e-GMAT, a step-by-step and systematic approach to GMAT success. (660 -> 720 -> 740)

After spending 3 months completing a big-name prep company’s online course, I scored 660 (Q47 V35 IR6) in my first GMAT attempt. Disappointed but not disheartened, I knew I need to level up my game, but how? I remembered what Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I decided to find a new approach to GMAT preparation.

e-GMAT first caught my eyes through its helpful articles and thoughtful solutions posted on the GMAT Club. After signing up, I was impressed by two things:
【1. Its systematic problem-solving approach, which is thoroughly explained in its engaging video content】
Right off the bat, the Master Comprehension course taught me how to read and understand GMAT passages more effectively, a foundation necessary to succeed in not only RC, but also SC and RC. Its meaning-based SC approach was a game changer for me: I’m no longer held hostage by countless grammar rules and obscure idioms—meaning-based approach did wonders for me, allowing me to achieve a 96%ile score in the SC sub-section (as per the ESR of my second GMAT attempt, in which I got a 720). RC was my weakest spot, but e-GMAT’s pre-thinking helped me gain the clarity of mind needed to excel in seemly convoluted questions, achieving an 88%ile score in the RC sub-section.
【2. Its data-driven exam prep process, which is embedded in each element of its course】
From working with machine learning (ML) models at work, I came to appreciate the beautiful God-given human brain and its powerful neural networks that can brilliantly learn, an ability that distinguishes us from other species. A ML model’s job is to teach a machine to discern patterns in a massive amount of data; however, not all ML algorithms are created equal—some are more effective than others in generalizing (i.e., predicting/scoring with new data). The best algorithms tend to be the ones that have rapid “feedback loops” to help the models incrementally improve.
Rapid feedback loops and incremental improvement are exactly what e-GMAT team has built. From the quizzes integrated in lectures, Scholaranium practice platform, and analytics-packed Sigma-X Mock Exams, e-GMAT provides tremendous amount of quantitative feedback to help learners know how well they are internalizing the concepts, so they can improve before moving onto another sub-section or concept. If this is not a beautifully efficient learning process, what is?

After relearning GMAT with e-GMAT for 3 months and one week before my 2nd attempt, I got an email saying I was selected to partake in the e-GMAT Mentorship Program (still a myth to me how they select students to join this unadvertised program? Does anyone know? I’m curious.). Although I got the invitation one week before my exam, I figured to give it a try since it’s a complimentary service. I thought there isn’t much I could do at this point, but my mentor, DJ, proved me wrong.

Although working from a different time zone and already had a packed calendar, DJ went out of his way to meet with me outside his normal working hours. He thoroughly analyzed my mock exam results and provided me with a 4-day game plan with daily action items, which was designed to help me strengthen my weak areas (timing and knowledge gaps in certain sub-sections). DJ’s encouragement also provided me with a boost of confidence before I stepped into the testing center.

Four days later, I scored 720 (Q47 V42 IR4) on 12/3, a big improvement from my previous 660 received on 7/14, but I know I could do better as I’ve scored 740 & 750 in my recent mock exams. I shared with DJ that I hope to give it another shot to achieve my full potential. DJ gladly offered to analyze my ESR and create a 2-week game plan to help me achieve my goal.

I’m grateful to have received help from e-GMAT experts such as DJ. I'm excited and looking forward to meeting him on Sunday to go over his assessment and my 15-day plan. Onward and forward—the journey continues.


【12/23/2020 Update】 I gave GMAT another shot early this week and felt very grateful to have received a 740 (Q49 V41 IR8) this time. In the last two weeks of my prep, I did three things in e-GMAT that really helped:
1) e-GMAT’s Scholaranium custom quizzes (daily) and Sigma-X Mock Exams (2) to practice applying concepts on a timely manner;
2) e-GMAT’s Quant 2.0 (https://e-gmat.com/blogs/gmat-quant-preparation/), a new course recently released. Although only had time to complete ¾ of the new Number Property module, I really liked it. I appreciated how each concept in the module starts with a diagnostic quiz, result of which is used to recommend a learning path unique to the student. Additionally, I was very happy to see that the process skills, such as Consider All Cases and Apply Constraints, are being explicitly taught and tested in the new Quant 2.0 course. e-GMAT's structured approach helped me to make a significant breakthrough in Verbal, so I wish I had access to this new course since Day 1—I probably would have scored higher in Quant.
3) e-GMAT’s IR module, an area I didn’t pay much attention last time, so I quickly went over the key lessons to learn the more efficient process to tackle IR questions.