Search for Schools started

Now that I have got my gmat score, I can start my search for B-Schools. Its already august and I am probably too late. But I think I will be able to apply to alteast 1 school in R1.

Here are my criteria for choosing a b-school :

1. 12 months course : It should be a 12 -15 months course and not more. So I am tilting towards the courses in UK.


2. Fees : Frankly speaking I can not afford more than 80k USD in fees. So most of the US schools are out of range. About Schols ? Lets see.


3. Focus on Entrepreneurship/technology/consulting. Being an IT professional and having being worked for more than 6 years now, I am in love with IT now. And I would love to work in it post MBA as well. Of course not in the role of a developer but as a consultant or a business head. I have a fair bit of experience in managing a small startup as well, and I would love to join it post my MBA, and hence choosing a school with good focus on entrepreneurship.

My GMAT story

Done with my GMAT on 05 aug 2009.

My Profile : Indian IT Male, 6 years Exp.
GMAT booked : 17th June 2009. Preparation started the same day.
GMAT taken : 05th August 2009.
Preparation time : 50 days.
Score : 720 Q50, V38. (overall 94 %ile) AWA - 5.5

Books and materials referred :
1. OG12. (The Official Guide by GMAC)
2. Kaplan Verbal workbook
3. Kaplan Premier 2009
4. Manhattan SC Guide
5. 1000 SC. - One of the most commonly used Sentence Correction material referred by students. Search over the internet to get it.

Tests taken prior to GMAT (not in chronological order):

1. GMAT Prep1 - taken thrice - : 700 (Q49, V37) , 700 (Q50, V35) , 740 (Q49, V42)


2. GMAT Prep2 - taken twice - : 720 (Q50, V38), 730 (Q49, V40)


3. MGMAT Free test - 670 ( Q48, V33 )


4. MGMAT 1 - 640 - ( Q46, V32 )


5. MGMAT 2 - 680 - ( Q48, V34 )


6. MGMAT 3 - 710 - ( Q51, V36 )


7. MGMAT 4 - 720 - ( Q51, V37 )


8. MGMAT 5 - 710 - ( Q49, V38 )


9. MGMAT 6 - 680 - ( Q49, V34 )


10. Kaplan Test on CD - 1 - 590 (Q48 V28)

Here is a summary of what I have to say about my GMAT experience and advice to others.

1. Regular practice is the key. How many days you take, depends on the individual, but I think one should be in touch always. One month practice, then break, the practice is not the way. You should be in the zone when you are taking the actual GMAT. For this, one has to build a momentum , and carry that to the test.


2. At the time of the test, staying focused is the key. Take a lot of mock tests to make yourself aware of test environment. To gauge time strategies etc..


3. GMATPrep tests are the key to success. You should use them wisely. Retaking them helps, but you should not retake within 2-3 days else there is a repeat of questions and you will get skewed scores. I would suggest one should take the GMATPrep tests atleast 3-4 times. Save GMATPrep 2 for last 5-10 days of your preparation and take this test in absolute test environment with AWA, breaks etc. Try to score as much as in GMATPrep2 and do look at where you went wrong.


4. For any materials other than SC, i dont think you need to go for materials beyond OG. Take the OG seriously, and keep a error log. Revisit OG once completed. For PS/DS I reinstalled GMATPrep quite a lot of time and got a lot of new questions. It is a huge bank !


5. For SC, Manhattan SC Guide is a must. I also referred to the 1000SC series.


6. Kaplan books and tests are a waste of time, in my opinion. Kaplan tests have different styles of questions, esp in Verbal, and sometimes I didn't agree to their CR answers. So I found them useless.


7. For AWA, one must practice writing, and that too in test environment. Sometimes 30 minutes seem very less a time.

Whats with these Bangladeshis in West-Indies

First they upset India in 2007 WC, and now they beat West Indies in their home turf, both in the test matches and the one dayers as well.

Looks like the B'deshis save their best for the Carribeans. They are definitely not the underdogs, but often manage to lose matches after coming a long way. But not this time. With the test series win, their first overseas test win, and a one-day series win after that, they are high on confidence and looking to maul any side they come across.

And OZ struggle again, this time without a Freddie Onslaught

Its day 2 at Birmingham and its the 3rd Ashes test with England leading 1-0.
And OZ have disappointed again. 250/9 does not look a good score for a team with a formidable lineup. Batsmen have failed again, to negotiate the swinging ball.
This time its Jimmy Anderson who took 5 wickets, supported by Onions who took 3. Flintoff just bowled 12 overs in 65 which OZ have managed to survive till now with no scalps.
Its time OZ come to terms to English conditions. There will be no time to recover if they lose this game.

After Vass its Murali

Vass has announced his retirement. And now Murali has announced that he will retire in 2010.

The 'Freddy' factor

This is the last tour of Freddy Flintoff and he will try his best to secure England an Ashes win. England did what they could not in last 75 years, a win in the Lords in Ashes. They are now 1-0 up with 3 more to go. And with Pontings men not in top form, an English win is highly likely.
But Australians cant be taken lightly. More so because of the over dependence on Flintoff. The right arm fast bowler has his own limitations, especially against right handers. And if Ponting and Clarke can steer the ship , and Hussey giving support at the right time, with a much needed support from the bowling department, OZs can come back.
Lets hope to see some exciting matches.

Samsung Jet - Amidst cricket and chaos came my new mobile

I got hold of this amazing phone just 2 days back, and haven't been able to leave it for a while since then. Having been waited for it for so long, I just love it.

Its loaded with lot of features, and the style and build quality is also superb. Well done Samsung !

I bought it for 21K in Bangalore, and it is worth every penny. I love the bright AMOLED display, the superb camera, and connectivity options. I love browsing the internet over my home wifi connection. Yet to try the GPRS.

It has a 800Mhz processor it and shows up in its good responsiveness. Its a good competition for LG KP Arena. And is defintely a candidate for iPhone Killer.

As this is recently launched, its price is a bit high. and will defintely come down by a few Ks in a few months or so.