Dear all,
I have just finished my 2nd attempt at GMAT and scored a respectable 730 (Q49, V40). My first attempt was in May and scored a low 670. I decided to re-take directly after the test but let some time pass (holidays, time to 'digest' the score).
I think that the only differences between my 2 attempts were my level of confidence and level of stress. Between my 1st attempt and this one, I did not study new materials, I did not do additional exercices. I just re-freshed the concepts studied during the 4 week-ends before the test.
For the 1st attempt, I did study a lot (10hours/day during the 15 days before the test). I did put on myself a lot of stress for no reason. On the test, I was simply not with a 'clear mind'. I was always thinking about how I was doing, if the level of the next question was harder or easier.
A few days before the test, I read this excellent post: https://www.beatthegmat.com/740-50q-41v- ... 18845.html I think it sums up what you need to do not to let the psychological aspect of the thing trap you.
Today, I was much more confident in myself and decided not to let the test crush me. At a certain point during verbal, I encountered a very very hard RC and started to loose pace and confidence. I stoped for 5-10sec, took a deep breath and focused again. I did not let the hard questions freak me out. I am sure I still could have done better but 730 is what I wanted.
I think it is just a proof that yout GMAT score is very very influenced by "psychological" aspects. The time pressure can make you loose control of the test, choose options without really thinking about it, ...
Thanks for your help over the last months
Magellan
I have just finished my 2nd attempt at GMAT and scored a respectable 730 (Q49, V40). My first attempt was in May and scored a low 670. I decided to re-take directly after the test but let some time pass (holidays, time to 'digest' the score).
I think that the only differences between my 2 attempts were my level of confidence and level of stress. Between my 1st attempt and this one, I did not study new materials, I did not do additional exercices. I just re-freshed the concepts studied during the 4 week-ends before the test.
For the 1st attempt, I did study a lot (10hours/day during the 15 days before the test). I did put on myself a lot of stress for no reason. On the test, I was simply not with a 'clear mind'. I was always thinking about how I was doing, if the level of the next question was harder or easier.
A few days before the test, I read this excellent post: https://www.beatthegmat.com/740-50q-41v- ... 18845.html I think it sums up what you need to do not to let the psychological aspect of the thing trap you.
Today, I was much more confident in myself and decided not to let the test crush me. At a certain point during verbal, I encountered a very very hard RC and started to loose pace and confidence. I stoped for 5-10sec, took a deep breath and focused again. I did not let the hard questions freak me out. I am sure I still could have done better but 730 is what I wanted.
I think it is just a proof that yout GMAT score is very very influenced by "psychological" aspects. The time pressure can make you loose control of the test, choose options without really thinking about it, ...
Thanks for your help over the last months
Magellan
