If you are preparing for GMAT, then probably you are done buying the best study material for GMAT and have started practicing GMAT problems. Frankly writing, GMAT is a test. And a test is a set of problems. So the secret of scoring high in GMAT lies in the way you approach and attack problems. When we study practice problems, our overall goal is to master the problem we're working on right now.
It means that, when we see a future different problem that tests the same thing as this current problem, we will recognize that the future problem has certain things in common with this current problem, and we will know what steps to take as a result. This mastery comes from the analysis we do after we've already finished trying a new problem for the first time.
First, of course, you have to try the problem itself, and you should generally hold yourself to the time constraints given by the test. Pick an answer to that problem within the expected time frame, even if you have no idea what the answer is — every aspect of this test needs to be practiced, including how to guess when you don't know what to do! Next, answer a series of questions.
How well did I handle what they were trying to test?
Is there a better way to do the problem? What is that better way? How am I going to remember this better approach the next time I see a similar problem?
Did I fall short on anything?
Go back to your books and teacher to learn / understand anything that gave you trouble.
Did I make any careless mistakes?
If so, WHY did I make each mistake? What habits could I make or break to minimize the chances of repeating that careless mistake in future?
How should I have made an educated guess?
Think about this even for questions you get right — it's often easier to develop alternative strategies and learn how to make an educated guess on problems that you got right. Then, you use the lessons learned when you see a harder problem of the same type / category.
What have I done in the past that is similar to this one?
How are they similar? How could that recognition have helped me to do this problem more efficiently or effectively? This may involve looking up some past problem and making comparisons between the two!
How will I recognize similar problems in the future?
What can I do now to maximize the chances that I will remember and be able to use lessons learned from this problem the next time I see a new problem that tests something similar?
If you are not doing the above analysis on every GMAT problem you study, then you are not getting the most out of your study. If you have done tons of Official Guide problems but haven't done the above analysis, then you aren't done with those questions. It doesn't matter if you do fewer problems but this kind of in-depth, high-quality review is exactly how you master this test.
First, of course, you have to try the problem itself, and you should generally hold yourself to the time constraints given by the test. Pick an answer to that problem within the expected time frame, even if you have no idea what the answer is — every aspect of this test needs to be practiced, including how to guess when you don't know what to do! Next, answer a series of questions.
How well did I handle what they were trying to test?
Is there a better way to do the problem? What is that better way? How am I going to remember this better approach the next time I see a similar problem?
Did I fall short on anything?
Go back to your books and teacher to learn / understand anything that gave you trouble.
Did I make any careless mistakes?
If so, WHY did I make each mistake? What habits could I make or break to minimize the chances of repeating that careless mistake in future?
How should I have made an educated guess?
Think about this even for questions you get right — it's often easier to develop alternative strategies and learn how to make an educated guess on problems that you got right. Then, you use the lessons learned when you see a harder problem of the same type / category.
What have I done in the past that is similar to this one?
How are they similar? How could that recognition have helped me to do this problem more efficiently or effectively? This may involve looking up some past problem and making comparisons between the two!
How will I recognize similar problems in the future?
What can I do now to maximize the chances that I will remember and be able to use lessons learned from this problem the next time I see a new problem that tests something similar?
If you are not doing the above analysis on every GMAT problem you study, then you are not getting the most out of your study. If you have done tons of Official Guide problems but haven't done the above analysis, then you aren't done with those questions. It doesn't matter if you do fewer problems but this kind of in-depth, high-quality review is exactly how you master this test.
1 comments:
Thank you Hitesh. I started preparing in earnest a month back. I am taking the GMAT on August 24 and this site has has given me many useful insights into tackling the exam. Thanks again and all the best to you.
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