Practice results and trends

I've just returned from a holiday, and each attempt has been with the GMATPrep software. raxsin12 made a good guess because I have felt the pressure of this year's application deadlines, but I've missed those deadlines now.

Sticking to strict exam conditions: to help revitalise my the mind between sections, do I have access to my personal belongings during the 10 minute breaks?

Hi stormbind, for all intents and purposes, you don't have access to your personal belongings during the break. I've heard of students getting their scores cancelled for checking their e-mail. Now, if you need an inhaler or something medical, it's not the same, but if you want to "brush up" on some material during the exam, forget about it.

Do you have a specific situation in mind?

-Ron

I read that a human brain operates optimally for about 30 minutes with one medium (i.e. computer screen), after which concentration fades. The recommendation was to change the medium during breaks.

Some examples that came to mind: 10 minutes of music, a strong-tasting snack, or some press-ups. Each of these ideas would exercise different neural pathways to those used during the exam; and most ideas require access to personal belongings.

I hear what you're saying. Unfortunately I don't make the rules. If you can convince the proctor that whatever you're planning at the break won't constitute cheating, then you're good to go. My best advice: Go outside for 5 minutes and breathe in the fresh air. If you want, maybe do a set of push ups or two! Whatever works for you!

I agree that the human brain gets fatigued during the GMAT (like any other long test). The trick is to find a way to combat it without breaking the established rules. It's like telling your boss that you'd rather be at the gym for an hour than at your desk, because it's good for your mind and body. He or she may agree with you, but you're still probably not going to get paid to go to the gym during work hours

Hope this helps!
-Ron

hey...I get paid to use gym during work hours...It is a different story that I work at google and I work 18-19 hours...

That's similar to most large companies - they typically pay employees to spend time doing yoga or anything else that can help to keep their mind fresh.

My employer has more than 120,000 employees - according to LinkedIn (I have not counted), and my employer does not have a gym! We get free chocolate and free soda instead

Anyway.. my GMAT is going horribly wrong! The trend has continued along the same course stated above. I started out scoring 80% in quantitative, that sagged to an abysmal 50%, and is now a horrendous 25%!! I've stopped using GMATPrep because I exhausted the questions database.

Ironically, my work assigns me only pure maths and C++ because apparently that's what I am (or was) good at *sigh*

My verbal is above 90%, which is equally bemusing, but less worrying. Oddly, my employer does not assign me language-based tasks, and they say that's because my English isn't good enough.

I'm looking forward to waking up and remembering that we all live on Mars, and that soda doesn't actually exist.