My GMAT Journey from 670 to 720

I started my GMAT journey with a focus on mastering the fundamental concepts, rather than relying on shortcuts or tricks. Based on recommendations from friends, I subscribed to eGMAT on March 23, 2023, took a mock exam in which I scored 640 and began my dedicated studies.
I Started with the Verbal section, following the structured approach outlined in the course. For Critical Reasoning, I found that pre-thinking and strong elimination strategies worked exceptionally well, making this section my best. Sentence Correction was a challenge for me as English wasn't my strong suit. I delved into the basics, learning all the rules and then shifted my focus to a meaning-based approach. Over time, I discovered that dedicating significant time to understanding the question's meaning increased my accuracy from 40% to around 80%.
Reading Comprehension posed difficulties due to the language and passage volume, but I adopted a dedicated approach. I read passages wholeheartedly, which, though time-consuming initially, eventually enabled me to connect with the content. This connection made reading even long passages easier. Combining this approach with elimination strategies increased my accuracy from 50% to around 80%.
Parallely, I revisited the Quant module, covering concepts and solving quizzes. After completing the module, I took Sigma mocks, consistently scoring around 740 in the remaining five mocks. Based on these scores, I booked the exam appointment GMAT for July 21, 2023, and began revising through eGMAT's recommended Last Mile program.
However, my test day turned into a disappointment as I scored 670 (Q49, V31). It was a huge learning, highlighting the importance of test-taking strategy and time management. My time management was abysmal; I completed the verbal section in just 45 minutes. Exam stress didn’t let me follow my practiced approach.
Afterward, I consulted with Dhruv, my mentor from eGMAT, who emphasized the need to simulate the exam environment. I promptly scheduled a second appointment for August 22, 2023. I focused less on syllabus content and more on practicing my approach with mocks and official questions. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the best health on the second exam day, waking up with a headache. I decided to switch the order, taking the quant section first. By the time I reached the verbal section, my headache had disappeared, and I felt much better. During the verbal section, I stuck to the strategies I had learned, particularly the meaning-based approach for Sentence Correction and Elimination framework for RC and CR.
IR and AWA were not my top priorities, so I gave them my best without excessive worry. Upon completing the exam, my score flashed on the screen: 720 (Q49, V40). I wanted to jump out of my chair, but I controlled myself as other candidates were still taking their exams. This experience taught me the value of preparation for the test-taking environment and the importance of adhering to my well-practiced approach.