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15 Dec 2018, 18:30
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Hi guys,
I apologize for the long post ahead of time!! I figured better to give more details than less.
I've seen numerous posts with some advice about test anxiety, and I wanted to see if there was something I wasn't seeing with my own situation by posting, especially since I'm having difficulty overcoming it with the suggestions I've read. I took my official GMAT today. Second attempt officially. Aiming for a 670. I got a lower score than the first time. My test anxiety always takes over. I typically don't sleep well the two nights before, increasingly sleeping less. I don't know how to overcome it, and I'd prefer not to rely on drugs and such. I know it's a mental thing, but I was hoping someone who has gone through it could help me with some pointers and tips. Not quite sure when to retake or what my next steps are as well.
Overall, I'm not quite sure how to proceed. Unfortunately, I would like to try to apply for second rounds this year (1st one is due Jan 5), but am aware that that might not work and I am okay with that if I need to push my applications to the next year. Unfortunate, but that's okay. My next worry is if I try again, is 16 days enough to help diminish my anxiety from anyone's experience if I go to the same location? I would like to retake the exam at the same location since I enjoyed the proctors and the general set up, etc. I think repeating that would help diminish test anxiety, but I'd like to see if anyone other has had success.
Ultimately, I worry the same anxiety will hit when I'm sitting in front of the computer though. I mainly struggle with gaining good sleep before hand, and calming my nerves during the actual sections. I have the same anxiety with practice exams, but they're just not as intense, so I try to take exams to get myself used to the anxiety, but I'm just unable to get rid of it entirely.
Any personal experience to help me feel less insane? Haha
I also kept my score for both. Should I cancel the second one due to how low it was from my practice exams?
See below for my stats.
First Official
Date: 10/10/2018
Attempted Score: 650
Score: 44Q/33V - 630
Note: Poor first time experience added to anxiety. Poor proctor instruction (not my first exam at a proctored center; took series 7 and 33 at a diff center before). No waiting area/no seating available for pre-exam or breaks. Restroom on opposite side of building. Chose not to go to the same test location for the second one.
Study Schedule
Frequency: 4 days a week in the evening after work for about 2-3 hours; 1 day during the weekend for about 3-4 hours. Private tutor every other week from Manhattan on weekend. Same study schedule prior to the first exam as well.
General: I could tell my math was improving significantly. I was able to grasp concepts and apply them much clearer than when I took my first exam. Verbal was a bit harder for me to feel more concrete in, but I was able to increase my general knowledge in rules for Sentence Correction which helped increase my score when I would break down the verbal sections of my practice exams.
Practice Exams
Manhattan: 12/3/2018; 44Q/35V - 650
GMAT Off: 12/8/2018; 47Q/42V - 720
GMAT Off: 12/12/2018; 43Q/41V - 700
**Note: I did not study the night before to calm my nerves. Only did drills the day before that to rest. Day before--I ate a burrito (fav food) and watched British Baking Show on Netflix to relax. They're just so calming
. Went into bed at 10:30 PM. Exam is at 11:00 AM; Got out of bed at 8:30 AM. Had my normal breakfast of oatmeal (with walnuts and cranberries) and eggs.
Second Official
Date: 12/15/2018
Attempted Score: 670
Score: 42Q/34V - 620
Note: Smoother check in process than my first exam. I enjoyed this exam location. Overall, still was anxious during the entire exam. Heart beating out of chest. Dry mouth. Frazzled for second half of every section even though timing was fine. Anxiety got worse as the exam continued.
I apologize for the long post ahead of time!! I figured better to give more details than less.
I've seen numerous posts with some advice about test anxiety, and I wanted to see if there was something I wasn't seeing with my own situation by posting, especially since I'm having difficulty overcoming it with the suggestions I've read. I took my official GMAT today. Second attempt officially. Aiming for a 670. I got a lower score than the first time. My test anxiety always takes over. I typically don't sleep well the two nights before, increasingly sleeping less. I don't know how to overcome it, and I'd prefer not to rely on drugs and such. I know it's a mental thing, but I was hoping someone who has gone through it could help me with some pointers and tips. Not quite sure when to retake or what my next steps are as well.
Overall, I'm not quite sure how to proceed. Unfortunately, I would like to try to apply for second rounds this year (1st one is due Jan 5), but am aware that that might not work and I am okay with that if I need to push my applications to the next year. Unfortunate, but that's okay. My next worry is if I try again, is 16 days enough to help diminish my anxiety from anyone's experience if I go to the same location? I would like to retake the exam at the same location since I enjoyed the proctors and the general set up, etc. I think repeating that would help diminish test anxiety, but I'd like to see if anyone other has had success.
Ultimately, I worry the same anxiety will hit when I'm sitting in front of the computer though. I mainly struggle with gaining good sleep before hand, and calming my nerves during the actual sections. I have the same anxiety with practice exams, but they're just not as intense, so I try to take exams to get myself used to the anxiety, but I'm just unable to get rid of it entirely.
Any personal experience to help me feel less insane? Haha
I also kept my score for both. Should I cancel the second one due to how low it was from my practice exams?
See below for my stats.
First Official
Date: 10/10/2018
Attempted Score: 650
Score: 44Q/33V - 630
Note: Poor first time experience added to anxiety. Poor proctor instruction (not my first exam at a proctored center; took series 7 and 33 at a diff center before). No waiting area/no seating available for pre-exam or breaks. Restroom on opposite side of building. Chose not to go to the same test location for the second one.
Study Schedule
Frequency: 4 days a week in the evening after work for about 2-3 hours; 1 day during the weekend for about 3-4 hours. Private tutor every other week from Manhattan on weekend. Same study schedule prior to the first exam as well.
General: I could tell my math was improving significantly. I was able to grasp concepts and apply them much clearer than when I took my first exam. Verbal was a bit harder for me to feel more concrete in, but I was able to increase my general knowledge in rules for Sentence Correction which helped increase my score when I would break down the verbal sections of my practice exams.
Practice Exams
Manhattan: 12/3/2018; 44Q/35V - 650
GMAT Off: 12/8/2018; 47Q/42V - 720
GMAT Off: 12/12/2018; 43Q/41V - 700
**Note: I did not study the night before to calm my nerves. Only did drills the day before that to rest. Day before--I ate a burrito (fav food) and watched British Baking Show on Netflix to relax. They're just so calming
. Went into bed at 10:30 PM. Exam is at 11:00 AM; Got out of bed at 8:30 AM. Had my normal breakfast of oatmeal (with walnuts and cranberries) and eggs.Second Official
Date: 12/15/2018
Attempted Score: 670
Score: 42Q/34V - 620
Note: Smoother check in process than my first exam. I enjoyed this exam location. Overall, still was anxious during the entire exam. Heart beating out of chest. Dry mouth. Frazzled for second half of every section even though timing was fine. Anxiety got worse as the exam continued.
15 Dec 2018, 20:53
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Bookmarks
dlee61
How about a moderate workout every day the week of the exam? That might help with sleep.
I've also noticed that (a) test takers who really believe that their GMATPrep scores are representative have an easier time managing pressure (unless they decide to try for a GMATPrep +40 score on the day of the exam!) and (b) retakers who are "just so mad at the exam" also seem to handle exam pressure well
What has worked for you in similar situations in the past?
16 Dec 2018, 15:33
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Your GMAT mock test scores are similar to mine. My first exam is scheduled for the 27th of this month, so I have no clue how I'll do on the actual exam quite yet, but I keep telling myself all of the effort and struggles that I've put in will not be in vein. I believe the GMAT Prep tests will be similar to the actual exam. The comforting thing I have is that on every practice GMAT Prep I've taken, including one in which I managed to score a Q49, I've made several careless mistakes. I keep telling myself that with a bit more practice and by messing up now, I'll (hopefully) avoid these mistakes come exam day.
I'm also a very nervous test taker, but I keep telling myself I've put in the time to be successful and I'm due. It's almost a ritualistic mantra. When going through my GMAT Preps, I find that there's only 1 or 2 questions that I really am baffled by on the quant side. And I keep reminding myself of that. Your verbal scores are excellent - you're clearly in the 90th+ percentile there. And as AjiteshArun stated has worked for some, if I don't do well now, I will take a "furious" mindset for my re-take ^_^.
Edit: Forgot to say good luck moving forward. I wish you the best in your studies. If nothing else, know this: many other people, if not most, are also nervous when taking this test. You're not along - believe in the effort you've put in and don't worry about the results while taking the exam- just focus on the question in front of you, one question at a time.
I'm also a very nervous test taker, but I keep telling myself I've put in the time to be successful and I'm due. It's almost a ritualistic mantra. When going through my GMAT Preps, I find that there's only 1 or 2 questions that I really am baffled by on the quant side. And I keep reminding myself of that. Your verbal scores are excellent - you're clearly in the 90th+ percentile there. And as AjiteshArun stated has worked for some, if I don't do well now, I will take a "furious" mindset for my re-take ^_^.
Edit: Forgot to say good luck moving forward. I wish you the best in your studies. If nothing else, know this: many other people, if not most, are also nervous when taking this test. You're not along - believe in the effort you've put in and don't worry about the results while taking the exam- just focus on the question in front of you, one question at a time.
