Phase II
Phase II - Balanced Study with Techniques
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Phase II: Group D
Group D
Group C
Group A, Group B
Integrated Reasoning and Essay, Rest
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Group D
Start spending less time on individual questions.
Group D
Group C
Group A, Group B
Integrated Reasoning and Essay, Rest
DAY 11 (GROUP D)
Thought for Day 11.
You’ve made it to phase II. Now you need less time for planning and more time finding and experiencing the techniques that will improve your test score. Your progress should be becoming more obvious every day.
You have completed the first phase, and if you still answer some questions incorrectly, that's OK. You have plenty of time ahead.
You should be pretty familiar with our study schedule from Phase I. The study cycle in Phase II is similar – you will just spend slightly less time reviewing tests and a bit more time learning techniques.
In Phase II, one cycle is defined as follows:
• 25% – Test Preparation
• 50% – Practice Test
• 25%– Test Review
If you spend four hours a day studying, your cycle will be:
• 60 minutes – Test Preparation
• 120 minutes – Practice Test
• 60 minutes – Test Review
If you spend three hours a day studying, your cycle will be:
• 45 minutes – Test Preparation
• 90 minutes – Practice Test
• 45 minutes – Test Review
As you can see, your daily study cycle is now 25–50–25. We have increased the time allocated for Test Preparation to allow time to learn test techniques. You will also spend more time on the skill-building part of this book and less on the planning part. Starting today, you will exercise this study cycle for ten days and will study the following sections/groups:
Today we focus on your Group D section(s). Start your test preparation now and head over to the skill-building part of the book to learn and review test-taking techniques for these section(s). Then start taking practice questions for Group D section(s). Try to apply the techniques that you learned today. Review the practice test afterwards.
DAY 12 (GROUP D)
(Daily Study Cycle = 25 - 50 - 25)
Stick to the same routine as yesterday, again focusing on Group D. From today, you can start participating in the online forums suggested above after test review, but remember not to spend too much time comparing your performance with other people. Remember to focus on your own studies - other people can easily throw you off balance. We get the right - and wrong - kinds of energy from others.
Thought for Day 12.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this GMAT journey, and that’s why the GMAT forums are great. There are many others just like you, studying and working hard to prepare for this test. You are a part of a community.
You can share your experiences of studying with other students, but it’s better to not spend time comparing results. Everybody has different weaknesses and strengths and this doesn’t indicate the final test results.
You still have plenty of time to correct your errors. It’s better that you find errors now so that you can correct them and learn.
DAY 13 (GROUP C)
(Daily Study Cycle = 25 - 50 - 25)
Today, we will learn some techniques for Group C by reading the relevant section in the latter part of the book.
Thought for Day 13.
I hope you are using and appreciating your notebook! It really is a little gem containing your goals, priorities, corrections and achievements. Continue to use and review your notebook and you’ll soon be able to visualize the important points that you’re jotting down in it.
DAY 14 (GROUPS A AND B)
(Daily Study Cycle = 25 - 50 - 25)
Focus on Groups A and B today, the sections you are most familiar with. If you find yourself finishing early, spend some time reviewing your notes to see if you are happy with the way you are organizing information.
Thought for Day 14.
Today is an easier day spent working on more familiar topics. That should feel good! They weren’t familiar at the beginning but now they should be much easier for you. If you’re feeling a bit lazy it might be because you are finding the questions easy. Be proud of yourself and try to focus and keep thinking clearly today.
DAY 15 (INTEGRATED REASONING, ESSAY, REST)
On Day 15, you should practice some Integrated Reasoning questions. Up until this point, you haven’t really worked on those questions. The reason for this is that the Integrated Reasoning section doesn’t really test any different concepts than do the regular verbal and math sections. You will see questions on percents, statistics, and algebra, you will see critical reasoning questions, and you will see some reading comprehension. But since the section functions differently (you have access to a calculator!) you want to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the question types and features, so today is the day to do that.
It’s also time to start working on the essay. Even though the essay score does not count toward your 800, it is still important to do well. But you can’t do well without practicing! Flip to an essay prompt in the back of the Official Review and start writing.
Thought for Day 15.
Good news*! You have passed the half way mark. You are two weeks closer to your goal, whoop!*
Try to rest well tonight. A rested mind and body process information more effectively the next day.
DAY 16 (GROUP D)
Starting on Day 16, we will spend slightly less time on each individual question or answer, and will transition our efforts from understanding the test to efficiently managing our time during the test.
Start timing yourself when taking your practice test and compare that with the time allowed for each section.
We are back to Group D again for today and tomorrow. You should feel much more comfortable with your Group D section(s) after tomorrow given all of the practice that you have had. This is going to boost your score significantly.
Thought for Day 16.
Practice improves your score, and timing the process develops your time management skills which is a huge part of the test. With practice you will become a lot less stressed about completing on time.
Soon you will be so familiar with the test that time management will come much easier to you.
DAY 17 (GROUP D)
No need for further introduction, as you are working on Group D again today. You know that you are conquering this section by now so try to enjoy it!
Thought for Day 17.
Let’s have a little check in, shall we?
It’s very possible that today, or yesterday, or tomorrow you are/ will feel overwhelmed or stressed out. That wouldn’t be uncommon; any period of study is stressful and this has been a particularly intense one.
But it’s important to know that you do have a certain amount of control over these thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. You can choose how to respond to them, and you can choose whether you focus on the positive or the negative. The positive: You chose a study plan that puts you ahead. You made it this far. You still have time to improve your score. You know more now about your potential and what you can achieve in just a couple of weeks. You’re improving all the time. That should feel great.
Direct your thoughts and focus on these things, and keep on keeping on. If it feels like a mammoth task, break it down and start small. You got this.
DAY 18 (GROUP C)
You should feel quite comfortable with Group C by now. Remember to time yourself against the allowed two minutes per question, if possible. Time management is your focal point at this time. A genius with bad time management will never ace the GMAT. It’s key.
Thought for Day 18.
Even though you are becoming familiar with the test, or maybe you’re sick of the test, be sure not to get lazy now. Nothing feels as good as finishing something to completion. It’s the habit of champions. Bring as much energy and focus to this last homestretch and finish strong - it’s the difference between winners and losers!
Concentrate on the bigger picture here and the purpose of you taking the test in the first place.
DAY 19 (GROUPS A AND B)
Focus on Groups A and B today, the sections you are most familiar with. If you find yourself finishing early again, review your notes and focus on what you’ve forgotten.
Thought for Day 19.
By now you have probably broken any bad habits like procrastination, and replaced them with good planning habits. Can you see how organizing your time and planning helps get things done? This is what should motivate you for the remainder of the study schedule. J
DAY 20 (INTEGRATED REASONING, ESSAY, REST)
Spend your time today practicing more Integrated Reasoning questions and writing another Analysis of an Argument Essay. Afterwards, review your notes and all of the questions that you have highlighted over the last four days. Remember, your notebook is the textbook that you customized for yourself. Thus, it is the most important tool when it comes to test day. Make sure that you are familiar with every note that you have taken and keep your notebook well organized.
Finally, feel free to rest and relax a little today. We are going into the final ten days of studies and you want to be physically and mentally ready.
Thought for Day 20.
It’s a cliché, but practice makes perfect, really!