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GMAT timing issue

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GMAT timing issue

by ftorpt » Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:50 pm
Hello all

I have 16 days to go for my GMAT and am currently facing an timing issue. When I work on questions during a regular session (~45 mins), I am able to work on them successcully, but when I take the test, I am losing focus and concentration escpeically in the verbal section. Is there any way I can work on this (eg taking a practice test every other day?). Any help would be appreciated. I was also planning to try the 5-hour energy drink before the practice today to see if that would help

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by Jim@StratusPrep » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:15 am
This sounds like an anxiety issue. Focus on breathing normally and reading the questions carefully.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:21 am
Compared to the 4-hour experience on test day, 45 minutes isn't very long.

Keep in mind that the GMAT is a test of your math and verbal skills AND it's a test of your test-taking skills (time management, endurance, anxiety reduction). So, I recommend that you take several full-length practice tests to work on your endurance and your time management skills.

Regarding time management: I suggest that you use a Milestone Chart to keep you on track. This is covered in our free GMAT time management video at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gener ... es?id=1244

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by David@VeritasPrep » Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:37 am
First, let me echo the insightful comments of both Jim and Brent. Brent is very right about the difference between 45 minutes and 4 hours. You need to not only take practice tests - and take them with the AWA and the IR and the 8 minute breaks as you will on test day - you also need to try to get some longer practice sessions in so that you are pushing the fatigue boundaries...

Please no experimenting with energy drinks! It is not energy drinks that you need - since those have no energy, what you need (strangely enough) is sugar. In experiments done by psychologists (and reported in the New York Times) it is sugar that can take away the mental fatigue. In about 20 minutes after having a sugary snack participants were better able to make decisions again. So NO!!! to fake energy drinks that will just likely make you jittery.

Now if coffee is your daily routine, or even this five hour thingy then keep your normal routine, but if you do not use these things normally do not do so on test day. I have a Chai Tea that I drink regularly.

Now as to the nerves (which stimulants will only make worse!) Jim said it in a few words "This sounds like an anxiety issue. Focus on breathing normally and reading the questions carefully."

Let me expound on this a bit. I have written a few articles on the subject.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/10/ ... n-the-gmat

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/07/ ... n-the-gmat

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/06/ ... n-the-gmat

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/07/ ... ime-is-now


And here are two more article written by Brian Galvin, director of academic programs at Veritas
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/04/ ... ay-anxiety

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/04/ ... ay-anxiety
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by ftorpt » Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:04 pm
Thanks everyone for you advice. I have 10 days left and cant get over my 640 score (three GMAT preps!!!). Any advice on what I can do in the time left? I will be contended with a 680 and thrilled with a 700. My quants hovers around 47, while my verbal in the test is always around 31. I am shooting for Kellogg and Booth part time MBA programs and would appreciate any help. Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you gents
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