GMAT Preparation Best Practices (By Students For Students)
Yana Immis
MBA salaries are on average 40000 $ more than the median starting salary for bachelor's graduates. How to get into the best MBA? Take the GMAT. Here is how. Scroll down to access the full version.
MBAs specializing in strategy top the list, having an average early career salary of 96200 $ per year. It is 43000 $ more than the median starting salary for bachelor's graduates. Job prospects are also continually growing for MBA grads. How to get into the best MBA? Correct, through the GMAT.
You hear a lot about the GMAT test but you are unaware of what it is?
Are you serious about the Business School application?
Do you want to study at a top-notch institution graduate program in your country or abroad?
If you answer yes to any of the questions, take the GMAT and start here to ace your GMAT. Let me help out. Taking on a new challenge, in our case, study abroad experience at a highly ranked Business School is a very rewarding experience. Some schools require you to take a GMAT test in order to secure a place in the program. Some schools will consider you for a scholarship on the basis of your GMAT result. Some schools will ask the GMAT test to compensate for your GPA.
Here you will find the list of Business Schools I work with. Have you already taken the GMAT? Apply to a university of your choice here for me to check your profile, GMAT requirement and chances to join high ranked institutions.
If you take the GMAT test, you simply help the Business School understand that you:
Can demonstrate your commitment, motivation, and ability to succeed at the M.A., MSc or MBA program
Have what it takes to excel at the critical thinking & reasoning – two important factors of successful businessmen / businesswomen
Qualify for the selected top-notch program
Are willing to work hard to guarantee yourself a better earning potential and the world of opportunities
A good GMAT score (just like Made In Germany) is a seal of quality.
For more than 60 years, the GMAT exam has been the most widely used exam for MBA admissions.
200.000 candidates take the test annually from 110+ countries at 650 testing centers. 2300 Business Schools and Universities set the GMAT test to be mandatory for 7000 programs worldwide.
The GMAT Basics
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is the standardized test most used by Business Schools across the world and it's in some instances an inevitable part to be granted admission. It tests general academic aptitude since verbal and written communication are just as important in the business world. It is held in the English language. The GMAT is heavy on math and has an inclination towards business studies.
The GMAT consists of 3 parts: verbal, mathematical and written parts, alike the SAT, ACT and GRE. What the other tests don’t have is data sufficiency questions. They are tricky, foreign tasks and they require practice. All you need is self-discipline, dedication, and the right materials. It is not impossible to pass this test. It is only a matter of practice and time invested in it.
The GMAT is administered year-round and you can check for the nearest GMAT testing center next to you here. You can take the GMAT once every 16 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days) and up to eight total times. The test costs 250 $. It’s important that you choose the right time to take the GMAT not to pay the fee more than once. If you reschedule the test you must pay 50$ for reschedulling it. Do not hurry to schedule the test, because there are many dates available.
You can score from 200 to 800 points on the test. The top 10 Business Schools in the world require 700 points onwards. (Stanford University Business School requires an average of 737 points). The score is valid for 5 years. In this article, we will learn how to score 600 points because this is what study materials can help you with. What comes from 600 to 700 points is the practice and thinking outside of the box. First of all, I would like to say that you don’t necessarily need to join a professional coaching institute to prepare for the GMAT.
On the GMAT, you will actually receive additional scores:
A total score, ranging from 200-800
A math sub-score, ranging from 0-60
A verbal sub-score, ranging from 0-60
A score for your Analytical Writing Assessment, ranging from 0-6
An Integrated Reasoning sub-score, ranging from 1-8
Be in the 10% of all test takers
TOTAL SCORE: 710 – 800
QUANTITATIVE SUB-SCORE: 51+
VERBAL SUB-SCORE: 40+
INTEGRATED REASONING: 8
ESSAY: 6
Be in the 25% of all test takers
TOTAL SCORE: 650 – 700
QUANTITATIVE SUB-SCORE: 48-50
VERBAL SUB-SCORE: 35-39
INTEGRATED REASONING: 7
ESSAY: 5.5
Be in the 50% of all test takers
TOTAL SCORE: 550 – 640
QUANTITATIVE SUB-SCORE: 38-47
VERBAL SUB-SCORE: 28-34
INTEGRATED REASONING: 5-6
ESSAY: 4.5-5
You have 3.5 hours to complete it:
Analytical writing has only 30 minutes allocated to each of the separate essays (1 issue analysis and 1 argument analysis).
The Quantitative part has 31 multiple-choice questions regarding data sufficiency and problem-solving. You have 62 minutes of your time allocated to this part, hence approximately 2 minutes per question.
The Verbal section has 65 minutes for 36 questions on critical reasoning, sentence correction and a reading comprehension.
The GMAT Best Practices
How do I know if I am ready for the GMAT?
Take the test right now and see where you stand. This will help you see the current situation and set the goals for the future.
I advise you to take the trial test (mock test) as soon as possible to know the level of your current knowledge, this will help you set your pace and to break it down in the weeks of practice how to tackle your weaknesses in the indicated time frame.
The majority of the math tasks are coming from high school. The earlier you take the test itself, the easier it is for you. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics you had in school. Do not get rid of the old tests, 1 week prior to the official test, practice the old ones again where you made mistakes and to make sure you have 100% correct result. Your memory will help you if you are facing similar questions on the test.
From today onwards, start taking mock tests every 2 weeks, later on, every week and the closer to the test date, every 3 days.
How do I set a desired GMAT score?
You cannot fail or pass the GMAT test, rather you are assigned a certain score. Different Business Schools across the globe require the minimum score to be able to be considered for admission. Make sure to check the entry requirements of the institution you want to apply for.
Set yourself a target, as this way you can track your progress. Aim even higher. You have a safety blanket and you can use the extra points on the score in the negotiation for the admission to your selected list of schools.
When choosing the Business Schools, look for the best fit in terms of country, career goals, ranking, reputation, employability and your goals with dreams. If you need assistance, let me know. Check the minimum GMAT score required at the programs you are considering. The minimum of the top school is not your aim. Your aim is 30 points above.
Setting a target in the GMAT test is an important part of passing the GMAT.
Book your official test when you are scoring 30 points on trial tests below your desired score.
When and how do I start the GMAT preparation?
Start looking and testing the waters of the GMAT exam process at least six months before your test results are due. Most candidates report a minimum of eight-week study timeline required to succeed at the GMAT test. You know your own strengths and weaknesses and can judge about how much time you need to prepare.
There is no single right or wrong way to study, the approaches differ and so do the learning styles of the Master and MBA applicants. On average, the students spend around 100 hours preparing for the test. Some take more, some take less.
Forget about procrastination. The GMAT Is the center of your life now.
Sport, friends, family, job? Decide how you fit the GMAT in your planning. The preparation duration might take longer than you think.
When studying for GMAT or taking the trial tests, you need to disconnect from the real world: unplugging from TV, movies, social media, it is all for your own good.
Set SMART goals.
Specific: Well defined, clear, and unambiguous
Measurable: With specific criteria that measure your progress towards the accomplishment of the goal
Achievable: Attainable and not impossible to achieve
Realistic: Within reach, realistic, and relevant to your life purpose
Timely: With a clearly defined timeline, including a starting date and a target date. The purpose is to create urgency.
Build a solid & routine study plan
This will help you reduce your stress and risk of scoring low if you use a strategy for your studies. Understand your learning pattern and adjust your schedule accordingly. Choose an approximate date before the university deadline when you must have a GMAT result and count backward to today in terms of structuring your preparation plan. Include breaks and days off in your planning, because you need rest and distraction as well. Approach the preparation with a calm and positive attitude and optimistic outlook.
Passing GMAT is about knowledge and consistency of your preparation technique week to week. Assign weeks designated to certain subject or mock tests or weak points polishing. Do not hurry after someone else, determine your own self-paced environment with the end goal and target points throughout the time frame. Set targets and congratulate yourself on the way when achieving them.
What is peculiar about the GMAT format and how do I prepare?
The GMAT will confuse you. You have to understand that scoring doesn’t correlate with anything you have learnt at school. The GMAT tests your fundamental skills in math, grammar, and reading comprehension. It is time to be back to school! It is difficult and requires persistence in learning, but nothing is impossible.
Learn the format
Just like in the IELTS test it is very important to understand the structure, the timing of the test to be aware of what is coming your way. Do not underestimate the format of the test. The top math students are struggling with the quant section because the skills are tested differently and often time-restricted. Learn to work in stress, with the rhythm, timing, and pace.
Practice on adaptive tests
Practice on real GMAT questions. Practice makes perfect. There is a lot of free material available online. Take mock tests and previous years’ test templates. You will need to fill in the gap of knowledge for the test. Imagine that your mock test is not a trial but an actual exam day. This will get you in the habit of focusing on time. Practice taking the adaptive tests often.
Focus on the weakest points
When you have practiced enough, you will understand your strengths – concentrate on what is legging behind to be successful. Do not repeat the same error patterns and give yourself an aim: every trial test will be better than the previous one. What is it that you need to work on? Choose the materials that target the weakest points in your skills and target them during preparation.
Do not get demotivated from the errors, learn from them.
In the test, if you are answering perfectly, the tasks will become adaptively more difficult. The test will challenge you, hence you must be confident and comfortable on the test day. Review your mistakes.
If you take a test and you are not successful this time, take it again in a few weeks after having learnt from your mistakes. The majority of the top Business Schools in Germany, have admission 2 times a year: September and January.
Manage your time.
Set a timer for your answers because controlling time is as important as answering correctly. Try to answer 20 questions in 20 minutes, then 20 questions in 17 minutes and keep decreasing the time until perfection for your speed.
Do I have to focus on math when learning for the GMAT test?
Practice mental math.
GMAT is all about the timing. When you are practicing at home and you are reaching for a calculator, learn to fully calculate in your head instead of using help. Approximate. The GMAT reliably uses a set of simple numbers. When it doesn't, you can usually approximate.
Become comfortable with graphs, practice the visuals. Refresh your high school math to become familiar with efficiently analyzing charts, tables, and imaginary symbols
Do I have to thoroughly read the tasks in GMAT?
Practice reading and attentivity.
Reading the complicated English literature (business newspapers) will help you feel comfortable with the text and vocabulary and to practice your concentration on the topic. The majority of the careless mistakes result from missing important details or failing to read the question in its entirety. Do not skim through the exercises. The texts in full have all the necessary information to answer the tasks hence you might miss out on something if you skip it.
You are not reading to learn the content by heart. Details are important only if they are related to the author’s purpose. Pay attention to the tone and opinion of the author. Do not skip, rather skim through putting down the words which might be keywords for you.
Are some GMAT tasks of more value than the others?
Focus on the first 10 questions but keep focusing further. The greatest fluctuations in your score depend on the start questions, because the computer will adapt to your pace. They carry the main weight on the test and you must dedicate yourself to these questions. However, prioritize your time correctly, without leaving any answers blank – you cannot lose the points.
The last 10 questions are as important as the first. You don’t only have to give a correct answer, rather you have to give a correct answer in the allocated time frame. It is crucial to your score.
Start preparation with GMAT Quant Topics and then advance to Verbal Prep but only after you have aced around 80% of the question types. You can come back to this later, as you need to distract yourself.
Verbal section test assumes you know English very well (IELTS 6.5 and above, ideally 7 or 7.5). If you haven’t taken the test yet, in the majority of the cases it is a mandatory prerequisite for the Business Schools. Here is how you can take the test and score at least 7.
Aim for accuracy of 90% on both the quant and the verbal sections and move on to further preparation.
How do I mentally prepare for the GMAT test the last few days before the exam?
The day before the exam: sleep and prepare all documents needed for the exam beforehand. Solve a few questions but not a lot not to get anxious. Listen to music, watch a movie to prevent yourself from being nervous. Understand that you have learnt enough up to the point and you cannot control everything.
On the exam day: don’t forget to breathe. When you arrive at your test center, you have the flexibility to choose from three options for your exam's section order. Select it according to your preferences. You are ready for the test and you have put a lot of work and effort – this is the thought you must have on your mind. Keep repeating it to yourself.
Here is your choice:
Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
Best of luck! I am sure you will do good!
The GMAT experience by students for students
Preparation courses are designed to appeal to a wide range of students. You are not one of many, you want to aim higher! That means to think outside of the box and not to solely rely on the preparation materials.
Two of my students, Harman and Debapratim share their experiences with you. They have been successful with their GMAT tests and are currently in the middle of their MBA applications to the Top Tier Universities in Germany. Let’s wish them the best of luck. Read tips & tricks from these MBA students about their test-taking strategies, including time management, practice tips and more.
Debapratim
“Quants and Verbal scores are only taken into consideration in GMAT overall score. Being an engineering graduate, Quants section was manageable for me. My biggest challenge was in Verbal section. I would highly recommend the following points in the two sections:
Verbal Section
Maintain an error log book for each mistake. This definitely helps
Strategic Time management is important. It’s best to write down the time range for every 5 questions beforehand so that Time does not fly away
Materials are very important. Only GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE will not do.
I will highly recommend reading MANHATTAN Sentence Correction book and Powerscore for Critical Reasoning, and regular reading Gaurdian newspaper for reading stamina
Develop a reading habit. Every day try to read 3 hours at a stretch without break that will enhance the required concentration level
Make sure all your Sentence Correction questions are right in the final mock test to score high.
Quants Section
There is a saying in GMAT that ‘If you are doing it long, then you are doing it wrong’. Time is the key. For every question take 5 secs and decide your approach. This strategy will definitely increase your accuracy and decrease your time invested.
Upon revising all the concepts and formulas, I will suggest MANHATTAN ADVANCED LEVEL quants book for those who want to score high. This book will teach your best approaches and logical guessing in case of time constraint.
Don't allow yourself to get attached to a problem, if 3 mins have passed, then its best to guess and move forward. Time is a very important parameter.
And last but not the least, MOCK TESTS!! The most important of all, give regular mock tests to get accustomed to GMAT structure. Don’t skip any section in preparation. It will prepare you for the D-Day i.e. final exam.”
Harman
“Overall tips:
Remember, GMAT will test your time management skills rather than your knowledge. So, plan your paper wisely
Divide your exam and time in 3-4 parts and work according to it.
Example: divide your exam in parts of 12 questions and assign equal time to each part as this will give you exact time for each part. If you have some time left in one part then you can attempt next part without any time pressure. This way, the during the whole exam you will have less pressure
If you lack time, then instead of guessing the last question in a row, you should skip some questions at different positions as this will not hurt your score by many points. GMAT always cuts more marks for wrong answers in sequences
For verbal part - always try to find wrong options rather than finding the right one because there are many right things in every option and you will not be able to eliminate the options easily.
So, try to prove every option wrong and the one you cannot prove wrong will be the right one
Do not overthink and assume anything from yourself especially in CR questions. Make your choice according to what is given to you and do not choose the answers according to your knowledge
For quant part - do not spend too much time on solving one question just fix your time slot for each question and if you are not in commanding position to solve the question then go ahead by guessing it as there will be more questions ahead waiting for you to give you better scores and you will not face any time pressure for upcoming questions.”
