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!
;)
So well said. I plan on writing my gmat sometime during the second week of November and began prepping toward it only a week back. I feel I'm lacking grip on both verbal and quant so I need to work harder than I already do. But of late I've been very inconsistent, I do about 50 questions in math one day and the next day - nada, I take it for granted that I worked a lot the day before and subconsciously relax my mind to such an extent that I'm not able to work even if I want to. And the day after it, I feel guilty that I wasted 2 hr prep time that I do 50 questions straight and tire myself out. I'll update my daily work in comments, hopefully it might keep me motivated to be consistent in my prep. Thank you for keeping the spirit up by writing this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy strategy:
ReplyDeleteDaily -
Morning (6:30-8:30) - A chapter of kaplan/og.
Afternoon (11:00 - 11:30) - Memorize basic math formulae or atleast 1 table.
Evening (after getting home and having a snack, before getting dinner ready) - Solve atleast 3 - 4 RC's in half an hour.
Night (9:00-11:00)- Finish up morning's chapter if not completed or start a new chapter or pick a verbal or math test at random.
Must always keep track of time!!!
Weekend -
One Gmat test, analyze weak spots and practice them again.
Saturday - Work on weak section in addition to Laundry + Ironing + Plan what to eat over the week + get groceries + cooking + cleaning ( A good 8 hours! at the end of which I am totally exhausted)
Sunday - Work on weak section + One more Gmat test, analyze if you could improve in the weak area, if speed is where I need to work then practice on that area in the daily night slot.
Hi Gmat,
ReplyDeleteIf you're not working a full time job, I think your 2nd week of Nov test date is entirely doable. It looks like you have a decent schedule going in terms of study hours.
A few suggestions:
- You said you started studying recently - something to think about: instead of doing practice tests right away, focus specifically on building content/theory knowledge now - leave timing and practice tests later, after 3 weeks of core study.
Consistency can be hard, but sometimes it just helps to know that there are others going through the same thing, and sharing thoughts and comments helps keep you accountable too. Good luck on your GMAT journey and keep sharing your progress ! :)