SHOULD I SNACK WHILE I STUDY
5. What about food? Should I snack while I study? If so, on what?Only you can answer these questions. Does food energize you, or does it slow you down while youdigest? If you are not sure, pay attention to how your brain and body feel after eating. After a big meal,many people feel sluggish and sleepy as the blood from their brain and muscles goes to the stomach toaid in digestion. If the only time you have to study is right after dinner, you may want to pass on thesecond helpings and even on dessert so that you will be more alert.On the other hand, it is also difficult to concentrate when you are hungry. If it has been a whilesince your last meal, you may want to snack before or as you study. Generally speaking, snacks are fine.However, you want to avoid two categories of foods: sugary snacks (candy, cookies, and ice cream) andcaffeinated drinks (coffee, colas, and nonherbal teas).Sugar surges into your bloodstream quickly, making you feel temporarily energized, but it leavesyour bloodstream just as quickly and you experience a rebound effect of feeling more tired than ever.Try keeping track of this effect sometime. See if you can determine how long it takes you to crash aftera dose of sugar.Caffeine is another trickster. In moderation, it produces an effect of alertness, but it is easy to crossthe line into being jittery, which makes it hard to focus and be productive. Also, if you consumecaffeine in the evening, it can interfere with a good night’s sleep, leaving you feeling tired instead ofwell rested in the morning. It is best to stay away from caffeinated drinks after lunchtime.
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S T U D Y S K I L L S
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T h e R i g h t To o l s
You can spend hours trying to put a nail through a piece of wood with a rock, or you can get the job done ina few minutes with a hammer. The right tools can make all the difference, especially if your time is limited.Fortunately, you already have one of the most important tools for the GMAT exam: this book, which tells youall about the GMAT exam and the information and skills you need to be successful on the exam. You may alsowant to use the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 10th Edition,which is the best source for retired GMAT examquestions. In addition, check out the Skill Builder in Focus series from LearningExpress. Each of these booksis designed to help you build proficiency in specific skills tested either directly or indirectly on the GMATexam:■
501 Reading Comprehension Questions■
501 Grammar and Writing Questions■
501 Vocabulary Questions■
501 Writing Prompts■
501 Challenging Logic and Reasoning Problems■
501 Algebra Questions■
501 Geometry Questions■
501 Math Word ProblemsYou should also assemble some other important study tools and keep them in your GMAT exam studyarea:■
a good dictionary, such as Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary, Tenth Edition■
a notebook or legal pad dedicated to your GMAT exam notes■
pencils (and a pencil sharpener) or pens■
a highlighter, or several in different colors■
index or other note cards■
paper clips or sticky note pads for marking pages■
a calendar or personal digital assistant (PDA)Take the time to choose tools that you will enjoy using; they can be a small daily reward for doing yourwork. Buy the type of pens you like the most and select items in your favorite colors.Information GatheringAs you gather your tangible tools, you also need to gather your intangible tools: the information you needabout the exam so that you can study the right material in the right way at the right time. If you have notalready done so, read Chapter 1 of this book to learn about the GMAT exam. Chapter 1 discusses what kindof test it is, what you need to do to register, when you can take the test, what the testing center will be like,and what your scores mean. Part I will also tell you where you can take the GMAT exam, when you shouldregister, how much it costs, and what you can and cannot take with you to the exam.In addition, Parts II, III, and IV describe in detail the kinds of questions to expect on the GMAT examand provide you with study tips and strategies for answering them correctly. Obviously, you need to knowthis information to create an effective study plan.Before you begin to work out a study schedule, spend a few days or a week or two going through thisbook, especially the introduction to each section so that you can get a better feel for the exam. For instance,you will learn that critical-reasoning skills are important to your success on both the Verbal section and theAnalytical Writing Assessment. If your pretest scores were weak in this area, you may decide to allow extratime for critical-reasoning skills review.