What a CAT is NOT about...

by **balzza** Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:20 am

I came up with list of 5 warning words (things that should be avoided) when taking a CAT-format exam. Please feel free to share your insights (agree/disagree). I found this helpful for getting in the right mindset for test day. So here you go... What a CAT is NOT about:

X PASSIVITY X ...the test-makers only reward ACTIVITY (...scratch work is helpful to continually attack questions and passages)

X BOGGING X ...don't get bogged-down in the ONE question (...it isn't worth it)

X TUNNELING X ...AVOID tunnel-vision and letting the details of problems consume you (...ask yourself questions while reading, keep things in perspective)

X PREDICTING X ...there is NO real way to tell the difficulty of questions (...rather, every new question in a fresh 2-minute opportunity to showcase your skills)

X STRESSING X ..."I am [insert your name here] and I am GREAT." (...I've worked very hard, and I own this testing format!)

After a so-so performance on the GMAT on 8-2-08, I hit the books and have been working my way back ever since. I've done 20+ CATs including Princeton Review, Kaplan, M-GMAT, GMAT Prep, and GMAT for Dummies. I'm no expert, but I've definitely learned a lot about the 5 problematic situations above. So here's my promise to you guys... I will not fall for any of these 5 symptoms on the CAT that counts on test day! Good luck guys and gals...

Hope it helps,

Eric

P.S. I have a few great mentors/tutors to thank for giving me ideas for each of these 5 words... Thank you to all the great GMAT instructors out there.

by **kylo** Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:03 pm

I m a big fan of Cricket (sport). So here is my perspective.

End of the day, I feel, GMAT is like a test match cricket. Similar to test cricket, GMAT tests your mental strength, patience, resilence, presssure + stress management, skill & endurance.

I feel, if you can stay calm & composed for almost 4hours while giving GMAT then you will definitely give your best shot & will eventually improve your chances of scoring the highest possible marks.

Thanks!

by **StaceyKoprince** Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:21 am

Love your ideas, guys. Thanks for sharing! balzza, I completely agree on your 5 words. And, kylo, I've never played cricket myself, but I do a similar thing with tennis (my favorite sport). I'm not going to win all of the points, but that's okay - as long as I win the last point. That doesn't literally mean I need to get the last question right, but it does mean I have to put myself in a good position to get the last question right. If I'm so behind on time that I can't get to it, I've already lost. And if my opponent is running me from side to side on a point I'm clearly not going to win, I might as well lose the point right there so that I don't tire myself out too much before the next point. :)

by **kylo** Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:42 am

well Stacey, I Love tennis too. although i have never played it, i m keen follower of major grandslams. we all can take inspiration from the fighting spirit shown by the top tennis players in the world.
Also if we closely observe the top tennis players, we can follow a strategy followed by these great tennis players. It is called "The Strategy Of Ignorance". After finishing a point, a top tennis player always ignores the end result of the previous point. The player might have lost the previou point but for him/her what matters is the next point & it is this ability to focus equally on each point throughout the match that gives a champion player an advantage over others.
In GMAT too, we have to make sure that we give equal focus on every question & not ponder over the result of previous question.

Thanks!

by **StaceyKoprince** Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:53 pm

kylo - totally agree. That's another great mental strategy for this test!

by **balzza** Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:06 pm

They say that those who are ready to succeed on the GMAT recognize that it is a bit of "game". Preparation, confidence, and learning from mistakes all impact your performance on a CAT or in a sport. So the sports analogies are a good fit (Thanks for your contributions, all!!).

I have the opportunity to play an important match this Wednesday, 11/26. A 12:15pm appointment at the downtown Manhattan testing center. My confidence and focus are in a different place this week (in stark contrast with my first match on 8/2), and I can't wait for the upcoming challenge!

Manhattan GMAT has been a key part of my preparation - I've purchased and used the 6 online CATs. The feedback is appreciated -

balzza

by **StaceyKoprince** Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:14 pm

Good luck! We'll cross our fingers for you!