How I Scored 780 on the GMAT for $42

I found it helpful to read about other people's specific GMAT study process, so now I'm sharing my own. This is how I spent only $42 on GMAT prep and ended up with a score in the 99th percentile on my first (and only) try. You don't need expensive subscriptions, tutors, or test-prep courses, but you do need to have a solid routine, use effective study materials, and maybe get a bit creative.
9 FREE GMAT resources I used to get a 780: • 9 FREE GMAT Resources ...
I started studying around April for a test scheduled on July 1. Before immersing myself in studying, I wanted to familiarize myself with what exactly the GMAT was, what it consisted of, and general strategies and resources I could use to study. I did this by reading tons of articles, browsing r/gmat, and watching videos on youtube.
Once I had some base knowledge down, I started studying. My main resource was the 2017 OG guide - even though it was 2019, the 2017 guide suited my needs perfectly well. I used the guide mostly for questions practice, while using the Manhattan Prep books (accessed through a free Scribd trial) to learn and refresh the content that would be on the test. I also employed a bunch of other free resources, including free trials, unofficial practice tests, and general online educational material.
I tried to study for around an hour a day, and made sure I varied the question types from the OG guide, so that I could check my answers frequently and get consistent feedback on what I struggled with in each section. I also bought a whiteboard and marker to practice writing with, and later bought the 2020 math and verbal question books, which I used once I ran out of OG questions. For practice tests, I took two unofficial ones shortly after I started studying, but saved the official ones until close to test time so I would have a clearer idea of what score to expect. I also admittedly didn't really study for IR or AWA (besides memorizing a template) because a) those aren't as important and b) I was confident in my abilities on both those sections.
The week before the test, I didn't make any substantial changes besides making sure to study every single night, and the morning of the test I did 5 questions from each subsection, which I do think helped get me in the mental mindset. And so I took the test, which didn't go quite as planned, but was rewarded with a 780! My score broke down to 49Q, 51V, 8 IR, and 6 AWA, so now I never have to take the GMAT again.
In general, I think consistency and constant reflection on your errors and weak points is key. Study smarter, not harder. Know not only the material, but how the material is presented and questions are asked on the GMAT itself.

[@harshtripathi371]

I am working about an hour before I reached this video, Thank from bottom of my heart.

[@fatoumattatrawally3588]

Excellent and detailed explanation.....thanks a lot Bec

[@chidinmaejiofor9878]

i love the honesty in yor video. thanks for the awesome advice

[@BeconFire]

glad you found it helpful 😊

[@Techion]

I'm in my first year, might as well be done with GMAT for deferred MBA thing well in advance, and I guess will also help in consulting shortlists, thanks for the tips, I loved them being frugal 🤣

[@AnimeshPrasad]

Very informative and practical advice.

[@BeconFire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rohitsinsinwar9486]

Thank you

[@suhrit6132]

Hi Bec. Really inspiring story. I have my GMAT in July-August this year, hope I can replicate the same.

[@ARand1696]

You got this Suhrit! Good luck

[@anurag-kumar20]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@BeconFire]

You’re welcome 😊

[@venugopalachary2212]

Amazing

[@LamboWalker23]

Girl you got a hell of a mind, making GMAT seem like a walk in the park xD Anyways I will definitely implement everything you said, thanks a ton Bec (Rebecca?)

[@BeconFire]

Thank you! Best of luck on your own GMAT journey

[@hitesharas8941]

Great score Bec.. So studying for an hour or 2 is sufficient unless we break the consistency .. ?

[@akashsrivastava5963]

Hi Bec I am planning to give my GMAT this November and I am struggling with Sentence Correction can you help me with the same and which books or practice material to refer to. My target score is 700+. I have Manhattan Prep books from 2014 is it too old or do i need to find some new one's?

[@romilsharma5252]

Ohh what a great detailed explanation. Would you mind sharing the error log or maybe just glimpse?

[@BeconFire]

I actually can't find it, but I basically wrote down the problem #, subject area (math verbal), sub-subject area (ratios, subject/verb agreement), what I did wrong, and how to correct it for next time. The last one is the most important - don't just say "I made a mistake doing mental math" say "from now on I will write down even the simplest calculations"

[@romilsharma5252]

@@BeconFire Thanks a ton for your reply.

[@ishika.sachdeva]

Hi Bec! Excellent advice, extremely helpful!! 780 is an incredible score. Can you please share your error log google excel sheet and the 5-para template you used/memorized for AWA? It would be very helpful :)

[@BeconFire]

Hi there! Can't find my error log, but basically write down the question type, category, why you got it wrong, and what steps you can take to not be wrong next time. 5 paragraph template is basically "this is wrong", then give 3 flaws in the argument, then have a closing paragraph restating that the argument is flawed

[@ishika.sachdeva]

Thanks a lot!

[@rider2878]

I got 27V and 6Q, what do you recommend, I’m so bad at maths perhaps?

[@marcelotorres5736]

what are you studyng now?

[@210debashish]

Hi Bec, Thanks for the advice. Do the normal everyday practice questions have to be timed? I have just started the prep.

[@BeconFire]

I would time yourself, but don't get overly focused on it. You should get faster as you do more questions. Do make sure to pay attention to time during practice exams though.

[@210debashish]

@@BeconFire thanks a lot 🙂

[@apurvgoyal7917]

Hey! I solve OG of both 2020 and 2021. I have to do anything after that? coz, I'm familiar with the concepts

[@BeconFire]

More practice questions never hurts! I would recommend the specific math and verbal guides if you can get them cheaply

[@latavashisth8794]

Hello Mam, Mam I am preparing for the GMAT, and my exam is in January. Is the GMAT Official bundle is enough to get a score of 700+ and can you please share some tips for the verbal part? I am really worried for the verbal section, I am preparing for the verbal section since last month, but still my score is not improving.

[@BeconFire]

Start with GMAT bundle, it's a good start but I can't say if it's definitely enough. Sentence correction I found to be mostly parallelism and making sure parts of speech match. For reading comp, skim the entire passage before starting the questions. Critical reasoning - focus on why answers might be wrong. The answer that is "not wrong" should be the right answer (Also helps with sentence correction)

[@latavashisth8794]

@@BeconFire Okay, Thank you Mam :)

[@didaralam2604]

Hello, Would you mind to share which unofficial test ( i.e manhattan test or....)you have written at the beginning in which you score 680 and 700?

[@BeconFire]

Hi Didar, I used the Kaplan and Manhattan Prep tests. This article also lists a bunch of others: www.prepscholar.com/gmat/blog/free-gmat-practice-tests/. Hope that helps!

[@didaralam2604]

@@BeconFire thank you so much!

[@kavyarayidi1839]

where did u take the free online tests?

[@BeconFire]

I think I took the Kaplan prep one and the Veritas one

[@chanduvarma3975]

hi bec ,can u give the names of gmat books

[@BeconFire]

I just used the Official GMAT 2017 Guide and then the 2020 reading and math supplement books

[@ishasharma7152]

Ma'am, will practicing the official guide and quant and verbal guide be sufficient to score 750+ ?

[@BeconFire]

I think it depends on the person - it could get you there, but you may need some additional practice. I would start with the official guides + Manhattan for background knowledge

[@meetsolanki8903]

780 is a big thing

[@tikiortaka]

Nice video. Couldn't hear a thing.

[@SS-cv4fo]

How many hours did you study per day?

[@BeconFire]

Usually 1-2

[@shilpanaskar1167]

Hi bec, Can you give me your email id or anywhere i cam contact you? I am about to prepare for my GMAT but i have no strategies planned. I am very confused where to start from, which books and study materials should i use etc. Can you please help me dear?

[@BeconFire]

Hi Shilpa, I don't do personal strategies but I would start where I started in the video - with the official study guide and the Manhattan prep books for specific subject material

[@shilpanaskar1167]

@@BeconFire Official study guide is on the gmac website?

[@shilpanaskar1167]

@@BeconFire And for solving questions which are thr other book you followed?