GMAT, the Graduate Management Admissions Test, is a test that almost all prospective management students are very keen on beating. This is because the GMAT score is a critical part of the admissions criteria of most of the world’s best business schools. The test format and question pattern of the GMAT is predefined, as it is a standardized test.
The average GMAT test candidate should not take longer than 3 or 4 months to prepare for the GMAT, provided they prepare for at least 25 hours per week and follow an effective and meticulous approach.
Here are 5 simple steps to prepare such an approach.
Step 1. The Preliminary Test
A full-length test, taken right at the beginning of the preparation, provides two great benefits. First of all, it familiarizes the test-taker with the GMAT format, syllabus, and question types. Secondly, it lets them know what level of readiness they are starting from. Here is a rather good diagnostic test that one can take for free. Aside from the other information; this test also identifies the test taker’s five weakest areas, in both quant and verbal.
Step 2. Concept Development
A very typical mistake that GMAT aspirants tend to make is starting their preparations by working on the official GMAT guide. The guide is the most prestigious book for the GMAT, as it is prepared by the test-makers. However, it is not an appropriate resource for the initial stages of GMAT preparation. The first 4-6 weeks need to be devoted to concept building. This time should be spent with conceptual material, mastering the GMAT concepts.
Step 3. Practice Questions
Once the concepts have been mastered, the next step is to practice plenty of questions. The initial goal of the practice should be to build accuracy. Only once an average accuracy rate of 75% is achieved, should one start focusing on speed. Patience is of paramount importance, at this point. The average candidate needs to answer hundreds of questions before they manage to find a balance between speed and accuracy.
Step 4. The Full-Length Tests
While going through steps 2 and 3; it is important to keep taking regular, full-length mock tests. Taking one test, per week, is a great way to stay in touch with all of the concepts/ sections of the GMAT. It is also very good for building the stamina needed to give the GMAT.
Step 5. Understanding Mistakes
Analyzing one’s mistakes is a great way to understand one’s weak areas. The scope of the GMAT is defined, meaning that if one can learn how to avoid repeating the mistakes one has made, score improvement is guaranteed. The right approach is needed while doing the practice tests and exercises. One should make “learning” the goal, not just scoring well.
Exam Taking Points
Here are some points to keep in mind, while taking the actual exam. Since GMAT is an adaptive exam, the first few questions are more heavily weighted. Take greater care on these questions. Incomplete tests carry a greater penalty than few incorrect questions. This is why it is best to complete the test, even if a few questions must be marked at random. Even with close to 20% questions incorrect, it is possible to get the 99th percentile. So, do not devote too much time to any one question.
