Many times we conceive a goal, get super excited at the thought of the outcome and then boom! Reality dawns on us when the challenges start to creep in. That’s a lot of our story. This was my story with the all glorifying GMAT exams.
I have always known I wanted to get a doctorate degree, after my masters, it was clear I wanted to go to a business school for that. With business school comes the GMAT. After writing the GRE 2 years earlier with a whooping result that sent my confidence level below zero, I knew I needed a plan. Joan being a master planner, always full of optimism set out to conquer the GMAT. I registered for an online on-demand course in the US.
I was without a job and I had the confidence that I would study for 3months and hit the 700 hurdle. After 3 months with my simulation exams, I was barely pulling 500 points. Damn, I was disappointed in myself. I had heard all the cliches and meme of the GMAT. I was mentally ready but my intellect was failing me. Then I gave myself the excuse that I was worried about my job situation.
I finally dropped the study for GMAT. As I write this, I haven’t written the GMAT but I still hold on to that goal. I got a job and 3 months after settling in I started the craziness again. Retook the on-demand program, thought and supped in the GMAT but never sacrificed my night sleep. As many of you know I love my night sleep.
The GMAT became my addiction. I wanted to write it at all cost, I would usually dream all night about the exam. Then, I decided to start activities that would help improve my mental agility. I registered for gym, dance classes and even started doing calculations mentally. Up Until now, I have written over 30 essays, solved over 1300 quantitative and verbal reasoning.
Albeit I intend to write the GMAT in March and I am not certain I would hit the 700 score point, this journey has taught me a lot about myself. I have come to understand that my grit, tenacity and optimism are my biggest strength. In my journey, I discovered the book called “The Power of Now” by the spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle. This book is so far the deepest spiritual book I have come across. During my interaction with an 85 Year old friend, at the mention of “ The Power of Now”, he was so excited I knew about the book that he recommended another amazing book” Living Budha Living Christ”. I am excited to share them with my book club.
I have learnt deep concepts like the death of oneself, pain body, the ever-present you, Being. Like a joke, I can separate my Being and sit watch my thoughts like a spirit. Lmao. That was a joke. But am getting there. That would be my Eureka moment !!!!
Take away’s from my experience that you can apply to any exam you want to conquer.
- Have a plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
- Get a structured course. It could be online or in person.
- Do the GMAT every day- For other exams, practise the exam everyday.
- Keep error logs and try to master the errors and correction. Know why you failed it and what you should have done differently. It is better to solve 1 problem 1000 times than to solve 1000 problems 1 time.
- Join a community. You would find similar people in the same boat. For the GMAT- http://gmatclub.com/?fl=menu.
- Imbibe GMAT into your daily activities. Speaking, writing, analyzing and what a view.
- Know the exam structure and the time requirement.
- Take simulation exams to get your mind prepared and familiar with the exam. But ensure you revise the concepts you failed.
- Pray Pray Pray.
- Never Give up.
Some amazing quotes in the GMAT club forum that gave me hope to include:
- The only time you can lose is when you give up. Try hard and you will succeed.
- GMAT is not an Exam… it is a war …. Let’s Conquer!!!
- GMAT is not a game for losers, and the moment you decide to appear for it you are no more a loser……..IT’S A BRAIN GAME
- I am not born to be a GENIUS nor a GMATTER. If you are struggling, we are in the same boat. Fight to the last!!
- When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” – Eric Thomas
- The path is long, but self-surrender makes it short; the way is difficult, but perfect trust makes it easy.
- Life’s battle doesn’t always go to stronger or faster men; but sooner or later the man who wins is the one who thinks he can.”
- For every person who doesn’t try because he is afraid of losing, there is another person who
keeps making mistakes and succeeds. - When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. – Henry Ford
- The Moment You Think About Giving Up, Think Of The Reason Why You Held On So Long
- The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. -H.W. Longfellow
- Many people dream but some people wake up and work towards it.