GMAT Test Prep: Test Day Strategy

You’ve studied hard for weeks and GMAT test day is finally just around the corner. It seems illogical to have spent hours upon hours analyzing every inch of the GMAT in test prep and then to neglect preparing for the actual day itself. While you shouldn’t dissect test day down to the minute, there are a few areas to pay attention to so that you’ll score your best: 

• Logistics
• Food
• Studying
• Meditation

Logistics

If you can help it, you want to try to minimize distractions on test day. That means planning out what to wear and how to get to the test center. Take a few minutes to map this all out and set aside your ID and snacks beforehand. Then, when you wake up on test day all you’ll have to do is follow the routine and not worry about unnecessary details.

Food

In the first episode of season four of The Office, Michael Scott, a character played by Steve Carell, attempts to “carb load” before a 5K charity run/walk. Hilarity ensues as a clueless Mr. Scott stumbles through the race while eating chicken parmesan. His heart was in the right place, but the same can’t be said for his execution.

The GMAT is a grueling, four-hour experience and your body needs fuel to stave off fatigue. Try to eat meals beforehand that will provide you with stable energy: eggs in the morning, chicken at lunch, and almonds as a snack. Also, watch your caffeine intake. Don’t take more than you would on a normal day; your adrenaline will be pumping, anyway.

Studying

A debate as old as standardized tests, there are varying schools of thought when it comes to studying shortly before an exam. Some find that a quick review of their test prep notes – not cramming, mind you – helps ease their nerves the night before a big exam. Others argue that if you don’t know it already, you’re not going to learn it now.

Both sides make compelling arguments, but research favors not studying the night before the exam. Further, studying the night before may actually hurt your performance. Kaplan found that the items you study shortly before the exam clutter your short-term memory and inhibit your recall of the topics you’ve been covering in your test prep for the last few weeks.

That said, just like runners do before a race, it’s wise to warm-up a few hours before the exam. Try to stay away from reading notes or textbooks, but do answer a few practice problems from each section. This will remind you of your routine and start to get your mind thinking about the GMAT again. Keep it simple, however: don’t let this bit of test prep fatigue yourself before the exam even begins.

Meditation 

Positive visualization is a popular strategy across disciplines. Athletes, public speakers, and business people all use it to set them up for success before a critical game, speech, or presentation. You should do the same. The night before the exam, take several deep breaths and visualize success – whatever that is to you – on the exam. Not only will it help put you in a positive mindset, but it’ll ease your nerves and help you fall asleep.