Confidence is hitting rock bottom as the exam date approaches

Question

Hi all,

I have my third attempt in 10 days.
My scores in the previous two attempts are 680 and 650. I have been preparing for around 3 months now and have a very fluctuating performance (mock scores 680-740). As the exam date is approaching, my confidence is hitting rock bottom and I do not know what to do.
I am meditating to help calm my mind, but is there anything else that I could do?

I am aiming for a 740.

What should be my fallback plan if I do not get the desired score on this attempt? I have considered the possibility of a private tutor, but it's very expensive ($1500 and above). I have had TTP & e-GMAT subscriptions in the past, and they helped me to a great extent.

Edit: I took 2 timed practice quizzes of the Advanced GMAT questions. In the first quiz, I got 3/10 correct. In the second, I got 9/10 correct. This is really worrying.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Thinking of a plan B may help a person do plan A more calmly. For motivation, reading success stories on the Share GMAT Experience may also help. The person below went from a 680 like one of your attempts to a 740 (your target). They mention some general tips toward the end such as was working with a study buddy.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-online- ... 68599.html

P.S. If you include your mock data/dates and where you feel your issues are, people may be able to provide some specific suggestions as well.

-tutoring contact: gmatknight site | instagram

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi TargetKellogg2024,

Variation in performance levels is normal (this holds for all test takers, including experts). Try to focus on the things that you can control. Revise the concepts you've learnt, solve a few questions and review your error log, and most importantly, get plenty of sleep in the last few days before the exam.

All the best.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TargetKellogg2024.

Have you tried doing topic-focused practice using the streaks method? By practicing that way, you could become more consistent, even over the next 10 days.

The streaks method is discussed toward the end of this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

selberenova · Answer

It seems like you have prepared well, considering your mock scores consistently above 680. However, I highly suggest calming your mind and avoiding excessive nervousness during the actual test. I've had a couple of friends who studied tirelessly and achieved impressive mock scores, but unfortunately, their final scores were even lower due to test-related stress and nerves.

A few days before the test, practice GMAT test questions. If you have any weak areas, review them again, but refrain from trying to master everything in a single night. Instead, focus on reinforcing your understanding and skills in those specific areas.

Honestly, since you've taken two different prep courses, I feel you'd know very well where your weaknesses are at. So use all of the free GMAT Club resources to get better at it. Sure you can go for a tutor, but if budget is an issue, then either use free resources or try a different prep course.

Best of luck for your exam!

TargetKellogg2024 · Answer

Hi GmatTutorKnight , Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for sharing the link. I have gone through the post, and it's really reliving to read that!

TargetKellogg2024 · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun ,

Thank you for your response.
Throughout my preparation this time, I prepared an exhaustive error log (in Excel). I am revisiting those this week. Also, I have had trouble sleeping well because of the anxiety, but I have sought professional help, and it is working well for me. I am ensuring an 8-10 hour sleep to avoid complete burnout from my preparation in the daytime. Also, starting Monday, I have taken off from my work until the end of the exam.
I just hope that things work out at the end.

TargetKellogg2024 · Answer

Hi  MartyTargetTestPrep ,

Thank you for your response. I have gone through the article, and it is really helpful. 
I didn't exactly know about the Streak Method, but when I first enrolled for the TTP course in December last year, I really liked the way Chapter Tests are presented. based on that, I created a similar simulation using GMAT Club Forum Quiz, and that helped. Now that I know about the concept of the Streak Method, it adds a clearer perspective to my strategy to practice the questions.

TargetKellogg2024 · Answer

Hi  selberenova ,
Thank you for your response. 
I am reviewing the mistakes I made in OG questions (OG Guide, Review, and Advanced). Furthermore, In a race to score 740, I think I have been chasing 100% accuracy even on the hard questions, which is burning me out completely. Just yesterday, I read some debriefs on GMAT Club, which were an eye-opener for me. I am now starting to hold my horses when my accuracy on hard questions goes down.
Another strategy for attempting the exam that I am adopting- attempt a question, and forget about it as I move to another question.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TargetKellogg2024,

Is it possible you are burning out a bit? Why don't you take a day off, so you can rest your head?

TargetKellogg2024 · Answer

Hi  ScottTargetTestPrep ,
Thank you for your response.

Yes, I believe that was the case, and I took two days off. With no study and lots of FRIENDS! I feel quite relaxed post that, and now I am revising all the OG questions. My target (almost on track) is to be done with the revision by 16th June.
17th, 18th, and 19th of June will be only for meditating, revising the concepts, and going through the mistakes I made in the OG revision.

20th June is D-Day!

Is there any other suggestion you'd like to add?

PS - In the OG revision so far, I have an accuracy of 95%+ in CR easy and medium (~100 questions in each difficulty level), and of 90%+ in SC easy and medium (~100 questions in each difficulty level). However, I am not letting these scores rise my hope exponentially, for I have attempted all these questions earlier.

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Confidence is hitting rock bottom as the exam date approaches

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