GMAT Strategy

vivecan2005 wrote:Dear Folks:

This is a great forum. I was curious to know if anybody has scored over 770 in Actual GMAT? How do you manage the concentration especially after attempting 5-6 question correctly? I said correctly because some questions are verifiable so you can confirm the answer especially in Quantitative section. Please share your opinions..

Yeah it's totally possible. Most of the GMAT Instructors score around 770 or 780 and quite a few of them are here. There is a guy working MGMAT Ron Purewal who scored 800.

All I will say is this. I got 4 wrong out of GMATPrep last night on the V and got 44. I can imagine therefore that you must get 1 wrong to get 49 and zero for 51.

Although I am not aiming at 770, I would like to discuss with you guys.

I got the following Kaplan test score:
CAT 1: 600 (Q40 V30)
CAT2: 690 (Q52 V30)
CAT 3: 580 (Q37 V29) <--- Disturbed by somebody, sigh....
CAT 4: 660 (Q51 V26) <-- Not doing well on RC social science passages

My target B schools are Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia(Both Canadian school). My target is 670 to 700. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I scored EXACTLY 770, so I'm not sure I meet your standard, but here goes:

I found that the very first 10 questions of quant were pretty decent, solvable by all means. Bu then it really hits! And I'm not saying the GMAT goes into calculus or rocket science, it's just that it starts testing the really "finesse" stuff: if you let your attention slip for just a second, you'll surely miss some essential clue and pick the wrong answer.

This is why my advice to people who want to score in the 99th percentile would be the following: if you're already a math wizz, then it's not your skill that's going to be tested after the first 10 questions! It's your ability to spot the tiniest case that turn the whole thing around!

DanaJ wrote:I scored EXACTLY 770, so I'm not sure I meet your standard, but here goes:

I found that the very first 10 questions of quant were pretty decent, solvable by all means. Bu then it really hits! And I'm not saying the GMAT goes into calculus or rocket science, it's just that it starts testing the really "finesse" stuff: if you let your attention slip for just a second, you'll surely miss some essential clue and pick the wrong answer.

This is why my advice to people who want to score in the 99th percentile would be the following: if you're already a math wizz, then it's not your skill that's going to be tested after the first 10 questions! It's your ability to spot the tiniest case that turn the whole thing around!

DanaJ:

Exactly this what my feeling is. In order to concentrate on next questions, the level of concentration should be more high or even same. Please advise if during GMAT test I can take Visine or any eye drop? Has anybody done that because Gazing on screen will require some lubrication.

DanaJ wrote:I scored EXACTLY 770, so I'm not sure I meet your standard, but here goes:

I found that the very first 10 questions of quant were pretty decent, solvable by all means. Bu then it really hits! And I'm not saying the GMAT goes into calculus or rocket science, it's just that it starts testing the really "finesse" stuff: if you let your attention slip for just a second, you'll surely miss some essential clue and pick the wrong answer.

This is why my advice to people who want to score in the 99th percentile would be the following: if you're already a math wizz, then it's not your skill that's going to be tested after the first 10 questions! It's your ability to spot the tiniest case that turn the whole thing around!

Great advice and I completely agree. I feel the ability to focus on each question with intensity and to be able to do this for 3 hours straight is key to breaking 700.

vivecan2005 wrote:
DanaJ:

Exactly this what my feeling is. In order to concentrate on next questions, the level of concentration should be more high or even same. Please advise if during GMAT test I can take Visine or any eye drop? Has anybody done that because Gazing on screen will require some lubrication.

You're probably allowed to do this during your breaks, but I'm not sure it's necessary. It wasn't for me, and I'm supposed to wear glasses (but I don't cause I hate them)! Your seat is at a reasonable distance from the station, so I don't think you'll need to use your precious breaks for Visine (unless of course you have special needs of some sort).

Hi vivecan2005,
You can use optrex eye spray. Its very good.

Develop concentration strategies as you are studying and taking the practice tests. See what works for you to help you focus clearly and then incorporate it regularly.

DanaJ wrote:

vivecan2005 wrote:
DanaJ:

Exactly this what my feeling is. In order to concentrate on next questions, the level of concentration should be more high or even same. Please advise if during GMAT test I can take Visine or any eye drop? Has anybody done that because Gazing on screen will require some lubrication.

You're probably allowed to do this during your breaks, but I'm not sure it's necessary. It wasn't for me, and I'm supposed to wear glasses (but I don't cause I hate them)! Your seat is at a reasonable distance from the station, so I don't think you'll need to use your precious breaks for Visine (unless of course you have special needs of some sort).

Well, My eyes are okay but one thing I have noticed that after working one hour on computer when I drop few eyedrops in my eyes and then I close my eyes for 3-4 seconds and when I open; my concetration accelearates at least 3 times than before. And during these 3-4 seconds when I close my eyes I feel extremely relax. That's why I feel that level of concentration should be consistent regardless or question or section. I hope things go well. Thank you guys for all your advise.