Mental Calm-Help needed for GMAT

Question

Background : 
I am working as a engineer in IT( ironically not a maths expert) and average in both quants and verbal (According to OG diganostic, CR Below average)
My error log stat shows Q(31,v 12).It shows (sub 450) have not given started with SC as of now.I  target to score 680-690's in GMAT by November. 
I am studying but 1 day i feel like i can dam well ace it.. all i need to overcome is my fears and study,strategy and start giving tests and another day its like,me in my shell sulking over the same thing again and as i said that recovery perios is long

Challenges faced : 
I get disheartened very easily may be seeing the inaccuracy.(I WANT TO OVERCOME THIS BIG TIME I DON'T KNOW   HOW)  
I fear the uncertainty of putting my heart in this but nothing working out.

My throat is full.. writing this.. because everyday I try it gets okay for a day or 2 when i am highly motivated then again i get my accuracy low in practice sessions and i get into my shell and my recovery time from that shell is a way too much.

I because of this emotional pressure not able to focus. i read 2-3 success stories everyday to keep myself on track. Sometimes i am thinking that MBA is not for me(Because 2 years ago also i tried HARD giving mba exam(other than gmat's) and i flunked, i well attribute that failure to the same mental stress/fear that i let dominate over me and same is happening again.But that picture of me getting that graduation cap from one of the top colleges doesn't just shoo away.

I know I have not mentioned any stats here about my scores but I will give GMAT PREP 1 coming sunday. I am scared i will loose focus to concentrate on questions and will loose out on a test number so i have not even given that. Its been almost a month i have started my preparations.

I have just started my journey and i am **** scared.

Would appreciate if anyone can help me come up with a  mental strategy    to keep up for GMAT.

mental Strategy i have formed-I even have a mental strategy in my mind to cover the basic Quant concepts and CR section in a 15-20 days,then practice them each day and simultaneously start with the section i am scared of the most SC-Please let me know if    this is okay or do i need to revamp? ?

I need to keep going i know.. but before i dig in to improve my things and analyse my weakness and strengths .I need to fix this fear of mine, setting me back.  (HOW??)

If anyone had seen/been through similar experiences Please guide me.

P.S I want to paint my MBA picture colorful. I am craving for it from I don;t know how long
Need help

Best,
P

GMATbuster92 · Answer

I won't say GMAT does not scares me , it does every time I don't get an answer correct frustrates me. I am planning to give my 2nd Mock from some time but left it after doing quant section didn't even complete it. 
I can't guide you but will tell that having somebody who is also preparing or can send you questions really helps to come out of that fear.Your post makes me feel better , it shouldn't but at least I know i am not the only one scared from it.

I recommend you stop putting targets for yourself right now, go with the flow, it hardly matters right after all its just an exam which you can always give multiple times.
you know you already knew all this , just need somebody to reassure you , I think its best for you if you join some group it really helps.
if you need any help other than self motivation , we are more than happy to help a fellow GMAT taker.

Pallavim28 · Answer

Thanks for your reply and for the reassurance, Yes, we can give it multiple times and that helps . nevertheless, I believe this is a mental game which i need to win and keep going

I read post from Rich who says "GMAT assassins aren't born they are made" and I am the one in making. Are you taking any tutor's and other stuff where i can get a more personal touch to my work. any good recommendations would help. Lets keep going and ace this fear of ours. best

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Pallavim28,

Many Test Takers find the GMAT to be challenging - so you are not alone. It's important to remember that the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam though - so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) In your initial post, you said that you were planning to take an Official CAT this past weekend? How did you score on that CAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Pallavim28,

I’m sorry to hear about how you have been feeling. Stay strong! With some dedication and a comprehensive study plan, you can master the GMAT.

That being said, I see that you do not have a baseline GMAT score. In short order, could you take  an official MBA.com practice test ? Your experience with taking that test will give you a good idea of what to expect on the GMAT, and the results will serve as a baseline GMAT score. Once we know your baseline score, we can determine next steps.

Also, I have a few questions:

1) To what programs will you be applying? What are the deadlines for these programs?
 
2) By when would you LIKE to take the GMAT? By when MUST you take the GMAT?
 
3) For how many hours a day, on average, can you study between now and your next GMAT?

Once I learn more about you, I can provide some detailed advice.

Lastly, you may find this article about  how to score a 700+ on the GMAT  helpful.

egmat · Answer

Hi Pallavim28 , I can understand that must be tough for you to remain motivated. One way to remain motivated is to become good at the task in hand. I am sure you will find it a lot less like an effort if you feel comfortable with the process of solving these questions and start getting high accuracy. A structured approach and a reliable and repeatable application process will do just that for you. Experience a Structured Approach to GMAT Prep I’m sharing some direct links of free trial material for your convenience. More of them (25 video lessons and 380+ practice questions) are available on your free trial dashboard. 1. Verb-ed Phrases - Verbs or Modifiers 2. Introduction to Assumption 3. Main Point Concept 1 4. Even and Odd Integers 5. Linear Inequalities Need help in creating a Study Plan? We have published several articles on Study Plans and I am sharing the link to those for you so that you can find helpful tips and plan well for your test. If you face any problem in creating a customized plan for yourself after reading those articles, you can write to us at support@e-gmat.com and we will be happy to help. 1. Personalized Study Plans for 100+ Score Improvement 2. Study Plan for Working Professionals – Balancing Work & Study 3. 3 months Study Plan for scoring 760 Hope this helps! Regards, Aditee

warrior1991 · Answer

Pallavi,

I must say when I started to prep I felt more or less the same.Eventually it’s a mind game.Persevernace is what is required here.

I have been through fears and while I write this I feel what are you going through.I know how bad it feels that although you want to achieve the magical score ,fear holds you and takes you down .

Beat all the odds ,start practicing daily.For one time do not think of a result .Take one step at a time.Start with one topic and solve questions.Take pride in whatever you do .

Remember the journey teaches you a lot.You would eventually grow and it may be that in some cases the results may not go into your favor but never loose heart.

The journey will teach you a lot and you would overcome your fear gradually.

Remember every human being is a fighter .

My head always echoes with one dialogue in Hindi 
“Zinda hun “.

Sent from my iPhone using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

Pallavim28 · Answer

Hi Rich,
thankyou for your reply.
I feel terrible mentioning my test scores here, but neverthless I want to ace it.
450(Q35,V17)

I attempted 50 percent in both the sections because my speed was v slow. (not sure that impacted but yes my accuracy was bad in verbal section).

Few queries:
I was performing decent in RC in gmat club questions(i mention the term decently which a relative term how i performed on the GMAT Prep test 1.Not sure what went wrong the clock ticking or what.

Study materials:
1)I m using Power score for CR bible for CR section.
1.a)Have not started with SC as yet.
1.b)For RC i m just solving passages on GMAT club- From where i can learn tricks on these ?
2)I am targeting only topics with 600-700 level of difficulty as of now.
For quant's i am clearing my basic on number systems and P and C as of now and practicing GMAT club 600-700 qyestions.
3)I am working and studying along.
4) what are the test series i should buy( i only know GMAT prep) and from if i can get links to buy these test, which are best among them.

Goals:
3)Planning to take GMAT November end.
4)Planning to APPLY TO ISB(India) in second cycle of admissions.
5)Planning to keep other top colleges in my country with ISB(Some executive courses , all during December end.

Is this jump in score even possible ? or is it just not accepting the bitter truth?.
Please guide.

Pallavim28 · Answer

Hi  ScottTargetTestPrep .

please find my detailed reply to the questions on the same wall address to Rich/Scott.

Please help with a roadmap.

Additonal infor required.
I can study approx 3 hours on a weekday 5 hours on a weekend.

Pallavim28 · Answer

Hi warrior1991, Thankyou so much for this motivation. Yes the feat of unknown makes me scared and i guess i need to learn to thinking about "WHAT IF NOT". Needless to say, Whatsoever the outcome may be i will surely get a lot stronger by the end of this journey. Thankyou for the motivation will keep up and keep moving even the destination may seem v far off.

Pallavim28 · Answer

thank you Payal i will surely check them out and make a planned strategy for it.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Pallavim28,

To start, raising a 450 to a 680+ will likely require at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

With a Test Date at the end of November, you still have plenty of time to study and improve - which is good. You will want to be really efficient during this next phase of your studies though, so you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Many Test Takers become too fixated on the 'implied level' of the questions that they're working on - instead of what really matters: defining WHY they're getting questions wrong and becoming more efficient at approaching the overall Exam. This is meant to say that at this point you should be working on your overall knowledge and Test-taking skills - and NOT on any particular "level" of questions.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Pallavim28 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Yes, i felt the same feed to get my basics clear with help for a course and have enrolled for e-gmat verbal online yesterday.

About the no of hours per week- It should be between 23-25 hours per week I should be able to dedicate as I am working along.

Starting with how to read an RC, because that was the area i performed miserably in the Mock

Best,
Pallavi

Darshanukey · Answer

Hi pallavi
 I think you are doing the same mistake that I did.
I prepared for my GMAT heavily depending upon the book material. And I scored a 660 in my first attempt.
I was using the same strategy of solving as many problems as I could and checking my accuracy. And I would get disheartened too at times. My score wasn't improving beyond 560-580.
I then reffered some video tutorials on YouTube for verbal.
Here are few videos I recommend you should have a look at
1. SC, CR by jumboree ( set of 9 videos with increasing difficulty levels)
2. CR strategy by Crack verbal.
3. CR strategy by byjus.

Ofcourse The videos are not sufficient and you will need additional resources , but these will be right tools to start with.
You will learn some tricks and start noticing GMAT question pattern. You can then practice with different set of questions using these strategies.
It should help to boost your score a bit , at least upto 620 and you can then work on your weak sections.

Hope it helps.

Posted from my mobile device

Pallavim28 · Answer

Hi..

Thanks for pointing it out. I realized that probably solving questions will not be enough, Started with some video material.

Looking forward to share the progress:)

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