GMAT with CJ

"I don't have patience—not just with GMAT prep, but in every aspect of life. I start something, work on it for a few days, and when I don't see results quickly, I drop it. How can I become more patient?" This question from a student struck me because it's so universally relatable. My answer surprised him: "You have to be patient with your impatience." Here's what I mean: You cannot become patient in a few days or weeks. It may take months, even years. Impatience is a deeply ingrained habit built over time—it cannot be broken overnight. If you don't understand this, you'll try to be patient for a while, then watch yourself fail repeatedly, and eventually give up on developing patience altogether. The paradox is real: becoming patient requires patience. You need to accept that you'll slip back into impatience 5, 7, 10, maybe 20 times before you start seeing real change. Each time it happens, don't curse yourself. Instead, gently but persistently guide yourself back toward patience. This applies to every meaningful change we want to make. Whether it's building a new skill, changing a habit, or developing emotional intelligence—the process itself requires the very quality we're trying to develop. The breakthrough comes when we stop fighting our current limitations and start working with them compassionately. What quality are you trying to develop that requires you to already have that quality?

"I can now see the beauty of it." My student said this after we'd spent an hour dissecting a single Critical Reasoning question, exploring its logical layers and nuances. I was genuinely surprised. It's rare to hear "Critical Reasoning" and "beautiful" in the same sentence. This student had initially struggled with the question, but I kept pushing him to think deeper. Instead of giving him the answer, I guided him through question after question, encouraging him to uncover each logical connection himself. When we finally reached the solution, he was exhausted but exhilarated: "This is the same feeling I get after running for an hour. I'm extremely tired, but it's so satisfying." His words made me reflect on something profound: There's probably beauty in everything—we just need to reach a certain depth to see it. But in our rush to reach our goals "as soon as possible," we keep skimming the surface. We miss the elegance of a well-constructed argument, the satisfaction of working through complexity, the joy of genuine understanding. This applies far beyond test prep. Whether it's mastering a skill, building relationships, or solving problems at work, the real rewards often lie not in the destination, but in our willingness to go deep enough to discover what makes something truly beautiful. What have you found unexpectedly beautiful when you took the time to explore it deeply?

"Failure is not an option." A high-achieving professional said this to me last year when I told her that two months wasn't enough time to jump from the 24th percentile to the 75th percentile on GMAT Quant. She had come to me seeking this dramatic improvement and was on sabbatical, ready to make it happen through sheer determination. I paused, then replied: "Failure may not be an option for you, but it's always an option in the universe." She took sessions for a couple of months, then disappeared. When I checked on her a year later, she was still preparing. Here's what I've learned: The same mindset that drives high achievement in careers can sometimes work against us in skill-building endeavors. In business, urgency and "failure is not an option" thinking can move mountains. But mastering complex skills like quantitative reasoning requires a different approach entirely. It demands patience with the process, acceptance of temporary setbacks, and the humility to give yourself the time you actually need—not the time you wish you needed. Big success isn't built on pumped-up short-term effort or motivational mantras. It's built on doing what it takes for as long as it takes. Sometimes the most successful people are those who can set aside their usual "make it happen" approach and embrace the slower, more sustainable path to mastery.

"Just practice more questions" is terrible GMAT advice. Well, terrible for about half of test-takers anyway. Here's the thing: your existing skill level relative to the GMAT's challenge determines whether practice helps or hurts your progress. Get this wrong, and you'll spin your wheels for months hitting the same score ceiling. I break down the two distinct learning paths and how to identify which one applies to you. https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/the-gmat-skill-challenge-equation-why-just-practice-more-doesnt-work-for-everyone/ #GMAT #MBA #TestPrep #LearningStrategy https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/the-gmat-skill-challenge-equation-why-just-practice-more-doesnt-work-for-everyone/

"My problem is that I take too long answering questions." "Why?" "I have to reread the text multiple times." "Why do you need to reread?" "I keep losing concentration." "What are you doing to address this concentration problem?" "I'm forcing myself to solve within 2 minutes." "Does that increase concentration?" "Yes, to some extent." "Is that enough to solve your concentration problem?" "I don't think so." "Then what else are you doing?" Long silence. "Nothing else, I believe." "How do you expect this problem to get resolved?" No answer. "If you're not actively solving your problems, do you think the time you're investing in prep will help you?" Silence. This conversation happens more often than you'd think. Students identify their challenges but stop there. They mistake recognizing the problem for solving it. Knowing you have a concentration issue is just step one. The real work begins when you sit down and brainstorm solutions: meditation, shorter study sessions, eliminating distractions, improving sleep, changing your environment. Then comes the harder part: creating a plan to implement these solutions and actually following through. Without this deliberate problem-solving approach, improvement remains wishful thinking. The good news? Once you shift from problem identification to solution implementation, real progress becomes possible.

An ex-McKinsey consultant joined me with a GMAT score of 525. I couldn't help but ask: "McKinsey and 525 on the GMAT? How is that possible?" His response was refreshingly honest: "Many people have asked me that same question. But I've never gotten anything in life easily." He continued: "I didn't have a strong SAT score either, yet I still managed to get into a top undergraduate program. While my peers started preparing for consulting interviews 6 months in advance, I started 18 months ahead. I got into McKinsey through sheer determination and hard work." "Now I'm aiming for top-3 US business schools. I don't just want a good GMAT score—I want to deserve that score." And deserve it he did. Through months of dedicated preparation, he eventually scored 655 and secured admission to his dream business school. His story reminded me that standardized test scores don't define capability or potential. What matters most is the willingness to put in the work, regardless of where you start. Sometimes the most successful people aren't those who find things easy—they're the ones who've learned how to persist when things get difficult.

"It happened so smoothly." One of my students improved his GMAT score from the 41st percentile to the 94th. When I asked him about his journey, his response surprised me: "Sir, everybody makes scoring 90+ %ile such a big deal, but it happened so smoothly." Here's what makes this fascinating: his journey took 18 months. Eighteen months of preparation, including private sessions with me. Yet he called it "smooth." How is that possible? The answer lies in something he learned early in our work together: the futility of chasing scores. Instead of obsessing over his target number, he became completely focused on deserving that score—on building genuine clarity of thought. By directing all his energy toward the process rather than the outcome, he never became impatient. While others might have experienced such a lengthy journey as grueling or even given up halfway through, his experience was genuinely smooth. He reminded me of a powerful truth: We don't suffer our circumstances; we suffer our perspective of our circumstances. The same 18-month journey that could feel torturous becomes effortless when approached with the right mindset. What "lengthy journey" in your life might feel smoother if you shifted your focus from the destination to the process?

"Am I really that weak?" A student joined our GMAT Intensive course and, energized after attending a few sessions, decided to take a mock test. He scored 345. What followed was an emotional email that ended with the question above. Here's what I told him: The answer depends on how we define "weak." I define weak as someone who gives up when faced with a challenging task. You're doing the opposite—you're confronting a monumental challenge head-on. So are you weak? Absolutely not. You're incredibly strong. Yes, you're currently lacking in the skills the GMAT tests. But here's the thing: those skills can be built. It might take a year or two, but given the strength of character you've already shown, I have no doubt you can reach the summit. When doubts creep in—and they will—don't give them too much power. Keep working. Your destination is closer than you think.

What kinds of students don't succeed? The ones who refuse to slow down. I teach students how to read deeply and think critically. My most frequent advice? "If you don't slow down, you'll never improve—no matter how many sessions you attend." While many students heed this warning and adjust their approach, others struggle to break free from deeply ingrained habits. Years of speed-reading and quick thinking have created patterns so automatic that slowing down feels almost impossible. But here's what I've realized: this challenge extends far beyond test prep. Whether we're trying to build depth in our work, improve our relationships, or change fundamental aspects of our lives, the principle remains the same. Unless we slow down, real transformation stays out of reach. A fast-paced life is efficient for repeating old patterns, but it's the enemy of charting new paths. So here's my reminder to all of us: Slow down. Create space for reflection. Give yourself permission to grow at a sustainable pace. Your growth matters—even if it takes time. Especially if it takes time.

"Master, how much time would it take me to get enlightened?" 10 years. "What if I put in twice as much effort, twice as many hours?" 20 years. "How can that be? How can I take longer if I put in twice as much effort?" If your one eye is always focused on the result, you've only one eye for the process. I believe this parable is very much applicable to GMAT preparation as well. The more we're focused on the journey - on learning, on building ourselves - the shorter the journey becomes. On the other hand, I consistently see that people who worry about the result a lot end up wasting a significant amount of time worrying about things beyond their control and thus end up taking much longer than they would have taken otherwise. Do remember that worrying about the result doesn't help in achieving the result; it only delays the result. If achieving the result is very important to you, spend your days and hours on learning i.e. working towards your goal rather than worrying about the goal. Release your worries. Smile. And get down to work! :)

A past student booked a call to discuss his current situation with me. S: I am doing well in my career and have excellent sales and marketing skills. However, I do not have refined analytical or reasoning skills. And I feel like an imposter. CJ: An imposter is someone who doesn't deserve what they have achieved. Why do you believe you don't deserve what you have achieved? S: Because of a lack of reasoning skills. CJ: Why does your deservedness depend on your reasoning skills? S: No answer. However, I strongly want to improve my reasoning skills. CJ: There is no harm in improving your reasoning skills. However, would you also like to improve your relationship with yourself? Why does your self-approval depend on your having reasoning skills? And you currently believe that after you have developed your reasoning skills, you will finally have your approval. I doubt that. You'll then find some other reason to reject yourself. S: Oh! Then what changes should I make in myself? CJ: Before we discuss any solutions or changes, you must first understand yourself: Why are you doing this to yourself? Are you willing to invest time to understand your own self? Not many people do, out of fear of falling behind others. For me, it's highly unsettling to prioritize getting ahead of others over understanding myself. I don't want to die not having understood myself. And if I don't understand myself, I naturally cannot understand others around me. So, I'll die without having understood myself or my loved ones. That's a little unsettling for me.

Here's my true story. I scored 725 on my first GMAT mock without preparation. Then my scores dropped 100 points. Here's what I learned... Back in 2012, I casually scored 725 on a GMAT mock. When I later needed to take the actual test, I thought getting a perfect score would be easy. I was wrong. My scores kept falling: 725 → 705 → 695 → 675 → 625. The harder I tried, the worse I performed. Then I had a realization that changed everything. I scored 735 on the actual GMAT. The insight applies far beyond test-taking and transformed how I approach performance under pressure. Excited to share my first video with GMAT Club where I break down exactly what went wrong and the strategy that turned it around. What's your biggest challenge with performance anxiety? #GMAT #TestPrep #Mindset #GMATClub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k71tvJKPrI4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k71tvJKPrI4

A student asked me a stupid question in a private tutoring session. Before asking the question, he said, “I have a question. I know it’s a stupid question, but I wanted to ask it.” I asked him, “How can a question be stupid?” He replied, “I mean the question is very basic.” I said, “I agree that the question could be basic, but how can the question be stupid? If you ask me a basic question, that tells me something about you. I may then choose to call you stupid. Or I may choose to help you. I have both choices with me. Let’s say I take the first choice. When you ask me a basic question, I call you ‘stupid’. Is that a helpful choice? Rather, won’t it be stupid to make this choice given that I also had a choice to help you? Why would I make a stupid choice?! I do not judge you or your questions. The reason is not that it’s the morally right thing to do but that it’s the sensible thing to do.” — — — I later reflected on this incident and what I said to the student. If some teacher in the future calls his question stupid, the student may feel like calling the teacher stupid. However, the student will have another option: to understand why the teacher called the question stupid. Of course, the teacher’s response to the question is unhelpful, but the student may choose not to judge the teacher and may instead try to understand the teacher. — — — Life is a series of choices we make. No matter which situation we find ourselves in, we always have a choice. The question is simply whether we make a choice that is helpful or one that is not. A more fundamental question is whether we recognise that we have a choice.

Ever feel like you're stuck in place, still making mistakes despite your best efforts? What if you're measuring your progress all wrong? True growth isn't about achieving an error-free state. It's about sharpening your self-awareness to catch mistakes faster. In my latest blog post, I break down the three distinct stages of error recognition—a framework that can change how you view your learning curve. https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/three-stages-of-making-mistakes/ https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/three-stages-of-making-mistakes/

"You do not have to accept anything that I say if it doesn't make sense to you." I say this to almost all of my students, encouraging them to question me whenever something does not make complete sense to them. The reasons I do this are: 1. This is the way I have learnt. I didn't accept things if they didn't make sense to me, even when they came from a book. It's not that I considered books unreliable; it's that I always tried to assimilate new knowledge within the framework of the existing knowledge. In other words, I didn't just pile facts in my mind; I made sense of them. 2. On occasions, what I say may be different from what the students understand. The reason is that I talk from an understanding level that is different from that of the students. If they don't question what I say, they may end up accepting ideas that I didn't mean, thinking that CJ said so. 3. Much non-sense is circulated by some coaching institutes in the name of GMAT-specific-knowledge. When somebody says 'GMAT wants you to think like that or this is what works on GMAT', I encourage my students to ask 'Why does GMAT behave that way?' The idea is to question everything. Initially, everything will seem confusing. However, gradually, you'll start understanding things at a level at which few others do.

My highest-scoring GMAT students all discovered the same counterintuitive secret about speed. It's not about solving problems faster. It's about becoming a forensic detective of your own mistakes: https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/your-gmat-speed-isnt-the-problem-your-error-rate-is/ https://gmatwithcj.com/how-to-prepare/your-gmat-speed-isnt-the-problem-your-error-rate-is/

"I am so stupid." Do you say this to yourself at times? If the answer is yes, this post may help you. When you call yourself stupid, in whose assessment are you stupid? In your assessment. Right? In other words, a stupid person's assessment. So, you are stupid per a stupid person. But then, you are not stupid since a stupid person's assessment doesn't matter. Hence, I have proven that you are not stupid even though you may be calling yourself so. (This was fun.) --- "I am so stupid." Do you say this to yourself at times? If the answer is yes, I believe you are doing at least one stupidity in life: calling yourself stupid. How is this a stupidity? Because this doesn't help you; instead, this harms you. Doing something harmful for one's self is stupidity. No? But why do you do something that harms you? Because you're still not convinced enough that this harms you. (If you were 100% convinced that calling yourself stupid is harmful, why wouldn't you stop doing this? Trust me, you're not 100% sure. You still believe that calling yourself stupid - criticizing yourself - will make you do the right (non-stupid) things in life.) Because you're habituated to doing this. (Even if you become 100% convinced, it may take you some (or a long) time to stop doing this. This may have become a part of your instinct - make a mistake and then call yourself stupid for making it) But then, what do you do instead of calling yourself stupid? What is the alternative? The alternative is to understand the reason why you made the mistake. You may say, "There's no reason. I was just stupid. I knew the right thing, but still I made the mistake." This is a superficial analysis. You knew the right thing, but you also knew the wrong things. Knowing the right thing is not clarity; being clear about why each wrong thing is wrong is clarity. You didn't have that. And unless you have that, you will keep making mistakes. In other words, we can go wrong if we don't have the intent to be right or if we don't have the skills to be right. It doesn't make sense to think that you don't have the intent to be right. Thus, it is always about the skills; it is always about the clarity. Thus, work on being clear. If you make a mistake, learn from it. Don't make another mistake by calling yourself stupid.

We don’t want to give our best. We’re afraid. Why? Because if we give our best and still come up short, we’ll be deeply hurt. Why so? Because we define ourselves by our current capabilities, not our future potential. We equate ourselves with what we produce, i.e., our products. That’s why any criticism of our products is our criticism. This tendency is everywhere, from home to office. If I cook rajma for you and ask whether you like it, I am not expecting to hear about areas of improvement. I interpret any feedback of improvement as criticism, an announcement that what I have produced is deficient, and thus I am deficient. While feedback is a way we improve, we don't seek feedback. Rather, we're afraid of receiving feedback. "What if the feedback is negative?" If it's negative, I'll be hurt. Why? Because that means I'm deficient. Why am I deficient? Because my work is deficient. Can't I improve my work? Yes, I can. But currently, it's deficient, and I'm deficient. That's why I am justified in being dejected. However, if I stop defining myself by where I stand currently and associate myself with my potential, I'll not be afraid of feedback. I will rather actively seek feedback. I will also not be afraid of giving my best, then. Because even if I fail, I'll learn from the failure and improve my potential.

The biggest barrier to a top GMAT score often isn't the quant or verbal content. It’s the inconsistent thought patterns and hazy reasoning that lie beneath the surface. A student can memorize every formula and grammar rule, but still get stuck. My sessions go deeper to diagnose these core issues. We uncover the "why" behind recurring errors, tracing them back to fundamental learning deficiencies and flaws in the reasoning process itself. I wrote about my Socratic approach to building true intellectual clarity—a skill that transforms how students tackle not just the test, but any complex challenge. Read about it in my new article. https://gmatwithcj.com/articles/what-happens-in-my-private-tutoring-sessions/ https://gmatwithcj.com/articles/what-happens-in-my-private-tutoring-sessions/

I know a person who has served in the Armed Forces for 10 years and presided over as a judge in court-martial cases, and she is afraid of taking a GMAT mock exam. Yes, you read that right. Here's some background: When she took her first GMAT attempt a few months back, she scored way lower than expected. She had never fared so low in her academics. The experience was a never-before-had experience for her. She was shaken. As we prepared, she saw significant improvements in her clarity of thought. However, the experience of failing the test never left her. As her time to take mocks arrived, she felt anxious. One part of her didn't want to take a mock, deeply afraid that she would fail again. She somehow gathered the courage to take a mock exam. However, she couldn't concentrate. She couldn't understand many questions that she could have otherwise understood without much difficulty. Her mock score turned out to be almost the same as her original GMAT score. Her fear had manifested before her eyes. She doubted whether she had improved in the last few months we had prepared together. We had a call, during which I helped her see that there had indeed been a tangible improvement in her preparation, as reflected in her accuracies and her subjective experience of question-solving. She shared that she needed a break for some time, and I agreed. She is on a break for now. What do you get from hearing this story? Here’s my answer: I learn that humans are so multifaceted; we can behave very differently in different situations. Our response in any one situation doesn't define us. Did I think any less of this lady when she shared that she was afraid of taking a mock? No. I could relate to her. How I am in one aspect of life is not a good predictor of how I am in another aspect of life.