A high GMAT score is something that every MBA aspirant covets. The Graduate Management Admission Test is the world’s most trusted management entrance examination. GMAT score is a critical factor for admission, into the world’s most prestigious business schools.
The typical GMAT candidate, investing around 25 hours a week in preparation, can prepare for the GMAT in 3-4 months. This is only possible, however, with an efficient and organized prep approach. Here are the main steps you need to follow, for such an approach…
Step 1: The Diagnostic Test
There are two major benefits to starting your prep with a diagnostic test. Firstly, it will familiarize you the GMAT test format, questions types, and the scope of the GMAT syllabus. It will also let you begin your prep with a clear idea of where you stand. Here is a free GMAT practice test that you can take. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, this test will also tell diagnose your five weakest quant and verbal areas. This will give you some insight into your primary preparation needs.
Step 2: Understand the Concepts
For the first 4-6 weeks of your prep, your focus needs to be on developing concepts. During this time, refer to study material that will help you master the GMAT concepts. This does not include the official GMAT guides- made by the test makers. The official guide is an excellent resource but it is primarily geared towards practice and will be wasted in the first stages of your prep. Starting with the official guide is actually one of the most common GMAT prep mistakes.
Step 3: Practice on the Problems
Once you have mastered the concepts, you need to focus on accuracy. Start practicing problems with this in mind. Only start taking speed into consideration, once you start getting more than 75% of the questions correct. It is very important that you stay patient. It will take practice on hundreds of questions to balance speed with accuracy.
Step 4: Take Full-Length Tests
While practicing and understanding the concepts, keep taking regular mock tests. Take a full-length test every week, this will help you keep you in touch with all GMAT sections/concepts, develop exam stamina and, develop test taking and time management skills.
Step 5: Analyze your Mistakes
Each mistake is an opportunity for learning. Analyze your mistakes, understand them, and avoid repeating them and improvement is guaranteed. Do not approach the exercises and full-length tests with the intention of chasing a ‘score’. It is better to go through the preparations with the intention of pursuing ‘learning’. If you seek ‘learning’, scores will follow!
Bonus Tips: Taking the Exam
Due to the adaptive nature of the GMAT, the first few questions carry more weight. This is why you should solve these questions first. An incomplete test carries a greater penalty than a few incorrect questions, so complete the test even if you have to make a few guesses. Never spend too long on any one question. Remember that you can score the 99th percentile even with only 80% of the questions correct. Do not analyze, while giving the test- just take it one question at a time.
All the Best!
Mayank Srivastava
About the Author: Mayank Srivastava is the Founder of Experts’ Global, one of the world’s leading EdTech firms in the field of GMAT prep and MBA admission consulting.