EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
Based on your other CAT/mock Scores - and the fact that you took this most recent CAT at NIGHT - it's likely that you were just too tired to perform at your best. You should want to take your practice CATs at a day and time that you are at your best mentally, physically and psychologically; for most GMATers, taking a test at the end of the day is NOT the best time for any of those states. If you've taken all of your CATs in the evening, then you might just have had a 'bad day' on this one CAT - but you should also consider shifting your schedule to take your CATs earlier in the day.
Very well said,
EMPOWERgmatRichC, I agree.
The GMAT harshly punishes imprecision and careless errors, so resting well and preventing fatigue can make a huge difference -- a notable example is a client going from 620 to 740 on 2 practice tests within a week, when well-rested versus tired. So,
popcornninja, you are not alone, and your 710 and 730 on official mocks are very encouraging in only one month of prep. If you have the time, continuing to practice and learn from your verbal mistakes will increase your confidence and consistency.
An advantage of the online format is that you have more flexibility to thoughtfully choose the ideal start time for you. I've seen research that 3-4 hours after waking is ideal, but it can depend on the person, so think about when you are most focused and sharp. (graph attached)
Best wishes on your GMAT training and exam!
Attachments
Graph from study of Sleep Intertia Dissipation in Human Performance and Alertness.png [ 141.93 KiB | Viewed 1042 times ]
_________________
I've been tutoring online as a GMAT specialist since 2016.
Visit
http://www.GMATcoach.com/trial for a free consultation.
We'll address the biggest challenges you're facing and create an action plan to reach your GMAT and MBA goals!