BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

burnout v. thorough preparation

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 131
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:19 am
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 10 times

burnout v. thorough preparation

by aleph777 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:14 am
Hello,

I've read quite a bit about maxing out one's GMAT preparation at somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks so as to avoid burnout. It seems like a smart strategy, but I wonder what people think about extending your prep time in the event that you've been entirely out of touch with quant for a very long time?

I haven't thought about math for a decade, and I started going through the MGMAT books at a rate of about 1 math book per 1.5 weeks, and I did 3 plus half of a 4th (starting to sound like a GMAT question...). I recently stopped because I felt that I wasn't really absorbing the info and thought I should spend much more time with the core concepts before moving on. So my plan is now to spend the next month refreshing the core concepts at a slow and thorough pace (using the MGMAT Math Fundamentals books, which I already went through once, as well as perhaps the Kaplan Math workbook or some other similar title). Then, come September, I'll start studying with the MGMAT series again, and from there I'll take 8-10 weeks of prep time.

That puts me just around 4 months, though... Anyone in a position similar to mine who's had a positive or negative experience from the extended study time?

Thanks,

Matthew
Top
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pm
Thanked: 74 times
Followed by:4 members

by uwhusky » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:53 am
Like you, I read a lot of stories about people who were afraid of burnout, and how they tried to avoid it. I am sure burnout is a very real issue for a lot of people, and I thought it would be for me. But after studying GMAT constantly for almost 3 months, I can tell you that I am probably able to do many more. Given my lack of foundation in grammar and long time away from math, anything less than the amount of time I am spending on GMAT would most certainly result with an unsatisfied score.

In my opinion, the bottom line is that you should do what you think is necessary and learn to adapt to how you are taking in the information as time progress.

Best of luck to your journey!
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1031
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:23 pm
Location: Malibu, CA
Thanked: 716 times
Followed by:255 members
GMAT Score:750

by Brian@VeritasPrep » Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:47 am
Hey Aleph,

Great question - one of my bigger concerns when I read on this (highly-motivated) site is the sheer duration of time that many people plan to spend studying. Burnout and procrastination are the two things I worry about most when people set up a 4+ month study timeframe.

That said, high scores are positively correlated with the length of time that people spend studying (to a point), and many examinees are rewarded for their hard work. If you do plan to embark on a longer study regimen, I'd highly recommend:

1) Be specific with your time. Your plan sounds great - work on math fundamentals for a few weeks before you start digging into the question types and advanced skills/strategies. If you have specific emphases for each time period or study session, then it's much less likely that you'll burn out, as you'll have purpose each time out and not simply be spinning your wheels "doing problems". Build out a calendar and stick to it.

2) Similarly, if you do plan to move back an existing test date or push back your study schedule, do so with a reason. Just saying "I'd feel better with another month" may only give you time to procrastinate and move your current study plan back. If you want to take another few weeks, do so specifically to "improve on ____________".

3) Build in milestones and progress checks. One of my favorite new additions to the Veritas curriculum is our Midterm Diagnostic quizzes, designed to act like midterm progress reports in college so that people can gauge their progress in particular subjects (Arithmetic, Algebra, etc.). Find a way to do that for yourself, whether it's checking your percentage on a math drill, your timing for a set of 20 questions, or even a practice exam, if you can build in milestones to get up for, that will help you stay focused and motivated.

4) Analyze your progress and results. As you complete practice problems and tests, keep a journal of the types of mistakes you're making, the strategies you've learned, etc. Most examinees want to "do more problems", but if you're simply repeating the same mistakes or just letting yourself go through problem sets aimlessly, you'll burn out and mentally tune out...you just won't get much value out of each additional hour. If you're monitoring your progress with things like "Feel great with word problems, but still need to improve timing" or "Need to be careful with conclusions on CR", you'll have places to focus your attention moving forward and some fodder for progress checks and test-day reminders.

I definitely commend you on noting that your previous study regimen wasn't clicking for you, and for the thought you've put into a newer, better plan! It sounds like you're on the right track, and we're all looking forward to tracking your progress along with you.
Brian Galvin
GMAT Instructor
Chief Academic Officer
Veritas Prep

Looking for GMAT practice questions? Try out the Veritas Prep Question Bank. Learn More.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1