GMAT Strategy

A 780+ score is top one-half of one percentile - in other words, those who score that well score better than 99.5% of all test-takers.

Nobody on the planet could guarantee themselves such a result. Also, everyone I know personally who has scored 780 or better (including me) didn't really study for it. We're those annoying creatures who just know how to do well on these tests. Before I took the test for the first time, I took a couple of practice tests. I looked at the ones I got wrong and gave myself a slap on the head because I knew how to do them all but just made some careless mistake. Then I went in and took the test and scored a 780. I just told a guy I know from the SAT standardized testing world about ManhattanGMAT. He downloaded GMATPrep, took a couple of tests to see what it was like, signed up for the real thing, and scored an 800. (And we're now interviewing him ) I could keep going with stories like that.

I'm sure there are some people out there who don't fit this pattern and yet scored that well - but my general feeling is that, if you're going to score 780+, you probably don't need to do very much to figure out how to do it. This is just my personal opinion, of course.

By the way, even having done it before and knowing this test inside and out, I don't always score 780+ - sometimes I "only" get a 760 or 770.

I don't want to bring you down - I think it's great to have goals! - but just be realistic about what you're talking about here. It's not like studying for a school test on which anyone can get 100% if s/he studies well enough. The GMAT uses a forced curve - only 0.5% of people are going to score that well no matter what.

I agree with all the points my colleagues and BTG folks are saying about taking the test: especially knowing your weaknesses and that 800 isn't 'all that.' I just met a Wharton admissions person, who concurred that the GMAT score is part of your package, albeit an important part, but that a 800 doesn't guarantee anything.

I'll add to this post that you not ONLY need to master the material, but you also have to 'show up' on test day feeing your best and getting into the test taking 'zone.' If you don't, your score will most likely be adversely affected.

Those of us in the field who go into take the test, or take diagnostics, do well, in part, because we don't have anything at stake: we're not applying to school and no one is judging us. We are there to learn the test with a 'researchers' mind. With the pressure off, we get to be our best without even 'trying.' It's easy. I'm sure you can thnk of some non-testing situations like this, too.

I'm immediately reminded of how someone once called me to audition for a play, and I went, not knowing the director was 'the S--t', and I was completely relaxed and centered. After a really solid performance, I had a great conversation with the director and got the part! Only after did I find out who she was and that this audition, and getting the part, was a really HUGE deal (in the world of music and theater!)

SO: what are you going to do to have peak performance? How will you remain calm in the face of such a momentous task? Do you have a practice to help you get in the zone?

As recent as last week, a study about meditation conducted at The American University, found statistically significant results among college students who engaged in a Transcendental Meditation technique. They found incorporation of this practice could be of substantial value for anyone facing an intense and challenging learning environment. The study indicated that the students who practiced this meditation practice had a higher score of 'brain integration' which means they had higher emotional stability, higher moral reasoning, more openness to experience, and decreased anxiety. Sounds like a pretty good state to enter the GMAT, huh?!

These statistics as well as others, show that it's no surprise that whether by hypnosis, NLP, meditation, guided visualization, a religious practice, physical and creative activity, these wellness methods offer an overall benefit to your health AND the test-taking mind. They assist you in staying calm in high-stakes situations, like taking the GMAT, and doing the best you're able to do. It's also very possible that in this state, that you'll surpass your previous performances! I've seen it.

So hit the books, and make sure you also give yourself time and space to be a human 'being' instead of human 'doing.' The being-ness will help give you the present of mind, and laser focus that will help you become a master GMAT test taker. And when you really put forth ALL your effort in studying and being fully 'present' in the moment, you get to perform your best, as well as gain acceptance and peace of mind, really knowing you did your very best: be it scoring a 600, 690, 720 or a 790.

Good Luck! (and nameste!)