We are sure that there have been occasions when you were ready to study but found yourself thinking about everything else besides what you were supposed to do. Lack of focus is a common problem that each of us has to face and find a way to deal with. GMAT is an examination that requires a lot of concentration as you have to shift from one topic to another for 3 and half hours. Maintaining your focus is not a suggestion but a necessity while preparing for and taking the exam. In this article, we are going to look at some useful tips on how to deal with the lack of focus for the GMAT.
Set Proper Studying Environment
Most of us have a preferred studying environment that is tailored to our needs and requirements and ensures personal comfort. For some of us, this may be studying on the bed with the music on and snacks, and for others, studying in a group with friends at a cafe. However, on exam day, you won’t have these “luxuries.” Instead you will be required to sit at a bare desk for more than 3 hours. Not having your conveniences may affect your concentration negatively and consequently, deteriorate your GMAT performance.
One way to avoid this is to prepare yourself at home for the exam in similar conditions to the ones on the exam day itself. For example, instead of studying on your bed, choose a chair and table set up. You should also try to minimize your distractions as much as possible- turn off the music, leave your phone away, don’t let people come into the room where you are studying, etc. The more similar your studying environment is to the exam environment, the higher your chances are to be focused and work well when taking the GMAT exam.
Create Your Personalized Study Plan for GMAT Preparation
The key to a successful GMAT performance is efficient preparation, which follows a well-organized study plan with clear timetables and goals. If you plan to take the GMAT, start your preparation by creating a study plan. You may use an online planner tool or even better, talk with a professional who can help you to develop a study strategy for your prep schedule.
Having a GMAT prep schedule can also help you on the exam day itself. Once you have it, you can put time limits for each section of the exam and determine whether it takes you too long to finish a particular question or section. This could be a sign that you aren’t focused on the exam and that you have to quickly overcome the distractions. If you learn the signs of being distracted, you can practice overcoming your lack of focus on the GMAT.
Set Up a Routine
Besides having a study plan or prep schedule, you may want to consider creating a day-to-day schedule or routine and organizing your tasks. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to balance between work, studying for the GMAT, social life, and all other responsibilities. This often leads to an irregular schedule of studying, which works against the quality of study time. Your body follows a biological clock, meaning your mind functions best or to its full capacity at particular periods of the day. If you don’t set certain times to study, you can often find yourself more easily distracted and lose your focus for the GMAT by thinking of everything else you have to do during the day.
If you want to utilize your time effectively and study better, create a routine, organize your tasks, and give yourself time to relax. You have to devote a sufficient amount of time for your preparation, separate from your personal or professional commitments’ time. Importantly, you should also give yourself time to rest and procrastinate freely so as not to lose your sanity while preparing for GMAT. Go for a walk, take a nap or watch your favorite series.
Additional Tip
Study in bursts. Don’t force yourself to study for 4 hours straight. This won’t be a productive learning session as you and your brain have a limit to how much new knowledge you can handle. Instead, try dividing your study time into 20-25 min chunks, interspersed with 5 min breaks. When you are engaged with intense mental activities such as studying or preparing for the GMAT exam, it is critical to take breaks. This method can help you stay focused since you know that the next break is just around the corner, so you have to get motivated, roll up your sleeves and finish your task.
Conclusion
Preparing for and taking the GMAT exam is a challenging endeavor and maintaining your focus is an essential requirement for success. You should find your own ways to stay focused and create a study plan that is suitable for you and your needs. Here at Apex, we are more than happy to support you on your GMAT journey and assist you in every step of the process. You can sign-up for a 30-minute complimentary consultation call with one of our instructors who can help you develop your personalized GMAT prep schedule!