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How to Train for Time Pressure and Mental Fatigue on the GMAT
One of the most overlooked challenges in GMAT preparation is the combined impact of time pressure and mental fatigue. These two factors do not just make the test harder; they can cause you to miss questions you actually know how to solve. You may look back at a practice test and think, "I knew the right answer. Why did I miss it?" Often, the issue is not a lack of knowledge. It is fatigue or pressure interfering with performance.
You cannot remove these factors from test day, but you can train yourself to handle them. That training requires consistency and structure.
Here is how you can build that capability:
Lengthen your study sessions gradually. Start with manageable blocks and build up to two-hour sessions. Learning to sustain focus over extended periods is key.
Mix question types and topics. Do not study just one kind of problem per session. Teach yourself to switch between topics without losing mental sharpness.
Treat your practice tests like the real exam.
- Take them in one uninterrupted sitting.
- Follow official timing and break schedules.
- Eliminate distractions and simulate the test-day environment as closely as possible.
Observe your own patterns. Pay attention to how you respond under pressure.
- Do you rush when the timer gets low?
- Do you lose focus halfway through a section?
- Do you make more careless mistakes when you are tired?
- Noticing these patterns is the first step toward fixing them.
Build mental resilience. After a difficult question or a minor error, practice regaining your composure quickly. Do not carry mistakes with you from one question to the next. The ability to reset and move on is critical.
Prioritize quality over quantity. Training your mind to operate under stress is not about cramming more questions into a day. It is about engaging with the material in the right way—deliberately and with full attention.
The GMAT tests more than just knowledge. It tests how well you can think under pressure and stay sharp throughout a long, demanding experience. Build those abilities into your preparation. When you do, you put yourself in a much stronger position to succeed.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
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