Well, I just got back from the testing center and I am extremely disappointed. I read on here a lot but this is my first time posting. I'm really feeling down and out but I will not quit!
My GMAT experience:
This summer I decided to get serious about prepping for the test. I started taking a GMAT prep course through Kaplan (started late June) and since then I have also completed 25 hours of private tutoring. I usually study 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week, using Kaplan books and OG12. I've completed most of my OG12 quantitative section and all of my SC questions (my biggest weakness). My Kaplan Dianostic cat was a 500 and since then I've taken 7 other CATs all scoring in the 550-580 range. Spent the next day going over my tests etc...
My biggest enemy is anxiety. When I got in there and sat for the test I froze horribly. I was trying to work out problems, not getting answers, running out of time, couldn't remember what I just read, etc etc etc... On all the sentence correction questions I felt like I was just using my ear. I know a 600 is a joke for some of you but how do you guys cope with the anxiety when sitting for the test? I felt like when I was in there I couldn't remember a thing from all my studying. I had to guess on 1/2 the questions to keep up with time. I should of hit cancel scores but I was kind of optimistic about my guessing (bad mistake).
I need to come up with a new game plan and I will sit for the test again in a month. I've already spent a crap load of money on Kaplan and it hasn't gotten me where I need to be. I plan on buying the Manhattan books since thats what seems to really work for everyone on here.
What are your suggestions with test anxiety? I've tried replicating test conditions because I knew it would be a factor (I even took a Kaplan CAT at the testing center) but when it came down to it, the anxiety got the best of me.
Did anyone else ever have this experience?
Please help, your advice is greatly appreciated. And if you have an study tips with the Manhattan guides I'd like to hear it too.
My GMAT experience:
This summer I decided to get serious about prepping for the test. I started taking a GMAT prep course through Kaplan (started late June) and since then I have also completed 25 hours of private tutoring. I usually study 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week, using Kaplan books and OG12. I've completed most of my OG12 quantitative section and all of my SC questions (my biggest weakness). My Kaplan Dianostic cat was a 500 and since then I've taken 7 other CATs all scoring in the 550-580 range. Spent the next day going over my tests etc...
My biggest enemy is anxiety. When I got in there and sat for the test I froze horribly. I was trying to work out problems, not getting answers, running out of time, couldn't remember what I just read, etc etc etc... On all the sentence correction questions I felt like I was just using my ear. I know a 600 is a joke for some of you but how do you guys cope with the anxiety when sitting for the test? I felt like when I was in there I couldn't remember a thing from all my studying. I had to guess on 1/2 the questions to keep up with time. I should of hit cancel scores but I was kind of optimistic about my guessing (bad mistake).
I need to come up with a new game plan and I will sit for the test again in a month. I've already spent a crap load of money on Kaplan and it hasn't gotten me where I need to be. I plan on buying the Manhattan books since thats what seems to really work for everyone on here.
What are your suggestions with test anxiety? I've tried replicating test conditions because I knew it would be a factor (I even took a Kaplan CAT at the testing center) but when it came down to it, the anxiety got the best of me.
Did anyone else ever have this experience?
Please help, your advice is greatly appreciated. And if you have an study tips with the Manhattan guides I'd like to hear it too.
