Time to panic???

[rjmst80]

So, I am scheduled to take the GMAT next Saturday and just took my final practice GMATPrep test, only to get the lowest score yet...including the test I took before I started studying 2 months ago. My score on the initial test was a 610, with a 98th percentile Verbal and lowly 23rd percentile in Quant. In the last few weeks, I've taken 2 MGMAT tests and scored 600 and 610, with Verbal dropping to 91st and 89th percentile, but Quant improving to 44th percentile. Today, I scored a pathetic 570 on my second GMATPrep test, with a 83rd percentile in Verbal and another sad 28th percentile in Quant. It's too late for me to reschedule my test, and I'm obviously not going to score the 650 I was looking for...what should I do?

Just a few qualifying statements- I've been focusing heavily on Quant and actually am performing much better in all areas during my studies, HOWEVER, I've been plagued with terrible math anxiety on timed test since my college days and more or less blank when it comes to actually taking the test. One semester in college, I ended up improving my grade from a C- to an A- in half of a semester by taking NyQuil before every test...perhaps I should try that here. Also, I've always been very strong verbally, but am concerned with the fact that my verbal scores have decreased substantially with each successive practice test.

I'm no dummy..I graduated with a 3.7 overall and a 3.9 in my major from a Top-50 undergrad business program while working 30+ hours/week and taking a full credit load, and I've never struggled with standardized tests before, so I'm not sure what to do in this situation. Part of me thinks I should spend a few more days studying and then take a couple of days off, since I've been at it 2-3 hours+/day for 2 months and have had a lot of personal stress lately. Thoughts? Suggestions?

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with the test. First, don't take the test on Saturday. I know you're within the 7 days and will just have to cancel and lose the $250, but that's better than going in there when you're not feeling confident, because you'll just have to take the test again, and then next time you'll be remembering how bad you felt the first time. Give yourself a little time.

If you think the Nyquil thing will really work for you, then you may want to try it, but DO NOT try it for the first time on the real test. Practice with that for at least a month and on at least several practice tests before you try it on the real thing.

You also sound like you may be burned out, so take a few days (or a week) off right now, get your brain clear, then come back fresh.

How has your timing been? Use this article to analyze your most recent test:

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

If you'd like, you can share your analysis here (not just the data, your actual analysis) and we'll tell you what we think you should do about it.

My guess is that your verbal is suffering because (a) you've been spending all your time on quant and (b) you're stressed out. You'll need to figure out what's going on there, but your stress levels and your quant are the higher priorities.