Intimidation

Question

Hello -

Hopefully I have the right thread for this. I am wondering if there is anyone else here that has a history of not doing so well on standardized tests yet did well on the GMAT. I had a less than impressive SAT... yet once in college I did better than most with a higher score. 

I don't know what it is... but math on these tests just really intimidates me. I know it's not difficult, but all I can think of is how much time I have left... and I lock up.

Do you guys have any advice for me? I will take it late September and have already started hopefully a decent study routine. I am wanting to go for either a Baylor or Rice MBA, so I will need a decent score.

Thanks! I appreciate it!

Texguy81 · Answer

Anyone out there? :wink:

snow wolf · Answer

Hi,
 First off you are in the right forum.Take the advantage to ask any question you like(there are no stupid questions relating to getting the top score in the gmat.
 Secong f,I hope you have bought the books you need.Most important are the manhattan gmat prep series(the whole 8 series) and the Official GMAT guide.
 Most importantly try to take as much time to studying and keep everyone posted on your progress.


 Goodluck.

nupurgupt · Answer

Learn the Math basics first....rather than focusing on tips for GMAT....focus on math

once you have that down, then focus on tips useful in the GMAT itself

Texguy81 · Answer

I appreciate everyone's input. So far my prep material is as follows:

OG 11th
OG Verbal Review
OG Math Review
Kaplan Math Workbook
Princeton GMAT 

So far it seems the Kaplan book is really helping to reinforce some basics such as percents, fractions, decimals, etc.

What I am thinking of doing is finishing the Kaplan book, taking one of the GMAT Prep tests and then focusing on the OG series.

I will be taking the test at the end of September, as I need to have my app in prior to October for assistanship opportunities.

Does this sounds like a solid gameplan?

snow wolf · Answer

NO!you should have got the manhattan gmat books those books are the most comprehensive.On average on this forum must people who got 700+ used them.




 just my thoughts.

salr15 · Answer

IMO the only way to beat the intimidation and nerves factors is to practice, practice, and when you are done practice a little more.

The more practice tests you take, the calmer you will be on test day. I took about 6 or 7 and still didn't do so well, but my nerves were ok. I am going to study again and I am planning on taking 10-15 CATs. This will help with your timing and consequently calm you down because you will have a good feel on test day.

The toughest part is when you run into a tough problem, you CAN'T freak out. Take a deep breath (actually does help) and right everything down. Don't try and do stuff in your head, that will only make you get more nervous.

pelihu · Answer

Many people have problem with time. Be sure to always time your practices. Some people like to limit themselves to 2 minutes per question, even during practice.

HavoK_MAT · Answer

i don't know if this is common or not, but what helped me most on math wasn't doing a large quantity of practice problems.

it was just doing random samples of practice problems. when i went to review the ones i got wrong, i would NEVER look at the answer/explanation before i could solve it myself. some questions actually took me up to 1 hour each to solve, but i would never give up until i could get the answer myself. then, i would understand the logic that got me the answer. then, i would keep trying to find shorter ways to come to that answer. finally, i would look at the answer and explanation (if there was one) and compare.

i think that solving every problem myself is what really helped me learn the logic required

Texguy81 · Answer

Thanks for the input everyone -

For the record, I am not looking for a 700+ score... I am shooting for either Baylor or Rice, so anywhere from 600-630 should be just fine. The good news is my performance so far in verbal... via the OG I have been timining myself, finishing early, and so far have gotten 29 of 30 questions correct. 

I will definitely be taking the practice CATs.

bsd_lover · Answer

Also,

There are plenty of software based GMAT tests either online or on CD. Maybe not being able to do well on standardized tests is a confidence thing. So ensure that you spent enough time practicing full GMAT tests on the computer in a real test like environment, before you actually sit the real thing.

cheers.

Intimidation

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