Practise Test ANXIETY!!

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akhilsuhag: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 351; Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:25 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 57 times

by akhilsuhag » Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:07 am

I don't know if is a common issue or is it just me.

I have this weird fear of practice tests. I took knewton and my scores improved from a 600 on diagnostic to about 670 on average (with 690 as my highest). But before every test I was shit scared thinking what if thr is no progress or whatever.

I had planned to finish knewton and give a GMATprep to see my progress so far, but I am unable to bring my self to give it.

I know it is stupid and the real use of the practise test is not to gauge our scores but learn from it. But is thr sm1 who has tackled this and if so how??

Thanks!!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:07 am

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Dan@VinciaPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 384; Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 amFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Paris; Thanked: 92 times

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:51 am

Here's what the founder of beatthegmat said in one of his previous posts

https://www.beatthegmat.com/test-anxiety-t207.html

"Another thing to consider: the GMAT isn't that important. A high GMAT score or a low GMAT score will not determine your MBA admissions. Also, try to consider the bigger picture--in your life, which is full of friends, family, and interests, is the GMAT really that important? I hope the answer is 'no' for you. Keeping perspective will help you with anxiety. If you think you are going to panic during the test, remember the big picture. "

So let's look at the facts. You're already averaging around a 670 which is pretty good. What happens if the GMATPREP test says you have a 650? Not much. How much of a difference does it make if you start averaging a 690 and then on the test you get a 670? Very little.

Also, whenever you take a test you need to take it with a grain of salt because there is a luck factor.

Thirdly, most of the time progress on practice tests isn't linear. You get one score of 650 then you get one of 700 then the following is a 670 and so on. What really happens is that your average over time will increase and that's what matters, and the most likely way for that average to continue to increase is for you to continue working and taking tests.

Cheers!

If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
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sam2304: Legendary Member; Posts: 1239; Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 233 times; GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:47 am

Check this link. I found it a bit useful.

https://www.lawschooldiscussion.org/inde ... msg1286554

Moreover fix the mock test date/time a week ahead. No matter what just start of the test with the AWA. It helps to control the anxiety and get on with the test when you come over to the quant and verbal section.

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prateek_guy2004: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 398; Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:39 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 41 times

by prateek_guy2004 » Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:58 am

akhilsuhag

Unless your scared you can never improved, this is a good sign ...

Your innerself will remind you and you will not do any mistake.....

Dont be over scared......Your doing good...

Chaw

Don't look for the incorrect things that you have done rather look for remedies....

https://www.beatthegmat.com/motivation-t90253.html

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Bara: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 383; Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 5:20 pmFollowed by: 21 members; Location: Online Conferencing - in person in select cities.; Thanked: 55 times

by Bara » Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:07 pm

As an 'expert' on test anxiety in the GMAT and Test-Prep sphere, I invite you to read an article I wrote for Vault:

https://www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa/blo ... y_id=12361

In terms of your fear of practice tests, I have a few questions for you to help determine best steps to, 'get over it.'

> Is your fear of practice tests or the real test, or both
> When have you felt this fear before?
> What have you done about it?
> What do YOU think it is, and what does it remind you of?
> What are your GMAT goals?

BTW: getting over test anxiety is the EASIEST part of GMAT prep, and also the most lasting: the skills you learn in getting over anxiety, are completely transferable to other aspect of your business school and professional life.

Look forward to hearing your answers.

Bara Sapir, MA, CHt, CNLP
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c

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akhilsuhag: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 351; Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:25 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 57 times

by akhilsuhag » Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:32 am

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the inspiration. I finally gave my GMATPrep today, thanks to all the motivation I got from you guys.

I started with the AWA as I wanted the score to really reflect my level.

Then quant started and I must say I really was experiencing an Adaptive test. I have given knewton tests before this but I could hardly see any difference of difficulty on them. On the GMATPrep though the questtions got harder and harder untill I finally stopped realising what to do with a question. This also had an effect on the relatively easier questions as my mind was so worked up and tired by working on the harder ones that I did not feel like working on the easy ones. I guess I do need some high altitude preparation, of constantly working with tough problems.

Then came verbal. I am one of those who can't really tell if a verbal question is easy or difficult. They all seem the same to me, so I can't comment on the adaptive nature here. The lenght of the test though did start getting to me. I always thot the AWA's will not make much of a difference but they do. I got really tired of the test towards the end and started wishing that it ends. Maybe thats why I sought of rushed and finished 15 mins earlier. Have to try and time myself better.

The final result, well it was satisfying and I was happy I gave it:

GMATPrep: 720 (Q49; V40)

Knewton has never given me more than 47 (i have heard their quant scoring is a little off). I had 9 wrong in verbal (have to work on it) and what amazed me was that my 49Q was with 15 incorrect answers. Maybe I got really hard ones wrong. Anyways it was a great experience.

Thanks again to all of you.

@Bara: I am sorry I was away from BTG for a bit. I will get back to you ASAP.

Please press "thanks" if you think my post has helped you.. Cheers!!

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prateek_guy2004: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 398; Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:39 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 41 times

by prateek_guy2004 » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:28 am

Congrats...You have improved so much....I do agree with you that its tiresome to write AWA with the exam.....Honestly i have not started doing it.....

Verbal Score is top of the line....

Keep this pace with you.....

Don't look for the incorrect things that you have done rather look for remedies....

https://www.beatthegmat.com/motivation-t90253.html

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akhilsuhag: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 351; Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:25 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 57 times

by akhilsuhag » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:29 pm

Thanks prateek,

I hope to maintain my quant at the 49 level and better my Verbal.

In verbal out of the 9 incorrect 6 were SC. So if I improve SC I can really do better on verbal and I think that can really help drive my scores up.

Thanks again,
Akhil

Please press "thanks" if you think my post has helped you.. Cheers!!

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prateek_guy2004: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 398; Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:39 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 41 times

by prateek_guy2004 » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:36 pm

Yes and the best thing is that you need which part you need to work on,,which will make things easy for you....

Happy studying

Don't look for the incorrect things that you have done rather look for remedies....

https://www.beatthegmat.com/motivation-t90253.html

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pbm: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:23 pm

by pbm » Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:41 pm

I have the same problem.

I started my prep with MGMAT exams 630, 640, 680, 640

and then GMAT Prep (examÂ´s week: 690, 710)

Afterall I had a disapointing 590.

Not sure how that happened as I was expecting to be in the 650+ level...

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