Tips for Concentration?

Question

I was doing some reading practices and even took two CAT tests. Every single time in the verbal section, I find myself losing concentration or having to reread over and over again. I also find it harder to read or comprehend what's being said or having to squint/enlarge the screen.

I was taking a Manhattan tip to start practicing reading more science/business articles off their suggested websites and I'm breezing through! I have no problem digesting anything, everything is easy to read. When I was taking the CATs I found myself having to read out loud in order to digest it. Here, I can just slide through smoothly. Is this due to the font on the GMAT? Or is it maybe because I take verbal after quant and I'm simply tired? Do you have any tips for concentration?

I know that reading out loud is not only rude to others on test day, but you might even get kicked out for disturbance. I can't help but mutter when solving math or reading passages, do you have any tips on this also?

Many thanks in advance!

Rubina11 · Answer

This post may help you . check it out https://gmat.economist.com/gmat-advice/ ... at-studies

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

Hello, I am sure you will find the below blog post useful. I have been in the same boat but with some efforts, I could make significant gains. All the best. 
 https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/zen-boot-camp-for-the-gmat/

m1033512 · Answer

Buddy,
It will come only by practice .

I improved by following the tips from MGMAT RC book.

read paragraph by paragraph and try to tell a summary of paragraph to yourself and then match to the content of the paragraph to understand how you performed.

Practice this for 2 weeks and you will see improvement !!!

all the best

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TeaclubEst2019,

There's certainly some logic to the idea that reading aloud can help you learn (since doing so involves more activity and includes another one of your senses - hearing), but you're correct that reading aloud on Test Day might cause some issues at the Test Facility (so you should train to NOT read aloud). That having been said, there are a variety of other factors that can impact your concentration, including the time of day that you study, where you study, the lighting in the room, how you are sitting in your chair, etc. Thus, you should consider all of those details at face value - and think about how you might improve them individually.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

TeaclubEst2019 · Answer

The weirdest thing was, I was in a perfectly quiet environment, window natural light, and wide away taking my practice GMAT where I was having a hard time focusing.
The next time was when I'm at work in the office, it's lunch break, my work load is everywhere on my desk, lighting is okayish, not enough sleep, but I'm now breezing through and easily understanding everything.

1)I have not been studying much yet, just getting started. I took the advice that my (very low, below 25) Q and V scores meant I needed a brush up on foundations (so I have been studying Khan Academy for the past week)
2) Manhattan Road Map. I'm reading that. OG registered with Wiley so I have online questions (to practice computer format instead of paper testing), and lots and lots of Khan academy videos on Algebra.
3) First GMAT practice was one of the two free ones. I got a 310. Second was a Q and V from GMAT club totalling again a 310. Later in the day I felt more recharged and actually slowed down a lot (my first tests left me with lots of time on the clock) and scored a 420.

4) I'm not aiming for a top school. Only online Macc. I'm hoping to score between 550-680.
5) Sometime September
6) Any semester between Spring 2020 and Fall 2020
7) The few online programs I've looked at include Emporia Univ. Boise, Rider University, or SUNY Polytech.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TeaclubEst2019,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so since you're in the early phase of your studies, you might naturally improve over time (as you learn more about the content, Tactics and patterns of the GMAT). In addition, you've given yourself plenty of time to study before you plan to take the GMAT - which is good. A Score Goal of 550+ is relatively modest (since the average Score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years), so you might be fine to proceed with your studies however you like. If you're interested in a much higher Score though (for example, if you needed to hit a specific Score to apply for a Scholarship), then you would likely need a more consistent, guided Study Plan.

Regardless of how you choose to continue studying, it's important to note that a CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. As such, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TeaclubEst2019,

Thank you for providing some information regarding your situation with the GMAT. Honestly, since you are scoring around 420, although I agree that you likely are struggling with Reading Comprehension questions, I think that you need to improve in all aspects of GMAT quant and verbal, from the foundations up to more advanced concepts. With that said, would you like some general advice on how to improve your GMAT quant and verbal skills?

Feel free to reach out with further questions.

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Tips for Concentration?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards