harshadashewale89 wrote:
I am unable to cross 710 because of lack of mental stamina in the second section. My brain just shuts off. Even on the actual exam, I only scored 700, despite the fact that my concepts are clear. My brain just switches off to the point that I randomly mark options. That's how I scored only 700 which is the lowest ever score of my last 4 months of prep. I study 2.5 hrs a day (after work) and study about 7 hours minimum on the weekends.
Should I just give up? The only thing stopping me from 740+ is the mental stamina. I know that for sure. Is it possible to increase it? I am working so I can only give one practice test per weekend. Will giving one every weekend increase it?
I only want to make at effort at giving tests if it's going to increase my stamina for sure.
Hi
harshadashewale89,
What order did you take the exam in? Did you not choose verbal/Quant before AWA and IR, if mental fatigue is the issue?
With a 700 in hand you are very close to 740 but that would require few things that need to be done out of your comfort zone. If you have recently taken the exam then there is no point taking a long break from studies. You might take a break for a week and use that time to heal your body and mind by doing the activities you like or going to a place with good weather and natural beauty. You know what heals your mind, so ujust do that.
Generally following are the things that need to be done:1. Food to the Mind: Just as we take care for our whole body, we need to provide right nutrition to our mind as well. You can get plethora of advice on what to eat for a healthy mind.
2. Breaks in chunks: Diving deep into studies and staying aloof from the rest of the world will keep the stress level high. Try to leave the chair for sometime and let the cool wind fall on your face. Talk to people and eat what you love to eat. A small break is needed as a reward to your mind. Do it.
3. Meditation: needless to say much about it. Just close your eyes in the morning and sit silently. there is much more to meditation but we are practicing GMAT right now not meditation.
4. Excercise: Healthy body has a healthy mind too. It is always a pleasure to go have a walk in the prak in the morning. It keeps ones afresh. So excercise do not mean you go hit the gym, though there is no harm who have been doing it regularly, but having the fresh air in the morning with walk/run is definitly a big help.
5. Practice the exam day: Whenever you take the CAT at home, Try to replicate the exam day situation. Eat what you will eat in the breaks of 8 minutes that day, take a walk if you would on exam day and do not just attempt verbal & quant while taking CAT.
6. Pressure: Do not take pressure of the result. It's obvious not to take the exam in stressed mind. Most test takers achieve their dream score in 2-3 attempts. First attempt 760 are all together different stories. Just believe in yourself and your efforts and PLAY with algorithm like a master, beating it on every question it gives you.
7. Strategy: This is the single most important thing to keep working on to succeed in GMAT. You must have your own strategy to tackle the exam. If you mostly run out of time then you need to stretgise when would you skip a horrible looking question. there is much more to one's strategy of taking the exam. it is different for everyone having different set of problems altogether.
8. Time Management: You need to be good at managing time. If you are one of those who take it on the ego that how can i not solve the quesiton or even after going past a question keeps thinking about the right/wrong of it then, you need to work on it. last set of questions in verbal are equally important as those in first set. Keep eye on those very very tough questions from 15-30 that you can save your ton of time one and invest on questions in last set. Also try to keep in mind that you do not need to get 3 consecutive wrong. having sense of At what time you would be at what question would help you in time management.
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... anagement/https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/arti ... g-pace.cfm9. Algorithm: Though understanding the GMAT algorithm completely has been a nightmare to many but experts, test takers and the data from ESRs and GMATPrep have brought a good understanding to us. Knowing the nuances of the algorithm DEFINITELY help increase your score by manyfolds. Here are two links that you must go thru:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-prep-so ... 46146.htmlhttps://gmatclub.com/forum/information- ... 21111.html10. Confidence: What can be better than believing in yourself. Those who go to exam centre confidently, have very less chance of stress build up. If during the exam stress comes in then it is advisable to close your eyes for 2-5 seconds and breathe. This will bring the focus back.
Overall advice: If you have come thus far, no looking back. Do not give up. Keep yourself healthy and fit and keep pursuing the hobbies with studies and make your way to success. All the Best.
Here are some suggestions from experts on Mental Fatigue and what to do about it:https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2015/0 ... l-stamina/https://www.topmba.com/blog/boosting-your-stamina-gmathttps://gmat.economist.com/gmat-advice/ ... at-studieshttps://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... you-crazy/Hope this helps you. Please post if there is any followup question
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04 Nov 2017, 02:33
