Test Anxiety

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tarid: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 6:49 am

Test Anxiety

by tarid » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:27 pm

I am not sure if anybody would have advice regarding this; however, I have extremely debilitating test anxiety. In fact I scored rather well to ok on most of the Kaplan GMAT's, but come test day I performed poorly. I do not think I remember one reading passage, and definitely not one CR question. And my score definitely reflected my performance. Does anybody have any advice?? I really studied hard for the exam, and my performance on the Kaplan tests was improving drastically.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:27 pm

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

Re: Test Anxiety

by beatthegmat » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:16 pm

tarid wrote:I am not sure if anybody would have advice regarding this; however, I have extremely debilitating test anxiety. In fact I scored rather well to ok on most of the Kaplan GMAT's, but come test day I performed poorly. I do not think I remember one reading passage, and definitely not one CR question. And my score definitely reflected my performance. Does anybody have any advice?? I really studied hard for the exam, and my performance on the Kaplan tests was improving drastically.

Hi Tarid:

Thanks very much for this post--I think that test anxiety is something that too many people do not consider as an important factor of GMAT performance. If you are not going into the test with confidence--or maintaining confidence--it will certainly be reflected in your final score.

Here's my advice:

When you are doing your practice tests, try to simulate the actual testing conditions the best you can. I'm not just talking about staying within time limits for sections. Try to take your tests in a relatively noisy and high trafficked area. When I was taking practice tests last year, I tried to do them in a busy area of a library. Doing a lot of practice tests in an accurately simulated environment will get you used to the distractions, and help ease some of that anxiety.

Another thing to consider: the GMAT isn't that important. A high GMAT score or a low GMAT score will not determine your MBA admissions. Also, try to consider the bigger picture--in your life, which is full of friends, family, and interests, is the GMAT really that important? I hope the answer is 'no' for you. Keeping perspective will help you with anxiety. If you think you are going to panic during the test, remember the big picture.

I wish you all the best, Tarid. Remember, a great GMAT score is within your reach! Stay confident![/b]

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tarid: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 6:49 am

by tarid » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:52 pm

Thank you for the advice! I guess I lost perspective when preparing for and taking the GMAT. I also lost sight of the big picture, because I was so obsessed with studying for the test and doing well. I am also a perfectionist, which does not help me in testing situations.

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

by beatthegmat » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:55 pm

Your welcome.

Keep a good perspective, and you'll be just fine. Best of luck!

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resilient: Legendary Member; Posts: 789; Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:25 am; Location: Southern California, USA; Thanked: 15 times; Followed by:6 members

Engin - Thank You

by resilient » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:46 am

i just dont understand why the gmat isnt that important then. there are requirements of 650 + but then people say that it isnt that important. I am getting confused because I was denied before because of my low gmat score. WHat can I do to sweeten the pot then?

Appetite for 700 and I scraped my plate!

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TkNeo: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 96; Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:21 am; Thanked: 5 times

Re: Test Anxiety

by TkNeo » Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:36 am

beatthegmat wrote:
When I was taking practice tests last year, I tried to do them in a busy area of a library. Doing a lot of practice tests in an accurately simulated environment will get you used to the distractions, and help ease some of that anxiety.

Sorry for digressing from the topic. Are you saying that the actual GMAT environment is just as a busy area of the library ?

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reag: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 19; Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:06 pm; Thanked: 2 times

Re: Test Anxiety

by reag » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:17 am

beatthegmat wrote:
Another thing to consider: the GMAT isn't that important. A high GMAT score or a low GMAT score will not determine your MBA admissions. Also, try to consider the bigger picture--in your life, which is full of friends, family, and interests, is the GMAT really that important? I hope the answer is 'no' for you. Keeping perspective will help you with anxiety. If you think you are going to panic during the test, remember the big picture.

I wish you all the best, Tarid. Remember, a great GMAT score is within your reach! Stay confident![/b]

I agree with the wisdom above. We can't beat ourselves up too badly over this test. It's so easy to get consumed by this test -- the post above is a breath of fresh air. For many B-schools, the GMAT is but one piece of the application.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

Re: Test Anxiety

by beatthegmat » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:15 pm

TkNeo wrote:
beatthegmat wrote:
When I was taking practice tests last year, I tried to do them in a busy area of a library. Doing a lot of practice tests in an accurately simulated environment will get you used to the distractions, and help ease some of that anxiety.

Sorry for digressing from the topic. Are you saying that the actual GMAT environment is just as a busy area of the library ?

No I'm not saying that--the actual GMAT experience was much more quiet and isolated, but it was nice getting used to ambient noise.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

Re: Engin - Thank You

by beatthegmat » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:17 pm

Enginpasa1 wrote:i just dont understand why the gmat isnt that important then. there are requirements of 650 + but then people say that it isnt that important. I am getting confused because I was denied before because of my low gmat score. WHat can I do to sweeten the pot then?

If your GMAT score was the only reason you were denied admissions, then that's a different story; however, that sounds like a strange reason to be denied admissions from a school.

I think even Harvard would be interested in accepting someone with a stellar work background and compelling story, even if he/she has a low GMAT score.

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resilient: Legendary Member; Posts: 789; Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:25 am; Location: Southern California, USA; Thanked: 15 times; Followed by:6 members

really?

by resilient » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:33 pm

I spoke to a few proffesors and they all told me that it hurts the class profile of the university if i come in with a low number. How else can I sweeten the pot?

Appetite for 700 and I scraped my plate!

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TkNeo: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 96; Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:21 am; Thanked: 5 times

Re: Test Anxiety

by TkNeo » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:37 pm

beatthegmat wrote:
TkNeo wrote:
beatthegmat wrote:
When I was taking practice tests last year, I tried to do them in a busy area of a library. Doing a lot of practice tests in an accurately simulated environment will get you used to the distractions, and help ease some of that anxiety.

Sorry for digressing from the topic. Are you saying that the actual GMAT environment is just as a busy area of the library ?
No I'm not saying that--the actual GMAT experience was much more quiet and isolated, but it was nice getting used to ambient noise.

I agree. I was in the library today with earplugs on, although i could still hear people coming and going, flipping pages etc. I did well on my practice questions. Now i am a lot less scared about ambient noise !

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

Re: really?

by beatthegmat » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:01 pm

Enginpasa1 wrote:I spoke to a few proffesors and they all told me that it hurts the class profile of the university if i come in with a low number. How else can I sweeten the pot?

Have great work experience, excellent extracurricular activities, and carefully crafted and compelling essays will help sweeten the pot!

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chosters: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:58 pm

by chosters » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:14 am

Tarid, I suggest that you see your primary care physician and check out the symptoms. I'm not a doctor but I think there is a small chance that you might be having panic attacks. If you are, there are certain medications such as valium that could help. Again, pls consult your physician. Best of luck.