Thanks to Manhattan Prep

[LisaL409]

Hi,
I am not sure if this is the right place to write about it, but I just wanna express my thanks to Manhattan. The problem solving skills, the pacing/time management and the useful advices from excellent instructors enlightened my a lot.
I've signed up for the Interact-Verbal mid-August and studied step by step the 9 sessions online, and today after a month, I took the GMAT for a third time which gave me a 710 (Q49, V39). I was surprised by the score cause I almost wanted to give up halfway in my verbal session. It was intense as one question after another thrown to me made me feel like I do not ever wanna prepare for GMAT anymore cause I needed to face the truth that I did not have the talent to get a good score on it. But after each struggle I decided to get more peaceful and finished the exam at least. I was expecting around 600.
On my first and second attempts, I got 660 (Q50, V30) for both times with over 2 months' study. I was determined to tackle the issues that I had and felt it's normal to take the exam 3 or more times. But after my second time I felt kind of frustrated as I was sure effort is not everything, since I am not a native English speaker, so I was searching on market for GMAT tutoring and decided to sign up for Mprep. Since then, my attitude to GMAT also changed a lot. Before I just wanted to get rid of the time-consuming exam asap, and was losing patience each time during the real exam and felt disappointed when the score showed on screen. But after two times' failing to reach my target score, I got serious and started with changing my attitude, which triggered searching for a reputable coaching center.
Except for the CAT requirements, I finished all other homework with strategy guides and OG practices. I tried only once the CAT and got 600, before I started studying for all the 9 sessions. After I finished all sessions within 3 weeks, I tried GMAT prep exam and got 710. But I knew it was inflated due to a small break halfway in verbal and the repeat of some verbal questions, so I was not confident at all for today's exam. The only thing I knew before taking the exam is that between 2nd and 3rd, I did consistently put more effort everyday into studying by practices, following the instructors' advice and changing some of my old habits.

Thank you again. I have already recommended Mprep to some of my friends and I believe what is learned from you is helpful for the exam, and also for life.

[StaceyKoprince]

Thank you so much for your post - and congratulations on your score! I'm really happy for you!!

I'm also happy that we were able to help make a difference for you. It helps us to know what kinds of things work for you--and we also just like to hear from people--so thank you for taking the time to let us know.

Good luck with your applications; let us know how it goes!

[LisaL409]

Dear Stacey,

Thank you very much for the reply. I am still in the process of reading the book from Mprep's sister company, "the complete start to finish MBA admission guide" like its the OG for GMAT. It's a really comprehensive book and even though I'm applying for Masters in Finance, I find it very helpful to get the application process started from scratch. But it was only after I finished the GMAT did I find out there are more resources given to me from the library, like this book!
I still have the heart and patience to prepare for GMAT again but find probably it's now time to put more priority on other things, like writing essays and PS. I think I may find more useful resources from MBA Admission websites in the days ahead. Thank you!

Best,
Lisa

[StaceyKoprince]

Great, glad to hear the MBA Mission material is helpful. (The company isn't technically a sister company, but we've known the founder for years, share office space in NY, and have agreements in which we each recommend the other because we like the other's work. They do really good work.)

Good luck with everything!

[LisaL409]

Thanks, Stacey

[StaceyKoprince]