Doing a business degree is a rewarding experience. The GMAT exam is part of this process. We’re here to help you understand everything you need for your best results.
As you research business school admissions requirements and create your application plans, one of the most important things to consider is studying for the GMAT™ exam.
A strong GMAT score will set you apart in the admissions process and may even qualify you for scholarship opportunities to help you cover the cost of your degree.
Follow these best practices from test takers who have taken the GMAT exam:
GMAT Prep Tips not only provides tips for preparing the GMAT topic, but also for understanding the overall design of the test. Of course, to pass the GMAT you should know the concepts and the application of concepts, but you should also know how to structure your preparation.
Make progress towards your business school goals with these top 12 study tips.
Develop a GMAT study plan early on
MBA and business master’s applications have many components — including essays, letters of recommendation, resumes, and more — and the last thing you want is to be juggling all of those while also preparing for the GMAT in a condensed timeline.
To avoid this situation, establish a GMAT study plan early in your path to business school. Did you know that you can prepare for the GMAT exam in just eight weeks?/
From the creators of the GMAT exam, the Free Official 8-Week GMAT Exam Study Planner gives you the goals, tools, and tips you need to start working toward your business school goals in just two months.
Also see GMAT study guide: How to prepare
Know the exam sections and include them in your study plan
Before creating a study plan, you should make sure you understand the structure of the GMAT exam. The test consists of four main sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA section) – measures your ability to think critically and communicate your ideas.
- Integrated Reasoning (IR section) – measures your ability to analyze data and interpret information presented in various formats.
- Quantitative Reasoning (Quant section) – measures your ability to reason mathematically, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphical data.
- Verbal Reasoning (Verbal Section) – assesses your reading comprehension, editing skills and whether you can make sense of written arguments.
Use the free GMAT Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2 to become familiar with the test and its different sections. The two free practice exams follow the real exam format and increase the level of difficulty, just like what you will experience on your exam day.
Choose your GMAT preparation materials wisely
There is a wealth of test prep resources out there but choose wisely – not all of these resources are created equal.
To best prepare (and simulate the real test experience), we recommend using official GMAT prep material. Because they were created by the creators of the GMAT, they use the same GMAT scoring algorithm as the actual test and contain real questions from previous exams.
Not sure which official GMAT prep resource is right for you? Take our quiz to find your personal GMAT prep plan.
Identify (and work on) your GMAT weaknesses
Figuring out which skills need the most attention is critical to your overall preparation strategy. We recommend using the GMAT Official Guide Series to assess your skills and pinpoint your weaknesses.
Analyze your results and use them to create a customized, targeted study plan to refresh the areas where you need to strengthen your skills to achieve your goals.
And remember to be realistic with yourself—a GMAT score of 700 or above isn’t always reality. Take the GMAT™ Mini-Quiz to get an instant estimated score and get a feel for what an achievable goal is for you.
Track time as part of your GMAT preparation
Since you have limited time, setting your pace is paramount to your GMAT success. For example, if you know the verbal section will be challenging for you, hone your verbal skills but also make sure you can execute them quickly.
Once you’ve practiced enough and understood the concepts, start keeping track of time so you can practice solving problems efficiently. You must pace yourself as you work through the four timed sections of the practice exams.
You can compete using the same algorithm used on exam day by adding practice exams 3 and 4 to your preparation after completing free exams 1 and 2. That’s four full-length practice exams with performance metrics for less than $50.
Don’t get stuck on a GMAT question
Keep in mind that there is a penalty for not completing each section of the test, and each unanswered question could lower your score.
Don’t fall into the trap of worrying about answering every question correctly. Of course, do your best, but stick to a pacing strategy.
Don’t invest more than two and a half minutes in one question. When at a loss, make a strategic guess. That brings us to our next point.
Use the process of elimination for the GMAT exam
Don’t waste valuable time if you come across questions you’re not sure of the answer to. When in doubt, rule out wrong answers to get closer to the correct answer. Choose the best of the remaining choices and move on to the next question.
Just in case you run out of time (despite your best pace plan), come up with a “guessing strategy” ahead of time to avoid unnecessary GMAT score deductions.
Practice visual competency during GMAT preparation
We have found that time management is a crucial strategy for taking GMAT tests. Are you looking for an easy way to increase your efficiency? Master visual literacy or the ability to read symbols, charts, and tables.
This type of visual data is commonly used in the GMAT, so learning how to interpret it quickly is a crucial skill. You may even come across non-standard mathematical notations (or problem-specific symbols) in the GMAT Quant portion of the exam, so it’s important that you’re comfortable with visual means and able to remain unfazed.
Improve your mental arithmetic as part of your study plan
Mental math is a time-saving tool to have in your arsenal when it comes to the quantitative part.
When practicing, resist the urge to reach for the calculator at every opportunity. Instead, practice doing math in your head.
You won’t have a calculator for the real quant portion of the GMAT test, so improving your mental arithmetic skills is a must.
Push your limits with advanced questions
Would you like to secure a place in one of the world’s leading MBA or business master’s programs? You can dramatically increase your chances with an elite GMAT exam score.
To push the ceiling of what you are capable of, there is no better resource than the Official GMAT Advanced Questions.
You’ll also get access to an Online Question Bank that allows you to create customized practice sets.
This is the best choice for those who aspire to earn a high GMAT score—the kind that can get you that MBA or business master’s acceptance letter you’ve been dreaming about.
If necessary, schedule your GMAT review
Well, sometimes life doesn’t go the way we thought it would. If for some reason you weren’t able to score the way you want, don’t worry. You have the potential and you will master the GMAT.
Get a GMAT Manual
The GMAT Handbook contains all the essential exam information including how to register, how to prepare, what to expect on GMAT exam day, etc. This is a great place to start your GMAT preparation.
Conclusion
Though the thought of GMAT prep may sound daunting at first, rest assured that with a solid study plan, an effective exam prep strategy, and our GMAT Expert Study Tips, you can set yourself up for success and achieve your best score.
References
- https://www.mba.com/exams-and-exam-prep/top-ten-study-tips-for-the-gmat-exam
- https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/gmat-preparation-best-practices
- https://menlocoaching.com/gmat/how-to-prepare-for-gmat/
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