We all know the drill by now: study your verbal and quant concepts, do lots of Grockit practice questions and tests, and review everything to learn from your mistakes.  But isn’t there anything you can do to improve your score without opening a book or turning on your computer?  Well, maybe.  Science seems to support these little tweaks to your routine, and they certainly can’t hurt!

1.  Chew gum while you study and while you take your exam

According to a study presented at the 2008 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, "An investigation into the effects of gum chewing on mood and cortisol levels during psychological stress," chewing gum can help to improve alertness, relieve anxiety, and reduce stress among individuals performing a variety of multi-tasking activities in a laboratory setting.  There is also evidence that chewing gum may significantly improve performance on “multi-tasking activities.”  All of these benefits have the potential to translate to a less stressful, more productive GMAT experience.  So go ahead and unwrap a stick—and make it peppermint, because…

2.  Aromatherapy can give you a boost

There are many different scents that can improve your mental and physical state as you prepare for the GMAT.  One of them is peppermint, which can uplift the mood, relieve mental fatigue, improve alertness and enhance memory.  And who doesn’t need a little relief from mental fatigue while studying?  Once you put the books away for the night, try using some lavender or chamomile to help you sleep or relieve an upset stomach.  Like peppermint, eucalyptus is said to help with stress and fatigue, but according to some, it has the added bonus of boosting your immune system, helping to keep your healthy for test day.  Used in large amounts, eucalyptus essential oil can be toxic, but in small doses it can be beneficial.  And finally, to reap all of those benefits, look to rosemary, which is said to improve blood circulation, relieve a sore throat, improve digestion, improve mental alertness, memory, and mood, and relieve mental fatigue.

3.  Have a cup or two of java, but don’t go overboard

Drinking coffee is known to increase short term recall and boost performance on a variety of mental and physical tests.  Studies have shown that both regular and occasional coffee consumption can boost memory, reasoning, and other cognitive skills.  Too much of it, though, can make you jittery and paranoid, which can have negative implications for your studying and test day performance.  So know your caffeine limits, and don’t push past them—but if coffee is something that you enjoy, by all means, take advantage of its benefits!

4.  Get off the couch and move!

Studies have shown that regular exercise is not just good for your body; it can also help to relieve mental and emotional stress, plus neutralize some of the physical effects of that stress.  One study, reported at the 2001 Society for Neuroscience conference, found that, young adults who followed a 12 week regimen of jogging for 30 minutes two to three times a week significantly improved their performance on a number of cognitive tests. The scores fell again if the participants quit their running routine.  Researchers suggest that the increased oxygen flow to the brain may explain running’s beneficial impact on test scores.  Even if it’s just a quick walk around the block, getting your body moving can be a big help to your mental and physical condition, and that can translate to improved numbers on test day!

Overall, there’s no substitute for knowledge and preparation when it comes to your GMAT score.  But these little tips can give you an extra boost, and might just be the difference between a so-so score and one with which you’ll be satisfied.  What’s your favorite way to relieve stress and improve your mental and physical condition as test day approaches?

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About Grockit: Grockit is an educational technology company that licenses and distributes a cost-effective, collaborative and social learning and test prep platform built on adaptive learning algorithms and analytics. Students love Grockit because it is social, engaging and incorporates youthful technologies such as, smart phones, social games mechanics, online group chat, screensharing and YouTube.