Disappointing first GMAT attempt - ESR analysis

To tackle the exam anxiety,
Almost all of the students have struggled to some degree with anxiety on test day. For the vast majority, that anxiety stems from fear of poor exam performance, which often snowballs into a myriad of unknown, future consequences, including negative admissions decisions.

Anxiety is detrimental because it impedes the ability to think clearly, and the GMAT is a test of critical thinking skills. Holding back this most important ability will hinder your performance on test day.

While there are several exercises to combat anxiety (one of which is outlined below), the overall best way to address this is to think of the GMAT as a way to push yourself confidently in a private, one-to-one encounter with the test.

Think of this private communication with the test as the ultimate challenge to prove to yourself that you know what you’re doing, and you’re ready to show the admissions committee what you’re made of. If you have done the work, if your base skills are where they should be, then you will be ready. It is all about preparation and the application of knowledge. You are ALREADY smart—now you are just teaching yourselves new patterns to recognize.

Using breathing techniques to counter anxiety on GMAT test day

Whether from nerves or intense concentration, breathing during a test often ranges from shallow to non-existent.

This automatic response may have served our ancestors well when faced with threats or when they were hunting, but you would be wise to ignore this on the GMAT. Simply put, your brain is an oxygen fiend. Under normal conditions, the brain consumes 20% of your total oxygen, despite making up about 2% of your weight.

You can imagine what happens in “test mode.” The lesson here is simple but priceless: just keep breathing. If, like me, you have trouble putting this into practice, automate the process:

Take a deep breath each time you submit an answer.
Take another after you read the question.
Take one more whenever you get stuck.
Your brain will thank you by running more efficiently and bringing all that horsepower to bear on those really tough problems.

Remember: If you're not breathing deeply and regularly, you are not operating at full capacity. If you have a habit of forgetting to breathe, make a new habit of taking a deep breath at regular intervals.

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