<p>I just graduated from college and I am not getting the top job I want because I find out the hard truth that my university is a third tier college, St. John's Uni. I went to this college because I had low SAT scores and just went to it because of reputation in getting a job, meaning small company jobs.</p>
<p>Now, I am not getting quant jobs that I like and even with the recession bad right now. I asked workers to the companies I applied to how they got in and they said they came from reputable colleges like Vanderbilt and Columbia Universities and those names helped them in the job search. </p>
<p>My parents spent $900 on a Kaplan prep class and didn't help me out. I find out now that Kaplan is not good at teaching hard SAT questions like Gary Gurber books and the Barrons too. Few years back on that class, the teacher was mediocre, not intellectual and the questions weren't the same type or even harder as the SATs. I admit I didn't study much in that class but I still put some effort and ended up with a 1500 something on SAT. My high school and the prep class didn't prepare much for the hard stuff.</p>
<p>Now I am feeling like I should fix myself and aim really higher but to do that I need to score high on the GMAT.</p>
<p>I decided one year after I want to go to a top business school but I need to score high on the GMAT. Having heard the recommended score should be 650 or higher to go to those school types. Is it possible to get a top score like that? I am not a genius, went to an average public high school, had low grades, and didn't study much. Even if I had the money for the best tutors, is it possible for a average guy to score high on the GMAT? </p>
<p>And how do the regular people earn high GMAT scores even though they are not geniuses? I heard about them and they went to top colleges even though they came from regular colleges.</p>
<p>I really want to earn a high GMAT score, but how do you that?</p>
<p>And has anyone who is not a genius even got a 700+ on the GMAT? I could really use some enlightening success stories for the common people?</p>
<p>i like to be honest, even if it comes across a bit rude. i don’t think you want me to waste your time so i’ll skip the fluff. warning: i am basically responding because i think you need a reality check. </p>
<p>given the fact that you have taken a lot of SAT practice in the past and you still only scored 1500/2400 on your SAT (ie 500 roughly on each test), i don’t think it’s going to be possible for you to get a 700+ on your GMAT. I’m not saying it’s absolutely impossible, but unless you study a lottt and get very lucky on the exam, you’re not going to get a 700+ on your GMAT. but hell, maybe you got smart during college. why not take a practice test? here’s my guarantee: if you take 3 practice tests (from 3 different test prep companies) and score less than 650 on all of them, chances are you are not going to get a 700+ on your actual GMAT. i don’ think there are ways to “crack the system” either. trust me, haven’t we all tried for the SAT? </p>
<p>we all have different innate abilities. it’s okay! i studied my ass off for the SAT and overworked in highschool. i did get into Berkeley, but reality hit at that time. the competition was rough and I got a 3.2 GPA. Despite trying to do better, a 3.2 GPA was the best I could muster. I wanted to do much better and I was extremely jealous of those classmates that ace’d exams without much studying…but what can I do? I have to accept my natural abilities… (yes, I’ve tried study drugs and all sorts of study strategies).</p>
<p>the gist of what I wanted to say: I think you’re aiming too high!</p>
<p>I appreciate your response. Maybe i am not a genius or some more “exposed student” from prep schools, but you know what, I gotta try and turn it into an ultimate goal. I may have become smarter after college or I may have more life experience motivating me to do well.</p>
<p>Who knows how I am now or what I am mentally for that matter. Steve jobs is not a great overall manager but he is a very creative product manager of this time. He turned Apple around in the early 2000 because of his creative endeavors and overall creepy optimism, despite not turning it around in the 1990’s. </p>
<p>I may somehow get into Harvard business school and I may earn low grades, but, at least, in scenario case, I got in because of real hard work. I don’t care if I get in and earn low grades. Getting in is what really matters to me. And for this, my ultimate goal is to to get 700+.</p>
<p>I don’t have to study alone this time. Learning from the experienced and the best GMAT tutors is my greatest option now. Studying alone is a waste of my time and work. I have to be a newbie this time, not a “noobie” from my teenage years.</p>
<p>Remember not to go for prestige. “Harvard MBA” on your resume will take you places, but only for so long. You have to have both relevant business knowledge, skills, and mental acuity to last through tough consulting or business analyst positions. You may get the job, but honestly, do you have the capability to deliver? Consider the quality of your life too. These are you youth years, newyouth! Relish them.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, if you’ve always enjoyed challenges and working hard (e.g. live to work and not work to live), then what I am saying may not apply to you…</p>
<p>Anyways, if you get a good score, please post it and tell us how you did it! </p>
<p>I also don’t want to be seen as mean, just honest, but from your demeanor I sincerely doubt you can get a 700+. Also, if you get into Harvard and flunk that’s worse than passing at a better school (like even if you pass the test, can you maintain to get the MBA?).</p>
<p>Your negativity about yourself I will take as your realistic understanding of yourself, and the answer is rarely would you be able to get 700+. Even if I believed you would work extremely hard with the best tutors (are you prepared too?)</p>
<p>But the main reason I wanted to post is this: no one on here actually knows you at all. They know you didn’t do amazing on your SAT, and that’s about it. Only you or people who know you from offsite can predict if it’s possible to get 700+. Try some practice tests, etc. Worrying about it here has no chance of helping you.</p>
<p>Take multiple practice tests, read the practice guides and you will see what you’re capable of. Who knows? I’m certain you were not born with an inability to take standardized tests. If you work hard enough, you can achieve a 700+.</p>
<p>The key to success is study, study, and more study. Anything is possible. By the way, get into good school does not guarantee you will have a good job. How to present yourself and how well you perforem will make difference 10 years later.</p>
<p>From your writing, you sound like you aren’t a native English speaker. That’s a much more urgent problem to tackle, because you need far better English writing skills for anything you might want to do. Forget about test prep and improve your English.</p>