How to keep from brain frying on the test?

[sev]

I think this is my biggest problem right now, during my last practice test, I got a bunch of stuff wrong, just cuz half way through the math section, I just started falling apart from fatigue... It seems like that's been happening alot.

Anything I can do from getting to that state? Or anything I can do to overcome it?

I brain fry on 3 hours with just the quantitative and verbal, I shudder to think what the 60 mins on top of that for the writing would cause.

[beatthegmat]

I think this is my biggest problem right now, during my last practice test, I got a bunch of stuff wrong, just cuz half way through the math section, I just started falling apart from fatigue... It seems like that's been happening alot.

Anything I can do from getting to that state? Or anything I can do to overcome it?

I brain fry on 3 hours with just the quantitative and verbal, I shudder to think what the 60 mins on top of that for the writing would cause.

Is the problem that you've encountered with every practice GMAT, or just your latest? If it's just your latest, you might be a little burnt out and should consider resting for a day or two (that is, not studying/thinking about the GMAT at all).

Otherwise--fatigue is something that you definitely should be mindful of during the test. Two things you can do to beat fatigue is to make sure you're (1) well rested and (2) have eaten well prior to the test.

Keeping up the concentration for all three hours is tough, but that's simply one of the challenges of taking these kinds of tests. Best of luck!

[Stacey Koprince]

Practice makes perfect. Remember that everyone struggles with fatigue and we all get things wrong that we knew how to do b/c we make careless mistakes due to that fatigue. You can never completely get away from that.

Having said that, though, some people do find they have a significant problem with fatigue, more than most - if you're in that category, you're going to need to find the right combination of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and practice that will help you build your stamina.