770 today - HOLY $@#!

Today, I wrote the GMATs for the first time, and it was a resounding success. Final score: 49 math, 47 verbal, 770 total!!!

Thanks to everyone in this forum for your wonderful study help, preparation and advice. It's been great.

Now, to write about my experience:

Preparation

Study time: About a month, give or take 3-4 hours a day after work, more on weekends.

Study tools: Kaplan GMAT 2006 book and CD, PowerPrep software, GMATPrep software. I never got the OG and was worried it was a mistake, but it wasn't available locally and was a pain to order. Also, this site, which was awesome.

Practice Scores

Kaplan Online: 750
Kaplan1: 640
Kaplan2: 690
Kaplan3: 700
Kaplan4: 670

Princeton Review Online: 720

PowerPrep 1: 690
PowerPrep 2: 770

GMATPrep 1: 760
GMATPrep 2: 750

Actual Test

I started off with a shaky start. My worst nightmare came true: I got lost on the way to the test center. Because I was writing it in another city, I couldn't check out the route beforehand. Luckily I'd left myself plenty of get-lost time, and I phoned a local friend asking for directions and eventually found it alright, though it took me an extra 45 minutes.

Anyway, I arrived at the test center, which was much smaller than I thought it would be. Only 5 workstations total. I had to sign in and copy out a confidentiality statement, and I luckily remembered to use the washroom and down a couple of advils for my headache before starting the test. I sat down at the workstation, and was given scratch paper and two pencils. Each work station also had a box of kleenex and a set of noise-blocking headphones. Luckily I didn't need the headphones because it was very quiet throughout.

I flubbed the first essay. I wasn't watching the clock, and of course I ran out of time halfway through writing the conclusion. Sadly it cut me off in mid-sentance, and I'm sure I'll pay for it in the score. The second essay was better, as I'd learned my lesson about the clock. I actually did very minimal preparation for the essay section, choosing to rely on the fact that I can usually wing essays without much trouble. I'll have to see how the scores come in.

Quick water-washroom-food break.

The math section was easier than Kaplan. I got a few combinations and probability problems, but luckily I'd practiced that quite a bit. There was a geometry one I simply couldn't figure out, and after about 7 minutes I guessed and moved on. Then the questions started getting easier, and I was worried I'd really messed up, but nothing to do but go on. I finished the section with about 3 minutes to spare.

Quick water-washroom-food break again.

The verbal section was surprisingly easy. The RC passages were non-science and fairly simple. I had to keep reminding myself to slow down because I had a tendency to rush through. But I finished with 20 minutes to spare, and I figured what the hell, may as well confirm and see how I did. The biggest challenge was concentrating for the last 5-6 questions, because I knew I was nearing the end and I started getting anxious to see my score.

The survey calmed my nerves a bit. It was a relief to concentrate on such mundane details as my name and school and GPA.

Then, the famous confirm/cancel dilemma. Wasn't much of a dilemma for me cause I was writing the GMAT partially just to see how I'd do. Besides, I'm too naturally curious to cancel. So I hit confirm and closed my eyes.

When the 770 popped up on screen, I sat with my jaw dropped for about 4 minutes. I couldn't believe it. Then I started laughing out loud before catching myself and reminding myself there were other people in the room.

I left casually, signed out, thanked the test invigilator, and went to my car where I blasted the radio and started singing along. I'm very happy now. It's done. Success. Thanks to all.