Weekend before the test strategy

[allisonwessel2007]

Hi-

I am taking the test this coming Tuesday. I have completed all the course assignments, taken 3 practice tests, and feel comfortable with my last score. I need to focus on Quant, but I am debating how to focus my time on this sprint to the finish: (1) focusing on quant weaknesses (e.g. word translations) and getting more comfortable with these problems, (2) random timed sets of all quant problems, or (3) attempting challenge problems for the first time in quant and verbal?

Will doing challenge problems now possibly confuse me for the test? Or is this a good way to make up for my weaker areas?

Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

Tuesday - okay, that's three days from now.

Do nothing new. The last few days are for review of things you already know. You just want to solidify what you know to make sure you "peak" on Tuesday. You aren't going to get more comfortable with your big weaknesses in 48 hours. Acknowledge that they're weaknesses, know what to do in order to make guesses when necessary, and let those go.

Don't prioritize weaknesses over strengths (in terms of what to review). Review the stuff that's most frequently tested, regardless of whether it's a strength or weakness for you. Don't worry as much about the stuff that isn't so frequently tested.

The review should be mostly high-level. What do I do on DS inequality questions? What are the most important formulas and grammar rules I need to memorize? How do I read RC passages and how do I answer inference questions? What's my pacing strategy? What am I going to do if I find myself behind or ahead on time? Etc.

As you get closer to the test, do less. The day before, don't do more than 2 hours of high-level review. You aren't going to cram new stuff into your brain the day before. You can, though, tire yourself out so that your brain doesn't peak on test day. Think of pro athletes - they do some light training the day before the Wimbledon final or the marathon, but they don't go all out and tire themselves out or risk injuring themselves (that last would be the equivalent of trying Challenge problems right now :)

Then, get yourself ready to go (ID, food, directions to the testing center, etc). Then go to the movies, hang out with some friends, something to distract your mind and give you a mental break. Get home early, get a good night's sleep, have a good meal before you go to the test center the next day, and rock that test!!

[allisonwessel2007]

Thanks Stacey- this was incredibly helpful!!

[StaceyKoprince]

you're welcome - hope it went / goes well today!