The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) oversees the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The leading graduate management schools in the world comprise the GMAC, which is a non-profit organization. The GMAT is an integral part of the enrollment process of approximately 6,500 graduate business programs worldwide. That being said, it’s highly recommended to take time to really prepare for this 3.5-hour exam.
Below are some tips that will help you get started with your preparation on the right foot.
Plan For The Perfect Time To Take The Test
Figuring out exactly when in the year you’ll have enough time to prepare for the exam is of utmost importance. Planning ahead is especially a must if you’re also juggling other commitments, such as a full-time job. To get in some solid studying with minimal distractions, you’ll want to set aside at least three months for your test preparation. Taking the GMAT can be rewarding for your career advancement efforts, but preparing for it can really be stressful. You don’t want to do it during a busy season at work, or when you’re in the middle of planning an upcoming event.
Come Up With A Good Study Schedule And Gather Good Materials
It’s important to begin studying with two important things at your disposal.
- Study Schedule – Think about the amount of time you can spend studying every day. Also, determine how many weeks of studying you’ll need. Choose a study schedule that’s reasonable enough and works well for you.
- Study Materials – Without good study materials, a good study plan won’t go far. The good news is that there’s a lot of choices out there, from books to phone apps to video lectures. Consider how you like to study and your study schedule so you can pick the best materials for you.
Take A GMAT Prep Course
The right GMAT prep course for you will help organize your time efficiently. It will also include lectures from knowledgeable instructors. A full GMAT prep course is another excellent option to get ready for an exam that’s as hard as the GMAT.
Improve On Communication Skills
The GMAT will test your ability to effectively communicate in the business world via press releases, letters, and emails. Make sure to develop your communication skills. One way to do it is to write essays, covering an array of topics.
Note that the results of the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning will be combined. That means you can’t afford to receive a low score in one section as it will negate the high score you got in the other.
Practice Solving Questions That Focus On Data Sufficiency
Data sufficiency problems will provide two statements after posing a question. Test takers will then have to determine whether the two statements answer the question, only one statement does answer the question, both statements answer in unison, the statements answer independently, or neither answers the question. These problems are common in the GMAT, so you’ll have to prepare for them.
Familiarize Yourself With GMAT’s Time Limit
To better understand the GMAT, familiarize yourself with its format instead of asking how hard the exam is. Remember that the exam is computer-adaptive, so you’ll only see one question at each turn. The GMAT’s time limit puts a structure around how long a taker can spend on each question. It’s important to be familiar with exactly how much time you got to finish answering the questions for each section. When you’re doing practice problems, it’s best to time yourself so that you can train both mind and body to learn how long three minutes feels like even without having to look at the timer.
Join Discussion Forums
Always remember that you’re not alone as you study for GMAT. It’s important to meet with your fellow test-takers and exchange ideas with one another. You can do it through GMAT discussion forums. They can be a good target for practice questions, too. Forums also provide some excellent discussion of GMAT commonly asked questions or issues. Take advantage of every relevant discussion forum you’ll encounter over the Internet.
Answer Practice Tests And Sample Questions
Taking a lot of practice tests and answering many GMAT sample questions will be a critical key to your GMAT success. Of course, you can consider free practice retargets. However, if you need more practice and want more comprehensive materials, purchasing retargets or enrolling yourself in a GMAT test prep course are your best bets.
Conclusion
You’ll be in an excellent shape towards getting admitted into your target MBA school if you explore the eight GMAT prep tips above. Don’t forget to dedicate enough time upfront to carefully plan your preparation. Follow a good study schedule and use good study materials. You can either study on your own or take a prep course. The most important thing, however, is to practice a lot.