GMAT Debriefing Strategy: Record, Retrospect, and Revise
As we all know, libraries are study places we’ve been very accustomed to since childhood. Not only do libraries offer a quiet environment, suitable lighting, and comfortable seating for reading, but more importantly, you’re surrounded by a group of equally motivated individuals, creating a positive atmosphere. Therefore, many test-takers automatically think of going to the library whenever they think about studying for the GMAT.
The solution is very simple:
When solving problems, turn on a voice recorder (without a timer or time limit), and speak out loud what you’re thinking as you work!
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For example, today when I start a CR question, I’ll just open the recording app and speak as I work through it —
First, I’ll read the question; it’s asking for a weaken question…
Then I’ll look at the passage. After reading it, my understanding of the logical chain is roughly…
Next, I’ll identify the main point and consider what the author is trying to prove. Is it about whether profits can be maintained? Before looking at the options, I should think about how to respond. Hmm… “Who says… XX will definitely guarantee profits?” Couldn’t other factors influence it? Is the survey necessarily accurate?
Looking at option A, this option emphasizes… but this doesn’t prove our main point, does it? So, eliminate it as irrelevant.
…
Looking at option C, it seems a bit uncertain because I think… it’s also possible, so I’ll keep it for now, unless there’s a better, more straightforward option.
…
Returning to evaluate C and E comprehensively, I’ll go back to the passage. I believe E is more convincing because there are fewer logical gaps in its reasoning, so I’ll choose E.
You’ll be surprised to find when you start recording yourself: the voice in your head while solving problems is like that of a spirit medium.
When reviewing the playback, remember that your goal isn’t to explain the options, but to use the standard problem-solving process Dustin provides on his Blog, and optimize your problem-solving mindset while listening to the recording:
- At which step did I mistakenly eliminate the correct answer?
- At which step should I have eliminated the incorrect option but didn’t?
- Where did I do too little or too much in that step?
- Which step did I even find too ‘superficial’?
For example: poor reading comprehension leading to incorrect logical chain identification, being too lazy to fully anticipate and thus unable to find the answer among the five options, or not paying attention to which stance to respond to when the passage has more than one attitude…
Update: Recordings can also be transcribed into text for comparison.
Please remember, all questions should lead to one answer: How can I improve for the next question!
If a certain step lacks a concept, go back and review your course materials or handouts. If it’s a thinking habit error, note down the improvement method in your problem-solving process to remind yourself to apply it in your practice for the next one or two days.
For test-takers whose problem-solving speed isn’t improving, listening to recordings using this method can also clearly show where they are getting stuck (recordings will reveal long silences/smacking lips/incoherent speech), why they are getting stuck, and what methods to use to specifically improve the concepts and thinking speed in that particular step, rather than just mindlessly doing practice questions or mock tests (please refer to: “The Myth of Mock Tests”).
Can you do this in a library? Of course not! You’d be kicked out by the librarian for acting crazy! That’s why I recommend staying away from libraries!
So when should you return to the library?
It’s simple: when you find that you can clearly articulate the reasoning for each step while solving problems (just like teaching someone else), your problem-solving process has successfully solidified. Only then can we start incorporating time management, allowing you to focus on answering questions under time constraints in a relatively quiet environment (closer to the actual test setting).
Because there’s a fixed process, during review, you’ll know “which part” of the process consumes time. If there’s no fixed process, the questions will just be a “lump of dough” to you; you won’t know from which angle to review to shorten your problem-solving time, and you’ll hastily attribute the issue to “not enough practice, not enough feel.” Carelessly addressing problems and only making superficial efforts is the beginning of failure for countless test-takers.
To fundamentally improve your problem-solving mindset, all test-takers need to successfully complete these three steps:
Record, Retrospect, and Revise
I’m Dustin, see you next time.
