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What can I do to stay calm? This is annoying.

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What can I do to stay calm? This is annoying.

by bfman » Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:19 pm
I just took the first GMATPrep test and scored a lousy 500. The problem is not that I don't know the material. The problem is that I was heavily anxious and panicking even during the practice test. I wanted to complete the whole thing within the given time (which I did btw).

What can I do about this? Do you guys take any special supplements or percriptions etc.? Is there any special or physical routine that I should start emplying?

Thank you!!
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by money9111 » Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:46 pm
I was nervous during my first practice exam too... so much so that I finished each section with 10 minutes! I know for a fact that on my next CAT exam I will be able to pace myself better.

Couple of questions though:
1. are you sure you know the material?
2. did you find yourself looking at the clock after every question?
3. why were you panicking during the exam if you knew the material and had enough time?

May simply have been nerves the first time...
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by bfman » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:00 pm
Yeah I know enough material to easily have scored at least a 550 if not more.
I was panicking bcuz I was looking at the clock as it was ticking, and I wanted to finish it within time. I finished with 5 minutes remaining for each section. I breezed thru some questions to save time and got a 29/29 on both, which is obviously a ridiculous mark. It is possible that it could be a case of nerves the first time round, but knowing the fact that there is a bigger penalty for leaving questions unanswered towards the end does not help either.
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by money9111 » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:09 pm
Yeah I've found that practicing NOT looking at the clock is the way to go. I mean obviously you have to look at the clock eventually, but it doesn't have to be after every question. Usually people don't look at the clock when they're clicking Next-Submit but rather in the middle of answering a question. Then in actuality you're doing calculations in your head to figure out your timing, when you should be saving that brainpower for answering the questions.

What I do now is say... ok... after these 5 questions I will look at the clock. If I'm around the 10 minute mark (for Quant), then I'm good to go. If it's the 12 minute mark, then I know that I have to do the next 5 questions just a little bit faster. Doing this makes me shave a couple seconds off from each one, and actually it keeps me on track with timing because it's more of an average of your time rather than sticking to that stringent rule of 2mins/question. Who knew I woudl like averages so much?! lol...
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by bfman » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:13 pm
Hey thanks a lot for your advice man. That's exactly what I'm gonna do for my next Practice test! Let's see how things go. :)

Thanks.
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by money9111 » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:28 pm
Not a problem! Let us know how it works out for you! When are you going to take your next CAT exam?
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by bfman » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:35 pm
Next week. Bucz my GMAT is booked for 16th. I am right now going through the SC guide of MGMAT :)
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by money9111 » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:40 pm
ah ha! yeah I just did modifiers today during my lunch break!
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by bfman » Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:33 pm
nice!
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by kelsi111 » Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:14 am
Just keep taking the practice tests until you don't feel nervous anymore. Do you feel nervous when you do practice problems? Perhaps spend a moment and analyze why you feel nervous. What is the worst that could happen?

But for calming, Chamomile Tea is very good. Not only does the herb help, but the warmth of the tea does as well.
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