22 days to go ... countdown begins

Did a GMAT Prep test today... not a great score... but my goal on doing this test was not to bother about my score but rather focus on doing a full length test with time constraints. I got 620 (Q 38, V 37)

I made 3 careless calculation errors that cost me 3 precious marks! Those 3 easy lost points could have given me a higher score in quant.... So my key takeaways on the errors I make:

• Write clearly, and reason it out instead of thinking in my head
• The other errors I made require review in ratios, prime factorization, algebra, and most importantly: READING A QUESTION and from that question DEVELOPING a formula. That will require more practice

I'm determined to do another hour before I get to bed... I'll start MGMAT SC guide now as that is a good way to see fast improvements on my verbal score.

I don't think my V 37 is accurate... its high actually because I saw a few repeat questions... need to practice on it diligently... doing 20 CR per day and 1-2 RC passage per day is helping me. Need to keep at it though.

6 hrs of studying today... it's not enough!

3 weeks to go and on my off days from work, I should be hitting 7 hrs (realistic).

The top 6 things I am working on, which I feel will help me on the exam:

1. Positive self talk and attitude - critical so that I don't panic on the exam - FEAR leads to a bad score!
2. GMAT Strategy:
1. Practice pacing/timing
2. Practice a few key steps on each and every Problem Solving question I encounter:
1. Read question and write down important facts
2. Always write down what the question is asking me so that I ensure I answer the question asked (I've made a lot of careless mistakes this way)
3. Do more Verbal practice (I've been focusing 95% of my time on quant so far) - commit to 20 CR per day and 2 RC per day (heavy but I need to squeeze it in at work)
4. Do 5 GMAT Prep practice tests before test day. Why? To get familiar with the blue screen/format and help me tackle point #1 (reduce my fear!)
5. Do MGMAT CAT #4 (focus more on GMAT Prep tests, but do 1 more MGMAT to get a bank of questions that I can practice and get my head around)
6. Review, Review, Review theory

Honesty totally kicking in...

Hey guys... I just want to say.. with 3 weeks to go and my commitment to post daily on this blog as I speed to the finish line... this space is going to get even more candid as I go through the stresses and trials of studying for this exam.

Honest thought #1 that I'm telling myself right now:
"Seriously... there's kids in countries that would grab an opportunity like I have to get up and study and not worry about anything else... so I need to think about this whenever I feel lazy or procrastinate on the studying".

Enough said. Speaking of which, I'm going to head to bed and aim to be up at 7 am and in study mode by 8 am. I've booked an 8 am exam so I need to start training my mind to think at that time!

A little less than 3 weeks to go... gulp

I meant to write more here, but my days have been a blur of lots of work and studying. Although... to be honest... I am really not happy with my studying these past few weeks. It's not that I lack quantity... I am not happy with my quality and need to go back to building in solid time for REVIEW!!!

So, I'll be honest... I am getting stressed out thinking about this exam, and it's 3 weeks away. I know if I let this fear take control, my stress will take over and I'll be a terrible mess of nerves on my 3rd attempt. It's because I really want this score. I have sacrificed over 1.5 years of my life, on and off, in the GMAT world so in my mind, the stakes are high. However, thinking this way isn't going to help me, so I'm writing down a few things I'll be doing to be targeted and strategic in my approach:

GMAT Girl's Guide to the next 3 weeks of her life:

1. Cultivate positive, can-do attitude. Don't have any self doubts and think about everything I could have done better in my prep. Think about what I have done and how important it is for me to keep that energy and spirit up.
2. I'm tired of studying. But... FIGHT with myself to get up and be consistent in studying. I'm a GMAT solider for the next 3 weeks... don't get lazy, but at the same time...
3. Take time to celebrate my daily GMAT achievements going into this exam
4. Focus on reviewing theory
5. Forget feeling guilty about all the friends I've lost touch with ... this is your life right now and the rewards will come if you work hard NOW!

In other news... I took MGMAT Cat #3 today. Got a 630 (Q 44, V 32).
I'm really disappointed in my Verbal score because that's the same score I've been hovering around and I have no idea what I need to do to improve! As for Quant score... it's still an area that I'm determined to keep practicing in, as it's not my natural strength.

More updates will come regularly in the next 3 weeks.

Day 48: Booked a test date

I wanted to write this exam earlier, but all the dates got taken up, so the earliest in Dec I got, and booked was....

December 14, 2010 at 8 am.

I'm bloody scared and nervous as its the same test centre that I failed my last 2 times. It's a weekday though... maybe that will help me.... in either case... I need to face my fear and demons and get them under control before exam day.

Right now, I'm racked with anxiety that I can't sleep.

This too shall pass.