GMAT Fundas continued..

Funda 4: Take mock test at regular intervals:
Once you are done with OG and as u start getting into other study material like 1000 series etc, start your Mock tests.Mock tests need not all be Computer based.Feel free to take paper based ones too intially.I would recommend a frequency of one every 2/3 days once u r done with OG.Again, one must analyse the paper and get all doubts solved thro online forum friends etc.Else the exercise would be in vain.After you think you are done with preparations(maybe in the last 1/2 week) start taking only computer based tests.Make sure you take the AWA sections also.Beleive me, the biggest challenge on the GMAT day is gonnabe maintaining your concentration level for 3 1/2 hours.So practise takign the test as though it were the GMAT.Do not take unscheduled breaks.Time your breaks when u take them.No water bottles.Use erasable marker boards.No noises.No calling bells.No cell phones.Make it as near as GMAT as possible.This will sort of get you into the ZONE.You might face problems with concentrating for so long.Gradually you ll get over it.Thats the purpose of this simulation.

Funda5: Be relaxed and have a devils may care attitude!
Whats the max you are going to lose if you screw up big time.10 K and may be two scores reported to schools instead of one.It is a setback.But not too big a setback.If you get tensed and screw up the test because of that, the result would be the same.So logically its better to be relaxed and go in to the test as though it just another mock test.Don't get very tensed/jitterry.You'll do yourself no good.


Few more tips:
Visit the center atleast one day in advance and get to know the reporting time.

Try not to drive down to the center.Take an auto or ask a friend to drop you.

Take the gamtprep test available of MBA.com 3-4 days before GMAT.That will give you a rough estimate of ur actual score.(+ or - 20)It has worked for most people I have interacted with.

Take your time and pace your test properly in GMAT.Sometimes you might be running through questions at an hectic pace.Keep checking every 15 mins whether you are ahead of schedule of behind and change pace accordingly.

Feel free to post any comments/questions/opinions on this blog.I ll try and respond to all of them.Thanks for reading my post!! :)