GMAT SUCCESS

SECRETS
Invaluable advice from the stars of
CrackVerbal's very own GMAT Hall of Fame.

BROWN RICE

PRACTISE

ANALYSE

IMPROVE
 GMAT
HALL OF FAME

1. Gurpreet Singh 770

2. Apurv Manjrekar 760
3. Sreejith Ramachandran 760
4. Garv Sawhney 750
5. Niladri Chakraborty 750
6. Amiya Kumar 750
7. Harsha Teja Uppala 750
8. Sanmeet Singh 740
9. Karan Virani 740
10. Sachin Sharma 740
11. Swetha Vasu 730
12. Harsh Fadnavis 730
13. Satya Muddala 730
14. Kaushik Subramanian 730
15. Ashwin Baliwada 720

Table of Contents
I’ve seen people working with me who are software
engineers for 10 years. When I see myself five years
down the line, I realize that I don’t want to be in such
a technical role. It’s good to have technical expertise,
but it’s always best to go one step further and shift
into something else. I don’t see myself coding 10 years
from now.

I want to be part of major decision making.

I had a start-up plan with some other people which
didn’t work out because of legal issues with regard to
cloud sourcing in India. This too motivated me to do
an MBA to understand things from a broader
perspective.

Initially, I was quite confused about what I should do

about my GMAT prep- where do I start from, which
material do I use and so on. I would like to thank
CrackVerbal for its excellent classroom experience as
well as its fool-proof student support system. In my
opinion, the study schedule/plan provided by
CrackVerbal is more than enough to crack this exam!!
 
GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 01
I started off in the second week of November, soon I
realized that I need a class room environment to learn
things. Hence, I joined CrackVerbal. 
I did 6 weeks of Quant + Verbal ( 7 hours/day over
weekend ). My first GMAT prep score was 690 (Q49
V35). 
I took my second prep test after finishing my classes
and the advanced docs. I got a 750 (Q50 V 40). I
booked my GMAT date. Every week after that I gave 1
test (Prep 3 and Prep 4). My Prep 3 score was a 750
(Q49 V42) and Prep 4 score was 780 (Q49 V48). 
Personal Observations and learnings –
The following helped me –

Diligently following POE

Using the advanced docs wisely (after completing
all classes and OG/VR material)
Relaxing while solving questions
Application of rules and pattern recognition is more
important than definition of the rules.
Prepathon sessions
Taking 8 practise tests
Taking at least 2 tests at the CrackVerbal center
(out of comfort zone).
GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 02
In my first GMAT attempt I scored a dismal 22 in
Verbal and 610 overall, in spite of good scores in other
sections (Q50, IR7 & AWA 5.5).
I had done self-study for more than 2 months prior to
the test solving questions from the Official guides and
Manhattan SC/IR guides. Even though more than 70%
of my prep hours were spent on Verbal section, I
ended up with this disappointing result.

The CV forum helped me to find better explanations

to many of the OG questions for which OG
explanations were vague and confusing.

After each mock test, I spent atleast half hour at the

center to quickly go through the explanations of the
wrong questions and noted down few, which were not
clear, to re-check at home later.

Looking back, I can very well say that CrackVerbal

helped me to bridge the missing link in my
preparation to achieve a good GMAT score.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 03

I started preparing for the GMAT in June, 2013, I
started with reading about the exam on GMATClub.
RCs and I have never got along well and my
knowledge on English grammar was not sound either.
On my first attempt, I ended with a score of 660 (Q49-
V31). I had no idea what had happened and I felt
devastated.

I knew I need to re-do things and do them right. I

gained more confidence and my accuracy did
increase. I made a point to solve 3 RCs per day and
get all correct. On my second attempt  I scored700
(Q50-V34).
I didn’t want any stone unturned and hence decided
to join CrackVerbal classes in Bangalore.

CV classes introduced me to the “making a map”

concept for an RC passage. I did understand the
reasoning but I was not consistent. Once you start
finding patterns that GMAT tests, you’ll never have
difficulty ever again. Advice in one line, don’t practice
tons of question, practice a few but understand why
the wrong answer choices are wrong .

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 04

My focus was on getting done with the GMAT in the
first attempt. I didn’t want to give it twice. I started
out with CrackVerbal’s Verbal classes because that
aspect of the test was my immediate concern. I then
advanced to the Quant classes.

I would like to point out that it’s important that you

make a note of the things you’re doing wrong rather
than just focusing on the things you do right.

Analyzing your wrong answers is critical to boosting

your score as it tells you a lot about the errors you are
making, the approach you use and lots more.

The other thing is maintaining a schedule. Try and put

in some hours of prep every day. Keeping your
preparation time frame short (about 3-4 months) will
also help you remain focused as opposed to delaying
taking the exam over a period of 6-8 months.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 05

Well, before I wrote the GMAT, I had taken the CAT
and got a 93%ile but unfortunately did not get a call
from any of the IIMs. To be honest, I had no idea
about the GMAT until then. It was only in March 2014
that I discovered a career path through the GMAT. I
gave the first mock test and scored a 610.

One very important section on the GMAT is on

Reading comprehension where most students
struggle. The strategy and techniques taught at
CrackVerbal helped me to a great extent and in just
two weeks I gave another mock test and scored a 690!
That was a huge jump. I knew I was making progress
as I had my basics in place, thanks to CrackVerbal.

All I needed to do now was to practice a little more.

My performance had increased and I was scoring
between a 750 – 770 range in my mock tests. I was
quite satisfied by my mock results and so decided to
take the GMAT. I scored a 750 on the actual GMAT
test!

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 06

I first took the GMAT in 2013 where I managed to
secure a score of 600. This was just on a trial basis to
see where I stood in the crowd.

The second shot I took at the GMAT was when I

wanted to make it count. My colleague told me about
CrackVerbal and ever since then, I haven’t looked
back. I wrote my GMAT for the second time and
scored a 750! (Q49, V42)

 Time management is the key . If you can manage

your time then you can manage your score. I focused
on Verbal and with the help of CrackVerbal and the
tips that they gave me, I managed to actually crack
open the Verbal section.

This is for all the IT guys and girls out there.

Leadership experiences, strong extracurriculars and
an epic GMAT score will help you land your Dream
School.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 07

I’ve taken the GMAT 3 times in the last 3 years. I
scored a 710 in my last 2 attempts and I felt I really
needed to buck it up because a 710 wasn’t really good
enough for my target B- schools. So, I worked really
hard and ended up scoring a 740 on the GMAT.

As far as my prep is concerned, it took me around 2

months to prepare since I had already given the GMAT
twice. Maths came to me naturally as I was from an
engineering background. Verbal was the only task to
tackle.

According to me it is important to know the

fundamentals of the Verbal sections because it is very
easy to go astray. You should work on your mistakes
more and understand the underlying concepts to this.

SC was the part that I found difficult and so I ensured

that I covered the theory of Sentence Correction very
well just because I wanted everything to come
naturally to me on the day of the exam. As far as CR
and RC are concerned, they were more about
practice. But, at the end of the day the basic idea is to
analyze where you go wrong! 
GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 08
For my first attempt, I got a 660. I was in despair,
there was a difference of 50 points in the mock and
the actual GMAT.
I enrolled in CrackVerbal and got clarity on a lot of
concepts. But,  I scored a 700(Q49, V35). Not that 700
is a bad score, but again I was below par on my
expectations.
For the third attempt, I kept a cool head and a strong
temperament. I ended with a well balanced score of
740 (Q-50, V40, IR-7).

TIPS:

If you are running out of time, then you are yet to

optimize and reach your best.
I have heard a lot of people say that their material
is finished. If you are in this category, let me tell
you there’s enough material out there for you to do
for 2 years and never finish. 
LAST DAY JITTERS: These are the most painful. Have
a strategy and tell yourself “GMAT is not the end to
the world”. DO NOT PRESSURIZE YOURSELF.
Last but not the least, please stop double checking
that you have marked the right answer. A HUGE
WASTE OF TIME.
GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 09
I never wanted to write the CAT. So I took help from
friends and college mates who had taken the GMAT. I
studied for 2 months using the material available
online and the Official Guide.

Since I didn’t have a particular strategy for my GMAT

prep, I got a 710. I decided to give one more shot after
better preparation. While I was researching for study
material online, I came across CrackVerbal.

I was pretty sure I would score better in Verbal than

the last time. The first time I attempted the GMAT, my
Verbal scores kept fluctuating and I knew that I
needed to put in more effort for SC.

After the classes, I got a better hang of it and it

eventually helped me score a 740. I got a 51 in Quant
and 38 in verbal. Even though I expected more, I was
pretty happy with my performance.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 10

I used a lot of the resources available online and on
the forums and I would also be a part of group
discussions. I had a lot of friends who studied at
CrackVerbal so I decided to study with them as well.

For me group studies work, but each person has their

own way of studying. I also took the MBA.com free
tests which helped me assess my performance.

I got a 730 on the GMAT and I took it on July 2nd,

2013.

A lot of people who take the GMAT also take the CAT.
They think that their CAT preparation will get you a
good score on the GMAT. But the GMAT is very
different from the CAT so the approach matters if you
need a good score.

I think for self-study you need to be strong

theoretically and know how to approach a particular
section of the test for which you need to probably
refer to study material. Practice is the key to tide over
the GMAT challenges.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 11

It is futile to solve thousands of questions on the
internet which are not relevant to GMAT. The material
that CV provided consisted of some 250 questions on
verbal which were on the same lines that I came
across in GMAT. Solving 250 good questions correctly
is better than solving thousand irrelevant questions
which are a big no-no.

Secondly, I began my preparation by solving the study

material provided by Crack Verbal, instead of any
other material on GMAT. This is because, once you
solve the 250 “solid” GMAT questions, when you refer
other books, you will easily identify which questions
are GMAT-like and which are not.

Thirdly, getting the right answer is not enough, it is

equally important to know how you arrived at that
answer. This is because, as I gave my GMAT twice,
there were some questions I solved both the times
and that too correctly, but the approach was totally
different the second time.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 12

During my first attempt, I hadn’t really prepared well.
I was just exploring my options- CAT, GMAT. I felt the
format of CAT was too rigorous and something I
wouldn’t be able to take. Also, I was looking for
technology opportunities in US, and that’s when I
came across GMAT. I felt Quant was my strong area. I
got a 640 in my first attempt.

When I gave my second attempt on the GMAT, I got a

730! My verbal score was 38. There was a huge
improvement in my Verbal score. I scored a 51 on
quant.

RC was the hardest. The issue was not about

answering the question, but about reading the
passage. It’s all about skimming and picking up the
relevant points. The mind mapping approach at
CrackVerbal really helped.

Another issue I faced in RC was eliminating options

because we read so much data. Skimming and
mapping saved a lot of time.SC and CR were like
Quant for me – they were more logical.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 13

You need to start loving the exam. Love how the
questions are framed - love how the next question’s
difficulty is determined, and how it will grade you. I
cannot stress enough on this - “USE ONLY GMAC
MATERIAL” nothing else comes close.

Make sure you have a timing strategy. The middle

ones contain the experimental questions (most likely)
and you can afford to go a little fast here.  

Maintaining an error log is probably the single most

important thing that helped me in my prep. An error
log is basically a map of your weaknesses. 

Setting an expectation is important. 800 is not a

target score. Well, atleast not for most of us. 

Quality is more important than Quantity (Except in

SC). Enough and more has been said about this. I
would just not say this for SC as I believe that SC
comes with practice, and other than a few
questions pretty much every other question is of the
same quality.

GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 14

I have taken the GMAT twice. I had a 100 point
increase from 620 to 720.

After my first attempt, I took a chance and applied to

Judge. I got my Judge result on 21st February, and a
term that was put up by the school was that I had to
score a 700+ on the GMAT by the 1st of May.

I redid all the questions I learnt until it became

muscle memory, and if were woken up at 3 in the
morning I would be able to answer that question. I
feel there is no rocket science involved in preparing
for the GMAT.

I got myself the official guide, started doing my

research and learnt all the questions in the OG. I
would say that the GMAT is a test of stamina and
strategy. I took a total of four mock tests where my
scores ranged from 620 to 780. I took these same
tests more than twice.

I would recommend that you follow this approach as

you will understand the pattern in which questions
appear on the exam.
GMAT SUCCESS STORIES | 15