How to prepare for GMAT | 10 easy tips to include in your study plan!

How to prepare for GMAT | An overview

GMAT is a Graduate Management Admission Test and is a criterion for students willing to apply for an MBA program abroad. You can apply for the GMAT online as well as GMAT center-based tests according to your needs and apply for B-schools that require GMAT scores. If you have already registered for the GMAT exam, the next step is to begin your prep. This article will explain how to prepare for GMAT from scratch. 

How to prepare for GMAT | Pointers you should look at

The main pointers to begin with the GMAT test preparation are as follows: 

• Start as early as possible to avoid struggling with personal and professional commitments.
• Avoid preparing until the last minute to avoid common pitfalls. 
• Always schedule the GMAT exam in advance, depending on the college deadlines. What are the GMAT study materials available? 
• The best books for GMAT preparation for self-paced study are as follows:
  1. The official guide for GMAT Review is the best study material, with more than 900 questions from past GMAT exams, invaluable test-taking tips, and a diagnostic section to evaluate your efforts. 
  2. Manhattan GMAT Strategy guides are one of the best study materials with a GMAT roadmap, Word Problems; Geometry; Fractions, Decimals, & Percents; Algebra; Number Properties; Sentence Correction; Critical Reasoning; Reading Comprehension; Integrated Reasoning, and Essay. 
  3. Kaplan GMAT 800 is another guide that shares proven strategies for scoring 800, with guidelines on tackling each question type and tips for taking tests. 

• Practice mathematical concepts of eighth to tenth standards regularly. 
• Focus on the basics and concepts in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Mensuration. 
• Keep track of the identities related to important topics and prepare a cheat sheet.
• Practice hand calculations because you will not have a keyboard for this section.
• To perform well in geometry, be mindful and avoid assumptions. 
• Focus on accuracy rather than preciseness. 
• Study the diagrams, graphs, and table-based questions where you can use pictorial representations to solve and save time. 

How to prepare for GMAT | Tips for GMAT integrated reasoning 

• Learn all the reasoning concepts and be thorough with the basics. 
• Improve your analytical thinking by solving puzzles and crossword games. 
• To tackle multi-reasoning questions, note down important points as you read the questions to answer them. (Also, write the data elements) 
• Read the table properly for the table analysis questions. 
• Read the answers before reading the graphical interpretation questions (From the answer-to-question approach). 
• Do not assume but look at the x and y axis before starting your calculations.
• To save time, alternately, use the on-screen calculator. 

How to prepare for GMAT | Tips for analytical writing 

• This section requires immense practice in writing skills, so it is a good idea to choose a topic from the net and write a long paragraph with a suitable title. 
• An introduction, essay body, and paragraph completion with a consistent flow are necessary for your writing. 
• Look out for contextual errors and ensure to express your opinion while framing your essay.
• GMAC has AWA templates, go through them thoroughly and understand the expectations.
• Read Newspapers for business management articles and corporate trends and learn how to express an opinion. 
• Prepare a mindmap before you start writing, and incorporate all the pointers you think are relevant to the topic. 

How to prepare for GMAT | Here are the top 10 tips to look at 

1. Develop a study plan soon after you complete your registration process and take help from the Official GMAT Exam 8-Week Study Planner for goals, tools, and tips. 
2. Know each GMAT test section and details regarding the timings, number of questions, and format. It helps you prepare according to the GMAT exam structure and eliminates deviation.
3. Out of many study prep materials and practice questions, choose the appropriate and authentic resources for your GMAT preparation. 
4. Figure out your weakness area among the four sections, gauge your abilities and create a customized study plan accordingly. 
5. Time management is paramount to successful GMAT preparation because you have a penalty for unanswered questions. Keep track of the time when you start practicing your mock questions.
6. Stick to a pacing strategy, and don’t invest more than two and a half minutes for one question.
7. Use the process of elimination to get closer to the correct answer when unsure to avoid GMAT deductions, but do not use it as a method for attempting your GMAT exam. 
8. Learn how to interpret visual data like symbols, charts, or tables, to figure out answers and save time. 
9. You don’t have a calculator for the quant section, so improve your mental calculations from the day you start preparing to reduce the urge to use calculators. 
10. Practice and work hard to get an elite GMAT score by preparing early and effectively.  

Key takeaways

• Always prepare early, and remember to schedule GMAT exams depending on the college deadlines. 
• GMAT official guide is the best study material for a self-paced study and to become thorough with the concepts. 
• Prepare section-wise and devise a study plan based on your strengths and weakness.
• Work hard and practice sample questions (both online and offline) to ace the GMAT test. 

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Liked this blog? Then read: All about GMAT for MBA | GMAT sample test!

FAQs 

Q1. Which is the best study material for GMAT? 

Answer – The GMAT official guide is the ultimate preparation collection from GMAC, the best study material. However, you can practice sample questions from other online websites. 

Q2. How should I prepare for GMAT? 

Answer – Devise a study strategy, focus on weaknesses, manage time, practice sample questions, and implement the tips from this article. 

Q3. How long should you plan and study for the GMAT exam? 

Answer – The study time depends on your skill level, target score, and circumstances. However, to score high on GMAT, start practicing for six months.