GMAT Strategy

TO ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE TEST ANXIETY, HAVE ALWAYS SCORED BAD ON STANDARDIZED TESTS AND HAVE GIVEN UP!


I posted a much longer post about my experiences in the beat the gmat section. I'm going to write an abridged version.

In short, after studying with a tutor for a few months and scoring in the 700-740 range on gmat prep and mgmat tests I was surprised when I saw a 610 on the screen... a 38 quant and 35 verbal. My tutor was astounded and said i should be at least in the mid to upper 40's in quant... I always knew I was a bad test taker but I took a break because of work and it ended being a 3 month break. After I got my score my tutor told me about something called beta blockers- something that his students had been using. He said it stops physical symtoms of sweating, heart pounding, and more or less freaking out.

I decided 3 weeks ago to take the test one last time with these beta blockers, to see what would happen. I hadn't opened up my gmat books since end of may- so thats about 3 months. I reviewed only the quant for about a week- going over simple formulas like areas of weird shapes, inscribed triangles, and just refreshing my memmory. I completely forgot how to even do basic work/ rate problems. I was no where near as prepared as I was in may. But this time was all different.

The Test

I take the beta blockers right before I walk into the test room. I didn't care that much about IR and AWA and don't get nervous really during those sections. When it came to quant, I told myself "listen, what you did last time screwed you over... you have to relax and take it like your sitting back and practicing at home". That, combined with the beta blocker, I jumped right in. I was so relaxed and calm through out the whole section. I made myself not even look at the timer. I guessed on A TON of questions- something I do on my practice tests as well- But i do guess smartly- I probably was 100 percent sure on a 5th of the questions. There were so many questions where i knew that 90 percent I could get the answer- helps is DS- but I wasn't going to waste time trying to see if I was 100 percent right. I ended rushing at the end. I had 8 minutes left with like 10 questions remaining.. something crazy... I guessed a lot but was so relaxed through out the whole process. I was just hoping that I got over a 40 in quant... really.

Verbal came and I thought I understood all the passages. However, I knew I wasn't doing well since the SC questions were very short. I reviewed the week before SC only... in the first 50-60 questions in the OG I think i got maybe only a few wrong- most had " this answer was awkward" reasons why it was wrong.
Score pops up 630... 48 quant 28 verbal.

I was astonished in regards to the quant. Up 10 points in quants with knowing way less that I did the other time and a ton of guessing. I dont care what anyone says, the tests isin't made that you can just jump from a 38 quant to a 48 quant- there was clearly a real problem holding me back. I just wanted to share the experience for people who have anxiety. Your state of mind could not be more crucial ...It really is all the in the head... If you know you have anxiety... and breathing or other techniques dont work.. do something about it. I did and it helped me tremendously. I am not finished because now I know i am able to do it. I wanted over 700, but when I saw that 48... I knew for once I wasnt crazy.. and that test anxiety is real.... it made a 10 point quant difference... thats how real it is. I always underperformed on standardized tests and its reassuring that I found the source of the issue! Now I am simply going to have to take it again until I get can beat the verbal and quant sections during the same sitting!

It is very much about being calm under pressure. Glad you saw an improvement.