Rastis:
What vomhorizon is saying is quite correct! Worth reading again...
Let me add to this with something that you might want to consider.
There are basically three types of ways to miss a problem.
1)
Lack of Knowledge: You can miss it based on a lack of base knowledge, such as math equations, formulas, or sentence correct grammar.
2)
Lack of Strategy/Recognition You can miss the question because even though you know the technique or equation, you do not know how to apply it in a given situation, you do not know that it can be applied here, or you have trouble putting the different formulas together on a single problem which
3)
Silly Mistakes: Assumptions, Avoidable Errors, Answering the wrong question, Falling for tricks These types of errors are the result of being rushed, of a lapse in attention, but especially from not having procedures in place to avoid these errors and catch them if you do make them.
These three errors are not equal!! The first two errors are actually OPPORTUNITIES while the third error type is a TRAGEDY
For error 1) Lack of knowledge, If you find that you have a lack of knowledge in a certain area you can easily find that knowledge, such as the area formula for a particular shape, and then memorize it. Ideally you will remedy your lack of knowledge and be ready for the next time you need the information.
For error 2) Lack of strategy/ Recognition - this is what practice is really for! You can concentrate on identifying various questions, on seeing that this problem can be addressed with this formula, on seeing the tendencies, etc. In order to master this area you should look at each problem not for itself, you will not likely see that exact problem on test day!, but for the "take away" - the things that you can learn from this problem to apply to future problems. This is not about memorization, but about truly learning to see the directions that things can flow and the techniques that can be applied.
For error 3) Silly mistakes - this area comprises as many mistakes overall as the other two combined. Think about it, the GMAT adapts to you. So it is asking you questions at about your level of ability. In most cases this means that you will have the base knowledge for those questions and often you will know how to apply it, but everyone is in a position to make a "silly mistake."
This type of error undermines everything for you, A) your confidence (you keep missing easy questions), B) your practice (you don't get to see the harder questions on the practice tests so you don't get to work on your knowledge and strategy, you get frustrated and do not spend as much time with the ones that you missed because they were questions you should have gotten right) C) your GMAT score.
So here is what I have to say. Right now, make sure that you have methods and procedures in place to avoid these silly errors. Here is an article about these types of techniques - I call them "handrails" because they keep you from slipping.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/10/ ... -handrails
So address those "silly mistakes" first and then you can build on your knowledge base and do what practice is really supposed to be about - learning to recognize which tactics might work and how to apply them.
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. We must remember here that we are taking a test that covers topics that are essentially covered by high school students, and the GMAT has to stay within the constraints of those topics and design questions that are to be attempted by college grads so it will use its BAG OF TRICKS..so we must be aware of that , and indeed prepare !!
