Too scared to write my first mock after preparation!Please help

Question

Hi tutors,
I have been preparing for the GMAT since November.As of now I have completed OG(V+Q), OG VR (SC) . I have prepared quite intensely since the past 4 months. But I don't know why I am too scared to write my mock .I have been procrastinating it since the past 10 days.My Exam is booked on April 30. Please advice me to fight this unusual fear of mine.

AjiteshArun · Answer

There are very few things to be afraid of. Maybe you'll use one practice test (out of 6 GMATPrep tests, if that is the test you're planning to take). Maybe you'll get a lower score than you expected. Maybe you'll lose some time (that you could have spent on other things).

For the first one, very few people will be able to do well on the actual test without taking at least a few practice tests prior to their appointment. Given that your practice tests are going to prepare you for the real thing, whether you allow yourself to get that learning now, as opposed to later, is your call. The alternative is to give yourself less time to make any necessary adjustments in your approach.

For the second, if you get a lower score than you expected: (a) again, very few people perform to their true potential on their first practice test, and (b) no school is going to see your score. Seeing a low score with 50 days to go is a lot better than seeing a low score with 10 days to go.

The only thing left that I can think of is the opportunity cost: those 3-4 hours could be better spent. That's something only you can evaluate.

Is there something else on your mind that's holding you back from taking your first practice test?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sahilsnpt,

If you've been studying consistently for 4 months, then you really MUST take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) sometime soon (perhaps this weekend). That initial diagnostic CAT is important - it helps to define your strengths and weaknesses and gives you a basis for comparison as you continue to study. Most Test Takers are not happy with that first CAT result, but that's not a big deal - you'll use your remaining study time to improve on that performance. Until we have some type of realistic score result to use as reference, we'll have no idea how ready you actually are to take the GMAT.

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

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  sahilsnpt , if you are scared of taking a mock test, wonder what your frame of mind will be, when you are about to take the  actual  test!

To me, this is a sign that you have to get mentally tough and prepare yourself for the actual day.

You don't do well on exams like JEE/CAT, and your  entire year  gets wasted. However, GMAT is one of those few exams that  does  give a second chance (and a third and a fourth as well, all within the same year!).

So, this  alone  is a reason why you should not let your stress levels eclipse your potential in the exam.

Give at least 4-5 mock tests and try to  pretend  that this was the real exam. That way, you would be better prepared for the D-day.

ccooley · Answer

I understand the feeling. But the point of taking practice tests isn't to predict the future or to judge you. It's to give you data. Think about it like a scientist would: you want to  know  what your strengths and weaknesses are before you continue studying, because otherwise, how do you know you're studying the right things?

The other reason is to practice doing GMAT tasks in a 'test environment'. If your first attempt at doing a full-length test is on test day, you'll be surprised by how different it is from just practicing problems one by one. You don't want that to be a surprise! There's also something called the 'testing effect' - regularly testing yourself on what you've learned (for instance, by doing a practice test) makes you more likely to remember it accurately later.

aman2081 · Answer

I don’t think you need to get worried so much . And what you are facing right now , lot of others also face .

Calm your nerves , go ahead , give the actual test .

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Too scared to write my first mock after preparation!Please help

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