Ashish Jassra wrote:Experts,

I know you have helped many so thought of trying my luck as well. This is my last week before test and I wonder if you can suggest how should I go about it.

You may need some details
a) I have been preparing for 3 months. I have recently scored 640/630/610 in Kaplan and 700 in GMAT Prep (all tests under proper test conditions).
b) I have taken this whole week off work so that I can focus on exam.
c) I find myself comfortably placed (~85%) with OG material (all streams) but, at times, not so comfortable (~70-75%) with non OG material available out there.

My target score: three digit number n = ABC where A, B and C are its three digits.
with
A = 7 AND
0 <= B <= 9 AND
0 <= C <= 9

Please do reply.

Hello,
I just now saw your post, but I think I still might be of some help
So if my calculation is correct you should be taking the test in about three days. What I'd suggest you do is review past material today, and then take all of tomorrow off. You can maybe do some reading tomorrow, but don't tax your brain too much. It really helps to go into the test Fresh.

Received a PM asking me to reply.

The final week should be all about review. Don't try to use the final week to learn a bunch of new stuff or to fix big weaknesses - just acknowledge that you do have some weaknesses, and if you get a hard question in an area of weakness, know how to make an educated guess and don't lose time on such a question.

Does "proper test conditions" include the essays? Were your practice tests 100% like the real thing - in particular your GMATPrep test? If so, then your GMATPrep test is a good indicator of your current scoring level. If you deviated in any way, however, from full official test conditions, let us know.

Now, what to review:
- content (math rules and formulas, grammar rules)
- technique (basic techniques for the five main Q types - DS, PS, SC, RC, CR - and techniques for specific kinds of problems within each of those 5 categories - eg, CR draw a conclusion vs. CR strengthen; PS rate vs. PS consecutive integer, etc. Don't forget guessing techniques!)
- timing / pacing both for individual questions and for an entire section: what's the maximum time to spend on different kinds of problems? minimum? what are your pacing benchmarks? (every 5 problems? every 7? every 10?) what are you going to do if you find yourself behind on time? what if you find yourself ahead?

Also:
- go to sleep and get up every day at the same time you want to go to sleep and get up on the last night / real test day.
- know what kind of food will give you good, lasting brain energy on your breaks (you want things that include complex carbs, protein, and fat - PB&J, tuna sandwich, eggs and whole wheat toast, energy or protein bars that don't have too much sugar, bananas, nuts, etc. You can try stuff out while you're practicing to see what seems to give you the best energy)

The closer you get to the real test, the less you do and the more you rest your brain (as far as the GMAT is concerned). For other people reading this in future, if you're going to take time off of work, don't take time off all the way up until test day. The day before, you're not going to spend more than a couple of hours doing high level review and getting yourself ready to go logistically for test day, so you might as well have some other things to do to occupy your mind. (Though note: if your work is stressful and it's possible that you could get sucked into working really late the night before or something like that, then do take the day off before - but arrange to spend some of your time volunteering, with friends, going to the movies, whatever.)

Good luck!