Test Taking Psychology 101

You have practiced. You have revised. You have practiced some more. And you have revised even more.

But when it comes to taking the test itself, you sweat. You don't remember the concept. You can't remember the strategy that you should be applying for this question type. You completely blank out.

In short, you choke.

Afterwards, disappointed with your 600+ score, you take a look at your answers. "What the hen was I thinking?" seems to be your recurring theme. "The correct answer was so obviously X!". Story of your life?

Relax. You are not alone.

Of course, you have to know your basics. Your formulas, your strategies, your shortcuts. But these are NOT the only things that the GMAT tests.

A huge part of what the GMAT tests is NOT content, but how you are able to handle pressure, manage time, and deal with your emotions.

Think about it. Aren't those the exact qualities that a future manager/leader is supposed to have?

Remember that as a test, GMAT is designed to push you to your failure point. It is upto you, how you handle that failure point.

So what could help you make the final leap - from a test taking novice to an expert? 

Here are some tips that you might find helpful:

1. Before you start the test, KNOW that you have put in the required efforts to crack it. You know everything that is there to know about the test. All you need to do now is to apply everything. What stands between you and success is YOU. So get your own doubting self out of the way! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Take a couple of deep breaths and start the test, slowly but steadily. 
2. Initially in your preparation, look at it after every 5 questions or so. You will soon be able to internalize the clock, and can then reduce the frequency even further (maybe 10). Do NOT look at the clock after every question. 
3. After every 5 questions or so (maybe when you look at the clock), take a couple of deep breaths and clear your mind. Taking a short 3 second break like this will improve your concentration levels.
4. Don't get egoistic about any question. If you are unsure of an answer, you can do one or more of the following:
• If you are ahead of the time-targeted question curve, slow down. Take a deep breath. Try and remember the concepts related to that question. Did you miss anything? If you still can't figure out the answer, go with your gut feeling.
• If you are behind the time-targeted question curve, go with your gut instinct. Deep breaths. Clear head. And dive on head to the next question.
• REMEMBER: the GMAT does NOT punish you for a single wrong answer!
5. Remember that there are sample questions. You REALLY don't want to waste your time breaking your head over something that is not even going to count towards your final score!
6. Initially atleast, you can ignore the last 3 or 4 questions in your section. These questions are going to be the toughest questions in your test, and yet will not give you very high returns in terms of score. Hence, treat your test to consist of only 33 / 37 questions, and time yourself as such. (Of course, you WILL have to mark the answers, even though it is only a guess). Later, as your speed and timing improves, you can tackle all the questions.

Finally, remember that a great GMAT score is just a good GMAT score, combined with some smart strategic guessing and keeping your cool!