Gmat Prep Question

Question

Hi,

I have a query regarding Gmat Prep. As I bought an online prep course TTP a few months back. And, I am studying alone with no study partner. While studying I usually play songs or motivational music in order to concentrate on my prep. So, my query is whether it's a good practice to play songs while studying? or It's a bad habit that would further ruin my score. Please advice.

Thanks & Regards,
Pooja Arora

AndrewN · Answer

Hello, Pooja. Whatever helps you concentrate, that is what you should do. There is no right or wrong way to study, as long as you are actively engaging with the material. I know that some people study well with music; others, like me, tend to shift their focus to that music. I would only discourage someone from listening to music while taking a mock, since that would not be a realistic scenario on test day.

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Thanks for your response. It really helps!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I actually think it's a great idea to study while listening to music if it can help keep you focused. I don't think it will have any negative effects on your GMAT score.

poojaarora1818 · Answer

I actually think it's a great idea to study while listening to music if it can help keep you focused. I don't think it will have any negative effects on your GMAT score.
Thanks for your response.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Of course.

EducationAisle · Answer

Since "motivational music in order to concentrate on my prep" cannot be replicated on the actual exam, I would think you should develop the ability to concentrate   without   music.

Else you might have to  face the music  on the actual exam:).

poojaarora1818 · Answer

I will try my level best but I don't think personally while at the time of my GMAT prep the background music without lyrics would be of any harm to my studies. I just do it to maintain inner peace. That's it.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  poojaarora1818 ,

Go for it. You could always turn the music off if you think it's not helping.

Also, I know that many of my students like to listen to music just before they take the (actual) GMAT.

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Thanks for your support. It really helps!

PyjamaScientist · Answer

Pooja,

Although you've got really great advices from the experts above, I'd like to share my experience in this regard.

My home is close to a school and at afternoon, there is often a ruckus outside my home. I don't hate it, sometimes I even get out to my balcony and watch happy children fooling around with each other. It works as a stress buster for me.

But, when I sit to study and the loud noises from outside distract me from my study, I resort to listening to "Brown Noise" through my headphones. This a habit that I used extensively during my prep. But, during the official mock 1, when I was trying to replicate test-like situations and chose not to wear my headphones (thus no brown noise to cancel any outside interference), my mind felt "awkward".

I had conditioned myself into a "specific" environment, something that CAN NOT be replicated in the actual exam.

So, to counter that I started studying without headphones or brown noise blasting into my ears. So, yes you can go ahead and listen to music and enjoy your GMAT journey.  Just make sure you don't get "conditioned" for that specific environment.

Best of luck to you journey. Rooting for your success.

Posted from my mobile device

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Hi, Thanks for such a great advice. I am just doing it in order to keep myself away from all negative thoughts. But, believe me, I am not addicted to it. Sure, I will take your advice not to do it while taking any practice test or taking mocks. Thanks for your wishes.

AndrewN · Answer

To follow up on this thought, I remember hearing about research from years ago that showed that students who listened to the Rocky theme song before an exam actually performed better than students who listened to nothing. Although I could not turn up the research in a quick Google search, I did find  this article , entitled "Final Exam Time—Use Music to Optimize Your Mind," from  Psychology Today . The author is not just some blogger, but a respected and widely read health and psychology author (who also holds a PhD). Interestingly enough, he mentions the Rocky theme song in a list at the end of the article to "boost your focus." I do not claim to know whether or how this process may work, but it could be worth exploring.

- Andrew

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Thank you so much for validating my point by sharing this wonderful Article. Now, I feel more confident and relaxed. As it has been mentioned in the article then while meditating we used to listen to some relaxing music in order to control our test anxiety. Thank you so much you really have made my day.

poojaarora1818 · Answer

I don't know who you are and where you are from. But, all I can say is that you are simply not my cup of tea. So, let's end this conversation here only. And, don't send me the message again.

0Lucky0 · Answer

Mods ,  nightblade354 , if possible, please delete my comment above and all the further conversations about my comment from this topic as my comment has become a distraction here and the OP doesn't find it useful.
Thank You!
Also, I don't think the OP knows that it's not a message and keeps posting the same thing so I think it would be better if the mods were to simply delete it so that the OP doesn't get to see it anymore.
Thank You!

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Thank you so much for doing this favor.

nightblade354 · Answer

0Lucky0 ,

All set! Everything should be the way folks want it to be.

poojaarora1818 · Answer

nightblade354  , It's my request to you pls don't delete other Expert's posts except for  0Lucky0 ,

nightblade354 · Answer

poojaarora1818 ,

I don't believe I deleted any other expert comments, but if I did I apologize.

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