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Practicing Maths Drills under pressure

I have an issue with maths (slow in structuring to the end and I absorb the information slowly) and recently I found out that I perform badly during online tests because I feel a lot of pressure. And since I do not practice under pressure, I was advised to practice with a timer to simulate the pressure.

But I already make mistakes in my drills even without the pressure? So wouldn't this make my performance worse?

Please help !

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Top answer
Hagen
Coach
on Oct 07, 2024
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | most experience in consulting, interviewing, and coaching

Hi there,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your issues with written math!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

  • If you already make mistakes in math drills without (time) pressure, I would highly advise you to start by revising the basics without a timer. Ensure you understand the underlying concepts thoroughly before you introduce time constraints.

You can find more on this topic here: Speed reading techniques.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Alessa
Coach
on Oct 07, 2024
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

Hey there! 

It's great that you're looking to improve your math performance under pressure! Here's a potential approach from my side: 

Practicing with a timer is helpful because it simulates test conditions, but since you already struggle without pressure, start by focusing on accuracy first!!

I would suggest practicing math drills slowly and deliberately until you consistently solve them correctly. Once you're more comfortable with the problems, gradually introduce a timer. Start with generous time limits and reduce them as your skills improve. This will help you build confidence without overwhelming yourself.

Also, use techniques like deep breathing to manage stress during timed practice sessions, which can help your mind stay focused and calm under pressure :) 

If you're comfortable with numbers and calculations, I recommend practicing with others on platforms or working with coaches who can focus specifically on the numerical section. I've personally coached numerous individuals with an emphasis on numerical reasoning and business sense, and it ultimately made a significant difference for them!

Good luck with that! Alessa :)

Fiore
Coach
on Oct 08, 2024
Ex Engagement Manager at McKinsey
Totally agree with this answer!
Florian
Coach
on Oct 07, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

A key issue I see with many candidates is that they don't become better because they simply repeat what does not work.

You need a strong foundation in both quantitative reasoning and fast math.

Forget about the timer for now unless you have learned and internalized the two things.

I do offer specific coaching in that area but also have created a 25-part video series on the topic with 2,000 practice exercises. Reach out for help!

All the best,

Florian

Fathu
Coach
on Oct 08, 2024
Ex-BCG Europe/ME/Africa | 50+ offers from MBB, Kearney, OW | Personalized coaching | Free 15-min intro call

Hi there,

Your suspicion is correct - you’ll most definitely make more mistakes under time pressure.

From the context given, it appears your quantitative background is not yet strong enough for case interviews. You should first introspect on whether you ever had a strong quant background and subsequently engage a coach. The coach should ideally support with identifying your underlying weaknesses and propose practical tips to strengthen your quant fundamentals for seamless adoption in case interviews.

Feel free to reach out for support.

All the best,

Fathu

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