As a GMAT test coach, I often get asked about how my students do on this notoriously difficult exam. I'm always happy to answer; after all, if it's not a matter of curiosity, then it's a way to sneakily find out a key piece of GMAT preparation that they themselves should be following.
So if you want to know the most popular question I get asked, I'll be glad to reveal this secret to you. In fact, I hope it helps you to boost your own GMAT score.
I never tired of hearing the question, "What's the biggest mistake that your students make on the GMAT test?"
Well, I can guarantee you one thing - it's not what you're thinking.
In fact, whether you're gearing up to take your GMAT online or are taking the traditional paper-and-pencil test, this major mistake is more responsible for a lowered score than any other I've encountered in my career.
Dying to know the answer? It's this: too many students think that they're "too smart" for the GMAT test.
There's GMAT Test Confidence - and Then There's This!
It's a nasty little habit that I liked to call "being too smart for their own good."
You see, after a few months of taking practice tests and reviewing their study guides, many test takers start to get familiar with the format of the exam. Instead of carefully reading over directions, they start skipping through that part. Instead of inspecting what a question is asking of them, they assume that they already know what the answer's going to be.
And instead of answering questions based on information that's been presented in the reading passage, they decide to bring in "outsider information" to answer the question.
I know that as soon as I see one of my students do that, they've already started their way down the path of a dismal score.
And it's up to me to turn them back around in the right direction.
The High GMAT Score at the End of the Tunnel!
So what do I do to get them on the straight and narrow again?
Simple - I use some of these tips and techniques!
• Remind yourself that there's GMAT test confidence - and then there's downright arrogance. Being familiar with the format of the exam doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to pass it. All it guarantees is that you have absolutely no excuse for not carefully reading those directions.
• I always tell my students to only read into the information that's presented in the passage. The makers of the test know that many students tend to bring in their own outside information - and that's where they try to trip them up. Don't let this major testing trap happen to you!
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