Need Expert Help in GMAT Test taking

[SudeepU417]

Hello Stacey,

Myself Sudeep, an MBA aspirant from Bangalore,India. Request your help and guidance in sorting certain issues that am currently facing during my preparation

It has to do more from an exam perspective,I have certain concerns that have been hindering me . But before that , i would like to give you a brief heads up on my preparation thus far.
I have been preparing for the GMAT since 26th July and i have booked my slot for the 2nd of December. I still have close to 2 months time at my disposal.
Below is a quick synopsis of my progress:

Books Used:
• Completed all the 800 questions in the GMAT Official Guide (2015)
• Realized i was struggling with the finer nuances of English grammar. Hence purchased the Manhattan Foundation Verbal Guide. I've completed the same.
• Wanted to fine tune my Quant skills. Hence purchased the Manhattan Advanced Quant Guide. I am halfway through it as of now.
• Wanted a set of Mock tests to practice. Hence, ordered the sentence correction guide which has a set of 6 mocks that come along with it.
• Purchased the GMAT Verbal Review guide (2015). Yet to start working on this. Planning to start with this in a couple of days

Practice results:

Problem solving:
Percentage of questions answered CORRECTLY from the GMAT official guide - 72%

Data Interpretation:
Percentage of questions answered CORRECTLY from the official guide - 49.2% (Struggling)

Reading comprehension:
Percentage of questions answered CORRECTLY from the GMAT official guide - 61%

Sentence correction:
Percentage of questions answered CORRECTLY from the GMAT official guide - 56%

Critical Reasoning:
Percentage of questions answered CORRECTLY from the GMAT official guide - 50%(Struggling)


Mock Tests Results:
GMAT Prep Mock Test 1 - 470
MGMAT Mock Test 1 - 510
MGMAT Mock Test 2 - 530


Major Concern:

Though i have been working hard over the past 2 months or so, i still find that my scores haven't improved dramatically. From what i have observed of myself, i find it very difficult to keep my focus throughout the entire duration of 3.30 hrs :( Infact, by the time i am done with Quant itself, i feel itchy ,restless and tend to run out of steam.I literally feel like there is gorilla on my back sapping all of my energy. From thereon, i just feel like finishing off the test in a hurry and relaxing :( Though i am aware of this limitation, there seems to be nothing that i can do to ward this problem off. Time and again, i am confronted with issues related to mental fatigue and its the same deja vu feeling (finishing pff the test in a hurry without bothering to analyze any further)

Can you please suggest ways that would come in handy to overcome this limitation? I have another 4 Mocks left and i am aiming for a score of 700+ in my actual GMAT exam. I do believe deep down that i can do it, but it's this mental aspect that would need some conditioning and strengthening.

Awaiting your valuable inputs on the same.Also please let me know whether my study plan as of now looks solid or if i would have to beef it up further.

PS : Any suggestions related to my GMAT approach as a whole is also welcome :-) I would be more than happy to incorporate them in my studies going forward.

Thanks,
Sudeep

[StaceyKoprince]

Yes, mental stamina can be a huge factor. Your timing and other decision-making factors throughout the test can have a huge impact on your ability to make it throught this test at a high level.

Read this:
http://tinyurl.com/executivereasoning

What does this have to do with maintaining / maximizing your mental energy throughout a nearly 4 hour test?

What do you need to change about your current approach in order to make sure that you're approaching both the test and your studies with the mindset described in the above article?

This can also help you to answer those questions:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... you-crazy/

Next, take a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

How does that match what you have been doing in the past? Which parts of that have you NOT been doing? How do you need to adjust your approach accordingly?

Finally, I would be happy to give you some more detailed advice as to study plan - I just need some more detailed information from you in order to do so. :)

Use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CATs (this should take you a minimum of 1 hour):
http://tinyurl.com/analyzeyourcats

Based on all of that, figure out your strengths and weaknesses as well as any ideas you have for what you think you should do (or do differently). Then come back here and tell us; we'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)