A few simple ways to adjust your thinking might help. At its core, the GMAT is a reasoning test. That is, it tests they way that you think. It does this in a predictable, calculable way. Unfortunately, many people who train for the GMAT are highly skilled in either a “harder” math/science skill or in … Read More
It’s simple. Change the way you think about failure. You have to get things wrong to get things right. Yeah, whatever. Actually, I’m being absolutely serious here. As a GMAT tutor, I’ve seen first-hand how part of any program of learning involves a lot of mistakes, a lot of missteps, and a certain amount of … Read More
Today I heard something very interesting while listening to a speech by author, investor, and general crazy person Tim Ferriss. While it is nice to hear him echo what I’ve always said about “imagine the worst that could happen”— –that is, imagine that you never prep, “fail” the GMAT, and don’t get into the school … Read More
Athletes, musicians, and other top performers all understand how to control their emotional states under pressure. This is a make-or-break ability to develop in your GMAT prep, and it is sadly lacking in most GMAT courses. That is not to say that you have to be perfectly calm—in fact, a certain amount of nervousness makes … Read More
“The secret is reps, reps, reps.” –Arnold Schwarzenegger “Whether in sports, running the same drills over and over, or in business practicing a sales pitch or refining a presentation, we gain through preparation a sense of mastery and self-confidence that can be taken into the real game.” –Joe Montana The key to success on the … Read More
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to commit yourself to anything and get it done? Wouldn’t you like to be able to complete on things that you claim you’ll do? Why don’t those things happen? A simple answer, says author Tim Ferriss in his landmark book The Four-Hour Body, is Human Nature. There are … Read More
Something that I always say to students who come to me is that attitude is one of the most important features of your GMAT prep. Over the years, I have noticed that those who treat their prep with an air of fun or curiosity tend to be those who do the best. This is hardly … Read More
Unfortunately many people spend lots of energy finding excuses NOT to do the work necessary for GMAT success. It’s easier to blame other things, but if you chronically have trouble finding the time to study, making your coaching sessions, or otherwise figuring out ways to get better–as slowly as that might come–then there is no … Read More
Huh? I promise, it will make sense soon enough. As we’ve been discussing often recently, my years spent tutoring GMAT in London have taught me a lot about high performers and their reactions to the GMAT exam. Trust me, Fear and Anxiety are two of the biggest obstacles for even the most prepared GMAT taker. … Read More
It’s simple: information is not useful; transformation is. Recently, I was listening to a speech by one of my favourite business authors, Michael Ellsberg. Ellsberg relates the story of how his personal battles with bipolar disorder—severe mania and severe depression–were exacerbated by a poor diet. Doctors told Ellsberg that he was severely sensitive to changes … Read More
