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Third attempt - 750

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dont_give_up
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Third attempt - 750 [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 26 Nov 2016, 14:09
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About a month ago I had made a post asking for help after I scored a dismal 680 on my first attempt.
In my mocks I had gotten 720-740 so I was disappointed like no tomorrow. I wrote it again the second time on Nov 4th and this time got a 660!

Today I just wrote it and got a 750!

So what changed?
  • Pressure was OFF today. I dont function well under stress - and the third time the pressure was non-existant.
  • I identified areas where I needed to focus.
  • Checking my work in Quant - what was asked for? Correct units etc.
  • Being quick on SC to leave a lot of time for RC - you shouldn't take more than a minute ideally. In my score reports from the 2 attempts - I noticed I took anywhere between 75-100 seconds to answer a SC question. This had to change.
  • Internalizing a RC passage - really engage in the passage. Ask why a para is there. If you cant tell yourself the outline after you've read the passage - you probably dont understand it very well.
  • Focusing simply on premise/conclusion on CR. Thats it. That'll win you more battles in CR than anything else. Understanding causality and ways to weaken or strengthen it will help too.
  • DS - I fell in love with. Arguably my fav problem. Just think a little harder and you'll *trump* DS. Dont settle for less - that'll cause you to fall into the C or E trap.
  • Stay positive. If you know you can get over 700 in practice consistently - you probably can do it on the real thing too.

How to better manage pressure?
  • Take the practice test somewhere where you normally wouldnt - e.g. library. This helped me out a lot since it replicated a foreign environment. When you practice at home you are practicing in a familiar setting and so your not simulating test centre conditions. At the test centre people will be coming in and out - you will hear people typing etc. All these distractions dont exist at home and so a library is a great place to write test since its close enough to what would be happening at the test centre.
  • Take the test in its entireity. This will help build stamina.
  • In your off time try to meditate and do yoga - might sound crazy but it actually really helps.
  • Remind yourself this is just a test - not the end of your life if you dont get teh score you want.
  • If you rewrite a test - write it at the same test centre at the exact same time. I would avoid super early mornings though - unless you are already a early riser.
  • Positive reinforcement - during the test or otherwise - keep telling yourself your doing well. This helps prevent a sinking feeling if you get a series of really hard question or questions.
  • Eat healthy.

My biggest takeaway:
I am far from a genius, so I accepted the fact that nothing in life is going to come easy to me. But that doesnt mean I shouldnt fight.
To quote one of my favorite movies: "Keep fighting and your weakness will become your strengths"

You only lose if you give up.

Onwards to applications!

- dont_give_up.

Originally posted by dont_give_up on 21 Nov 2016, 17:13.
Last edited by dont_give_up on 26 Nov 2016, 14:09, edited 2 times in total.
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Sunshine0629
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Re: Third attempt - 750 [#permalink] New post   25 Nov 2016, 01:32
Hi, I'm in the same situation as you - do not do well under pressure. How did you conquer that?

Posted from my mobile device
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flamin
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Re: Third attempt - 750 [#permalink] New post   25 Nov 2016, 02:04
There's a quote I like that is similar to yours @dont_give_up; it says "winners never quit and quitters never win". Great encouragement!!! I would be writing mine on the 20th of Dec.
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dont_give_up
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Re: Third attempt - 750 [#permalink] New post   25 Nov 2016, 15:17
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Sunshine0629 wrote:
Hi, I'm in the same situation as you - do not do well under pressure. How did you conquer that?

Posted from my mobile device


At Sunshine I feel your pain brother.

So here's the good news - pressure is conquerable. Somethings that I did to help me out include:

1) Take the practice test somewhere where you normally wouldnt - e.g. library. This helped me out a lot since it replicated a foreign enviornment.
2) Take the test in its entireity. This will help build stamina.
3) In your off time try to medidate and do yoga - might sound crazy but it actually really helps.
4) Remind yourself this is just a test - not the end of your life if you dont get teh score you want.
5) If you rewrite a test - write it at the same test centre at the exact same time. I would avoid super early mornings though - unless you are already a early riser.

Positive reinforcement helps. Keep telling yourself your doing well during the test.

I am sure you can do it too!

Cheers
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gmatclubot
Re: Third attempt - 750 [#permalink]
25 Nov 2016, 15:17
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