MBA
It's already December! My GMAT journey
Chayanika Misra·Dec 11, 2024·7 min read
A year of personal development, and acing the GMAT
A year ago, I felt stuck in my career and personal growth, filled with self-doubt and uncertainty. This year I faced failures head-on, rose like a phoenix, cried but got up the next day and accomplished my dreams. A GMAT score of 730 that felt unattainable when I started was my eventual score. What changed? I believed in myself.
The GMAT journey is a test of perseverance, patience, and self-belief. Mine was no different. It was filled with ups and downs, moments of self-doubt, and ultimately, the sweet taste of success.
Back in 2022, I took my first attempt. I opted for the at-home version, thinking it would be comfortable. Little did I know that a series of power cuts would turn it into a nightmare, logging me in and out of the exam multiple times and breaking my momentum. I finished, but the score was a 620, which did not reflect my potential. Frustrated, I told myself, "Maybe the GMAT is not my cup of tea," and left the preparation midway.
In 2023, something changed. I still wanted to pursue an MBA and chase my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I restarted preparation in October, taking a more methodical approach: GMAT Club debrief videos and questions from the Official Guide. I found that Expert Global mocks were closest to the real thing, and my scores ranged from 640 to 690.
But exam day didn't go as planned. At the center I struggled with anxiety, and construction noise distracted me. The score flashed: 580. I hadn't scored this low on any mock. I cried. But it was a wake-up call. Verbal was my weakest section, and I decided to tackle it head-on.
I started reaching out to people who had been through it. I connected with a private tutor, explained my situation, and made it clear that this time I wanted to get it right. I learned the nuances of GMAT Verbal and the reasoning behind why one option is right and the others wrong. Just as I gained confidence, the GMAT introduced the new Focus Edition with an additional Data Insights section, and adapting to it was yet another challenge.
After four months, I felt ready. My mock scores ranged from 555 to 655, and two official mocks came in at 615 and 605. But exam anxiety hit hard. I barely slept, and the Data Insights section was unexpectedly difficult. When I saw 595 I felt crushed, but I had improved my Verbal. I saw that as a small win, and knew I was on the right track.
Since Verbal and Quant had improved but DI hadn't, I got structured about it. I analysed the section in detail, practiced tougher GMAT Club quizzes, maintained an error log for every mistake, and reviewed each one with my tutor so I wouldn't repeat it. Every morning I spent three hours solving, tracking mistakes, and revising.
This time I went in with more confidence, having improved Verbal, Quant, and DI. On exam day I was calm, and the score read 635. It wasn't quite what I aimed for, but it was a major improvement, and for the first time a score I could actually use to apply. Still, as an Indian techie in an overrepresented pool, I needed better to stand out.
I didn't change my strategy much. Instead I focused on mastering my mistakes: reviewing every one from all my mocks, writing out the explanations step by step, and revisiting them until I fully understood. By August 2024 I was ready for one last attempt. I'd slept only two hours, but I told myself to take it one question at a time, and surprisingly it worked like magic. DI felt much easier. When I submitted, I wasn't expecting a miracle. Then I saw it: 730. After so many sleepless nights, self-doubt, and back-to-back setbacks, I had finally cracked the GMAT.
The GMAT journey isn't just about mastering Quant, Verbal, or Data Insights, it's about mastering yourself. If you're feeling stuck, know that it's possible to turn things around. Trust yourself, stay consistent, and seek help when needed. Your breakthrough moment is just one attempt away.