I write tomorrow... nervous....

[tush17]

My first Diagnostic with KAPLAN (I took a course) was 480.

I have been studying throughout the course and spent the last week studying most consistently and my last 3 test scores with KAPLAN have been:

600, 640, 620

I took the two GMATprep tests and got

610 and 620. (was hoping to get higher, my pacing was a bit off with these)

I really need 600+ to get into the program I am looking at. I have all along set my goal for 650, allowing for room if I were to hit less.

I really hope nothing odd happens tomorrow and I get less than 600 as I will be crushed.

My test is tomorrow at 8am, and about a half hour drive from where I live.

Any prep tips on how to calm my nerves for tomorrow morning? Also any techniques for knowing how well I am doing for pace would be appreciated.

I am planning on waking up around 5 am, have a shower and good breakfast, go over a couple reading comp passages, and a tackle a couple math problems to warm up and go over a list of idioms, then head over to the test center for about 7:30.

I was also thinking of writing a GMATPrep test again today.
Wish me luck!

[pepeprepa]

Doing a gmat prep tomorrow is really kind of crazy thing in my view!!
You can warm up just before taking the test, I think it can give you confidence.
I have not already taken it but my advice is to focus on the question you are working on, nothing less and nothing more and manage your power to be fresh till the end of the verbal. I think it's possible to forget you are in exam and to re-have the habits/sensations you had during your practice tests.
Good luck!

[tush17]

I don't plan on writing a GMAT prep tomorrow, I wanted to do one today. I don't really have a problem with burning out in the past, and I do best by keeping my mind fresh, thats why I wanted to do a test tonight.

[tush17]

well.... thanks for the help guys! :roll:

[II]

Hey Tush ... how did you get on with your GMAT ?

[tush17]

I got a 610, I only needed a 600 to have a competitive application for the school I had my heart set on going to, so I am happy!

I could have done better... nerves definitely played a role for me.

Verbal was always my stronger section by far, and math was lacking.

When I was doing my math questions they all seemed so easy so compared to the Kaplan tests I was taking, so I was so afraid that I was doing horrible.

Then when Verbal started I felt alot of pressure like I had to make up for the bad math section, I was so stressed out that I had to read each question like 4 times to understand it, then my pacing fell off and I had to rush to get it back.

By the time I was done I was so dissapointed in myself, knowing I could have done better in verbal...

In the end I ended up getting the best math score I have ever gotten and actually the lowest verbal score I had in a while. I think I could have easily gotten a 650+ if it werent for my nerves playing a factor.

In any case, I started with a 480 diagnostic test on the first day of my Kaplan course and ended with a 610! not too shabby of an increase.

[prad]

nice work, you should be happy for reaching a mark that you are compliant with
i have my test in 2 weeks and am preety nervous.
i got a 530 on my last gmat prep and am too seeking a 600
i dont know if i have enough time to reach that goal by i wiil try
again nice work
any advice

[tush17]

as stated by others here numerous times, I think the most important thing to do is review questions that you have gotten wrong on your practice cats. Even if you spend the next 2 weeks just reviewing the wrong answers on the CATs I believe it will be most beneficial to you. Once you understand your mistakes, hopefully you will not make them again!

[prad]

what test do you suggest
i did not take the second gmat prep
and i heard they reset themselves
should i just stick with them and the og

[tush17]

i took all 8 kaplan tests, since I am in the course, the problem I found with the GMATPrep tests is they don't have answer explanations obviously. ]

The two GMATPrep tests were closest to my score.

IF you can get the kaplan tests I would recommend them, as I found them harder than the actual GMAT, good way to prepare you. I should have scored much higher on the verbal section if I didn't choke And the math section in kaplan really prepared me well for the gmat.

I also printed out the flash cards posted here and went through them once a day.

[prad]

i have the mgmat s but i only have one left and i feel they are very similar in terms of difficulty when compared to gmat prep
i do have some prinecetons i can take but i dont know how good they are

[II]

I got a 610, I only needed a 600 to have a competitive application for the school I had my heart set on going to, so I am happy!

I could have done better... nerves definitely played a role for me.

Verbal was always my stronger section by far, and math was lacking.

When I was doing my math questions they all seemed so easy so compared to the Kaplan tests I was taking, so I was so afraid that I was doing horrible.

Then when Verbal started I felt alot of pressure like I had to make up for the bad math section, I was so stressed out that I had to read each question like 4 times to understand it, then my pacing fell off and I had to rush to get it back.

By the time I was done I was so dissapointed in myself, knowing I could have done better in verbal...

In the end I ended up getting the best math score I have ever gotten and actually the lowest verbal score I had in a while. I think I could have easily gotten a 650+ if it werent for my nerves playing a factor.

In any case, I started with a 480 diagnostic test on the first day of my Kaplan course and ended with a 610! not too shabby of an increase.

well done Tush ! Good luck with your applications and business education !