GMAT Strategy

Hmm... Tough one! You say you don't have enough time for the SC guide, but unfortunately I can't think of a better book that covers the topic of GMAT-specific grammar (maybe the PowerScore SC Bible?). My advice is to go for the Resources page and check out the links there - Spidey's Notes and the like. I see you've been practicing, but if there's no background to all the practice, then you're going nowhere. You need to have a solid concept basis before anything else!

While it's really good that you've been targeting your weakness, you should not neglect your strengths either. Since your quant level is not top tier (i.e. 49-50-51), as you've said, you should pay due attention to this section as well. Even though you feel that DS is your problem in quant, notice that the hit rates are comparable (60% for PS and 58% for DS), which might be a sign that you should not completely ignore PS either.

Rescheduling your exam is always an option. I personally do not know if you can do that much in 15 days, but I've heard of people actually cramming their whole prep in two weeks, so... I guess it depends on what type of learner you are. But IMHO, your main issue is not studying, but rather attitude/mindset. There's no reason for you to be so negative! I find that the best option for me when taking tests is to be optimistically realistic, if I may say so. Getting in a good vibe will also help you, since it relaxes you and you perform much better.

Good luck!

Yes, indeed, I agree with DanaJ all the way.

Optimistically realistic...realistically optimistic...

Anxiety comes from not knowing how to do things...

But you don't need to know nearly everything in order to get a 700. Confidence comes from knowhow, and you know how to do a lot (based on the fact that you scored 660 recently).

In the final days before the exam, mindset is everything. Need to go in being confident.

How do you become confident? Well, confidence comes from generating good feelings towards the test. Dwell in everything you know, all the concepts, tactics and techniques that you have mastered. Visualize yourself using them on test day. In the last few days, it is a really bad idea trying to do a whole bunch of questions that stump you. I understand the sentiment--you still have stuff to learn...but again, you don't need to know nearly everything to get a solid score.

Your confidence level (and your score) is way better off by looking at question types and concepts you've already mastered and perhaps looking at questions you have not done in a while. But really, you shouldn't be doing a bunch of new and hard questions in the last few days...trust me!

Best of luck!

So have done the disappearing act since the last couple of days..mainly due my nerves..have'nt really studied either..more like WORRYING about studying.. the concentration is so weak that i am unable to stick with a particular thing for more than a couple of mins...and then,since the last couple of days u really cannot do anythng to elevate your position..what's the point of sitting long hrs with books right..whatever had to be done,is done.

its saturday morning 5:30Am..in 48 hrs ill be getting up this time for my real thing.

Hi uptowngirl92,

Make sure you rest and spend some time contemplating all that you have learned. Consolidate some of your learnings but don't go crazy reviewing. Try to visualize yourself applying concepts and strategies you know you are good at. Look at questions and say: "Oh, when I started studying that stumpted me, but I've learned that concept, (or now I know I've mastered that strategy/tactic)."

Also, remember, writing the GMAT is not the end of the world! If you don't quite hit your goal score, what's the worst that can happen? Build up another year of work experience on your resume, and hit your goal score next time? I know that would kind of suck but that is not the same as the end of the world.

It's just one test, and from what I remember reading, I think you've already hit your goal score or have come close to it on a practice test or two.

Don't think it's over just because you haven't scored as high as you wanted to on practice tests. Remember, your attitude now can make a huge (80 points at least) difference. In fact, it can't be over because it has yet to begin! Just relax, you know your stuff enough to get a good score.

Remember not to obsess or worry about how you are doing when you are writing the exam. Many of the questions will be experimental; it's not worth it. The test is adaptive and everyone will find it very difficult. Many posters on here have commented that they thought they were doing terribly but then were surprised by how well they did. This is what happened to me too.

And, in the last few days, the kind of questions you should give the most respect to are the OG and GPrep ones.

uptowngirl92: Go Beat the GMAT!!

Thanks a lot!I so appreciate the motivation!!
Now I know what i'll be reading before I head off from home on the day of the test to keep me going:):)

well i just gave a gprep and frustated with my scores (no improvement) , turned to BTG just to check am i the only one in this world struggling like this .

but hey there is someone coming from the other end with a same frustration level.

the only thing is Q and V are reversed

even after so much of study my V is relaxing at high 20 . it luks like that as if it is standing against a huge wall trying to jump over but falling every time......

i am feeling that the tougher is the quant the higher is my score but only 49 . i am incapable of crossing 49

in V it does not matter , be it any thing i will score 26,28,23,25......luks like i am in luv with 20sssss

if uptown girls V and my quants are put togather then we can have 710 on board.....

as she will be leving this section BTG forum in couple of days , i am prepared to join the countdown team....

few last min tips to improve D/S
if it is inequailty then dnt forget to check with a +ve , a-ve and a fractional value.
sometimes the q mentions about x being +ve , dnt forget while solving that u are not to take a -ve value.
if mentioned int then dnt care about fractions...

if nothing is said then consider all the case

if variable then dnt multiply aor div to prephrase it.

speed/time/distance....
if distance is broken in two parts then , while averaging one has to consider total
better apply basic formula and go step by step....

overlapping sets
follow shortcut given MGMAT( making matrix willalways help)

dnt forget to check the option c before clicking E

in ps geo
if nothing is working try to guess the angle use the scratch paper to guess the angle and length...

for more tough Q try to do as a lay man method if time is available...

probabilty is
desirable case/total possible case
if ans r having diff denominators then try to find the total possible case as it is easy comparitively and consider its factors also

Hope all this may help....

good luck

Thanks for the support:)
Thought i'll check in my latest status...

I gave my very last gprep..and guess what??Finally finally FINALLY..i reached a score of 720Now ain't that cool..now i won't have the feeling that I never even saw the score ever!Yes,the score is lopsided agreed 'coz of having taken gprep multiple times..but still..whatever works right??
So my final score is 720 V40 Q49

I may not know everything..but i guess I do know something right??

Taking it easy today..just the exam..tomo will go over my notes,meet up with a friend,catch a light hearted flick..

I'll do the best i can..it's just an exam..in case my mind decides to freak out,i'll just tell it to freak out after the exam

Bravo, you have got it, many people have reported that their last score in gmatprep was their D-day performance, so go and do your best, all the good wishes for you, hope u do wonder.

And write your details asap in as much depth as possible, I hope u r in india and will be writing your test in IST time, though in office I will start tracking btgmat site for ur debrief in afternoon.

Thanks a ton!!I hope God is hearing your words:)
Jus takin' things very easy and very slow..the more I relax and be in a good mood the better i'll do!
My exam is at 10Am IST...keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hey uptowngirl

All the best for your test tomorrow!! go for it...and beat the GMAT!!!

now there is no more preps that can help you...all you need is a cool and focussed head and a good temperament at the test and I sure say that you are very much into building that as it seems from your last post

best of luck

Cheers,
Vivek

And its DONE!!!
Jus got back..charged up!!Expected a 580-610 'cos had messed up quant..broke down in the loo bet. the Q-V break..even forgot the names of 2 universities that i wanted to send scores too(Imagine!)
and the result is:
670(Q44 V38)

Don't know abt u 700+ fellas but I am very satisfied.This was my one and only shot and I am mighty pleased.
Thank you so much all of you..

I'll posta long debrief very soon:)

uptowngirl92 wrote:And its DONE!!!
Jus got back..charged up!!Expected a 580-610 'cos had messed up quant..broke down in the loo bet. the Q-V break..even forgot the names of 2 universities that i wanted to send scores too(Imagine!)
and the result is:
670(Q44 V38)

Don't know abt u 700+ fellas but I am very satisfied.This was my one and only shot and I am mighty pleased.
Thank you so much all of you..

I'll posta long debrief very soon:)

Congratulations uptowngirl92!!!

Good luck in all your future endeavours!

uptowngirl92 wrote:And its DONE!!!
Jus got back..charged up!!Expected a 580-610 'cos had messed up quant..broke down in the loo bet. the Q-V break..even forgot the names of 2 universities that i wanted to send scores too(Imagine!)
and the result is:
670(Q44 V38)

Don't know abt u 700+ fellas but I am very satisfied.This was my one and only shot and I am mighty pleased.
Thank you so much all of you..

I'll posta long debrief very soon:)

Congratulations and all the best for your apps!I am sure you will make a strong acceptance to some univs you wanted . i have been a kinda silent observer on this forum but encountered posts with your name quite often .I think you deserve to be happy now after all the hardwork .

Alls well that ends well and most importantly do remem that you have beaten the GMAT and now thats a history .

Great score! Well done - you've earned it and a bit more. The best of luck with your business school applications - do keep us posted!

thanks a ton!

@DanaJ:Want to extend a special thanks to you..You really came through when I need some direction.Thank you so much..

@Rohan:Thanks dude!Man did i ask question or DID I ask questions?;)Here's a tip to doing well on the gmat for you(Something which i did only 50% and now realise should have gone all the way)Be an ACTIVE memeber of this club..You know there were multiple times I was writing up my querie and mid-write up I understood my mistake?Ask a LOT of questions and make sure you REVISIT the threads and take part in the discussion!!

@Testluv:You have been a great help the last few weeks..I read your encouraging notes before I headed out from home!Thank you so much!!Question:Where were you all this time?!?!!:) Thanks so much for your support!