HELP I'm having a complete GMAT meltdown!!!!

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Lilliani: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:35 pm

by Lilliani » Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:09 pm

Hello all!

So, I took my first GMAT Prep CAT in June but didn't start studying seriously until mid-August. Last weekend I had a major breakthrough and boosted my score by 100 points!!! The CAT exam I took on Sunday was a 610, but I seem to have hit a roadblock in my GMAT prep.

I'm scheduled to take the GMAT on Monday...and foolishly thought it would be a good idea to take an MGMAT CAT every day leading up to the exam to build up my stamina. Consequently, my score has slipped, my focus/confidence have been completely shaken and I'm seriously FREAKING OUT!!!! Should I continue with my plan to take a CAT each day, leading up to the exam, or should I focus on GMAT content to avoid burning out before the exam!?!?!

I've been using the MGMAT Strategy Guide Series, the MGMAT CATs and the GMAT Prep CATs twice. I took the Kaplan CAT once, but found the experience deeply unsettling. I was shocked by the difference between my performance on the Kaplan CAT and the MGMAT CAT (a full 70 point drop). Now I'm concerned that I'm not ready for the exam but it's too late to reschedule!!! For the past three or four weeks I've spent between two and five hours studying or taking practice exams in preparation for the GMAT. I'm aiming for a 680+ which is an extremely tall order, given that my exam is in just 6 days. Has anyone gone through these confidence issues, or does anyone have any advice on how to proceed?

Thanks in advance for your time and your help. (It's truly appreciated)

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:09 pm

NextGreatLeader: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 202; Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 7:32 amFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 40 times

by NextGreatLeader » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:22 am

Practice tests are meant to build your stamina, but the actual act of taking the test won't increase your score. If you're taking a test every day, are you leaving yourself enough time to thoroughly review all of the problems? You should review the problems you got correct to figure out if there was a faster way to solve, and you should review the questions you got incorrect to learn the key concepts that you struggle with.

Also, don't compare scores across different test prep companies. They each have their own algorithms and the scores have an error of +/- 50 points.

At this point, I would recommend you stop taking tests completely, so that you don't burn out, or that you take one more test, the GMATPrep test. This test will be the most accurate indicator of your score on the official test.

Lastly, since you only have 6 days left, keep in mind that you will likely not be learning new information. At this point, it's important to retain what you've learned and build on your strengths, so you can be sure to get those questions correct on the exam.

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:40 am

I typically suggest that students achieve their target score on at least two practice tests before taking an official test. Have you achieved your target score of 680+ yet?

It's very rare for students to beat their practice tests scores on test day (nerves/anxiety often play a role).

Since it's already too late to reschedule your test, I suggest that you keep taking practice tests until you score 680+ at least once (preferably more).

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

LIL: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 53; Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:09 amFollowed by: 27 members; Location: Los Angeles; Thanked: 8 times

by LIL » Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:39 am

Lilliani wrote:I'm scheduled to take the GMAT on Monday...and foolishly thought it would be a good idea to take an MGMAT CAT every day leading up to the exam to build up my stamina. Consequently, my score has slipped, my focus/confidence have been completely shaken and I'm seriously FREAKING OUT!!!! Should I continue with my plan to take a CAT each day, leading up to the exam, or should I focus on GMAT content to avoid burning out before the exam!?!?!

Your score has slipped because you are taking one four-hour exam Every. Single. Day.

If your test is on Monday, what you should really do is stop taking exams, and maybe even stop looking at the GMAT completely, and just take a few days off, sleep, have fun, watch some football, get your nails done, etc. Seriously. Your brain needs a chance to rest, or you won't even be able to spell your name come test day.

(If you feel totally under-prepared, you can check out a few practice problems on Friday night, or something.)

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