A 5 min read

Introduction

“Two years, a few attempts, and multiple heartbreaks” — this summarizes the grueling, yet transformative journey Piyush undertook on his path to GMAT mastery. Starting from a modest 400 on the GCE, Piyush catapulted his score to a remarkable 735 on the focus edition, placing him in the elite 100th percentile.

1. What led to this exceptional leap?
2. How did a shift in mindset turn his prospects around?

In this article, we unfold the story of Piyush’s strategies and mindset changes that not only improved his score but reshaped his approach to challenges. Let’s delve into Piyush’s story to understand the insights and methods that can help you on your own path to GMAT excellence.

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Overcoming the Basics: Piyush’s Early Challenges

Starting with a GMAT score of 400, Piyush’s journey was marked by persistent challenges over two years. Struggling especially with the Verbal and Data Insights sections, he sought a methodical solution to his difficulties. e-GMAT’s approach, rich with detailed performance analytics, helped Piyush identify and focus on his weakest areas. The clear, step-by-step guidance and data-driven feedback provided by Abha (his mentor) not only enhanced his foundational skills but also restored his confidence, setting him on a path to substantial improvement. This ultimately enabled him to tackle the GMAT with renewed determination and a clearer strategy.

Figure 1: Final Scores and Percentiles in the GMAT Focus (Source: Official ESR)

Mastering Verbal: From Basics to Brilliance

Piyush’s initial performance in the Verbal section was notably weak, starting at an extremely low percentile. With eGMAT’s targeted Verbal courses, he embarked on a rigorous path to refine his command over Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. These courses, known for their depth and structured methodology, honed his analytical skills and understanding of complex verbal constructs.

The transformation was marked by a consistent improvement in cementing quizzes, where Piyush began applying strategies learned from Pre-thinking methods in Critical Reasoning. Notably, his accuracies in medium and hard cementing quizzes increased, while the time taken to solve these questions decreased, demonstrating a profound grasp of complex verbal constructs.

Figure 2: Scoring more than the threshold of 60% in CR Hard Cementing Quizzes

Figure 3: High accuracy while reducing time to answer

These techniques not only boosted his Critical Reasoning abilities from low teens to a 97^th %ile, but also had a cascading effect on his Reading Comprehension scores. By the end of his preparation, Piyush’s ability had soared to the 99th percentile in Verbal, a testament to the effective strategies and personalized feedback provided by e-GMAT.

Figure 4: Section-wise Verbal Scores and Percentiles in the GMAT Focus (Source: Official ESR)

Quantitative Leap: Strategy and Precision

Piyush, with a slightly stronger foundation in Quant (35^th Percentile) compared to Verbal, focused on eliminating knowledge gaps and mastering high-yield areas like number properties and probability. With e-GMAT’s guidance, he systematically reviewed each topic, ensuring that he understood the concepts thoroughly before applying them in timed settings. This meticulous preparation was critical in moving him toward top performance levels.

Figure 5: Time management and performance in Quant Section in the GFE

His strategic approach involved perfecting medium questions to secure all possible points, which allowed him ample time to tackle the more challenging ones. e-GMAT’s resources, coupled with their emphasis on strategic review and practice, played a significant role in Piyush achieving a Quant score in the 94th percentile. His ability to read questions carefully and avoid common pitfalls was enhanced by the focused practice and effective application of process skills to achieve significant improvement in both accuracy and efficiency.

Figure 6: Section-wise Quant Scores and Percentiles in the GMAT Focus (Source: Official ESR)

Excelling in Data Insights: Tactical Mastery

Piyush’s ascent to a D85 (99th percentile) in the DI section is a testament to the tactical prowess he developed with the targeted training. Initially overwhelmed by the complexity and time constraints of DI questions, Piyush leveraged e-GMAT’s approach to owning the Dataset,  which broke down the types of DI questions into comprehensible segments. This allowed him to develop specific strategies for different question types, particularly Data Sufficiency and Multi-Source Reasoning.

Figure 7: Time management and performance in Data Insights Section in the GFE

e-GMAT’s approach emphasized understanding the underlying data thoroughly (owning the dataset) before attempting to solve the problems, a technique that drastically reduced his question-solving time. By applying these strategic insights, Piyush not only improved his speed but also his accuracy, allowing him to handle the pressure of real test conditions effectively.

Figure 8: Section-wise Data Insights Scores and Percentiles in the GMAT Focus (Source: Official ESR)

Triumph on Test Day

On the day of the GMAT, Piyush’s meticulous preparation and strategic foresight paid off. By adhering to the structured approach and techniques refined through his overall training, he managed test-day pressures with exceptional poise. His previous practice in simulating test conditions allowed him to maintain focus and apply his strategies effectively, translating his hard-earned skills into a stellar performance that achieved a score of 735. This success not only marked the culmination of his diligent preparation but also reflected the profound impact of e-GMAT’s guidance on his journey.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Piyush’s journey from a challenging starting score to achieving a 735 on the GMAT is a powerful testament to the efficacy of e-GMAT’s comprehensive preparation strategies. His story illustrates that with the right support, tools, and mindset, dramatic improvements are achievable.

Key takeaways for future test takers:

• Embrace a Strategic Approach: Adopting a structured and analytical method to studying can dramatically improve understanding and performance.
• Leverage Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing data to identify weaknesses and measure progress is crucial for efficient and focused preparation.
• Persevere Through Challenges: Consistency and resilience in the face of difficulties are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving high scores.

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