Losing steam in verbal section!

by **Guest** Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:08 pm

I do my essays, crush the quant, and by the time the verbal section comes I completely lose steam. T

I'm fine with the SC's and can handle the CR's but as soon as I get my first RC passage, I can hardly focus and totally tank from then on. Does this happen to anyone else? I feel the need to take a break and get super antsy. I have this mental block and feel like a child being force fed my vegetables. Help!

by **StaceyKoprince** Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:12 pm

Lots of people have this same problem. Are you taking the 10 minute breaks? Are you having something to eat and drink, getting up and walking around, doing some stretches or touching your toes, etc? Seriously - all of those things are very important in terms of getting your energy back and being able to perform. And you need to do them after the essays too, not just after quant - maintaining your energy level is important. I've often said that preparing for this thing is like training for a marathon.

I generally advise people to avoid caffeine, but I know some people will drink something with caffeine before the start of the verbal section to give themselves a boost. If you do this, do it with regular caffeine, not something like red bull - the sudden, massive boost of sugar and caffeine is more likely to make it harder for you to concentrate. And also just practice this and see whether it really does help you - it works for some people but not everyone.

by **Guest** Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:54 pm

Thanks! I'm going in tomorrow to give it my second shot. I'll let you know how it goes.

by **StaceyKoprince** Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:13 pm

good luck - let us know!