This series of emails and PMs focuses on situations that many Test Takers face during their studies. The names of the original posters have been changed to protect their identities.
Lack of Concentration
Hello Rich,
I have a recurring problem I hope you could help me with. When I practice for the GMAT (either with books or GMATprep) I always make silly mistakes like misreading the question or ticking the wrong answer although I solve the question right and it makes me feel really stupid. Do you have any advice to help with this type of problem?
Kappa
Hi Kappa,
Issues in concentration have little to nothing to do with intelligence, so try looking at the PHYSICAL ways that you work (and that you can improve). Try writing EVERYTHING down on your pad and labeling your work. On the physical level, eat breakfast every day, eat a snack and have a drink during each break of the CAT, and sit UP in your chair. Take your CATs earlier in the day (instead of later in the day). These are variables that are easy to control and yet most Test Takers don't factor them in.
Getting to Q51 and My Goal Score
Rich,
I have been kind of frozen on Q49 for long on my CAT's in Quant. I believe that 50/51 would help me hit my goal score.
What does it take to be a 50/51 on Quant?
I typically make about 12-13 mistakes on a CAT and get 49 and even getting it down to 11-12 mistakes still keeps me at 49.
Any help would be great.
Lambda
Hi Lambda,
At the level you're talking about, picking up those missing points requires a high level of attention to detail (which you already mostly have, since you're scoring Q49). Take a good look at what you're getting wrong and figure out WHY you're getting those questions wrong. To score at that higher level, silly mistakes are NOT AN OPTION. In addition, you'll need to be comfortable with rarer math concepts and have a strong sense of "thoroughness" on DS questions.
The missing points you're looking for will likely be EASIER to earn on the Verbal section (and there will be a greater opportunity there as well). That’s something to consider if you're trying to squeeze a few more points out of the GMAT.
Last Minute Tutoring?
Hi Rich,
I have couple of days left until my official exam - now scoring within 650-700 range. Do you recommend hiring a private tutor for a couple of hours to address some of my potential weaknesses?
Mu
Hi Mu,
A tutor may or may not make a difference in the last few days before an exam. My opinion is that it will make little difference because you likely have a consistent way of doing things that will take more time than a few days to alter.
Instead, do a light review of all the concepts that you know. Take a good look at both the things that you can do and those that you can't. If a question is too hard or too weird, then don't waste your time on it. Instead, make sure that you put your emphasis on correctly answering questions that are ‘gettable.’ Focus on removing as many silly mistakes as possible. Those mistakes are what are costing you your missing points.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
