Day 10: GMAT comes back into focus

The perils of studying for the GMAT are that many people don't have a social life during that critical study period. Having already done an attempt in the past, I was in social hibernation and had assumed I"d be out of it at this time and had gone ahead and made a few social commitments. Unfortunately for me.. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I had to keep the appointments I'd made, so that was the focus this week.

So, while this weekend (Day 6, 7) was study oriented, my Mon - Wed (Day 8, 9, 10) were not. I"ll be honest... I averaged approximately 45 min on Day 8, 9, 10 between work and the social engagements. Being a social butterfly and then disappearing opens up a lot of questions and concerns from friends, so I had to do my rounds and assure everyone that I was still alive and kicking.

So, tomorrow, Day 11, starts afresh.

In the meantime, here's a summary of what I've accomplished from Day 5 - 10:

• Finshed MGMT Strategy Guide 2, and halfway through Strategy Guide 3 (Equations, Inequalities, VICS)
• I noticed that I got 1 or 2 'Plug in the Formula/Sequence' type questions on the GMAT, which I didn't feel I had the background knowledge for. MGMAT does a good job of laying out the ground work of what these question types will look like so I've made notes on these particular areas 
• Started reading up on MGMAT Critical Reasoning Strategy Guide
• I know that many people focus more on MGMAT's SC bible, but I want to study the CR Strategy Guide as well, b/c CR is my weakness and I like the way the key points are laid out in the guide. I try and do CR when I'm feeling not as sharp, because, even though my previous English score was low (V 29), I know that its generally something I"m more comfortable with and feel confident I can get better with practice and memorization

Goal for the end of this week:

• Simple: Finish all Strategy Guide (SG) #3 (including advanced theory), with notes. 
• Plan is to do SG #3 questions on Saturday and start SG #4 on Sunday

How am I feeling?

• I'm not feeling guilty that I didn't study much this week, because I had to do the social rounds, considering I have been off the map for a long while. However, I am eager to go back to GMAT focus because I will not feel completely relaxed until I beat this thing!

Have a good night folks! :)

Viva la GMAT! Woot! ;)

So what does it truly mean to live, breathe, sleep the GMAT?

In my previous GMAT attempts, I approached this exam as a necessary evil that would get me to the next step in the MBA application process. I didn't really integrate it with my lifestyle or thought process.

Needless to say, I don't think that approach worked for me. The scare that I got upon seeing my low score really catapulted me to think and approach this whole exam differently. Mind you, I'm still in the beginning stages of training my mind to approach it this way, but here's a few learnings:

1. Confidence is critical. You can go into that exam knowing your theory, but if you're not confident in your abilities, or in the prep you did to get to that exam room... you may as well say good bye to a solid GMAT score. In my prep this time around, I'm focusing on building my confidence through a two-pronged effort:
• Build confidence in my abilities (that's a psychological thing), and 
• Build confidence in my knowledge (a pure study/strategy thing
2. I'm not compartmentalizing the GMAT, but rather viewing it as a lifestyle. 
• I study, but, now I also make myself analyze my study schedule, and general approach to what I'm studying in my spare time. I don't mindlessly do questions. I think "Ok... is doing x number of math questions helping me learn or am I just doing them? Am I doing enough review? What are the questions I'm asking when I review my math content? Am I making an effort to categorize each question type (harder to do, but a better study strategy), or am I just jumping to the next question?"
• My main topic of conversation and thought process is GMAT - or I try to keep it that way. It sounds extreme, but, I find, for me at least, this focused approach keeps me going with committing to study hours. Eg. When I drive to work, I chill out to music, but then also spend 10 min of my drive in silence, thinking about why it is I'm doing this, and motivating myself to keep at it, and that I will see results
3. There will be good study days, and bad study days. I try not to beat myself about it too much if I only get in an hour during work days, when, really, I know I can fit in 2 hours decently. What's the point of making myself feel worse? Adds extra (and unnecessary pressure). So, I try as much as possible to let it go, head to bed worry-free and attack the next study day with zest, enthusiasm and energy
4. Find your stress-busting techniques - you'll need it! Points #1-3 are all well and good, but, I'm a fun loving gal and as serious as the GMAT is, I try not to let the seriousness get to my head too much - that would just increase the pressure and result in more fear - which is certainly not going to help me! So, I crank up my MacBook volume and dance to any beat that makes me want to get up and just enjoy the music ;) And, on the days I'm too exhausted to dance? I dust out my old travel pics from my globe-trotting days, or read through my journal entries from those days to remind myself that... hey... the GMAT is not a certification of my abilities/inabilities. I am quite an interesting person with or without the GMAT ... so its a reminder to me that getting a good score is not impossible - one just needs to keep things in perspective! :)

Carpe Diem! 

Day 4

Need to do a better job of getting in 2 quality hours... I've only averaged an hour per evening and I know I can reasonably fit in 2 hrs.

Today, I did 2 hours, covering MGMAT Strategy Guide #1 (Number Properties)
- Pretty much whizzed through the basic chapters and will start tackling the Advanced Strategy chapters tomorrow (where I will require more study time, as I know the basics)

However, a few helpful things I did pick up from the basic chapters were:
1) Rules around consecutive even and odd integers - thought process and explanation around how to categorize these questions types was new for me

2) Factors/multiples : A concept I've struggled with - it's not hard, but I need to get better at re-phrasing the question and putting it into a theoretical context of content that I've studied.

Heading to bed now, with a determination to do 2 quality hours tomorrow. Viva la GMAT!

[Side Topic: Writing the GMAT again]

I've always been known as the very optimistic gal... except when it comes to myself. On myself, I pose exacting standards and high goals that I push myself to achieve.

Ah... but the GMAT humbled me. 2 times I've written this thing and I've been left feeling completely off-kelter. Doubts rose within me - about my ability, about my intelligence. This exam is not rocket science... but it certainly is a mental battle. If you can win your mind and instill yourself with confidence and optimism, I feel that the battle of nerves has been won and you can focus on just actual GMAT concepts on test day.

So, my focus this time around?

1) I believe getting a low score was, in a way, a mixed blessing. Why? Well... it's sure instilled a fire within me to study hard and strategically, and prove to myself, most of all, that I can overcome this... and when I do? What a feeling! Visualize success and then work your way towards it!

If I can do this... then I think I'm 1 step closer to beating my worst enemy: my self doubt and lack of confidence in my own abilities! (And isn't that the sweetest victory of all?)

Life's too short to waste on worries and the past - focus on the present, and visualize the future - and most importantly, work a bit everyday to get there! Woot!

;)

Day 3

A new GMAT attempt means a fresh way of learning - ie... new books ... my set of 8 Manhattan Prep Strategy guides arrived in the mail yesterday evening and I started on Strategy Guide #1 this morning (Covers Number Properties).

Only got an hour done, however, also spent some time outlining my general approach - afterall, its not about quantity of studying, its about quality. Here's my rough outline of approach in the coming 3 weeks - readers, please feel free to critique!

1) Get really uncomfortable - ie - do not go over what I already know. I plan on reviewing all 5 MGMAT Quant Strategy guides in the next 5 weeks. Yes, going through all the sections, but the purpose is to skim over areas I am comfortable with and spend more time on the harder areas - especially MGMAT's Advanced Strategy section, where I find approaches rather challenging - and therefore, a great area to learn from.

2) Goal is to finish all 5 MGMAT Quant book theory review and problem sets by Oct 9. Perhaps a little ambitious with a full time job? I'll see how it goes and adjust accordingly.

3) Once I'm done the 5 MGMAT books, I'm going to go back to Strategy Guide #1 and do the associated questions from OG 12 and QR books that the MGMAT outlines. This will help reinforce the theory I went over in these books.

4) While I'm reviewing math before and after work, I plan on squeezing in 15-20 min of reading of the Economist and the Scientific American online magazines during work breaks, and also completing 1 Reading Comprehension passage, and 2 CR questions each on Sat and Sun. This will help keep my verbal learnings alive while I focus on math.

Day 2

Did only a mere 1 hour yesterday and determined to do 2 hours today. Work is exhausting so I need to get in at least 1 1/2 hours before I head to work when my brain is not drained out.

Today morning: 1 hour, 15 min
- Did 12 very easy DS question drills (more to keep that in my mind)
- Analyzed where I went wrong with MGMAT Cat #1, Quant section

Tutor search begins
I'm also searching for a GMAT tutor to bounce a few study strategies off of and see if I am studying the best way possible this time.

Loving the Economist
Also, I've started to read www.economist.com for 15-20 min a day - I've always loved the Economist, but was never consistent in reading it, but now that I am, enjoying the intellectual stimulation, and noticing the way the writers lay out their ideas - very elegantly written with subtle words that lead to their main points. And very rich vocabulary

[Edit: A good friend of mine is writing her GMAT today.... I am sure it will be a better GMAT end than mine - sending her good vibes all day today :)]

Day 1

Woke up this morning with a sense of urgency, stress and desire to study because there's no other way for me to score well this 3rd time than to just purely know the material, inside out. And that requires studying, so I tried to push away the stress factors.

Did an hour this morning. Trying to study in 1 hour increments and slowly make my way to 2 hour steady increments to train my brain for the actual GMAT experience. That 1 hr today was REALLY LONG and difficult. But, enough practice for my brain to stay focused during that time will soon make that 1 hour seem very doable. Consistency and practice are key!

1 hr in the morning:
- Analyzed the remainder of a previous MGMAT Cat 1 (Verbal Section), made notes on key learnings

GMAT Study Strategy

Posting this more as a reminder to myself:

1) It's QUALITY. Not QUANTITY. This time around, focus on UNDERSTANDING why I went wrong on the question, how I can prevent it the next time around, what are the similar concepts that I can apply, record in my notebook if its a key strategy/thought process that I should be remembering for other problems of that type.

2) Read cover to cover, the MGMAT books (Quant) and understand what I'm doing.

3) For verbal, CR and RC are about practice and analyzing the question type, while SC requires MGMAT Strategy guide study (do this later on in the prep). But, do 1 CR and 1/2 RC per day to get used to it. And remember to ANALYZE it (30 min on verbal per day with this exercise)

GMAT Study Schedule

Here's the plan of attack during the Monday to Friday work week.  (Subject to adjustments as I try the scheduling out)

6:30 - Get up! Get up!
6:45 - Really get up. Stop hitting the snooze button darling..
6:45 - 7:15: Brush, eat breakfast.. healthy start to the day!

7:15 - 8:45: GMAT STUDY. Theory focus (approx 1.5 hours)

8:45 - 9:30: Get ready for work
9:30 - Leave home and drive to work
10:00 - 6 pm: Work time. Focus solely on work. GMAT thoughts banned.
6:30 - 7 pm: Get home from work (Travel time is totally traffic dependent)
7:00 - 8 pm: Eat, unwind after work

8:00 - 9:30 pm: Do practice questions (approx 1 hr)

9:30 - 10 pm: Downtime
10:00 pm: Start getting ready for bed
10:30 pm: Be in bed, eyes closed. Dream GMAT dreams ;)

Total study time during weeknights = 10 - 12.5 hrs
Total study time during weekends = 10 hrs
Total study time over 8 weeks = (Approximately) 160 hours

The key is consistency.

Rules:
1) Do not take or make phone calls after 9 pm. Talking is actually quite tiring, especially considering I do it a lot during my dayjob! Stay focused. Use the drive home to catch up with friends.

2) Get an early start to the day - I have such a hard time getting up, but feel so much better once I know I did some proper studying in the morning. Less stress that I have to make up 2.5 hrs in the evening.

Sigh. Breathe. Here I go again...

I'm a very private person in real life. I don't have Facebook, or Twitter and barely use BBM for that matter. Yet, here I am, barring all in the online world.

Why?
Let me lay this out as honestly as possible: The situation is, this is my 3rd attempt at the GMAT. The first 2 went miserably wrong for a variety of reasons and I was just about to quit before I stopped, sat down and decided that this 3rd time around, I'm going to go at it completely different.

Firstly, I need to get this out: I am terribly embarrassed to be admitting to a group of anonymous readers that this is my 3rd attempt. It came as a shocker to me, especially since I feel I am a decently intellectually-endowed individual. I went to one of the top business schools in Canada and work for a nationally recognized company. Yet... this GMAT journey of mine has been bumpy at best and despairing at the worst of it.

Yet, I've decided to give this a go the 3rd time, and this time, record my entire experience doing it. This is no-holds barred writing folks. I'm not intending to edit my posts a million times because my focus is on study. So, its straight from my head, onto the keyboard and out there for millions of you to read.

I've decided to share my journey for a few reasons:
1) Sharing this sometimes lonely path will (I hope) keep me from going insane
2) Want to prove to myself that it is possible to score well, but more than that, embrace GMAT studies as a way of living (something I neglected to do the last 2 times around)
3) Hope that perhaps someone out there going on their own GMAT journey connects with this experience and gains inspiration from it.

Will I fail at the GMAT? Will I pass? I don't know. I'm going in with the hope and determination that I will pass with a decent score. I refuse to believe that someone with determination, hard work and a set goal cannot achieve it... I will have to see come test day if this theory in fact holds true.

So here I am world. No holds barred journey of the entire span of emotions and actions the GMAT creates.

And come on... at the end of the day... it's a doable test if you put in the effort. So... let me get to it.

And of course, please do not hesitate to comment with your own journey or experiences or advice! :)