I'm seen some improvement by using the GMAT Official Prep practice tests, would you recommend this route? I take the test, and then review what I missed, its worked so far for me, but I'm also not at the level I want to be, maybe this way will only take me so far.
@Dcummins15 күн бұрын
Hey! Practice tests should only be used to measure, at a point in time, your current skillset. Do not burn official tests to improve. If you say you need to work on specific topics then track those. Have you completed a course such as TTP? Very important to complete a course first
@martaxpett8 ай бұрын
Hey, thank you for the extremely useful video! I am very desperate as I will have to sit for the GMAT Focus in 2 months max from now to make it to the last deadline for the programme I am interested in, and I am still scoring around 500, so I am very conscious about using my time effectively. I have a question regarding Phase 1 and 2. I just started using TTP because previously I mainly solved problems on the Quant OG book without much study, but I realised I needed to work on foundations first. I am still in the study phase at the moment and am confused on whether I am supposed to be following the method you've mentioned in the saturation phase after I finish every section within TTP eg. do the saturation work on properties of numbers as soon as I finish that section, or if I should finish the whole quant course on TTP before moving to saturation altogether? Thank you so much again!
@Dcummins7 ай бұрын
Hey Marta, thanks for reaching out. The logical flow of mastering the GMAT (and any content for that matter) is to 1. Learn the content (saturate), 2. refine gaps (focus on your weakest topics), and 3. master test taking and application of that learnt content in a test As you probably now realize, learning by just doing OG questions won't teach you how to solve a particular topic; instead, it'll just teach you about those questions and similar style questions, but the moment you are thrown other slightly different questions on the same topic you may struggle. I don't know what schools you are targeting, so see what GMAT score is required for those first. Assuming you need to get a high score e.g. 690-700+, then 2 months is a short time to go through all the phases. If you try to compress learning, you will form gaps quickly and you won't retain as much since stress will be higher. Remove time pressures first. If I were you I would just focus on learning the content in an efficient manner by completing 80-100% of the TTP course, but apply judgement. So, if there are 5 Easy Tests with 20 questions each, for example, and you are scoring 100% across 3/5 of those tests, then move to the medium questions. The weighted average of all your tests should be about 100% accuracy on easy questions, 80% on medium, 60% on Hard, but the higher the better So again, simply go through the content, make flashcard type notes, solve the questions and shoot for those accuracies. Once you do that across 80-100% of all content, you'll then want to focus on weak points. Obviously if you have only completed 80% of the course, you'll have 20% of saturation (learning) to complete, so i suggest just completing all of it then focus on weak points. Happy to answer any questions... just reach out via email or my insta and i'll see how I can help
@martaxpett7 ай бұрын
You're an absolute legend, thank you so much! @@Dcummins
@christabellajulander39728 ай бұрын
😄 "Promo SM"
@ashwinikaranth6819 ай бұрын
What is the lateness system? You did explain it in the video but could you point to a link or any examples of it? Thanks, You are an inspiration. I started by journey at 400, I am at 500. I am only hoping for a 650.
@Worldsbestname9 ай бұрын
Well said and appreciate the insight
@maconeljames6055 Жыл бұрын
Just had a 40 point drop similar to the 650-600 you shared. Appreciate your transparency in the journey 💯
@tarun21gaur Жыл бұрын
Congratulations on completing this long journey. At the end it was worth the effort.
@clairepeng328 Жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, just discovered your video. I am wondering did you solve the funding problem and made it to INSEAD?
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
Hi Claire, yes I did! I made some video updates after. Uniquely funded my MBA!
@clairepeng328 Жыл бұрын
@@DcumminsGood on you! I am really glad! I am in the same situation now in Sydney. Hopefully I can figure out a way.
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
Contact me and maybe I can help. [email protected] Explain your situation. How much you need. Gaps and strategy and I’ll see what I can do
@akashguha310 Жыл бұрын
Hi Dan! Akash here. I’m planning to apply to INSEAD and I would like to share a few details about myself to weigh my chances of getting into the INSEAD programs. Can you please tell me where can I contact you!?
Thanks a lot for this brilliant video Sharing the screen shots of actual test reports was insightful For someone aiming to get score nearby 720 , I think it is important to try our best as to not rush and end up messing answers in the initial 2 slots ? (Gmat being an adaptive test , it probably ruins the algorithm if we start getting qstns wrong initially) As you stressed , marking the easy/medium questions incorrectly messes up the score as gmat penalizes you for it However one can get the difficult ones wrong and not be penalized heavily .
@Machaivelli Жыл бұрын
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong . I am still a beginner in this
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
Will create a separate video on the algorithm (just waiting to finish my website before i drop any more videos), but yes that is correct, and I did mention this in the vid. Basically what can be clear to see is that the first two quartiles are extremely important in placing you in the upper score bound. I would go so far to say that they are critical, and ESR data can back this up. You need to consistently get easy/medium right, but then to get a 700 you need to get at least some hard right. Your overall difficulty in a given section may average out to medium / medium=high, but the fact of the matter is you'll likely see a mix of easy, med, hard questions in that
@magicaryeh Жыл бұрын
Marty is awesome
@himanshutomar9260 Жыл бұрын
Gave few practice mocks and found that verbal is my weak area. Scoring V 25,28,31,39 Q 49-50. I have just started with the streaks method, and I hope that the streak method works for me. The real problem is reducing the time in verbal. As I try to reduce time in verbal, the efficiency drops significantly. Without time limit I am able to solve the question with good accuracy. I think I need to improve my muscle for verbal with practice. A bit of advice from you will be very helpful😃.
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
Have you gone through and learnt all the concepts in verbal? It’s unclear to me over what time you scored those Verbal scores
@himanshutomar9260 Жыл бұрын
Yes gone through all concepts. It has been more than 5 months. And score have been sporadic like in last mock I got V 25.
@himanshutomar9260 Жыл бұрын
I am a non native speaker. I was really bad at verbal. I enrolled for a course and thought that I will be able to make progress within a month 😂. Before enrolling for the course and without going through the stuff, I gave my first mock in which my scores were V 6/8 ( I don't remember exactly, but yes near to this only) & Q49/50. This mock I gave around a yr ago. Then in between I didn't study anything for about 5-6 months, and then I enrolled for a course ( for past 5-6 months-- studying in a proper manner).
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
@@himanshutomar9260 I cant exactly give you specific advice over a youtube comment channel, but I dont know what course you used. Its important that you dig deep and build proficiency in the concepts, then make sure you have a view of your weaknesses. I can do a session with you via email. But I only do paid sessions now unfortuntately
@Masamune2001 Жыл бұрын
Hey Dan, love your content. Wanted to check on one thing with Target Test Prep - I noticed that some of the sections there had only one test per difficulty level. How do you implement the streaks method there as I’m guessing steaks requires a lot of questions per topic. Should I augment my study with the GMAT Club’s question bank/search function? Look forward to any input you could provide.
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
I'll be making another method on how to actually use that method properly. Its a Refinement technique. You shouldn't be using it during learning. You use TTP during learning, then move to OG and refine things with refinement techniques, such as the streaks method Use it with OG questions, which you find on GMATClub with the search function here gmatclub.com/forum/search.php?view=search_tags
@Masamune2001 Жыл бұрын
Alright, look forward to it. If you have any samples/examples of flash cards you used that would be cool to see too, as I’ve never really used them so not sure how to structure them - would be great to see how they are put together.
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
@@Masamune2001 Only create flashcards on weak topics. There's not much value in me sending my own flashcards as they were designed to improve my weak areas. Suggest that you finish Learning phase, then enter refinement. In refinement, you work on streaks. Then when you break a streak, i suggest you create a flashcard (digital flashcard ONLY) with that question on it. Then create a flashcard teaching that concept. That's what i did. Practice your flashcard deck each time you break a streak until you no longer break it. There you go. Some free GMAT tutoring :)
@Masamune2001 Жыл бұрын
@@Dcummins Haha, would gladly pay for a tutoring sesh, but maybe closer to test day :) Thanks for the detailed explanation though, will be tearing through the learning phase starting tomorrow so this is super helpful to know 👍
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
@@Masamune2001be sure to use my link! I stand what I endorse
@ranjini2311 Жыл бұрын
Anyone taking gmat in late 2022?
@sahil76952 жыл бұрын
I also got 430 now I hope to get 670 in my next one which will be in 3.5 months I hope I’ll reach it.
@heyricksander2 жыл бұрын
omg. this is the most depressing useless GMAT prep video. Im 10 minutes in and youre still going on and on about failure. No one cares.
@AddinaWitsqa2 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, Hi everyone, I'm also in a similar experience. to study forward, what is the strategy to move forward? 1. Do a lot of different practice test and review? 2. Focus on each topic, master it, and move on to the next? 3. other? Please help. I'm starting to get desperate and considering on switching to GRE :(
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Hi Witsqa, The strategy is laid out in the video, and after my MBA i'll have time to do a write-up properly, but for now: 1. Take a diagnostic to gauge how much time you need to hit your score goal i.e. the lower the score the more time 2. Just begin working through TTP. Honestly, its all encompassing. Nothing is as good as it. TTP also forces you to get reps in on a topic by topic basis 3. Take tests after you finish TTP 4. Refine weak areas but maintain proficiency in all areas (testing + Practice sets)
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Did you take another test and score higher?can you share tips?
@mufc99522 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan! I am starting with a base score of 350 and have an end goal of 700+. My Quant is absolutely horrible lol. Signing up for TTP right away. Also, not sure if it's realistic to aim for a 350 point increase from here but your words really helped and I hope to get close! Thank you for posting this video and being super genuine.
@rider28782 жыл бұрын
You can
@barneystinson64948 ай бұрын
Hey any updates?
@meritoriousarchives80122 жыл бұрын
what headphones are you wearing
@Dcummins Жыл бұрын
Sony WH1000XM5s ... The M6s are great!
@sotta112 жыл бұрын
Hey Dan, this is a pretty late comment but I recently discovered your content and went through all your videos, which are really amazing. I understand the reasoning behind topic by topic appoach, but I couldn't nail down the phase where one transitions from untimed prep to timed practice session. For me it's the time pressure that leads me to make careless errors. It would be a immensely helpful if you could please elaborate on this transition.
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Hi Sotta, thanks for watching! Firstly ensure that you can nail questions untimed. Then ensure you have eliminated bad habits. When you can, moving to untimed involves developing an internal clock on the time. Leave the timer go and figure out roughly how much time you spend on particularl question types. You may find that you are overall good with time, but that some questions / bad habits cause you to chew through time. for example, do you have a bad habit of re-reading a question? Move systematically through answer choices a-e, don't stop, if you are unsure, circle it and come back, but you may likely be in a position in which you have 2 answer choices. Eliminating them in a timely manner will come down to noticing subtleties that make one incorrect, but when i say noticing subtleties i mean noticing them under pressure. Hope that helps
@sotta112 жыл бұрын
@@Dcummins Wow... thanks for getting back. After reading this and watching Marty's Verbal Masterclass session on GmatClub, I now understand on how to progress to timing. BTW really hoping you can make a comeback on the channel with some updates on your MBA experience and journey so far. You kinda stand out as a genuine voice amidst all crazy marketing frenzy out there.
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
@@sotta11 INSEAD darins all my time! But I will do a collab with someone on campus I think!
@msf82972 жыл бұрын
i just need 550 damn. ughhhh
@rskar342 жыл бұрын
Excuse me, but what did you say? Liteness system? Very nice of you to share all of this btw. Very helpful.
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Leitner System. I used a customised version of this
@rskar342 жыл бұрын
@@Dcummins Thank you!
@sukanyachatterjee79212 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing this excellent debrief! I was shattered after I gave my first attempt yesterday, scoring less than 600. This really gives me hope that consistent effort does bring forth results. Thank you @Dcummins
@eobodner2 жыл бұрын
I wish I had found you earlier man, these GMAT videos are insanely helpful. Thank you!
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Michael!
@user-cy9xp6zu2s2 жыл бұрын
hey 👋 do you remember how much you paid for TTP.
@chandrakantmahapatra13172 жыл бұрын
So proud of you! What was your undergrad GPA?
@samis99802 жыл бұрын
Great video. Do you think it's possible to prepare from 0 to get to 600+ in 4 weeks full time (no work/school)? Also my math skill is bad(coz I forgot most of it after years of working.).
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
You need to take a diagnostic test (a test from the official gmat website) to see where you stand in order for me to answer that. In most cases it’ll take a few months. Take the test then if I were you I’d jump onto target test prep immediately
@samis99802 жыл бұрын
@@Dcummins Got it. Thanks for the reply!
@chandrakantmahapatra13172 жыл бұрын
I am amazed by your perseverance and fortitude. Some golden nuggets of info in your video.
@chandrakantmahapatra13172 жыл бұрын
Excellent suggestions. Thanks a ton.
@Sam-ws1mu2 жыл бұрын
How did you get 430??
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
- Took a Manhattan test - didn't finish verbal - got many wrong - had no idea what the GMAT was or anything about it, I just took the test
@haryem47812 жыл бұрын
Hi Dcummins, I’m from Melbourne and I just got a 710 myself after 5 months of studying. Which MBA school did you choose in the end?
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Congrats. I chose many, but I applied and was accepted into INSEAD. My number one choice!
@haryem47812 жыл бұрын
@@Dcummins I see! I’m interested in applying for INSEAD my self amongst other schools. What did you score for your AWA and IR? I got an.8 on IR but unfortunately got a 4 on AWA, which isn’t outstanding.
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
@@haryem4781 Your IR score is awesome. I honestly mostly skipped IR (which is a terrible idea) and I just naturally knew how to write the AWA, so I always scored 6.0. I highly recommend INSEAD. Its awesome for Australians as we are well known across Australia and the network carries quite strongly versus US schools. LBS is also good, but its 2 years.
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Feel free to reach out to me via email and we can have a call anytime
@mattlovestechyt2 жыл бұрын
Is studying for 20 hours a week for 15 weeks a reasonable timeframe to achieve a 680 from a 450?
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, can I consult you? I have 2 GMAT scores: 1. 680 (Q49/V34) 2. 700 (Q47/V39) The second one is higher but schools are more interested in quant score. I took the 2nd one online, I had technical glitch on quant section, I lost 6 minutes, do you think I should send 2 scores? how should I explain the technical glitch? on the essay? can you advise? I know score is not great but im not thinking to retake it again, im so done with GMAT lol
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
i'd stick with the higher score and just submit your GMAT Report. they can see all your scores on it. Consult with an admissions consultant on how to address it (if its worth addressing at all).
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, just curious, did you share all the 7 scores with schools? If dont mind me asking any honest thought on what schools think of an applicant struggling with GMAT and taking it multiple times? Im so out of breath with GMAT! :(
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Yes, but i think I had cancelled maybe 1 - 2 outlier scores. I would cancel some of the scores . Most schools do. Some people can be crtical and not see what it means, but that's the world in general, not specific to a school
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, just curious what was your selection process like in choosing which MBA consultant, from hundreds, should you go for? I am overwhelmed with so much information available, yet many cautious notes on GMATClub as well
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
I think peer-reviews from people you know and trust are the most useful way to evaluate consultants. Alex Ruiz Lee, for example, was used by a friend of mine, so after she gave positive and earnest reviews, I felt compelled to engage him
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dan. Any recommendation for essay editing service?
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
@@fintech1378 No, but an MBA admissions consultant will help you with that. Menette Larkin and Alex Ruiz Lee are awesome.
@fintech13782 жыл бұрын
Hi Dan, just wondering whether the proctor said anything when you showed this sort of whiteboard?
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Nope!
@sanarajput61912 жыл бұрын
can someone summarise this video
@tanweiyoong2 жыл бұрын
Good stuff mate. Looking to embark on a similar journey myself! (Have a similar GMAT as you and similar target schools)
@Dcummins2 жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@edresmn78693 жыл бұрын
How were you math skills (middle school and high school math) before you start preparing anything for GMAT?
@edresmn78693 жыл бұрын
Did you know all the concepts involved in pre Algebra and Algebra, geometry? or you learned them from the beginning?
@Dcummins3 жыл бұрын
@@edresmn7869 I did advanced mathematics in high school, but I graduated high school in 2008, university in 2012, and started GMAT prep in mid 2017 or so... you can go from zero to 700+ GMAT quant if you just be prudent, hence why i always redirect people to TTP for Quant and Verbal now
@edresmn78693 жыл бұрын
I am going from zero math knowledge and have 30 months ahead. I think it is impossible to learn things from scratch. People struggle in the exam even they know the knowledge inside out. Any thoughts?
@Dcummins3 жыл бұрын
@@edresmn7869 I think that limiting beliefs are why we don't ever reach our goals and continually hold ourselves back. Trust me, the maths I did in school wasn't strong. I can spend time researching and digging up a heap of non-math background profiles of people who scored 700+, but I don't have much time at the moment (INSEAD is intense!)... Just tell yourself "if I don't know something now, then I just need to work at it and figure it out". Use logic. If i'm a human and I can do it, and you're a human, then you can do it as well.
@johnnymackey97293 жыл бұрын
Taking the GMAT soon after studying for a year. The long game is all mental Thanks for this
@angelrodriguezgomez80923 жыл бұрын
Hi! In the first place, thank you very much for taking 46 minutes of your own time just to tell us your story. It is really generous from you! I have been reviewing for about three weeks now, and have been using both the GMAT official guide (I have done all the questions of all the sections twice) and have seen many tutorials regarding the different sections that I have been finding in KZbin (particularly the AWA section), as the explanations included in the book are not very detailed. My plan is to begin the “The Economist” GMAT prep course and begin working with the Manhattan prep books. I am averaging about 3 hours of study per weekday, and around 5-6 hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I believe it to be enough to tackle the GMAT around January - February 2022 with certain guarantees, but I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you very much!
@Angel-zr9fn3 жыл бұрын
Just took my practice test and got a 460 :( Really depressing.
@ArmaanKumar20003 жыл бұрын
I scored 550 on my first GMAT test in June, now I'm scoring between 610-650 on Manhattan mocks. I'll be giving my first official GMAT test on 23rd August. I am super nervous about it, I have no idea about how's it going to go.
@ArmaanKumar20003 жыл бұрын
Update: Scored 610, bombed the exam because of panic
@Izana9452 жыл бұрын
@@ArmaanKumar2000 It's still a good score. I am aiming for 600+ score and at 450. Don't know how to get there. Exam is in a week. I am doomed 😞
@moviestar5883 Жыл бұрын
How long did you prepare for when you scored 550? I need to score 500 for the University and only have a month left
@ashwinnair10633 жыл бұрын
Hello, Which mock tests would you recommend after exhausting the official mock tests? I am not able to gauge my level of readiness properly. I have also taken the two free practice tests twice.
@blossomingplum3 жыл бұрын
GMAT Club mock tests
@ashwinnair10633 жыл бұрын
@@blossomingplum Thank you!
@UnhideableThoughts3 жыл бұрын
I took two mocks and I got 340 and 450. Very disappointed. Took the GMAT mini quiz and it is also showing estimated score 400-440. I don't know what to do now. I went through the basics taking topic tests and sectionals also. I want to take my GMAT online test in the first week of August. Can you suggest me what to do now?
@shrutyabhalla11223 жыл бұрын
So glad that you got an admit in INSEAD. Good luck @Dcummins :)