Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 730

Ashok Verma-730

My journey of GMAT preparation started last year when I had these Official guides lying all around in my bedroom. Initially I knew I can crack GMAT on my own and with this mind set I started my preparation. I prepared for a month and like a typical test taker went on to take a couple of tests to analyze my performance. I faired bad and ended up with 500s. At this point of time I realized that GMAT is not just about practice and patience but the strategies to crack the exam also matters a lot.  

I searched for a couple of GMAT training institutes and zeroed on Csquare because of the level of knowledge they had about GMAT compared to other institutes and I must say I didn’t take a wrong decision ;)

My initial months of Classroom sessions were an eye opener wherein I NOT ONLY learnt the right strategies to crack this monstrous GMAT BUT ALSO (correct usage of idioms:) ) learnt the right perspective you need to have while writing this exam that can only be taught at Csquare. I really owe a lot to my trainer, Varsha, for the efforts that she has put in right from explaining the strategies again n again to sitting down with students individually to improve their score. I must say if it was not for the impositions that I got I would have not improved on my CR and DS. Once I started taking the prep tests I could see my confidence levels raise. I saw a 610 on my prep test and that’s when I knew I have to work harder. On an average I gave about 7-8 hours of study and took a break from work 10 days before the exam. The motivation that I always received from Varsha was commendable that pushed me to perform better and stretch that extra mile to get a 700+.

On the D-day I knew this was DO or DIE for me but didn’t let my emotions dictate my exam. Math was comfortably completed and as per I remember I skipped about a couple of questions that seemed weird to me. Somewhere or the other I knew Math was not very bad. Now I have to keep my cool on Verbal. Well verbal was little tougher than my practice tests but nevertheless I managed to finish it on time. I swear guys those few minutes after submitting the test and before getting the final score was the longest moment of my life (no exaggeration). I am elated to receive a 730!! Yes I had done it and that’s why I said I did not take a wrong decision to Join Csquare.

Lastly wana say I really believe this exam is lot about patience and endurance. Everyone needs to practice as much as possible to achieve their dream score and ofcourse follow all the CSQRL strategies. Thanks to Varsha and her team for making it possible for me.

Cheers to all....and Besto!!



Ashok Verma

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 710

Coen de Heus-GMAT Score 710

Hereby my feedback:

My reason for coming to India has always been to improve my resume to get into a business school. During my period here I started realizing that my achievements so far were very close to getting me in, and actually I started thinking about scholarships. Research concluded that a 700+ score would get me close to earning such a scholarship. What complicated my study though was the full-time work schedule at my job. Thus I decided that I needed help. CSquare felt good, thus I stuck with them.

At the intake I already scored a 650 on the prep test. As a near native English speaker I had a major advantage, RC and CR where near perfect. However as a near-native, I never thought about grammar rules, thus my SC was terrible. Obviously my math could use some help too. We decided that 3 classes per week, 2 hours per class, for 1 month, and another month preparation should get me where I want.

The next period was very difficult, 2 hours class before work, 8 hours work, and some more 2 hours of homework each day. However having a goal is extremely useful here. Make sure that you know why you want to do this. If you lose focus (which will happen multiple times in two months) try to imagine or visualize where you want to go.

Study-wise I did nothing special. Even more so, I tried to focus on the basics. All the math you have probably seen before, and while GMAT may ask some difficult concepts, 90% will be on the basics. Besides if you understand these, you can derive the right calculations yourself often.

To make the essay part easier, see if you can learn to type blindly. This way you can check your spelling and grammar while you are typing. I earned myself some 8 minutes extra rest for both Analysis of Issue and Analysis of Argument. I am sure this mental rest helped my math score tremedously.

I was able to improve much on the verbal and scored a 37. Personally I only used the framework for RC and CR (Only F not IRE) as I was already quite good at these. The framework did however relieve my mind a bit, which is crucial after three and a half hours.

So I ended up with a Q:50, V:37 and Total:710, still waiting for the AWA. I cannot imagine a score less than a 5.0 though. Hope this helps future students.

Good Luck Coen de Heus