Advice

Question

Anybody have any advice how to deal with nervousness while taking the test? When I am nervous, I can't comprehend RC and CR, so I want to know what I should do. 

Anyone has the same experience?

andrealittrell · Answer

perhaps.. pretend like u can write it again in another 30 days.. so u dont really care?!?!?

dont drink caffeine before??? eat alot of carbs! (carbs make me happy!) go for a run before! take LOTSSS of times tests no matter how crappy the company that makes them are!

but seriously.. just tell urself that u really dont care how u do on the stupid test! and that u will take it again!!!!!

trahul4 · Answer

Everyone feels a little nervous. The key here is to keep your nerves intact.
Take a break for 15 secs during the test, close your eyes, take couple of deep breaths and say to yuorself ' I'm the master of my own fate and destiny".. try it once ..it works ..

mba2010 · Answer

Just focus on the task at hand, one question at a time. Don't think about what could happen at the end, what the consequences could be, etc. Just focus on the question you're looking at. Ignore the rest of the noise.

mbagal1 · Answer

Do as many practice exams as possible, esp GmatPrep, including AWA. The interface is exactly the same and if you can carve out the entire 4 hours for every test, the real one should feel like just another practice exam.

ishcabibble · Answer

I totally agree with this. It was strangely comforting to have that one familiar thing (the testing interface) amongst everything else that was new.

GMAThopefull · Answer

well I am a 630 scorer so my suggestions may not be as good as some of our fellow 700 Gmaters here on Gmatclub. But I too was nervous the week before but during the test I was as cool as you can get. Here is what I did:



1- As mentioned above, take as many GMAT prep CATS as possible. Time yourself, do the essay part as well. Once you go through the 4 hours of GMAT you will feel much more comfortable.

2- Don't do anything out of norm on the day of the test. If you drink coffee before an exam, then do so before Gmat. If you are not a coffee drinker, then DON'T DRINK ON THE TEST DAY. Also don't suddenly grab a red bull just to keep fresh if you are not used to it. The change in reaction will make you more nervous I have no doubts. 

3- Sleep well the night before. I took a cold medicine that helped me sleep. Of course you have to be careful not to take too much of it, and make sure you take it at around 10 (not 12). That way you wake up 6-7 am fresh. I would recommend that you take this medicine a couple of times before the big night so you are familiar with your reaction to the pill. 

4- Keep in mind that the first couple of times you take the test, you are simply there for the experience. So if you fail, you'll just do it again no problem. I for example, went there to get a 570 in order to get into a 3rd tier school, I came out with a 630 and am now planning to retake. You never know what happens on the exam day. Three options: 1- You do lower than you wanted, so you will retake. 2- You get higher than you expected, so you retake in hopes of doing better and going to a better school 3- You do exactly what you wanted to get, but you still will retake because you very well know that the experience can help you get a higher score next time. Higher score = better school. 

5- When you wake up in the morning on your way to the the test centre, Don't think about it. I sang "I FEEL GOOD" (yes yes pretty lame but it helped me hehe) as soon as I got out of bed, in the shower, and all the way to the test centre. It helped me out greatly. 

6- FIGHTING ATTITUDE: Keep reminding yourself that "opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you slam the door". That means that GMAT is the door and you need to slam it. It's the one obstacle between you and your dreams. It's the George Foreman, to your Ali; it's the J-2 unsuited to your AK. So if you get nervous, you'll get punched in the face, or you'll get re-raised forcing you to lay down the big hand. Go there prepared to take a couple of punches but be confident that when it comes to the big KO uppercut, it's you that will deliver it. 



most importantly, and as mentioned above, keep reminding yourself. What's the worst that can happen? I FAIL????? I GET A 400??? so what???? I'll retake in a month. 


hope this helps you out. GOOD LUCK.

emoryhopeful · Answer

Obviously, everyone has had a different approach and deal with nervousness or stress differently. I handled it my own way, relating it to sports. I've played sports all my life, and was always nervous before a big game, or race, but I turned that nervousness into an excitement for the challenge. I know its a little sick to think of the GMAT as an exciting challenge, but really, it is. You've studied hard, and you get to have this chance to perform in a circumstance you have prepared for. I psyched myself up for this test.

Also, I made sure to take my breaks. Walk around in the hall, drink some water, use the restroom. Just like its a normal day.

Remember, its exciting, and can turn into an amazing accomplishment when you've finished and done well. You're going to do well.

anonymousegmat · Answer

i would play the eye of the tiger song in my head

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