Plz Advise - How to spend the day before the GMAT - The Beat The GMAT Forum

Plz Advise - How to spend the day before the GMAT

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utkalnayak: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by utkalnayak » Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:58 am

Plz Advise - How to spend the day before the GMAT.

Pretty much by now whatever preparation and strategy planned is done, so trying new thing could be risky. The anxiety and the nerve is playing a significant role on this day. How to stay calm and make this day the most useful one.

Thanks,
Utkal

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DavidG@VeritasPrep: Legendary Member; Posts: 2663; Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 amFollowed by: 128 members; Location: Boston, MA; Thanked: 1153 times; GMAT Score:770

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Fri Feb 06, 2015 4:39 pm

My advice: don't do any studying. Find some way to release some of that pent up anxiety. For some people that means going to the gym. Maybe it means spending time with friends, or seeing a movie, or going for a long walk. I'm also a big advocate of mindfulness meditation. Here is a link to one of my favorite meditations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daU-xneLA0g

As much as possible, take a Zen-like attitude. You've put in the time. You've done the studying. Once you're in that testing center all you can do is answer the question on screen in front of you. If you get stuck, remember to sift through the grab bag of strategies we've been discussing on these forums. Can you pick a number? Can you back-solve? Would a chart help? Finally, accept that guessing is part of this exam. Manage your time. Keep moving. And don't get rattled if the test feels hard. It feels hard for everyone.

Let us know how you do. Good luck!

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:00 pm

Hi utkalnayak,

A bit of light review is okay, but you shouldn't be doing anything to "heavy" the day before your Official GMAT. That means NO CATs, NO cramming, NO high-level questions, etc. Try to take it easy and relax.

You're going to find that you're a bit energized/agitated on Test Day; funnel THAT energy into your work.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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utkalnayak: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by utkalnayak » Sat Feb 07, 2015 1:00 pm

Thank you guys, that was useful. I had a good trip to the test today, felt very relaxed. But once I entered the verbal area, the real pressure was on, half way to the verbal i was exhausted. Got 670, my target was 680-700. But from my preparation I could sense that I would be around 650, so I am not disappointed.

Thanks,
Utkal

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:29 pm

Hi utkalnayak,

A 670 is a strong score (it's right above the 80th percentile overall), so you've done well. While this is slightly lower than your goal, and everyone *wants* a 700+, the truth is that most people who are accepted to Business School don't score at that level. This score will allow you to apply to any School that you like - you now need to make sure that your OVERALL application is as strong as it can be.

What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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utkalnayak: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by utkalnayak » Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:08 pm

thank you Rich.
I got Q.50, V.30

Thanks,
Utkal

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:46 pm

Hi utkalnayak,

A 670/Q50 puts you in range for just about any Business School, so the questions now are:

1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
2) When are you planning to apply?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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utkalnayak: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by utkalnayak » Sun Feb 08, 2015 5:44 pm

Thanks Rich. I am planning to start this fall, so I guess I will start applying for round 3. I am currently working in Baltimore, MD, so my preference would be UMD - Smith. However I am also thinking about online MBA as an option. What do you guys think ?

Thanks,
Utkal

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:13 pm

Hi utkalnayak,

When it comes to an MBA, you have to look past the initial "name recognition" of a particular program and really ask yourself what YOU expect your MBA to do for you. Do you want to work in a particular field or for a particular company? If so, then there are probably specific MBA programs that will help you to achieve that goal.

An MBA is a big investment of time, energy and resources, so you should define as many of the "variables" as possible before you apply, then put together a list of the various programs that fit your needs. An online MBA would likely be fine, as long as you can fit it in with your other activities (work, life, etc.).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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Matt@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2630; Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members; Location: East Bay all the way; Thanked: 625 times; GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:58 am

utkalnayak wrote:Thanks Rich. I am planning to start this fall, so I guess I will start applying for round 3. I am currently working in Baltimore, MD, so my preference would be UMD - Smith. However I am also thinking about online MBA as an option. What do you guys think ?

These online MBAs are getting more reputable by the year, but I'd still incline to an on-campus degree. Unless you only need the degree to break a ceiling at work, so much of the value of an MBA is in networking and making friends/connections/future business partners -- Veritas Prep was started by two MBAs who met on campus! -- that doing it online seems like a real risk.

Save $100 on any VP online course!

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JTuquero: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 29; Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:12 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 5 times

by JTuquero » Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:53 pm

The day before your test, you may want to create your test bubble. The test bubble is your environment where there is peace, quiet and little to no distraction. Stay in this test bubble until you've taken the exam. You can give friends and family a heads-up that any distractions, conflicts or problems will have to wait until after the test.

Go for a walk, eat healthily. Try to avoid lit screens (like your computer, mobile or TV) for a few hours before bedtime. Sleep well.

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