Point of no return, GMAT in 5 days

Question

So, my GMAT is on Saturday and all I can say is that I know I have the capability to score over 600, as I've been doing just that on mocks consistently for 3 months now using creditable resources (GMATprep, GMATprep Exam pack 1, Manhattan, and Veritas). That said, I feel the jitters coming and I am struggling to stay calm. I'm not sure how to devote these last days: some sources (such as the "what to do 30-14 -7 -1 days before your exam") recommend doing 1 more CAT, specifically the day before but I think if I score badly on that, it would completely destroy my confidence.

With this post I am asking for some advice on how to best utilize my last days leading up to this exam. What do you think?

I guess Monday-Thurs I could work on problems I've already done, and that I find difficult? And then Friday maybe I should just take the day off? I am doing my best to keep a positive outlook on this, and I think my nerves are what could potentially blow it for me (again).

I guess I'm trying to take my emotions out of the equation. Any pro tips on last week prep?

sterling19 · Answer

I'm taking my GMAT on Friday. If it is helpful to you, here is my plan:

1. Take one last CAT and review the questions I got wrong
2. Review my error log (questions I missed in the OG guide). Practice with GMAT Club questions on weaker areas.
3. Relax the day before the exam

Best of luck to you.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sabineodf,

Do NOT take a CAT the day before your Official GMAT (if you're going to take 1 more CAT, then it should be at least 4 days before your Test). A FULL CAT is an exhausting experience and you don't want to 'burn out' before Test Day. Some light review is good; going back to revisit some of the earlier concepts that you studied and redoing questions from your earlier CATs will help to reinforce everything that you've learned.

The day before your Test should be as calm and 'low-key' as you can make it. Don't study too much (and do NOT 'cram') - you'll be better served going into Test Day if you are well-rested and ready to do the necessary work to hit your goals.

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

KyleWiddison · Answer

You are wise to focus on your mental state. Too few people try to get their head right before taking the exam and then the perceived pressure of the exam becomes to much for them. Do as much as you can to strengthen yourself mentally now. Mentally imagine yourself doing well on the exam. Think through what the test experience will be like and think about how you will respond if you start to feel pressure. Convince yourself (because it's true) that the exam does not control your life. You control the exam. Even if you do horribly on the exam, you can retake it! You can take it multiple times! There is really no pressure. Take me seriously on this - there is no pressure...

Your job on the test is to focus on exam problem as it comes and your overall timing. Do NOT think about your performance at any point during the exam. Just focus on performing and your score will come at the end. You have prepared yourself well and taking the actual exam just the next step in the process.

You control the exam. It's not a big deal. No pressure.

KW

apoorv601 · Answer

Best of luck for the GMAT exam!!!!!!!
I think you should chill off and relax and review some basics!!

sabineodf · Answer

Thanks for all the kind words and advice!!

SavageBrother · Answer

Tell us, how did it go?

Did you get the needed score?

sabineodf · Answer

Yes! It actually did. Contrary to my belief during the actual exam, I scored a 670.

Q44 and V38 - the highest I've ever gotten, even on mocks for Quant. I am extremely pleased and surprised. What I really think helped me in the end was relaxing just a little bit the week before. And on the actual exam, I did not waste any time on questions that were above my level of skill: I simply made an educated guess and moved on. Turns out that worked quite well!

Even though I spent my time wisely, I did have to guess the last 2 or 3 questions having barely read them because my time was running out but that clearly didn't matter too much. This was what lead me to believe that it did not go well. But even though I thought I had bombed it, I tried my best on verbal, just in case I had done well enough.

To my surprise 670 popped up on the screen and I was so relieved. I will say I was "lucky" on the quant section: I didn't get any questions that completely made my stomach turn, which is rare for me. But with that said, I believe I might still have succeeded even if I did.

I never got to pay for the full Empowergmat course, since my bank didn't allow for an overseas transaction and I was too close to my exam to stress about it. But what I did get from the free trial was extremely helpful. If I had used empowergmat in conjunction with Manhattan Gmat tests and GMATPREP from the start, I would have had way more confidence.

Thanks to everyone who wished me well and gave me valuable advice! This forum has really been a great support system for me. I might write a debrief later on, since I started with such a low score.. it might help motivate someone else! I know I read countless stories to psych myself up.

:-D

kinjiGC · Answer

Congrats for the score and all the best for applications

apoorv601 · Answer

Congrats on your score buddy!! Best of luck for the future!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sabineodf,

That's great news about Test Day - clearly all of the hard work that you put in paid off.

When are you planning to apply to Business School?
Do you know which Schools you want to apply to?

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

sabineodf · Answer

Thanks a lot, all of you! I will be going to CASS Business School in London, most likely. I have my acceptance there, but might have a last look around to see whether I'm interested in any other schools. My hearts been set on CASS for a long time though.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi sabineodf,

I think your plan for Monday to Thursday sounds good. For some, a CAT before test day helps. For others, it's the source of panic. If you're one of the latter, I'd say definitely take the day off and do nothing related to GMAT. Focus is really important, and as you said, "taking emotions out of the equation." Best of luck!!!

KyleWiddison · Answer

Congrats on the good score. I hope everyone pays attention to what you did that paid off.

Reducing your stress level before the exam is super helpful. Staying positive and doing to best throughout the exam is critical. I love what you did with the difficult questions...

Lots of students have a hard time letting go of any questions but on the GMAT it's important to maximize your performance on the questions you know you can do and not waste time that are above your ability. The exam will repeatedly give you questions you can handle - if you can recognize what they are and make educated guesses you probably have the same performance on those hard problems and you get more time to invest on the problems you can handle.

Good luck at B-School!

KW

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