a question in verbal, the strategies, how should one read RC, etc?

I also VPN'd around to see if it's my region. Are you experiencing the same thing?

Hey everyone!

After months of preparation and learning from this community, I improved from 615 (Q86, V80, DI75) to 695(Q88, V85, DI81). 

GMAT FE - 695

After my first mock, I realized I needed serious help. My engineer's "I can figure it out myself" attitude wasn't cutting it. 

Verbal to V85

Relearning How to Read: 

• Stopped speed reading and focused on comprehension. Used pause points (game changer!) to process information.
• Created a "mental flowchart" for each question type

Question Type Strategy: 

• For CR: Spent time understanding the argument before looking at answers (revolutionary, I know)
• For RC: Stopped treating every detail as equally important

Data Insights (D75 to D81)

• Initially tried to rush through - big mistake
• Learned to take time with the first MSR question to understand the context
• Practiced timing strategies specific to each question type

Quant (Maintained strong performance Q88-90)

• No more rushing to prove I'm "good at math" 
• Double-checking EVERY answer 
• Reading ALL the information very very carefully

Test Day Experience

For my test day strategy, I started with Verbal, moved to DI, and finished with Quant. This sequence worked great, and I finished each section with time to spare. My biggest tip? If you're stuck on a question, don't waste time - just make your best guess and move on. This simple strategy made a huge difference in my performance!

What Worked

Looking back, a few key strategies really made the difference in my prep. First, I set strict deadlines instead of prepping endlessly. Consistent practice was absolutely crucial - you really can't skip this part. I made sure to review my mistakes strategically and took regular mock tests, actually analyzing what went wrong. 

Finally, learning when to guess and move on turned out to be a game-changer. These five things together really shaped my success.

All the best everyone!!

Hi, I'm looking for GMAT FE online course access if anyone's willing to share? Looking for topic wise lectures and tests.

Has anyone applied to isb round 2? Were you able to send the scores via mba.com? I have been getting error during the payment process

GMAT club has questions from sub 505 level to 805+ level. Including sub 505, 505-555, 555-605, 605-655, 655-705 and 705-805 and finally 805+. Should I even do the above 705 questions to get a decent score in quant of let's say 84-85? the question bank is vast and if I'm starting from the top my accuracy is highly affected so I need help to strategize in a more effective manner.

title

Here's a GMAT Quant question that transformed our teaching approach and might just change how you tackle absolute value questions forever:

If x is a positive number and |-4x + 8| ≥ 2, which of the following statements represent the exact range of x?

A. 3/2 ≤ x ≤ 5/2

B. 0 < x < 3/2 or x > 5/2

C. x ≤ 3/2 or x ≥ 5/2

D. 0 < x ≤ 3/2 or x ≥ 5/2

E. No solution

• The "Aha!" Moment

A student confidently declared: "Ma'am, why can't we just split it at x = 2? When x is less than 2, the expression will be negative, and when x is greater than 2, it will be positive."

I almost agreed... until something stopped me dead in my tracks.

Let's test this logic with x = 1:

·       When x = 1:

·       -4(1) + 8 = 4

Wait... 4 is POSITIVE? But x = 1 is less than 2... shouldn't this be negative? 🤔

• The Mind-Bending Revelation

Here's what makes this problem fascinating: the negative coefficient (-4) completely flips our intuition upside down. Here's why:

• As x increases, -4x becomes MORE negative

• Therefore, -4x + 8 actually DECREASES as x increases

• Traditional intuition = shattered

• Why Students Fall Into The Trap

Nearly 80% of my students pick Choice E (No solution). Here's their typical thought process:

1. "For x < 2: Expression must be negative" (Wrong!)
2. "For x > 2: Expression must be positive" (Wrong again!)
3. When they solve with these assumptions, they get contradictory results
4. Conclusion: "No solution exists!"

• The GMAT's Brilliant Twist

Here's what makes this question genius:

With a positive coefficient (like |2x - 4|):

• As x increases → expression increases
• Split point cleanly divides negative/positive regions

But with a negative coefficient (like |-4x + 8|):

• As x increases → expression DECREASES

• Everything you thought you knew gets reversed!

• The Correct Solution Path

1. Find the zero point: -4x + 8 = 0 → x = 2
2. Critical realization: For x < 2, expression is POSITIVE (not negative!)
3. For x > 2, expression is NEGATIVE (not positive!)
4. Solve |-4x + 8| ≥ 2 algebraically

This leads us to: 0 < x ≤ 3/2 or x ≥ 5/2 (Choice D)

• TL;DR

When you see a negative coefficient in an absolute value inequality:

• Your "less than = negative, greater than = positive" instinct will betray you
• The expression DECREASES as x increases
• Don't fall for the "No solution" trap - that's exactly what the GMAT wants!

(Pro tip: Don't let your instincts about positive/negative regions mislead you!)

 Did this explanation help change your perspective on absolute value questions? Drop a comment below! 👇

Hi Everyone,

I am about to start my GMAT prep this week and need some help deciding which test prep I should go for. I can only afford one prep course so I want it to be the best possible in my budget. I have a 2-3 month timeline for prep and I cannot afford the Manhattan or Princeton review courses even though they're highly rated. My budget is 500 usd. As per my research there's 3 options: e-GMAT, TTP and Magoosh. I need help narrowing it down to one.

So I have been trying to send the score to ISB via mba.com but I am always getting an error. I tried using PayPal but even that is not working. I tried contacting mba.com via email and no encouraging response.

Is the application for isb round 2 considered if we send the unofficial score and later try to send the official score via mba.com? Is the application only considered if the ISB receives the official score before 8th of dec? Can we submit the unofficial score as of now and then try to resolve the issue later?

Any indian helpline number or contact if anyone has kindly provide if possible. Thank you.

This is my profile . A little low on funds , so want to know which universities in US to apply for.

Country- India UG- Bcom hons from top university of India - 3.38 GPA Very very high grades in high school . Graduated in 2022 from college Working in a startup since then , at a financial position , successfully led 3 projects . Also working with multiple NGOs engaged in a wide array of services . GMAT Focus edition score - 725 When do I intend to come ? Fall 2025

Hi guys!

I’m taking my first GMAT on Dec 9th (was originally aiming for R2 but severely underestimated how long it’d take to study so now treating it as practice) and need advice on how to improve.

• First cold mock (Sept 23rd): 575 (Q73 | V84 | D78) • Latest mock (Nov 26th): 605 (Q77 | V85 | D78)

I’ve been using TTP exclusively (which I love bec of my weak math foundation) but haven’t touched verbal or data yet. With 2 weeks left, should I:

1. Focus only on quant since it’s my weak spot?
2. Start brushing up on verbal/data?
3. Prioritize mocks or specific question practice?

Planning to retake after Dec 9th, but would love any advice to make the most of these two weeks. Thanks!

Has anyone experienced the proctor leaving the zoom meeting while you are taking the gmat? It happened to me a few weeks ago, the proctor left the meeting and the exam paused in the middle of the Verbal section. Since I was on the secure browser, the computer was locked. After more than an hour trying to figure it out with the gmat people, I was able to continue with the test. It was very frustrating.

I got a question on the GMAT, the format was something like: you sell widgets for "x" dollars and you sell "y" amount of them. For every dollar you take off "x" you sell 10 more. What price maximizes revenue? Answers are like x, x-1, x-2 etc. The only way I could think was calculate every option, but there has to be a quicker way.

Maybe at some point during your GMAT test prep, you heard that if you correctly answer the first 5–7 questions in each GMAT section, you automatically get a great score. Maybe you decided that this “secret weapon” would give your score that extra little boost it was missing. Maybe, as a result, you experienced a GMAT score drop and couldn’t understand why.

Myths about the GMAT are never in short supply, but the myth of the first 7 questions has serious staying power. It’s a tempting idea: focus all your energy on the opening questions to make a strong impression on the GMAT scoring algorithm and secure a high score. However, the truth is far less convenient. Overinvesting time in the first 7 questions of a GMAT section with the hope of bettering your chances can actually backfire—and badly.

For one thing, answering the first several questions correctly does not mean that the GMAT scoring algorithm will permanently label you as a “high scorer.” The algorithm continually adapts to your performance throughout the test. What’s more, by spending too much time on those initial questions, you risk running out of time later in the section. When you rush through the remaining questions or are forced to guess on several, the overall accuracy of your answers will suffer, dragging your score down.

Consider this: even if you’ve achieved a high score by question 7, by the time you reach the final question in the section—or worse, if you fail to complete the section—your score will have dropped significantly because of unanswered or incorrect questions.

Are the first 7 questions of a section important? Sure. But every question in the section is important. The GMAT rewards consistency, not just isolated bursts of high performance. To achieve your best possible score, stick with a timing strategy that allows you to pace yourself methodically throughout the section. This approach gives you the best chance to correctly answer each question, not just the early ones, and ensures that you’re maximizing your performance across the entire section.

In short, there’s no secret weapon or shortcut to GMAT success. Focus on building a solid foundation of skills, practicing effective time management, and maintaining consistent accuracy throughout each section. This balanced strategy is what will truly unlock your potential on test day.

Warmest regards,

Scott

From wanting to score a 685, to not finding enough time with my consulting job (around 5 hours a week for 2 months), to then scoring 695 on the official mock a day before my actual, and then bombing it, it has been a rollercoaster ride.

I initially started with a 595 on the e-GMAT sigma mock with 0 prep around 2 months ago, given I was targeting the Fall'26 intake, I wanted to have sufficient time to reattempt my test, and not worry about it while dealing with my essays next year.

Test Day: I was coming in hot with a 695 just the night before with a near perfect quant, aiming for a Q90,DI85 and V83. Verbal was the section I struggled with, hence kept it for the last.

https://preview.redd.it/qfaqu1b3x93e1.png?width=1136&format=png&auto=webp&s=a31462de87f2c22cbd7bc1a0900085842859fead

Quant: I was cruising through most of the questions in the section with relative ease, and ended up with 2Q remaining in the last 5 mins, I ended up wasting 4 minutes on the 20th question (big mistake) and ended up with under a minute in the last. In an attempt to do some quick math, trying to guesstimate the right answer, I ended up not clicking on submit on the last question. (Score below)

https://preview.redd.it/ugsbf2r7x93e1.png?width=811&format=png&auto=webp&s=5bc55c8d68c0feef8618b74c05fd1658eb2ab32b

That got me quite worked up, and I then ended up clicking on the Begin Break button before DI.

What I should have done was taken the break to calm my nerves, and lose the jitters. But I did not want to move out of the testing environment to the waiting lobby and lose momentum (I was stupid yes) I ended up ending my break 30 seconds in and there started my downfall.

I was unable to focus properly in the DI section, starting with a tricky first question and ending the section with not enough time, although in hindsight it ended up being my best scorer, and my Verbal section had a lot of questions that presented trick options, I was double thinking through a lot of them and struggled (more than usual).

DI:

https://preview.redd.it/weqbug0jx93e1.png?width=683&format=png&auto=webp&s=907b27bf59dd4f3b76fda144b0b07424bc4fdf9d

Verbal:

https://preview.redd.it/3gmvvsgmx93e1.png?width=661&format=png&auto=webp&s=a991b7bd7ddb6f927d5d95f5f056c2a7d7916668

At the end looking at the 645 did make me feel a little bit better but I'm hoping to retake the test in the next 2 months again

Profile: 24 yo, ~2.5 YOE in consulting, ~9.5 GPA in my 12th grade, ~7.15 in my undergrad.
So hoping to overcompensate my lackluster GPA with a 700+ in the GMAT.

Im aiming to focus more on building up my strength in verbal from scratch, focusing on improving my timing in the DI section and Quant to get my accuracy up as well. Hope my target isn't unreasonable.

Would also like to know if there is merit to enrolling in a course, or moving forward with self study as the 4M plan with e-GMAT did not really help me much in the last attempt.

Is there a link to any resources on word guidance for the test where they can trip people up when reading the question. i.e. if it doesn't say they are integers, the mix of 2 or 3 items be a decimal or in the below question because it says the word "included" GMAT argue that this means the 2 criteria are not all the criteria so the answer is E. ** Chris was in an electronic appliances store to buy an LED computer monitor. Chris’s purchase criteria included screen size, which must be at least 32 inches, and price—which must not exceed $400. A friend made two recommendations: Monitor A and Monitor B. Chris liked both monitors. Did Chris more likely buy Monitor A, Monitor B, or neither?

(1) Monitor A’s screen size was more than 32 inches—and it cost less than Monitor B.

(2) Monitor B cost $390 and its screen size was less than that of Monitor A.

Hey everyone,

After a long, challenging journey with the GMAT, I am here to share my story of how I went from struggling with severe test anxiety and scoring in the 500s to achieving a 665. I hope my experience can help others who might be facing similar challenges.

Like many, I initially thought my English background would be enough for the verbal section. The GMAT quickly showed me it wasn't testing vocabulary or basic English, but rather analytical and logical reasoning skills.

Overcoming Test Anxiety

This was honestly my biggest hurdle. I dealt with such severe test anxiety that I would:

• Constantly stare at the timer during mocks
• Pause tests frequently to check answers
• Get overwhelmed even before starting a section

What helped me overcome this:

1. Taking mocks without pausing (this was HARD initially!)
2. Treating each mock as just another practice session
3. Focusing on one question at a time instead of the whole test
4. Learning to let go of questions I was unsure about (this was a game-changer!)

Verbal (V85)

Being a fast reader, I initially thought my ability to quickly go through passages would be an advantage. However, I soon learned that GMAT verbal requires a completely different approach. For RC, I had to unlearn my habit of speed-reading passages just to save time. Instead, I started taking structured notes after each paragraph, really focusing on understanding what the author was trying to convey.

The results spoke for themselves - I managed to achieve 100% accuracy in RC on the actual test day!

https://preview.redd.it/oasw5fkjx73e1.png?width=940&format=png&auto=webp&s=806eaaa4df5acad114d26c565485e238eef02665

Data Insights (DI83)

What really worked for me in DI was tackling it after getting comfortable with both verbal and quant, as DI really is a fusion of both skill sets.

I discovered that rushing through DI questions was counterproductive - accuracy was far more important than speed initially. The MSR type questions were particularly tricky, but I developed a systematic approach to break them down. Instead of trying to absorb all the information at once, I learned to skim through the sources first to get a general idea, then dive deeper as needed for specific questions.

https://preview.redd.it/ugkd9o8lx73e1.png?width=940&format=png&auto=webp&s=71ec411ff2f479139c0670b57c491509e29b3427

Key Tips for Fellow Test-Takers:

1. Strategy > Hours: Focus on quality practice, not endless questions
2. Mental Game: Don't let test anxiety control you - it's just another mock!
3. Timing: Build accuracy first, speed will follow
4. Practice Setup: If taking online GMAT, practice with whiteboard/markers
5. Last Days: Don't overstudy - relax and maintain confidence

Remember - GMAT is part of your journey, not your entire life. Stay calm, trust your preparation, and keep pushing forward!

I used my friends OG to prepare for Gmat but he already used the activation code in it to access the Qn bank.

Is there any way I could buy the Qn bank alone?

Can I use that code again?

The main reason being I need to practice MSR and verbal.

Hi everyone,

I’m gearing up for my GMAT and wanted to share my progress and seek advice on overcoming last-minute jitters. Here’s a snapshot of my recent mock scores:

• Official Mock 1 (reattempt, 3rd time after 3 months): 645
• Official Mock 3: 645
• GMAT Club Mock: 645
• GMAT Club Mock: 655
• GMAT Club Mock: 695
• Official Mock 4: 695

While I’m happy to see improvement, especially with two mocks hitting 695, I’m still feeling a bit underconfident and anxious about test day. There's always this lingering "what if" fear about things going wrong.

Currently, I’m working through OG 24 with solid accuracy. My target is QA 90 (hovering around 85–87 now), and I’ve noticed some improvement in Verbal too.

Could you share any focused exercises, last-minute strategies, or confidence-boosting tips to help maximize my score in a short span of time?

Thanks in advance for your support and suggestions! 😊

The first screenshot is from my first attempt in September (655, Q82, V84, DI82). Second is from my most recent attempt in November where I regressed (635, Q81, V84, DI69). I took the test in the same order both times: Q, DI, V. I felt noticeably more stressed and less confident on my second attempt, and I ran into timing issues on both Q and DI (which I didn't on my first attempt).

It's strange to me that my quant scores are within 1 point of each other given the accuracy and lack of time on my second attempt. On both tests I did Quant first, so ostensibly any section to section adaptiveness wasn't a factor. Anyone have insight or an explanation?

First Attempt (Q82)

Second Attempt (Q81) - time trouble at the end where I had to guess randomly

Hi guys, preparing for the quant part, I am having a bit of difficulty with the probability and combinatorics problems. The thing I find most challenging is the fact that -- at least to my appearance -- unlike the other quant topics, which after some practice I begin to deeply understand, and more like develop a method/process with which to approach them, this for now does not seem to be the case for probability and combinatorics problems.

It almost even seems like there is a different way to solve the problem each time, which becomes especially frustrating and almost depressing ahaha.

My question is, first of all, whether this is the case for others as well.

Then, if you have resources where I can study these two more specific subjects in more detail, or in general if you know of frameworks/processes with which to approach each of these kinds of problems.

Thank you

I'm having a hard time understanding work rate problems, what are man hours? how is it implemented? I really need help with this bcus I've been stuck on it for a while now and I don't have time.

Over the years, I’ve observed a clear pattern: the students who achieved the highest GMAT quant scores were the ones who refused to give up on tough problems during practice. They didn’t let frustration, mental fatigue, or self-doubt get the better of them. On the other hand, students who quickly abandoned questions—whether after 60 seconds, 90 seconds, or some other short time frame—saw the least improvement in their scores, even if they were equally capable in other respects.

The truth is, mastering GMAT quant requires more than just knowing formulas and techniques. **It demands perseverance—the ability to stick with a problem even when your brain feels stretched and your patience wears thin.**Perseverance isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

This is why untimed practice is so important in the early stages of your preparation. By working through questions without the pressure of a clock, you give yourself the time and space to develop your problem-solving skills and, just as importantly, your mental endurance.

Often, when you first look at a question, you may not immediately know how to solve it. This uncertainty can trigger self-doubt—questions like, “Do I really have what it takes to do well on the GMAT?” But here’s the thing: if you keep at it—persisting through the fire of doubt, fear, boredom, and frustration—you’ll often find a path to the answer.

If you allow yourself only two or three minutes per question, you risk cutting the process short. You might skip straight to the explanation without experiencing the transformative moment when persistence pays off and the solution clicks. By doing so, you miss out on learning one of the most critical skills for GMAT success: the ability to persist, to hack away at a problem, and to do whatever it takes to solve challenging questions.

Building this perseverance takes time and effort, but it’s the foundation for achieving mastery in GMAT quant—and ultimately, for excelling on test day. So, embrace the challenge. Push through the discomfort. And trust that every time you stick with a problem, you’re building the skills and mindset you need to succeed.

Warmest regards,

Scott

struggling with this question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/tom-travels-d-miles-by-a-car-whose-consumption-c-gallons-per-hour-is-438076.html#p3484380

here's what i have so far... where am i going wrong?

https://preview.redd.it/gg1wynjjd13e1.jpg?width=1668&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1a0fae08380f968c42a89058dd7794ed4cd10d7