GMAT Strategy

I just noticed that if I'm working on a block of questions the strategy that I use to solve preceding questions is the same strategy I use to solve future questions. I get tunnel vision and for some reason cannot think outside of the strategy that I used before. My mind locks up when the old way of thinking doesn't work and I get the question wrong. I get transfixed/mesmerized on problems and cannot snap out of it. I only snap out of it when the timer rings. I don't realize that I was transfixed until a couple of minutes after I finish doing the block.

For example I was able to translate the problem correctly but I randomly didn't know how to solve for 360+.06(x-1000)=.08x, which is extremely simple. When I was reviewing I solved the problem easily, but when I was timing myself it was question #12 and I was transfixed on the individual parts and couldn't see the whole equation. My mind couldn't focus on the whole equation.

I have tried meditation but I haven't been consistent at it because I find it really boring and exhausting. Time goes by sooo slowly. I do it for about 5 minutes. Maybe I'm not doing it right? The other thing too is that it's one thing to control your mind for 10 minutes, but it's a totally different game to have to do it for 4 hours.

Thoughts?

[email protected] wrote:Hi aces021,

The 'issue' that you're talking about could be due to a variety of factors, so I want to start with some of the obvious ones:

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What resources have you been using?
3) How long do you tend to stick to a particular subject or tactic before practicing something else?

4) Where do you physically study?
5) What time of day do you normally study?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi Rich,

1. I started studying Jan 2014 - June 2014. I had to take a break and I started studying again April 2015 - now

2. Manhattan GMAT books and the 2016 OG (I used to use the older OG book)

3. I stick to a particular topic until I feel comfortable solving the majority of OG problems. I then mix up the OG problems between topics that I've already done. I do both items timed.

4. I study only at home with white noise. Noise in general is very distracting to me; I always have white noise on or ear plugs.

5. I try to start studying at noon and finish whenever I hit 5 - 6 hours. Generally I'm done by 7/8.


Thanks,
aces

[email protected] wrote:Hi aces021,

Many Test Takers who use a 'book-heavy' study approach tend to get 'stuck' at a certain point in their studies (usually it's at a particular scoring level). As such, you might need to invest in some new non-book resources.

1) When was the last time that you took a FULL-LENGTH CAT? How did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) What is your score goal?
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hey Rich,


What do you mean by non-book resources?


1. I just took the exam today, got 520 36Q/25V (36% quant/38% verbal). I took a practice test 4 months ago and I did the same (and in some categories worse) even though during the 4 months I have tried doing new things - meditation, mixing OG problems, studying 1.5 hours and taking an 8 minute break and studying again for 1.5 hours, focusing on manual calculations. Whatever my issue is, I cannot seem to find it to address it.

2. My score goal is 570/580, my problem is is that when I take the actual exam I always score ~400. When I take practice exams at home I usually score in the low 500's.

3. I was thinking of taking the actual exam again in October, but I think I will defer it to November.

Thanks,
aces