One of the great GMAT myths is that the first 8 questions in each section “make or break” your score and that nothing you do after that point has much of an effect on the score you end up with. False! Eight questions are not enough to determine your score. If they were enough, each section would consist of 8 questions.

One of the consequences of the myth is the belief that in order to break 700, you must answer those first 8 questions correctly. Untold numbers of test-takers have labored over the first eight, afraid that any mistake will send their scores plummeting to unthinkable depths. While it is true that you should give each question your best shot, the absolute number of questions answered correctly is not as important as their difficulty level. Better to have a 50/50 success rate at a high level than a 50/50 success rate at a lower one, even though the percentage of right and wrong answers is the same.

The most serious upshot of this myth is that its believers spend far too much time on the first eight questions and then find themselves racing to finish the section. Often, these test-takers run out of time and leave some questions unanswered at the end of a section. Given that unanswered questions are essentially counted as incorrect answers, it makes more sense to move at a steady pace throughout the entire section rather than concentrate on any particular subset of questions. In fact, spending too much time on early questions may actually damage rather than help your final score.

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Another fantastic account from a student who went from a 570 to a 720. Hats off to Dan Patinkin for his tremendous work!

I am so proud of myself, but more just relieved – I knew I was capable but after struggling for 2 years, I was beginning to doubt myself.

I don’t know if you are familiar with my story, but I have ADHD and severe test anxiety. I had started studying for the GMAT in September of 2007 and had been through two different courses, all of the MBA guide books and 2 poorly attempted official tests before I got to Dan. I had called Manhattan GMAT as a last resort – mainly because my parents were convinced I had to try “everything” before I gave up. I expected nothing because no matter how much I had known in the past – my test score never showed it.

I want you to know how unbelievable Dan was in helping me execute what had been stuck inside my head for 2 whole years. The Manhattan Gmat tests and questions adequately prepared me and I have never had a more positive experience with a tutoring company or with any tutor period – and I am speaking from 15 years of tutors. When I called your New York office – everyone was receptive and listened to my situation and was able to actually help me.

I cannot thank you enough for your companies services and how much they helped me reach my full potential. It is going to change my life.

Best,

We get good news from students quite often, but this e-mail today reminded us of how great it is to do what we do here at Manhattan GMAT. Kudos to Jonathan Schneider, Kate McKeon, and Horacio Quiroga for their tremendous work in contributing to yet another success story!

Hi all.

It’s with a lot of emotion that I write this email to you all -because each of you were instrumental in me achieving a fair GMAT score. Kate your teaching was always on point, so much so that I watched the replays of class long after class was over. Jonathan your teaching style in addition to your extra help throughout class is greatly appreciated, and I’m in gratitude to your constant interaction with me up to the hours before my exam. Horacio you were always so willing to help out in any way you could, including occasionally going beyond our scheduled time, and sending me much needed review documents.

As Jonathan said a few weeks ago, my goal is to “fire on all cannons.”

With that said:

Quantitative: 43

Verbal: 44

Score: 710 (92nd percentile)

Bear in mind my absolute highest combination of scores seen in the last five CATs were Q42 and V37. My first official GMAT taken in February was a 590. My goal on Saturday was a 650, yet I was hoping to break 630 on that day. With your help guys, I’ve blown away even the wackiest of expectations, with a 120 point increase and a 710 score.

Thanks to Manhattan GMAT, I now have crossed the academic bridge to getting into business school, and can at the minimum be taken seriously by any school in the country. I’m quite emotional about the whole thing – and want you all to know that you and your team were instrumental in me achieving my goals.

Sincerely – thank you. The direction of the rest of my life is now a bit different thanks to your support and teaching. Feel free to use me as a reference at any point. And feel free to forward this email to any of your supervisors, bosses, direct reports, proteges, references, or whomever. Thanks again.

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Naveed A. Khan

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