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13 Aug 2013, 16:14
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I just got home from a disastrous GMAT administration. I'd love advice and help because I'm just baffled by what happened. I've been preparing since 4/24/13, only took ~7 days off during the entire time, probably about 125-150 hours invested. I did MGMAT strategy guides all the way through and OG13 and OG QR as well.
Here is my prep history:
GMAT Prep 1. July 26th, 680: Q40, V42
GMAT Prep 2. August 3rd, 740: Q45, V47
I reset the software and did a third full test on 8/10/13:
720, Q48 V45 (quite a few repeat questions, got rattled when my login didn't work, so not a totally accurate representation). I figured that was my "low end" and that I could rely on my work until now. How wrong I was...
I continued reviewing and yesterday did a practice session where I took the remaining GMAT Prep test broken up into two parts and skipped the AWA and IR-- I did the math, took a solid/long lunch break, and did the verbal. I scored a Q47 and V45 on those. I felt great about my performance on both sections and had a relaxing evening with at home with my girlfriend. I got a good night's sleep and felt anxious but prepared on waking. I reminded myself of all my prep work and how much I've put into this and reassured myself I could do it.
I was feeling highly anxious and generally have a hard time managing my anxiety. It's a constant problem for me. I felt a ton of pressure going into today. Once I started, the AWA and IR went fine. I felt good. Took a break, ate a few snacks, had some water, used the restroom.
Started the quant section and felt my anxiety rise on the first problem. It should have been easy, I had solved similar problems before, and it looked...like Mandarin characters. All the skills, tricks, and approaches I've been honing for months felt really far away. I took too long to solve it and knew I was battling to make up time from there. I had a feeling it wasn't going well based on the questions I was getting, as they were easier than I had seen in the successful sections I've taken recently. I tried to calm my nerves and finished with about a minute to spare on the entire section. I took my second break and started the verbal, which felt like it was going okay.
Turns out I was wrong about the verbal going okay and right that the quant was bad. I got a 660 (Q42 V40), which represents the lowest verbal score I've ever gotten and a math score at the bottom of my recent range. I'm devastated and realize this will push back my applications from R1 to R2 because I don't want to rush and botch the second test.
So, here are some questions:
1. When this kind of thing happens to people, what works to get back on track for the next administration?
2. Does it sound like nerves or a lack of proper preparation?
3. Should I plan to retake in October or schedule my next administration for 31 days from now?
4. What kinds of focused work do people who dropped dramatically like this seem to benefit the most from?
5. What do some people with serious anxiety do to calm themselves? I could feel my heart beating really hard and I got so discombobulated.
I am just gobsmacked. I felt great yesterday, the sample section went extremely well, and today was just a huge drop. Ugh. Help me make sense of this.
Here is my prep history:
GMAT Prep 1. July 26th, 680: Q40, V42
GMAT Prep 2. August 3rd, 740: Q45, V47
I reset the software and did a third full test on 8/10/13:
720, Q48 V45 (quite a few repeat questions, got rattled when my login didn't work, so not a totally accurate representation). I figured that was my "low end" and that I could rely on my work until now. How wrong I was...
I continued reviewing and yesterday did a practice session where I took the remaining GMAT Prep test broken up into two parts and skipped the AWA and IR-- I did the math, took a solid/long lunch break, and did the verbal. I scored a Q47 and V45 on those. I felt great about my performance on both sections and had a relaxing evening with at home with my girlfriend. I got a good night's sleep and felt anxious but prepared on waking. I reminded myself of all my prep work and how much I've put into this and reassured myself I could do it.
I was feeling highly anxious and generally have a hard time managing my anxiety. It's a constant problem for me. I felt a ton of pressure going into today. Once I started, the AWA and IR went fine. I felt good. Took a break, ate a few snacks, had some water, used the restroom.
Started the quant section and felt my anxiety rise on the first problem. It should have been easy, I had solved similar problems before, and it looked...like Mandarin characters. All the skills, tricks, and approaches I've been honing for months felt really far away. I took too long to solve it and knew I was battling to make up time from there. I had a feeling it wasn't going well based on the questions I was getting, as they were easier than I had seen in the successful sections I've taken recently. I tried to calm my nerves and finished with about a minute to spare on the entire section. I took my second break and started the verbal, which felt like it was going okay.
Turns out I was wrong about the verbal going okay and right that the quant was bad. I got a 660 (Q42 V40), which represents the lowest verbal score I've ever gotten and a math score at the bottom of my recent range. I'm devastated and realize this will push back my applications from R1 to R2 because I don't want to rush and botch the second test.
So, here are some questions:
1. When this kind of thing happens to people, what works to get back on track for the next administration?
2. Does it sound like nerves or a lack of proper preparation?
3. Should I plan to retake in October or schedule my next administration for 31 days from now?
4. What kinds of focused work do people who dropped dramatically like this seem to benefit the most from?
5. What do some people with serious anxiety do to calm themselves? I could feel my heart beating really hard and I got so discombobulated.
I am just gobsmacked. I felt great yesterday, the sample section went extremely well, and today was just a huge drop. Ugh. Help me make sense of this.
14 Aug 2013, 00:24
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Hey dude,
Just by reading your post I can tell that you worry about your anxiety a lot. It almost seems like you wanna make everything perfect for test day. But in turn, over thinking is your worst enemy. When you're too conscious about how well you're performing or how sufficient your lunch/break was, or even subconsciously knowing that you feel anxious -- these things can severely take your focus away. Instead, try to not give a ****. I suffered from a little anxiety before, I know how awful it can be. But you'll realize you perform your best when your mind is at ease. Worst case scenario, you write again!
Because you got your first-test butterflies out of the way, I think you'll be just fine for the next one.
My advice: Test day isn't going to go perfect. Account for unknown variables. And try to give less of a ****. It can do wonders.
Best of Luck!
Just by reading your post I can tell that you worry about your anxiety a lot. It almost seems like you wanna make everything perfect for test day. But in turn, over thinking is your worst enemy. When you're too conscious about how well you're performing or how sufficient your lunch/break was, or even subconsciously knowing that you feel anxious -- these things can severely take your focus away. Instead, try to not give a ****. I suffered from a little anxiety before, I know how awful it can be. But you'll realize you perform your best when your mind is at ease. Worst case scenario, you write again!
Because you got your first-test butterflies out of the way, I think you'll be just fine for the next one.
My advice: Test day isn't going to go perfect. Account for unknown variables. And try to give less of a ****. It can do wonders.
Best of Luck!
14 Aug 2013, 08:03
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nahean
Thanks. But "not giving a ****" is a lot harder than it sounds. I'm obviously going to take the test again, but I don't want to have to take it a third time. And I want to get the scores I've been getting in my prep/practice.
Also, how can one "give less of a ****" when this is a big, big deal? I have the grades, recommendations, plans and interests for a top program, and the test is the thing standing in my way. It feels overwhelming and monumental, especially in light of yesterday's disastrous performance.
