At first glance, the GMAT is an exam of academic content. But when you dive deeper you realize the GMAT is really a test of how you handle pressure, how you handle time, and how you handle your emotions.
The GMAT tests basic concepts like the distance-rate-time formula, triangles, circles, angles, factoring, exponents, subject-verb agreement, basic English grammar that you see everyday"these are all topics you covered in high school or earlier.
There's nothing to be intimidated about. The GMAT is not an exam of how well you understand economics or if you have what it takes to start a business. It does not measure your business savvy, EQ, IQ, or future success.
There's a lot of material on the exam but you already know most of it. You just need to review the concepts and learn the sneaky ways the GMAT guys try to trick you on the exam. You definitely need to think but its not rocket science.
So why, then, do people find the GMAT so tough?
Because the test is largely psychological. Athletes who condition themselves for long marathons, intense tennis matches, or any activity that requires strong mental toughness know what Im talking about. Heck, preparing for the exam itself is rigorous. Do you have the determination and discipline to follow a study plan that will help you get the results you want? Do you have the right attitude towards learning that will help you absorb as much material in as little time as possible?
The GMAT itself is definitely like an intense marathon. You plow through question after question with only short breaks in between sections. The adaptive nature of the exam plays with your mind even further as you might wonder how you just did on the previous question when you are all of a sudden given a very easy question.
Did I mention logistics? Did you clear out your bladder before the exam? Do you tend to get nervous right before the exam and mentally freeze up? Do you have quick lunch plans in mind that wont force you to rush to the bathroom? Are you accustomed to waking up early in the morning with an alert mind by the time of your exam so you can process a marathon of questions? Are you able to budget the last few days before the exam so you do not have to go to work and deal with the stress there? Are you fully focused as you go into the exam??"assuming no girlfriend/boyfriend issues, employer issues or family issues that might interfere with your mental state.
Too many people underestimate the psychological aspects of the GMAT exam. During the last week especially, you should pay particular attention to these psychological aspects.
Perfectionists and overachievers like myself often have trouble with the GMAT. Why?
Because we are so set on getting every question that comes our way correct that we sacrifice time and ultimately are forced to guess the last several questions. The GMAT is designed to push us to our limits.
The Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format is much more difficult from a psychological standpoint than a traditional, paper-based test on the same content. The reason is that by its very nature the computer-adaptive format is designed to push you to your failure point - and for us perfectionists that's a VERY uncomfortable place to be. The computer adaptive format means you get a harder question when you get the current question correct. What ends up happening to perfectionists is we get each question correct and in turn the GMAT throws us even harder questions. We perfectionists then spend more and more time on these harder questions double checking our math or re-reading portions of each answer choice over and over with the determination to get each question absolutely correct. Meanwhile, we sacrifice time and get heavily penalized for not finishing the exam.
In fact, part of the reason I did so poorly on my first practice exam was because I did not finish the exam in time. I was too focused on getting the question correct that I lost sense of the big picture"that I really needed be strategic with my time.
If you are running out of time and have 4 questions left but really have time only for 2, my suggestion is instead of answering questions 34 and 35 and then guessing 36 and 37 for Quant is to answer 34, guess 35, answer 36, and guess 37. This allows you to stay at a relatively same level (or higher if you guess one right) than potentially dropping below the level you were at question 33 by getting consecutive questions wrong in a row.
Since the GMAT penalizes you heavily for getting many consecutive answers incorrect you should make sure you do not end up in a position where you need to guess the last 10 questions because you spent too much time on each question in the beginning. In general, you are better off guessing 10 random questions than guessing 10 consecutive questions"so make sure you time yourself properly.
You should be aiming, on average, to answer each question in less than two minutes. With practice you should be able to sense when you are at around the 3 minute mark that you are spending too much time on this question. Around this time you should make a strategic guess and move on. With easy-type questions you should definitely not reach the 3 minute mark.
Visualize Success
Imagine: You are just about to head out of your room to go to the test center. There are no surprises. You know where the test center is since you've driven or walked by it a few days ago. You won't get lost. You know where you'll grab a quick bite for lunch and you've emptied your bladder. You know the format of the exam and what kinds of questions you'll see. Visualize yourself going through the directions on the computer.
Take at least five minutes to imagine and visualize the different details of the exam. Visualize yourself spotting sentence structures based on keywords or commas. Visualize yourself checking for X&Y consistency for SC questions or identify a percentage vs. actual number data sufficiency question. You already know how the GMAT will try to trip you up (offering multiple idiomatic expressions that are all the correct and in actuality they are testing something else) so condition your mind to expect that kind of trick.
What you visualize in your head does not need to be the same thing each time. But you do need to create that sense of accomplishment, calm, and confidence that comes with knowing what to expect. You should do this every morning and before you go to bed.
Some of you might be laughing at how ludicrous it is to do these exercises. There is actually a strong scientific basis. Neurophysiologist researchers from Stanford (my alma mater) and the University of Chicago tested how effective visualization was with two sets of basketball players. One set physically practiced while the other set only imagined practicing. This second set visualized peak performance and improved 23-30% in their actual basket-shooting ability. Meanwhile, the students who physically "practiced" saw little improvement. (source: http://books.google.com/books?id=CivUle-brEsC&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=visualization+experiment+stanford+chicago+basketball+players&source=bl&ots=G_GHSkQd12&sig=eX2HRTQeXIsR3SID9e11hOPkgOs&hl=en&ei=TAqnSpn2Esa_tgeJ_fmuCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=visualization%20experiment%20stanford%20chicago%20basketball%20players&f=false)
Cognition: Think extreme positivity and confidence.
In a way, this is a chicken and egg problem. You need to do well on GMAT questions in order to be confident. And you need confidence in order to get the tough GMAT questions correct. But you should develop a little of each and have them grow upon each other.
Bad thoughts: 1) I suck at math. 2) There's no way Ill finish the exam. 3) English is not my first language, I cant do it.
Good thoughts: 1) Math is not my strong point, but this GMAT math isn't rocket science. Sure, I get some wrong, but looking back at them"the questions are actually pretty easy. I don't even need to do any calculations on Data Sufficiency. I just need become familiar with the different ways that the GMAT can test me on these relatively simple concepts that I learned in high school. I can do that! No problem!
2) GMAT is a timed test. Ive had tons of timed tests before. I just need to come in with the right thought process and get enough practice that I have the confidence to know when I am positively sure about a GMAT question. By being super confident in an answer in as little time as possible, I know know Ill be able to nail the super easy ones in less than one minute and the harder ones in less than 2-3 minutes. Confidence = less double checking/rereading = less time.
3) Although idioms are a part of the GMAT, a lot of the questions actually don't test the idioms. A lot of times there are other concepts tested alongside the idioms and as long as I focus on that portion of the question, understand the key frameworks, and recognize how those concepts can show up in test questions, Ill be fine.
Extreme positivity:
Im going to kickass on the GMAT. Sure, Ive been to college and flunked tons of exams. But the GMAT is so much easier"its high school material repackaged in fancy, awkward questions. I just need to get used to it. My goal is to follow a study plan. Ill stick to it and keep pushing myself. Heck, Ill even visualize the questions that I got wrong and see myself think through it correctly as if I were sitting in for the real exam.
My strategy will be to first get as many correct GMAT practice questions as I can. Then Ill try to get those questions correct in as little time as possible. Any question the GMAT throws at me will be answered correctly and tossed away as I wait for the next one. Bring it!
The GMAT tests basic concepts like the distance-rate-time formula, triangles, circles, angles, factoring, exponents, subject-verb agreement, basic English grammar that you see everyday"these are all topics you covered in high school or earlier.
There's nothing to be intimidated about. The GMAT is not an exam of how well you understand economics or if you have what it takes to start a business. It does not measure your business savvy, EQ, IQ, or future success.
There's a lot of material on the exam but you already know most of it. You just need to review the concepts and learn the sneaky ways the GMAT guys try to trick you on the exam. You definitely need to think but its not rocket science.
So why, then, do people find the GMAT so tough?
Because the test is largely psychological. Athletes who condition themselves for long marathons, intense tennis matches, or any activity that requires strong mental toughness know what Im talking about. Heck, preparing for the exam itself is rigorous. Do you have the determination and discipline to follow a study plan that will help you get the results you want? Do you have the right attitude towards learning that will help you absorb as much material in as little time as possible?
The GMAT itself is definitely like an intense marathon. You plow through question after question with only short breaks in between sections. The adaptive nature of the exam plays with your mind even further as you might wonder how you just did on the previous question when you are all of a sudden given a very easy question.
Did I mention logistics? Did you clear out your bladder before the exam? Do you tend to get nervous right before the exam and mentally freeze up? Do you have quick lunch plans in mind that wont force you to rush to the bathroom? Are you accustomed to waking up early in the morning with an alert mind by the time of your exam so you can process a marathon of questions? Are you able to budget the last few days before the exam so you do not have to go to work and deal with the stress there? Are you fully focused as you go into the exam??"assuming no girlfriend/boyfriend issues, employer issues or family issues that might interfere with your mental state.
Too many people underestimate the psychological aspects of the GMAT exam. During the last week especially, you should pay particular attention to these psychological aspects.
Perfectionists and overachievers like myself often have trouble with the GMAT. Why?
Because we are so set on getting every question that comes our way correct that we sacrifice time and ultimately are forced to guess the last several questions. The GMAT is designed to push us to our limits.
The Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format is much more difficult from a psychological standpoint than a traditional, paper-based test on the same content. The reason is that by its very nature the computer-adaptive format is designed to push you to your failure point - and for us perfectionists that's a VERY uncomfortable place to be. The computer adaptive format means you get a harder question when you get the current question correct. What ends up happening to perfectionists is we get each question correct and in turn the GMAT throws us even harder questions. We perfectionists then spend more and more time on these harder questions double checking our math or re-reading portions of each answer choice over and over with the determination to get each question absolutely correct. Meanwhile, we sacrifice time and get heavily penalized for not finishing the exam.
In fact, part of the reason I did so poorly on my first practice exam was because I did not finish the exam in time. I was too focused on getting the question correct that I lost sense of the big picture"that I really needed be strategic with my time.
If you are running out of time and have 4 questions left but really have time only for 2, my suggestion is instead of answering questions 34 and 35 and then guessing 36 and 37 for Quant is to answer 34, guess 35, answer 36, and guess 37. This allows you to stay at a relatively same level (or higher if you guess one right) than potentially dropping below the level you were at question 33 by getting consecutive questions wrong in a row.
Since the GMAT penalizes you heavily for getting many consecutive answers incorrect you should make sure you do not end up in a position where you need to guess the last 10 questions because you spent too much time on each question in the beginning. In general, you are better off guessing 10 random questions than guessing 10 consecutive questions"so make sure you time yourself properly.
You should be aiming, on average, to answer each question in less than two minutes. With practice you should be able to sense when you are at around the 3 minute mark that you are spending too much time on this question. Around this time you should make a strategic guess and move on. With easy-type questions you should definitely not reach the 3 minute mark.
Visualize Success
Imagine: You are just about to head out of your room to go to the test center. There are no surprises. You know where the test center is since you've driven or walked by it a few days ago. You won't get lost. You know where you'll grab a quick bite for lunch and you've emptied your bladder. You know the format of the exam and what kinds of questions you'll see. Visualize yourself going through the directions on the computer.
Take at least five minutes to imagine and visualize the different details of the exam. Visualize yourself spotting sentence structures based on keywords or commas. Visualize yourself checking for X&Y consistency for SC questions or identify a percentage vs. actual number data sufficiency question. You already know how the GMAT will try to trip you up (offering multiple idiomatic expressions that are all the correct and in actuality they are testing something else) so condition your mind to expect that kind of trick.
What you visualize in your head does not need to be the same thing each time. But you do need to create that sense of accomplishment, calm, and confidence that comes with knowing what to expect. You should do this every morning and before you go to bed.
Some of you might be laughing at how ludicrous it is to do these exercises. There is actually a strong scientific basis. Neurophysiologist researchers from Stanford (my alma mater) and the University of Chicago tested how effective visualization was with two sets of basketball players. One set physically practiced while the other set only imagined practicing. This second set visualized peak performance and improved 23-30% in their actual basket-shooting ability. Meanwhile, the students who physically "practiced" saw little improvement. (source: http://books.google.com/books?id=CivUle-brEsC&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=visualization+experiment+stanford+chicago+basketball+players&source=bl&ots=G_GHSkQd12&sig=eX2HRTQeXIsR3SID9e11hOPkgOs&hl=en&ei=TAqnSpn2Esa_tgeJ_fmuCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=visualization%20experiment%20stanford%20chicago%20basketball%20players&f=false)
Cognition: Think extreme positivity and confidence.
In a way, this is a chicken and egg problem. You need to do well on GMAT questions in order to be confident. And you need confidence in order to get the tough GMAT questions correct. But you should develop a little of each and have them grow upon each other.
Bad thoughts: 1) I suck at math. 2) There's no way Ill finish the exam. 3) English is not my first language, I cant do it.
Good thoughts: 1) Math is not my strong point, but this GMAT math isn't rocket science. Sure, I get some wrong, but looking back at them"the questions are actually pretty easy. I don't even need to do any calculations on Data Sufficiency. I just need become familiar with the different ways that the GMAT can test me on these relatively simple concepts that I learned in high school. I can do that! No problem!
2) GMAT is a timed test. Ive had tons of timed tests before. I just need to come in with the right thought process and get enough practice that I have the confidence to know when I am positively sure about a GMAT question. By being super confident in an answer in as little time as possible, I know know Ill be able to nail the super easy ones in less than one minute and the harder ones in less than 2-3 minutes. Confidence = less double checking/rereading = less time.
3) Although idioms are a part of the GMAT, a lot of the questions actually don't test the idioms. A lot of times there are other concepts tested alongside the idioms and as long as I focus on that portion of the question, understand the key frameworks, and recognize how those concepts can show up in test questions, Ill be fine.
Extreme positivity:
Im going to kickass on the GMAT. Sure, Ive been to college and flunked tons of exams. But the GMAT is so much easier"its high school material repackaged in fancy, awkward questions. I just need to get used to it. My goal is to follow a study plan. Ill stick to it and keep pushing myself. Heck, Ill even visualize the questions that I got wrong and see myself think through it correctly as if I were sitting in for the real exam.
My strategy will be to first get as many correct GMAT practice questions as I can. Then Ill try to get those questions correct in as little time as possible. Any question the GMAT throws at me will be answered correctly and tossed away as I wait for the next one. Bring it!
About the Author:
Zeke Lee is a GMAT tutor who created the GMAT Pill Study Method. This method has helped many students do well on the GMAT exam. You can get a FREE 4-step Video Lesson of the study method and learn how to ACE the GMAT in as little time as possible.
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