GMAT beat me down...

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GMAT beat me down...

by i2ayquon » Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:19 am
Well you get the idea.

I just took my first test yesterday and it was horrible! 530. I can't believe my performance after several months of studying. The morning started off bad, alarm didn't go off (freakin iPhone 4 battery drained), didn't get to do the mental warm up I wanted to, upset stomach, and extremely nervous.

When I started my test, my nerves really got the best of me. The essay portions went fine, but the once the quant started I blanked and forgot how to approach the problem. Things got worse after that, I was dwelling on the fact that I probably screwed up the first few problems. Verbal was a blur, same scenario, I wasn't approaching the questions in the manner I had been when practicing.

After a night of too much alcohol, I've had some time to think about how i'll approach studying for the next one. I was completely overwhelmed with too much material when I started, I really need to nail down which books to use. I had a lot of books at my disposal - almost all the Manhattan books, 4 Kaplan books, and the purple, green, and maroon OG GMAT books. A month prior leading up to the test, I felt panicked and cranked up the study time. I was doing about 4 hours after work 4 days out of the work week, and 6 hours each day on weekends. I really felt burned out.

Can anybody offer some advice on a how they changed their study regimen after performing less than desired on the first test? I need to conquer the next one down. Thanks for your help in advance everyone
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by makkwende » Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 pm
Hiya,

Dont beat your self too much and relax and come up with a better strategy,study plan.
I took the GMAT last year and failed woefully.I didnt realy have enough time to study and i used the princeton review book wheich wasnt good enough.
This time i bought two Kaplan books and the OG guide.A friend gave me a Nova gmat book that i have skimmed through and its kind of basic so im not really looking into it.I try to spend at least 2hrs during the week and weekend 6-8hrs.
I went to the Self Study on this forum and they have a 60day study guide, 30 days etc.so when you decide when next you want to take the GMAT , have a peek you will find useful info.Also this Moderator Dana is always ready to help on the sef study section.
Too many books are confusing.I have heard the Manhattan are the best but its too late for me to buy the books now as i might end up confused.Select the Manhattan and Kaplan and leave the rest aside is what i will say.

530 can still get you in some state schools so you could speak to one of the advisors if you have a chance to get in.
Hope this helps.Good luck to us.All i know is dont give up.
Make changes and you will sure see a dramatic difference
ta
Rine

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
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Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:50 pm

by i2ayquon » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:47 pm
Hi Rine,
Thanks for the support and your thoughts. I'm taking a week off and not doing anything GMAT related. Just need to unwind, collect my thoughts and regain some motivation. I will take your advice and look into Nova as well as the self study section. I really do need to come up with a plan and stick with it.