First Attempt

My first fight against the GMAT began when I was searching for information. As most of you do, I started to be curious about all kind of net information, such as personnal blogs, Gmat tips and mba sites. I was confronted with tons of opinions, advices and studying materials and I didn’t possess any knowledge to select which one was the most accurate.

So, I decided to take the GMAT in order to see what this net fuss was all about. To this first attempt I bought only the Kaplan because it was the only GMAT book available in Portugal. My feeling after read the Kaplan was that the GMAT was all about tricks and not knowledge.

 Be carefull about this book and its software: First, the book is too much simple in explaining how to do the math section, it is not all about tricks; second, the english section its not real compared with that from the GMAT exam, although there are a few exercises from past GMATs; third, their algorithm its too harsh so you might feel frustated by doing the Kaplan exams.

There are two advantages in the Kaplan: The introduction to the GMAT and the AWA section is very very good.

Off course, in my first attempt I got a grade too embarrasing to put it in here. But, as I mentioned before, my first attempt was not about the grade. Some things which seem unrelevant but are important in the GMAT day:

1. When you first arrive, you will sign a responsibility term and you talk about GMAT rules with the person who is watching the GMAT.
2. You put your things in a locker
3. You will do the GMAT with other people around you.
4. You will be asked to put a sound protecter in your hears
5. You will be writing in a plastic paper and with a specific pen.
6. You will be watched every single minute by a surveillance camera.
7. If you need any help, raise your hand.

All this situation around the GMAT exam could affect your concentration. The more you prepare yourself for this day, the more you will be focused in getting a good grade. If possible, buy plastic paper, specific pen, hear plugs so you can imagine what that day will be like.

Next, what I did in order to improve my grade by 100 points. Until then.

SA