Organizing Your Study Sessions in the Last Week Before GMAT Test Day 

As you enter the final week of your GMAT preparation, it’s crucial to balance study time with relaxation. While the urge to cram as many exercises as possible before test day might be strong, this approach can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on perfecting your test-taking strategy through mock tests and ensuring you’re mentally and physically prepared for the big day. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to organize your study sessions in the last week—excluding mock test days and revision days—to maximize your performance without burning out. 

Boost Your Confidence 

In your final week, the key is to build confidence and maintain your mental well-being: 

Focus on Comfort:  
The primary goal is to become comfortable with taking the GMAT. Avoid introducing new problem types you haven't encountered before; instead, work on things you are familiar with. That might sound counterintuitive but by now you should know the things you need to obtain your target score, so you better stick with revision and comfortable practice. 

Avoid Burnout:  
Your top priority should be conserving energy and maintaining mental peace. Overworking yourself at this stage can lead to burnout, leaving you exhausted when it matters most—on test day. 

Relaxation is Key:  
Remember, the biggest priority during this week is to relax. Taking it easy will help you approach the exam with a clear, focused mind. For more tips on how to relax and stay calm, check out this article: Take a chill pill. 

How to Organize Your Study Sessions (If You Choose to Study) 

While some students prefer to focus solely on mock tests and rest in the final week, others may feel more at ease by continuing to practice. If you’re in the latter group, here’s how to organize your study sessions: 

Stick to Medium Difficulty:  
If you feel the need to do new problems, choose medium-difficulty questions or those where you already have a relatively high accuracy rate. This allows you to reinforce the theory you know without the stress of tackling unfamiliar or overly challenging problems. 

Revisit Past High-Difficulty Problems: 

• Targeted Review: Instead of tackling new, challenging problems, revisit the high-difficulty questions you previously got wrong. This targeted approach helps reinforce learning and reduces the likelihood of encountering completely unfamiliar scenarios. 

• Leverage Your Question Log: Use your meticulously maintained question log to identify these problems. By now, you should have strategies in place to approach them effectively. 

Redo mock tests:  
Spend more time reviewing your mock test results and redoing high-difficulty questions you initially struggled with. This practice reinforces your learning and builds confidence without overwhelming you with new challenges. 

What to Avoid in the Last Week 

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do in your final week: 

Avoid High-Stress Problems:  
Working on very difficult problems, especially if they’re new to you, can increase anxiety and self-doubt. It’s best to avoid these altogether in the final week. 

Don’t Overdo It:  
Long, high-intensity study sessions at this stage are more likely to burn you out than improve your performance. Avoid marathon study sessions, as the mistakes made during such sessions won’t provide meaningful learning opportunities this close to test day. 

Conclusion 

The last week before your GMAT test day should be about refining your test-taking strategy and conserving your mental and physical energy. While it’s fine to do some light practice, the focus should be on reviewing what you already know and avoiding stress-inducing activities. Remember, confidence and relaxation are your best allies in the final days before the exam. Use this time wisely, and you’ll be in the best possible shape to succeed on test day.