Discouraged with GMAT

[rycherx]

I just took the PR test 1 the other day and got a 550.
I got a 38 on math and a 24 on Verbal.

I feel as If I will never have a chance to score a >650 on this test.
I don't care about going to a top school, but want to perform well for personal reasons.
A few years ago I took the MCAT and only scored a 24, which fell short of my dreams of going to medical school. Now, I have this huge inferiority complex about my abilities and my aptitude. It has affected my esteem to a point where I've developed an anxiety disorder.
I got a 3.5 gpa from UT-Austin. I feel as if I am smarter in the classroom setting, but stupid when it comes to standardized testing.

I know if I perform poorly on this test, I will live my life with huge insecurities about my overall abilities. Does anyone else go through this?

I need words of encouragement or stories to inspire me. I
will be taking the test September 11.

[RB]

Hey

It seems that u r taking these tests far too seriously. I know it is always good to kick butt, but when u start feeling depressed because of this and it effects ur personal life then it ain't worth it.

Gettin 550 in PR is in no way an indication of your intellectual aptitude and/or IQ.I know ppl with increadible intellect who could not get a high score in GMAT even after 4 attempts where as others with average brain capacity kicked arse in the test.

I was in your shoes not long ago where I could never cross the 30 barrier in Verbal no matter what I tried. I was gutted. But then I realised that if I don't get a great score so be it. I will just give it my best shot. And so I did. Just to give u an idea I got 580 in my first PR and 570 in the first PP and never crossed 610 in Kaplan even after 5 weeks of preparation. But eventually I ended up getting 660 first time and then 710 the second time with a bit more preoaration. So don't take these score too seriously.

All they are telling you is that u need a bit more practice and you will be there. The fact that you got a GPA of 3.5 tells me that you have the ability to get a very decent score. Its just practice. Also remember to take it easy, if you get stuck or don't understand a section, just work on it exclusively for a while and try again. Remember to take breaks while preparing. Its good to keep your mind fresh and cool.

Hope all of this babbling made some sense and helped calm you down.

Take it easy and good luck.
RB

[rycherx]

Thanks so much RB,

My best friend is also studying for this GMAT. He tells me that I have a habit of making this a "do or die" ordeal. I tend to blank out during the computer practice and freak out and not be calm enough to comprehend the material. Also, he has observed that I have a tendency to race through the test. This unfortunately leads me to re-read sentences over and over again because I read it too fast the first time. As for math, I scribble all over pages when I work on math problems. This to him is another sign that I am very frantic while working through these problems.

I am just going to approach this now in a calm manner and give it my best. Don't make a big deal out of it. [8)]

[RB]

That's the attitude that is going to get u thru this. In fact I made it a do or die thing as well cause that is what gets me going as well. I need a bit of pressure to work harder. But what I found was that come last week I was sooo burnt out that I had to go play golf for a whole day 4 days b4 the exam, hehe. So take it easy.

The fact that u have a buddy working with u in great. Make use of that, I wish I had that. Its all about takingit easy + loads of practice.

Good luck!!