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strategy for taking the test?

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dhlee922 Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
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strategy for taking the test? Post Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:27 am
hi,

so i work full time and have been studying on and off for the gmat so i know the basics, and my test is in 60 days so i hope to buckle down and really focus now. So, my question is, what is a good strategy in terms of taking time off of work? i work full time and can take off a full week, but want to know the best time. i know everyone is different, but trying to get some ideas on what i should do.

I know i shouldnt take a full test the night before, i should basically relax, eat a good meal, and get a good night of rest. But my question is, should i take a week off of work the week of my test, which is april 24th, and do tests? or should i take a week off of work 2 weeks prior so that i could take tests, then in the last week, review the tests, then take the test?

thanks

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VivianKerr GMAT Instructor
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Post Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:00 pm
Hi dhlee922,

For GMAT study, slow and steady wins the race. So, really, what you do in the week before isn't going to make or break your score, and one week of intensive study won't give you as much benefit as a steady consistent schedule. That said, my suggestion between your two options would be to take the week off a few weeks before the test. However, I don't see any benefit in taking more than one full length practice test a week. If possible, I'd suggest you take Fridays off for the next two months as opposed to taking one whole week off. Having an extra full day to study a week will make a bigger difference, IMO.

You're absolutely right about relaxing the night before, and getting plenty of sleep, healthy food, and exercise in the week of to get your brain at optimum level. Good luck!

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dhlee922 Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
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Post Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:57 pm
thanks!

FutureWorks GMAT Destroyer!
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Post Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:54 am
Firstly we would say that stay positive and such anxieties are common during exam preparation time. Juggling between work and studies is tough so you need to define a significant time for your GMAT preparation. Sometimes taking few days off work for preparing for the GMAT can help a person tremendously. If you have time this may not be a bad idea. Take practise GMAT tests to see how you are doing. If you cannot do that don’t worry. What might work instead is to set aside 1-2 hours at night on weekdays and major part of your weekend to study and prepare for GMAT- in this case we will suggest a good 2-3 months preparation. However we recommend you to keep taking practise tests to gauge your performance. It will help you in identifying your weak areas and you can focus on them accordingly. You might be able to study more than the given hours and that would take you less than 2-3 months. It all depends on your potential really. All the best!

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Post Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:37 pm
dhlee922 wrote:
I know i shouldnt take a full test the night before, i should basically relax, eat a good meal, and get a good night of rest.
Also, it would be a good idea to avoid any last minute experimentation with food or drinks that the body isn't used to.

In this blog post by a 770 GMAT scorer, check out Arindam's experience (third in the comments list) about what happened at the time of his test.

Keep it simple, keep it predictable.

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