GMAT Strategy

Hey guys,

I took my GMAT for the first time today and cancelled the test about 40 minutes into it. I know it's bad and it's going to show up on my report but my brain completely froze.

The first essay was easy. It took me about half a minute to come up with three good points but when I started writing I realized that I'm blanking out on words and all my sentences are extremely primitive as if I'm a five year old kid. I also noticed that I'm making way too many typos and decided that I'll definitely have to proof read the essay before I submit it. I struggled with it but eventually wrote a pretty good essay. It took me 29 minutes instead of the usual 10-15 that I normally spend when I do practice tests. Then I started proof reading it ... and all of a sudden a message popped up notifying me that I ran out of time. Basically, I never submitted my first essay. I moved on to the next one but couldn't collect my thoughts and just skipped it.

I've decided not to take the first break and moved on to the Quant part. The first problem was very easy, I quickly picked up a smart number but then completely blanked out on arithmetic (couldn't divide 104 by 130 correctly), guessed and moved on. The second one was even simpler, of course, and I got it right. The third one I guessed on again. I stared at the fourth one, knowing that it's extremely simple, kind of like the first one and I have to just pick a smart number and do basic math but my mind was numb by that point, so I just raised my hand and requested to cancel the test.

I started studying in spring of 2010 using Kaplan Premier but I wasn't taking the test seriously back then. I took one of the pen-and-paper tests from the book and scored about 550, with the Verbal score in high 30s and the Quant in low-mid 20s. I studied whenever I could, maybe a couple days a week. I went through the Kaplan book twice, made some flashcards, took all Kaplan math quizzes and then took CAT1 and scored 550 again. It wasn't working and I've decided to take a break from it for about half a year.

In spring of 2011 I bought the OG12, went through the quant part twice, got close to 90% of them right and found most problems very simple. Then I took (Kaplan's) CAT2 and scored 560, my quant score improved maybe by a couple points.

In June 2011 I bought all 8 MGMAT books and started studying at least 5 days week but usually 6-7 days. In July I took CAT3 and scored 540.

In August I signed up for one of Manhattan's 9-week courses. As required, I took one of Manhattan's practice tests before the course started and scored 550. I'm one of the most active students in class and I get 85-90% of the problems right (all problems are timed, of course). Since I started taking the course, I've been studying for 3-4 hours a day 6-7 days a week. After session 3, I re-set my Kaplan tests and took CAT1 again and scored 530 (Q30, V24). I was really disappointed with the significant drop in my verbal score, I was just trying to use all the techniques the instructor taught me...

I took the real GMAT after session 4 (see the first paragraph).

I'm really puzzled. I know that I'm learning the material, I don't have any difficulties solving problems from MGMAT books and the OG12, I always time myself and rarely run out of time (this usually happens when I had a long day at work and I'm really tired). I always get at least 80% and often 90% of them right but when it comes to taking a test ... I just don't know what happens. It's like my brain shuts down and I can't even do simple math.

(I'm starting to think that maybe it's time for me to give up and move on with my life.)

Anyone else with a similar problem?

Thanks,

Anna

It just seems you are sufferin with severe test anxiety. We all have it, but it gets a lil too much for some people.

I am not an expert on this but if you go thru the posts you will find an expert who specifically deals with these issues. I tried finding her name for you but couldn't.

I would suggest find her and pm her your problem, if you are lucky maybe she replies to your post herself. You might also try changing the name of your topic to something related to test anxiety so that she can find it when she comes online!!

Just suggestions, all that i could come up with!!

Sorry if it isnt of any help!!

Thanks, akhilsuhag and Brent.

Well it looks like your rushing too much, first of all you should not panic ...Its just a CAT exam and it will test your abilities in quant and verbal.....

Give yourself plenty of time to learn basics....Dont rush...Once your done with a topic practice from that topics ques....

You have good books but i guess you were not very serious when you started with your prep, so my advice repeat your basics once again, Practice ques review them, make learning fun.....

You must tel this to yourself that "I have given 100 's of exam before this is just another..."

Be confident dont be over or under.

Happy studying

Chaw

Bara, thanks for your reply, I'll take a look at your website.