Bookshelf
Total GMAT Math Jeff's complete Quant guide, on sale now! |
Total GMAT Verbal Everything you need to ace GMAT Verbal! |
1,800 Practice Math Questions
Buy Jeff's books at Amazon.com
GMAT Official Guide, with IR
OG Math | OG Verbal
OG12 & Quant Rev solutions!
GMAT Question of the Day
Beginner's Guide to the GMAT
GMAT Hacks Affiliate Program
Categories
- General Study Tips
- Goals and Planning
- CAT Strategy
- The Mental Game
- GMAT Math Strategy
- GMAT Math Topics
- Mental Math
- Data Sufficiency
- Critical Reasoning
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Analytical Writing Assessment
- Integrated Reasoning
- IR Explained
- Business School Admissions
- GMAT Prep Resources
- Practice Questions
- Total GMAT Math
- Total GMAT Verbal
- GMAT 111
ETS Guide to Reducing Test Anxiety
You should follow me on Twitter. While you're at it, take a moment to subscribe to GMAT Hacks via RSS or Email. |
Test anxiety can be one of the more intractable problems in preparing for a high-stakes exam like the GMAT. I strongly believe that much text anxiety stems from inadequate preparation, as I've written elsewhere.
However, that isn't the whole story. I do believe that test anxiety can be overcome, but there's no quick fix. In addition to more thorough preparation, some strategies you can use include:
- Make test day itself less stressful. Get to the test center early, expect some hassles, and familiarize yourself with the test interface.
- Remember that life goes on. Yes, it's a high-stakes test, but it's just a test, and the more you focus on how important it is, the less you are focusing on getting questions right.
- Focus on the questions, not the algorithm. You can't outsmart the GMAT. Just handle each question as it comes up.
- Take it easy. If you find yourself panicking or losing focus, give yourself a break for a few seconds. Look away from the screen, remind yourself it'll be over soon, and jump back in to the new question with a clearer mind.
ETS, the company that used to administer the GMAT and still administers the many other tests including the GRE, has published a guide of techniques like these to help you reduce test anxiety. Many of the tips are platitudes, but it you find just one or two that help you reduce stress on test day, it's worth the read.
About the author: Jeff Sackmann has written many GMAT preparation books, including the popular Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, and GMAT 111. He has also created explanations for problems in The Official Guide, as well as 1,800 practice GMAT math questions.
Total GMAT Verbal
The comprehensive guide to the GMAT Verbal section. Recognize, dissect, and master every question type
you'll face on the test. Everything you need, all in one place, including 100+ realistic practice questions. |