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&lt;span style=&quot;FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA&quot;&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;It’s an oft-quoted fact that the most common fear in this country is of public speaking. There you are, standing in front of a crowd, palms sweating, heart racing, voice cracking and every visible part of your body shaking. No wonder more Americans fear this scenario than fear flying, spiders, or (my personal phobia) snakes. The conventional wisdom for battling stage fright is to imagine your audience in their underwear….or better yet, naked. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Unfortunately for GMAT test-takers with anxiety, hardly any relief comes from imagining Jane, who is running at a rate of five miles/hour from the east, and Dick, who is walking at a rate of three miles/hour from the west, in their skivvies. So how do you battle those test-day butterflies (and the sleepless nights that proceed them)? Why, with the following seven steps! &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;1.) Prepare&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;The majority of anxiety stems from the unknown, the “what ifs” that float around in your head. The more you know, the fewer “what ifs” to be had. Know the format of the GMAT inside and out. Know which sections come first, second, and third. Know the rules regarding scratch paper and bathroom breaks. Most importantly, study. Know the material that will be tested and how it will be tested. If you are a master of the information covered on the GMAT, then anything the test throws at you, you will be able to handle. If you’re confident in your abilities, you’ll be able to fight off those jitters. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;2.) Once you’ve prepared, prepare even more&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Sure, you’ve taken a few computer practice tests and even slept with the Official Guides under your pillow (much to the chagrin of your significant other). But you can still do more. Figure out where the test center is and make a trial run. Know what you’re going to wear (yes, I’m actually serious about this). Choose comfortable clothes and bring layers; you don’t want to be too cold or too hot during the test. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;3.) Relax&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Close your eyes and visualize your favorite place. Take deep breaths. Go for a jog. Listen to your favorite Gregorian chants. Get a massage. In the days leading up to the GMAT, relax as much as you can. This isn’t to say you stop studying but don’t focus exclusively on the test. Also, remember that the GMAT is not a test you can cram for; you will know the vast majority of the material well before those final days and whatever you try to sneak in right at the end is not really going to matter. Do some practice problems and review your time management strategy, but do not go nuts. Do make sure to get plenty of rest and good food. But go out, enjoy life, and leave that Official Guide under your pillow. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;4.) Indulge a bit&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Get as much rest as you can while you gear up for the GMAT. You may not have slept eight hours in a night since you were three years old but, guess what? Now’s the time to know what it’s like to wake without the alarm going off (or to go to bed before The Daily Show). Also, now is the time to make sure you’re taking your mother’s advice: eat your vegetables and take your vitamins. You want to be in top physical shape. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;5.) Have a post-GMAT plan&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Look, you’ve got a rough day ahead of you. No one is denying that. So give yourself something to look forward to, something positive you can think about for two seconds when you’re bogged down trying to figure out if you’re dealing with a compound subject. Plan to meet a friend for dinner, have tickets to that evening’s ballgame, or book a manicure for an hour after you’re done. You’re almost at the finish line! &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;6.) If things do start to go south, keep your head up&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;One of the worst things about test anxiety is that it can be self-perpetuating. What happens if you get in there and flub the first question? Your confidence is going to start going down the tubes. Don’t let it. This is something you can control. The GMAT is designed to be hard for everyone; don’t beat yourself up if you can’t answer a question. First of all, you don’t have time to do it and, secondly, what’s past is past. You have to let it go and move on to the next problem. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;7.) Remember, it’s not the end of the world (or your bschool prospects)&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;The GMAT is just a test. And you can always take it again. It’s also just one part of your application to business school; it won’t make you or break you. Yes, you want to do well. And you should do well. But if you don’t, it really and truly won’t ruin your life. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;So take a couple of deep breaths. Shake out your hands and do a couple of neck stretches. Close your eyes for a few seconds and just relax. And if all else fails, remember that Dick looks pretty funny walking at three miles/hour in his tighty-whities. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;About ManhattanGMAT&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;ManhattanGMAT&lt;/b&gt; is the nation&#39;s largest GMAT-exclusive preparation provider. ManhattanGMAT&#39;s mission is to provide students with a blend of the academic and test-taking skills essential for success, given today&#39;s higher standard for what defines a competitive GMAT score. Preparation options include 9-session courses, private tutoring, one-day workshops, and corporate classes on-site at many Fortune 500 companies. The ManhattanGMAT Strategy Guides, the heart of our curriculum, can be purchased through our online store or major book retailers like Barnes &amp;amp; Noble. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;Check out our website to learn more about our upcoming programs, curriculum, and instructors. &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;font class=&quot;text12&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;*GMAT and GMAT CAT are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admissions Council, which neither sponsors nor endorses this preparation service.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;MARGIN: 0px&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; mso-fareast-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA&quot;&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;For more b-school and GMAT insight from the experts at ManhattanGMAT, check out our &lt;/font&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;MBA Resources&lt;/font&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;.&lt;br&gt;To find a free ManhattanGMAT event in your area, &lt;/font&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;visit our website&lt;/font&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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