A 7 min read

While taking the classroom learning sessions, Yashvi was focused on randomly giving mock tests, which eliminated the process of targeting her weaknesses. After scoring a 630 on the GMAT, she switched to the e-GMAT online course and increased her score to 730. Yashvi was able to ace the GMAT by following e-GMAT’s process-driven approach:

1. Learn the Concepts Right
2. Apply those concepts with the help of quizzes
3. Reach the targeted accuracy

This article highlights Yashvi’s GMAT Journey and how she improved her scores by 100 points by taking help from e-GMAT’s strategy team and mentorship program. Here is the outline of the article:

Want to watch the video debrief instead? Watch the entire conversation below:

Initial GMAT Prep – Private tutor (Classroom learning)

Many people who start with their GMAT preparation think of it as an easier exam than CAT. However, both the exams are equally tricky. Learn key differences between CAT vs. GMAT.

Yashvi decided to take the GMAT when she was in her second year. Initially, she was confident that she would score high, and it was not a big deal.

Yashvi: I have always been good at studies. I thought that within three months or so, I should be able to prep for the GMAT. However, I soon realized how time-consuming it is and the amount of hard work it needs.

A friend recommended me a private tutor, and I started with the classes. After the course completion, I took few mock tests, and my scores hovered around 650. I raised my concern to the tutor, and he said that I need to practice more. So, I started giving a lot of mock tests.

After taking few mocks, I took the GMAT exam and scored a 630. I was shocked and reached out to the tutor. He told me to keep practicing, and I did that, but I could not see any results.

I took 10 explore global mocks, many Manhattan and veritas mocks, but my score was not crossing that 700-mark. It was at this point that I realized that just practicing will not help me. I took a free trial of e-GMAT because it had good reviews on GMATClub and started going through the videos.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of taking the GMAT Mock test.

Switch to a process-driven GMAT Preparation

Yashvi: Once I started my free trial, I first went through the SC course videos. I liked how the course was structured. Firstly, you test your current knowledge by taking a mock test, then learning the concepts and their application, and finally testing your ability to analyze your learning graph. After talking to Rajat, e-GMAT’s CEO, I was convinced that e-GMAT was the right step towards my GMAT prep.

I purchased the course and started studying. While going through the course, I could realize my weaknesses. The entire course has a methodological learning process where there are three stages:

1. Complete the conceptual videos
2. Take the cementing quizzes
3. Reach the targeted accuracy

After completing the entire course, I took the Sigma-X mock test and scored a 700.

Mentorship Program at e-GMAT

Once Yashvi took the Sigma-X mock test and scored a 700, she wrote to e-GMAT’s team and was assigned DJ as her mentor.

Yashvi: He analyzed my previous attempt ESR and data points from my e-GMAT’s portal and sigma-x mock test. He pointed out that I lacked a lot in algebra and geometry. I revised all the concepts in algebra and geometry and took many custom quizzes. I think giving quizzes and achieving a particular accuracy before you move ahead is essential.

Also, practicing through Scholaranium helped a lot. It had a lot of diverse questions.  Almost every kind of topic that would be there on the GMAT was covered. Thus, after analyzing my weak areas and focusing on them, I increased my score from 630 to 730.

Learn how to analyze your ESR in 3 simple steps.

What guided Yashvi’s decision to book the GMAT date?

Yashvi: When I got the 700 on the Sigma-X mock test, I was unsure if I was ready to take the GMAT. But I wanted to book a date at least because once I knew there was a deadline coming, I became more focused and sincere. I went for GMAT Online because it allowed me to reschedule 24 hours before the test date.

GMAT Prep: Before and After e-GMAT – Key differentiation

In this section, we ask Yashvi to compare classroom learning and books with the e-GMAT course. Learn about how each of the GMAT prep resources is different.

Classroom learning vs. e-GMAT Course

Yashvi: I guess the significant difference was that I identified my weakness by analyzing my mock and Scholaranium reports with the help of e-GMAT. However, when I used to take tutor classes, I could not determine where I was going wrong. It was challenging to figure out which topic I lacked behind, and thus, I use to practice random things.

It is very important that you identify your weakness and not spend time on something that you already know.

I focused on algebra, geometry, and SC section, methodologically and improved my scores by 100 points. Thus, analyzing your weakness and having a strategic outlook for your GMAT prep is essential.

GMAT Books vs. e-GMAT course

Yashvi: Let me talk about the SC course over here as a comparison point. The e-GMAT’s SC course is undoubtedly the best. It covers each topic and everything that could be asked on the GMAT exam.

I made sure that while I was listening to the SC videos, I noted the important points for revising it later.  Another approach on the e-GMAT course was finding the correct answer by eliminating the wrong answers. With the help of Scholaranium, I would make sure that I know why a particular option is correct/incorrect.

It is crucial to not just focus on questions that you are getting wrong but also on the ones you are getting right. Often, we get a question right, and we do not know why it is a correct option.

Power of Scholaranium

Scholaranium is a super-flexible quizzing platform where you can point-out and analyze your weak areas. You can track your improvement in real-time and identify which files you should go back to improve your basic concept and strength in that area.  

Yashvi: Scholaranium gives you the flexibility to choose the kind of questions. For example, you can select questions that you attempted wrong previously or challenging questions. It also helped me in letting go of the questions. It is essential because when you are solving problems on Scholaranium or individually, you would not feel like letting go of the question. All your focus and time will be on solving that one question. However, when you take the official GMAT test, you need to think strategically.

If you spend a lot of time-solving one question, it might mess up your next question. Thus, it would be best if you learned how to let go, which I got accustomed to while practicing through Scholaranium.

GMAT Online vs. Test-center exam experience

We asked Yashvi what her experience was while taking the GMAT Online exam and how it was different from the in-center exam that she took earlier.

Yashvi: There was a massive difference for me.  I am someone who suffers from a little anxiety before the exam. So, going to the test center was honestly scary for me. The whole process of traveling to the center, waiting there, getting your documents checked, and finally getting your allotted seat is tiring.

For GMAT Online, I had my exam environment in control, which is very important. On the test day, when you feel a little helpless, having one thing in your control is helpful. I knew that I had the correct lighting and temperature. I was comfortable taking the exam. Take a look at this article where we compare GMAT Online with the in-center exams.

Here are some tips for setting up your room if you plan to take the GMAT online Exam.

How did you Yashvi prepare for the GMAT Online?

Yashvi: I made sure that all the mock test I took was at the same place and time as my GMAT online exam. Also, I practiced using the physical whiteboard to get accustomed to it on the exam day. The size of the whiteboard given by GMAC is more than enough. I got a whiteboard available with a table. Learn about the system requirement for the GMAT online here.

GMAT Prep just before the exam

Yashvi: I was supposed to take my exam at 12:15 PM. However, I did not sleep the previous night and was awake till 7:00 AM. I knew that I would not be able to take the test because I was already exhausted. At 10:00 AM, I rescheduled my exam for 5:00 PM, and I got enough sleep.

Before the test, I calmed myself down because I have this habit of getting anxious. Thankfully, GMAC allowed the rescheduling at the last moment.

How did Yashvi manage the transition from the Quant to Verbal section?

Yashvi: I think the biggest thing that helped me was practice. I made sure that not to take a break between the two sections while I took mock tests. After 5-6 Mock, I got accustomed to it.

How important is it to have mentorship support?

Yashvi: I think it is essential because you do not have the energy to decide your next step and about to give up on the GMAT when you are not doing well. If you have a mentor, you have someone telling and guiding you what to do.

I guess the mentorship program took off all the pressure from me to decide when I am already low. Anyone taking the e-GMAT course makes sure that you are in constant touch with the support team. I was letting them know my progress and getting suggestions. The support team helps in guiding you.

You might feel that just getting the e-GMAT portal is enough, and you will figure it out yourself. Do not do that. Have someone from the support team talk to you and guide you through the process!

E-GMAT never felt like an online tutor. It always had that personal touch to it.

What’s next for Yashvi?

Yashvi: Scoring a 730 on the GMAT is a weight lifted off my shoulders. But it was just the first step. I am a fresh college graduate and think ISB would be the best step for me right now.

I have been thinking of getting few years of work experience and then applying to colleges in the US. But for now, I guess ISB is the next step. I took the exam because I knew it had a five-year validity, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, I think it was the best way to utilize my time and feel like I have security for five years.