GMAT Strategy

Plz Advise - How to spend the day before the GMAT.

Pretty much by now whatever preparation and strategy planned is done, so trying new thing could be risky. The anxiety and the nerve is playing a significant role on this day. How to stay calm and make this day the most useful one.

My advice: don't do any studying. Find some way to release some of that pent up anxiety. For some people that means going to the gym. Maybe it means spending time with friends, or seeing a movie, or going for a long walk. I'm also a big advocate of mindfulness meditation. Here is a link to one of my favorite meditations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daU-xneLA0g

As much as possible, take a Zen-like attitude. You've put in the time. You've done the studying. Once you're in that testing center all you can do is answer the question on screen in front of you. If you get stuck, remember to sift through the grab bag of strategies we've been discussing on these forums. Can you pick a number? Can you back-solve? Would a chart help? Finally, accept that guessing is part of this exam. Manage your time. Keep moving. And don't get rattled if the test feels hard. It feels hard for everyone.

Let us know how you do. Good luck!

Thank you guys, that was useful. I had a good trip to the test today, felt very relaxed. But once I entered the verbal area, the real pressure was on, half way to the verbal i was exhausted. Got 670, my target was 680-700. But from my preparation I could sense that I would be around 650, so I am not disappointed.

thank you Rich.
I got Q.50, V.30

Thanks Rich. I am planning to start this fall, so I guess I will start applying for round 3. I am currently working in Baltimore, MD, so my preference would be UMD - Smith. However I am also thinking about online MBA as an option. What do you guys think ?

utkalnayak wrote:Thanks Rich. I am planning to start this fall, so I guess I will start applying for round 3. I am currently working in Baltimore, MD, so my preference would be UMD - Smith. However I am also thinking about online MBA as an option. What do you guys think ?

These online MBAs are getting more reputable by the year, but I'd still incline to an on-campus degree. Unless you only need the degree to break a ceiling at work, so much of the value of an MBA is in networking and making friends/connections/future business partners -- Veritas Prep was started by two MBAs who met on campus! -- that doing it online seems like a real risk.

The day before your test, you may want to create your test bubble. The test bubble is your environment where there is peace, quiet and little to no distraction. Stay in this test bubble until you've taken the exam. You can give friends and family a heads-up that any distractions, conflicts or problems will have to wait until after the test.

Go for a walk, eat healthily. Try to avoid lit screens (like your computer, mobile or TV) for a few hours before bedtime. Sleep well.