Self-Check before GMAT or GRE

After cracking GMAT and GRE with 99 percentile,the likely next move would have been placing applications for the programme of my choice with the Ivy league of institutions. But a sudden realization sunk in ‘I think I have found the key to cracking these challenging exams’ so why not share the code.

Armed with a degree in Management from one of the best institutes in the country and a decade plus experience, my target was on a PhD in Management or a Global Management programme so naturally I was a bit paranoid about selecting the right mentor before taking the exam – focus was to hit the Top one percent. I had a grueling work schedule, travelling to different cities across the globe, so I had to have a reliable prep solution in place and with negligible error. So I jumped into an extensive search for the perfect trainer (online) but unfortunately I could not zero down upon even one. Reasons were many, but, in most cases, I found that they were too ordinary, mostly way off the target, selling mediocre stuff, or were overcharging fleecing shops. So a word of caution, please do your own research before enrolling into any course/program.

BUT Before that its Very important that Every aspirant MUST go for a SELF-CHECK before the leap. One needs to analyze these three crucial aspects before embarking on the test prep journey ??

CONSISTENCY : Do I have consistency? I dedicated a few hours daily to the Teat prep alongside my job and consistently invested time in mastering them. Weather you are a student of a working executive, do this simple check - "Can I dedicate 3 to 4 hours everyday for the next 3-4 months?" If yes, then you are in. This plan should be without break. No compromises else your score will get compromised. ?

PERSEVERANCE : Do I bow down under pressure or get flagged? I faced multiple rejections from institutes, companies before landing up with the one of my choice. There were times when I felt demotivated and my confidence took a hit. I didn't quit. If you score low on certain tests during your prep journey you cannot afford to take a U turn midway. You got to get up, dust yourself, pull up your sock and get going, unperturbed. Just keep moving.

PATIENCE : Do I have the most important key to success – Patience? Making a career switch is a lengthy process that requires a lot of patience and effort. It’s all worth it when you finally see the results. Do you have that giant Self-belief? Your previous academic record has zero relevance in cracking these tests. Every exam is different and every exam has a crack code. Hence your patience will pay you loads in your prep journey. Just stick around.

?There will be setbacks but don’t give up.

The key to success in GMAT or GRE before anything else rests in these 3 pillars.

Self evaluation is the very first step.