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Crazymaking!

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Crazymaking!

by MercedesMW » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:32 pm
Have you ever heard the definition of crazymaking? It's doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. :? I've been studying now for 37 days and have taken five practice tests within that timeframe. I've read Kaplan, Princeton, OG, and even GMAT for Dummies. I study flashcards and I do practice questions nearly every day. I understand the concepts for the most part (it seems to be the most basic quant questions is where I trip up the most), and when I'm not timed I get nearly all of the questions right.

Yet when I'm in the time crunch of the practice tests, I really get tripped up. My practice test score doesn't seem to want to budge from 600 (GMATPrep) or around 550 - 600 (I guess I can add 50 points?) on Kaplan practice tests. It's like I hit a ceiling and can't seem to budge past.

Any tips on how to breakthrough? What might I be doing wrong? I know time is a big part of it, and I'm not sure how to get over the hurdle (i.e., how to "speed up" my understanding of the concepts so I can get the questions in under 2 minutes). I can do it if I have 4 or 5 minutes - just not 2.

Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Test date is March 24th.
Thank you.
MMW
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by nimish_rulz » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:29 pm
Mate just don't lose hope. Keep Fighting. Btw where are you from, I have my GMAT exam in the same week as you. I haven't given any practice tests yet. Why don't you start with the Offical Guide? Btw If you want to be my study partner for the next 3 weeks I am more than happy.
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by nimish_rulz » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:30 pm
Sorry Didn't see you mentioned OG.
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by Kaunteya1 » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:35 pm
Think about taking the Manhattan GMAT Virtual Course?
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by mayonnai5e » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:50 am
Without a clear understanding of your study habits, it is difficult to know how to help you. My two questions are these:
1) Are you reviewing ALL solutions to all questions? And how much time are you devoting to each question? You said you finished Kaplan, PR, and OG within 37 days and taken 5 practice tests - that seems like too much material in too short a time period to give yourself enough time to really learn from your mistakes
2) Are you doing the practice problems timed? If so, how exactly are you timing yourself?
https://www.beatthegmat.com/my-blog-erro ... t4899.html
550 =\ ...560 =\... 650 =) ...570 =( ...540 =*( ...680 =P ... 670 =T ...=T... 650 =T ...700 =) ..690 =) ...710 =D ...GMAT 720 DING!! ;D

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My study habits

by MercedesMW » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:56 am
Great questions - thank you.

I've blocked about 4+ hours a day for studying and why I have been able to get through these materials. I do time my questions - all of them. And I study the responses to those I get right as well as those I get wrong. I chunked my studying off in sections starting with Quant and then moving my way through SC, CR, RC and AWA. Now in these last two weeks I'm solely focused on practice questions and essays as I have read and studied the individual sections.

I'm really thinking it has a lot to do with the pressure of "the test." I can't think why else. Because when I have the time, I understand the concepts. The more restrictive the time, the fewer questions I answer correctly.

Any thoughts are GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks.
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