How To Prepare For GMAT Exam?

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The GMAT is a standardised test used by many business schools to assess a candidate’s aptitude for graduate-level management education. Taking the GMAT should be on your to-do list if you are planning to pursue a graduate degree in business from a top B-school. It’s a challenging exam, but with the right preparation and approach, you can increase your chances of getting a high score. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to prepare for the GMAT exam and set you up for success on test day!

In this blog:

1. 1. Make a Plan!
   2. Avoid Staying Stuck on a Problem
   3. Use Process of Elimination
   4. Develop Mental Maths Skills
   5. Push Yourself With Advanced Questions
   6. Maintain an Error Log

Make A Plan!

When applying for an MBA or business master’s program, you will have to complete various tasks like writing essays, getting letters of recommendation, creating resumes, and more. Managing all these tasks can be challenging, and you definitely don’t want to add preparing for the GMAT exam to your already busy schedule. 

To prevent such a situation, it’s recommended that you create a GMAT study plan (and tailor it as per your schedule) early on in your business school application journey. It’s worth noting that you can prepare for the GMAT exam in only eight weeks! Our students at Jamboree have been acing the GMAT exam with a 700+ with our tried-and-tested GMAT study plan for almost three decades now. 

Avoid Staying Stuck on a Problem on GMAT Question Paper

You can spend as much time as you want on a particular question in the initial phases of your GMAT prep, but remember that leaving questions unanswered may decrease your score. Don’t worry too much about getting every question right, focus on pacing yourself. Spend no more than two and a half minutes on any one question. If you’re struggling with a question, make an educated guess and move on to the next one.

Use Process of Elimination on the GMAT Exam

When you encounter difficult questions, don’t waste too much time. Use a process of elimination to eliminate wrong answers and narrow down the choices. This will save time and increase your chances of choosing the correct answer. Also, it’s essential to have a guessing strategy in place if you run out of time.

Practise Visual Literacy During Your GMAT Preparation

Visual literacy is the ability to read symbols, charts, and tables. This skill is vital for interpreting visual data, which is commonly featured in the GMAT. Be prepared to encounter non-standard mathematical notations, so being comfortable with visuals is critical.

Improve your mental maths as part of your study plan. Mental maths is a valuable tool for saving time during the Quantitative section. Avoid using a calculator during practice, as it won’t be available during the actual test. Improve your mental maths skills to make quick calculations and avoid wasting time.

Suggested Read: Tried and Tested GMAT Tips and Strategy

Developing Mental Maths Skills

Incorporate improving your mental maths into your study plan, as it is a useful tool for saving time during the quantitative section. Try to avoid using a calculator and practice doing calculations in your head. Since calculators are not allowed during the real GMAT test, developing strong mental maths skills is crucial.

Push Yourself With Advanced Questions

If you aim to secure a spot in a top MBA or business master’s program, achieving an exceptional GMAT exam score can significantly increase your chances. To challenge yourself and reach your full potential, utilise the GMAT Official Advanced Questions as a valuable resource.

Maintaining an Error Log

To effectively analyse your performance, review all the questions you answered correctly and ensure your reasoning for selecting the right answer is accurate. Additionally, understand why the other options are incorrect, identifying the mistake in each one. For questions answered incorrectly, attempt them again without time pressure. If you still cannot solve them correctly, log the question in your error log, including its topic, sub-section, difficulty level, and reason for the error.

Next, identify trends in your errors to prioritise areas for improvement, such as recurring process gaps or difficulty with a specific topic. This will help you make the most of your limited study time. Finally, create a plan to address at least three areas for improvement before taking the next test. By following this analysis process, you can optimise your study efforts and achieve better results.

Here is a sample progress tracker for your GMAT exam preparation. Such a tracker or error log can be even more helpful when you are doing your GMAT preparation online or by yourself. 

In conclusion, preparing for the GMAT can be a challenging but rewarding process. By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can develop a study plan that works for you and increase your chances of achieving a high score. Remember to stay motivated, seek help when needed, and take advantage of available resources such as GMAT prep courses, practice exams and study materials. To get a firsthand experience of the best GMAT prep, sign up for a free demo class today. We are committed to providing you with the support and guidance you need to excel on the GMAT and take the next step in your academic or professional journey.

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