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How to prevent headache/fatigue during GMAT?

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How to prevent headache/fatigue during GMAT?

by onsamline » Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:08 pm
Has anyone else struggled with this? I've taken the GMAT twice now, and each time I get a dull/massive headache in the back part of my head during the middle of quant and lasts through the remainder of the exam. It severely affects my ability to think or even decipher what I'm reading. Does anyone have any recommendations to prevent this from happening (e.g. energy drink break? advil? chocolate?)

I make sure to eat a solid breakfast and drink water/have a snack during the break (even did a few pushups), but it doesn't seem to help? Please let me know if you've found a way around it, as I'm facing the GMAT one more time... :(


(FYI, it happens during practice exams too, though usually later during the verbal section).
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by [email protected] » Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:54 am
Hi onsamline,

Assuming that you don't have some genetic predisposition to headaches, you're describing a physical problem with how you're taking the test (which is an area of prep that most people don't consider). The next time you take a test, whether a practice CAT or the real GMAT, think about the following:

1) How close are you to the computer screen? The closer you get, the more likely you'll experience headaches, fatigue, etc.
2) How long do you stare at the screen before you turn to take notes on your pad? The longer you're looking at the screen, the more likely you'll experience those symptoms.
3) How is your posture? Slouching negatively affects performance in a number of ways.

This should get you started on the road to fixing this problem. The EMPOWERgmat course has a number of Modules devoted to the Physical and Psychological Tactics necessary to crush the GMAT, if you find that you want to learn about other ways to improve your performance.

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Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by David@VeritasPrep » Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:28 pm
Do you get these headaches elsewhere? If you spend 4 hours on Facebook and You Tube and so forth, are you getting the same headaches? It may be based on the way you are approaching the actual test. The human mind is not meant to struggle at a frantic level for 4 hours straight! You may just need to take some of what the test is willing to give you rather than fight for everything. Does that make sense?
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by adigmat2013 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:20 pm
I used to suffer with the same problem - headaches, fatigue etc. I did a few things which helped me get through the exam with minimal difficulty.

I had 2 mugs of Horlicks each day - once after breakfast, once after dinner/before bedtime.
I had at least 2 fruits everyday.
I prefer studying in the night but too late in the night would add to my fatigue. So I decided I would only study till 1 or 2am and go to sleep. Understand how your body works and adjust accordingly.
I would suggest regular exercise (although I did not do it) but I'm sure it will help.
Sometimes I would get fed up of studying. I would make sure I took good long breaks - it doesn't matter how long you study, its the quality that matters.
Drink lots of water. I drank atleast 2 litres of water daily.
Eat your meals at the appropriate times (don't have your lunch at 4pm! or breakfast at 12noon). This helped me too.

Lastly, remember, its not just about mental strength, you need to be fit physically as well. Keep yourself healthy.
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