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Can someone Inspire me

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alimad
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Can someone Inspire me [#permalink] New post   27 Jun 2006, 23:34
I've been an avid follower of this site and have regularly visited it. For the last 6 months I've been trying to prepare myself to take the GMAT. I'm a Business Analyst with a degree in information technology graduated in 2000, laid off for more than 2 years before finding a decent job. My only ambition in life is to make to a good ten school and get to where I started off a decade ago. I need your advice.

I've struggled with the gmat for the longest time, it's not that I don't understand it, I just don't deliver when it's time. I've been testing myself and have never reached the 600 mark. I keep falling behind the time, and ponder on questions I missed. I've tried to rectify the situation but with no avail.

I'm 35 years old and this is probably my last chance of reaching for my goals but I'm struggling. Everytime I take a test I get stumped on a math problem that ruins the entire test and the curve.

I've heard people say keep trying but is there an end to this misery. I'm a little exhausted and just don't know how far I can go before I quit and dont follow my dreams. I'm seeking some inspiration or down right on your face honesty.

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I know I can pull this off but nothing seems to be coming together for me. Once it's a sequence problem the next day it's a probability or combination or just damn number problems.

Ok, maybe i'm having a bad day but 6months are enough to say I can't reach my goal of getting into a reputable school. Please give me your honest advice. I would appreciate it.

Thanks
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chiragr
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[#permalink] New post   28 Jun 2006, 00:03
buddy, it would be nice if you share how you are preparing for GMAT. Lot of time you may be overlooking somethings and others may spot that easily.
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alimad
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[#permalink] New post   28 Jun 2006, 06:21
I've finished OG, went through all my mistakes. I've tested myself on Princeton participated in the forum but I have struggled to keep a continous studying schedule. This has definitely hampered my studies.
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HongHu
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[#permalink] New post   28 Jun 2006, 07:49
35 years old? I know how that feels. ;) (And I have two kids too.) If I can do it, I'm sure you can. Long preparation can get one's spirit down, but don't lose heart! What you need is probably to analyze your preparation style. It's not how long you spend, or how many questions you do that will make you improve. You need to know what are your weak spots and focus on those areas.

If you feel exhausted, don't force yourself too much. Go take a break, have some parties and enjoy a few weeks of the nice summer. Then come back with more energy and a refreshed mind. Trust yourself. You will conqure it, no matter how hard it is.
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kedarthumma
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[#permalink] New post   29 Jun 2006, 00:11
God has given all of us equal Brain it depends on us how you use it.
Positive frame of mind is must so don't feel low if you don't do well.

Two days back i saw France Vs Spain. I was very surprised the way france played. I saw their first match as well and felt that they forgot how to play football. A question came to my mind how come a team which played horrible play so well and beat a organised team like spain.
Thing is they never forgot to play football they played bad because they were not organised and discipline was missing. so what i learned is if you organise and make efforts with proper planning they nobody can deny succes to you. You have the potential realise it. Bring a punching bag and punch it whenever you feel down.
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chiragr
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[#permalink] New post   29 Jun 2006, 10:45
alimad wrote:
I've finished OG, went through all my mistakes. I've tested myself on Princeton participated in the forum but I have struggled to keep a continous studying schedule. This has definitely hampered my studies.


Well, using OG as bible is a great way to study. Though, GMAT has lot to do with strategy than study alone. Let’s try to do following.
1) Find out your strength and weaknesses on macro level(DS,PS and CR,SC,RC)
2) Than zoom in and find out weaknesses on micro level, means in SC I am getting more comparison or verbal wrong.

Once you find this weaknesses, attack one at a time.

Simultaneously, also analyze your test taking strategy.
1) Do you finish test in time?
2) Do you spend lot time on one question?
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wlee76
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[#permalink] New post   29 Jun 2006, 12:23
I dont know how strong my opinion holds since I only got 590 on my 1st attempt.

Let me see if I can inspire you .. here goes....

I dont think the GMAT is about intelligence/age/ability at all. Sure, there are some people who are naturally bright, or have a strong academic background, but for the 99% of people, I think the GMAT is something else.

The GMAT to me is a indication of how well I can formulate a strategy and stick to the plan.
The GMAT to me is a personal battle of learning to make sacrifices, applying and disciplining myself and developing a study routine (esp after 10 hr day in the office!)

I believe that these are the reasons behind why b-schools demand a GMAT score.

I've read many posts here, that talked about having attained successful GMAT scores through investing a lot of time, using the right resources, and practicing, practicing, practicing.

I reviewed my last preparation, and in retrospect, when I took my test the first time, I hadn't even covered 1/10th of questions that a lot of 700ers had done.

So, to state the obvious, focus on the areas that you're not confident in, and just train your brain to understand the concepts and then practice practice.

So don't give up hope, chin up, and get back to to it.
:boxer2


ps. If you want to watch something motivational, try the Rocky III .. "Eye of the Tiger"
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necromonger
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[#permalink] New post   29 Jun 2006, 16:52
alimad,

I'm 33. One thing that experience teaches us is the power of discipline and planning. We have full time jobs that are often high pressure, the only way to do well is to focus on what matters - such as zeroing in on weaknesses, and a systematic plan to attack them. You will find plently of posts here about how different people planned their study, and you need to find one that suits you.

As far as dreams and achieving goes - it's all in the mind. I find it easier to set a fixed goal that is achievable, and has a path defined to it that I can work on. Then I set a plan to get there. Sometimes it fails, but mostly it works. So don't despair and don't give up - if you feel exhausted, take a 2 week break and forget all about this. Then come back, and hit the books with a clear plan tackling fundamentals first, and then practice tests. Pay lot of attention to little tricks and short cuts, you will save time.

Look at HongHu, she got 780 (or was that 790). But then perhaps you shouldn't - she's not from this planet. I received a mail from the president of planet brilliastra complaining one of their scientists went missing and that she was called 'hong-who', I'm guessing it's this HongHu.

Anyway, all that's said and done - I really wish you well and you should spend some time on this forum to draw inspiration.

Good luck!
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alimad
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[#permalink] New post   30 Jun 2006, 06:01
Thanks so much for all your 'words of wisdom'. Please keep it coming, I need it. Thanks again
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laineyz
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[#permalink] New post   01 Jul 2006, 17:51
I know how you feel....I am in my 40's and this is a dream I wanted...but today CRUSHED THEM.....340!!!...I studied...I think I am too old and I am going to hang it up :(
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