Struggling with the switch from book to comp!

[bhatius]

Hi,

I've spent the past 2 months studying from the Official Guide and have been doing fairly well on the practice questions. My problem is to do with answering questions on practice tests. I just can't seem to make the switch from book to comp! This isn't much of an issue in Quant but my CR and RC is really suffering because of this. I seem to be missing critical info for some reason. I plan to download more questions for the GMAT Prep software to increase my PC practice. Has anyone else had the same issue? Would really appreciate some tips!

Thanks!

Nikhil

[[email protected]]

Hi Nikhil,

You're describing a problem that is mostly "mechanical" in nature. Studying from a book is PHYSICALLY different from studying on a computer (or taking a CAT). The mechanics on Test Day will involve using a workstation computer (which has a computer monitor at "head height"), transferring information to the notepad (at desk level) and referring back-and-forth as needed AND using the mouse to submit your answers. This process involves lots of little body movements. Individually, these movements don't mean much, but when you do them over and over AND OVER again, physical strain/fatigue sets in. As a result, most Test Takers see their performance suffer the deeper they get into the test.

This is the primary reason why I recommend that students do a certain amount of practice with a computer-based course. You have to get physically "ready" for the Test Day experience. Studying from a book WON'T help you to prepare in that way. You've admitted that you're "missing critical info for some reason"; now that you know that this problem exists, you have to adjust your tactics to take better notes and not miss the details. Try sitting up in your chair and taking notes as you read (as opposed to reading a question all the way through and then starting over).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[bhatius]

Thanks Rich. Yup, I'll tweak the way I prepare. While we are on the smaller things that could make a difference, how important is it to practice on a scratch pad before the actual test? I had ordered one but I just got a mail from the manufacturer that they're out of stock. Reason to panic or minor issue? My GMAT is in 3 weeks.

Thanks for your help!

Nikhil

[[email protected]]

Hi Nikhil,

If you don't practice with a scratch pad, then you should be fine. What you CAN do though is make sure that you're not using a pencil/eraser during your practice. On Test Day, you'll be using a marker (with no eraser), so you should be practicing with an equivalent (felt-tip marker or pen, for example). During CATs, take a yellow legal pad, rip of 6 sheets and staple it at across the top. That "pad" combined with a marker/pen will approximate what you'll be using on Test Day.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[bhatius]

Great! Thanks for the help!

Nikhil