VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
My suggestion is that if you are simulating the GMAT to get over the trouble you had last time, take a test only when you can take it properly. One section at a time will actually give you better results (concentration is higher for shorter periods). Not doing essays will again give you better results. You spend a lot of energy in the first one hour of GMAT (writing the essays) even though they are not scored in the 800. By the time you start Quant, your mind and eyes are already a little tired. Since your aim is not to really 'learn' out of the tests but to get a good feel so that you are not frazzled on test day, try and simulate the actual test day conditions. Take the entire test in one go in the best conditions possible - at the time that you have taken for your test, with timed breaks etc. Try to utilize your holidays for the test, even if they are consecutive days.
If you find yourself wondering how hard the question is and how well you are doing, don't bother. We all do it subconsciously. The thought just flashes through your mind if the question is simple because you are not 100% involved. It doesn't harm you. But if you find yourself dwelling on it and feeling nervous, that's not good. Remember, you are not the judge of the level of questions - the software is. I remember when I took GMAT some years back, first 4-5 questions were a breeze, then there were some tricky ones and then last few were easy again and I was a little worried that how come I am getting such easy ones. I still did get a Q51 so there is no point second guessing the software. It knows what it has to do, you focus on what you have to do.
I completely agree that doing the tests in unrealistic conditions/without the essays is not a good indicator. That said though, I don't think it hurts as extra practice as long as I still get in the 3 full length, real condition practice tests that I have planned before my Oct 7th test date.
The part of your response that I bolded in good advice. Most of this test is just focus for me, so I will keep that in mind. Mentally, I have been feeling better about the whole thing these last fews days. Hopefully the positive thought continues.
In other news, I reviewed the 2 CATs I have taken and was pleasantly surprised. Last time I took GMATpreps before my real test I found that the questions I got wrong I often did not understand at all. This time, when I reviewed I could get all the questions I got wrong right, with unlimited time, meaning I understand the concepts. With more practice and concentration I expect to be able to improve.