How to approach the GMAT?

Exam: GMAT Test - Graduate Management Admission Test: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative section, Verbal section

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a three and a half hours long exam that could determine your future. If you want to get admitted into the top business schools, you need a good GMAT score. In order to excel at the GMAT exam you need to make sure you are not lacking in any department. Here are a list of things you should absolutely consider before attempting to take the GMAT:

Is your preparation up to the mark?

For GMAT preparation you can utilize various methods including taking a GMAT course, hiring a private tutor or self-studying. You should choose the method that works best for you since everybody’s mind works in a different way and there’s no one best way to study for GMAT. Whatever method you opt for, follow through till the end. Do not lose sight of your goal, do not procrastinate. Cramming would not get you through the exam, a balanced, effective study schedule will. Do not overwork your mind, balance your study schedule with other activities to avoid exhaustion.

Keep your goal in sight

Depending on which business school you choose, your desired GMAT score will vary.

Don’t forget what you are aiming for. This will keep you motivated enough to follow your study plan and to come out on top.

Practice, practice and practice

You can read all the available materials for GMAT and still have no clue as to how exactly you are going to get tested. That’s what the practice tests are for. Taking a practice test prepares you in the best possible way for the actual exam. You find out about the test pattern and the style of questioning. If you get say a 650 on a practice test that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the same score on your GMAT but gives you an estimate on where you stand with your GMAT preparation. Practice tests are offered by various websites including mba.com.

Time management

Time management is really important when it comes to GMAT. You could be the most brilliant student of your class but still fail to achieve a high GMAT score if you don’t know how to manage your time. Remember, you only have three and a half hours to complete your test and if your progress is slow you might miss a lot of questions. That is why it is recommended to time your practice tests to better equip you for the actual test day.

Focus on your weak areas

You might be a pro when it comes to problem solving but sentence correction or analytical writing might still pose a problem for you. So, focus more on the things you are not so good at. This will help save time.

Many different areas to tackle

Keep in mind that you are going to be tested in many different areas of expertise at the same time. So, if you are used to focusing on one type of issue at a time you need to expand your focus and be able to switch from say analytical writing to problem solving without any fall in your concentration level or mental capabilities. It would help if during your preparation you focus on more than one section of the test so your mind is prepared to tackle whatever problems the computer throws at you on the test day.

A fresh mind is better than a stuffed mind

It wouldn’t help if you put too much information in your head the night before the test in order to not miss anything. This would actually make matters worse. You should realize GMAT isn’t a memory contest where you can cram all night and pass with flying colors. You need a fresh, functioning mind on the day of the exam. Exhaustion can only lead to poor progress on the test. Try to relax the night before to give your mind the rest it needs.

Worry can do a lot of damage

It is normal to feel nervous about taking the test but too much worrying can decrease your chances of getting what you want. If you are too worried about not being able to score high on the test, chances are you won’t score high on the test. Just as the right mental attitude can lead you to victory, the wrong attitude can lead to your failure.

If it’s too hard, skip!

No matter how well you are prepared there are going to be a few questions that will give you a hard time. If you feel a question is taking to much of your available time and you are not close to finding an answer then move onto the next one. Come back to the hard questions in the end. That way you won’t miss the questions you are absolutely sure about for the confusing ones.

Figure out the wrong ones

Many a times it happens that we don’t know the answer to a question. GMAT is mainly comprised of multiple choice questions so you can use the following trick: Figure out which ones are absolutely wrong. This will help narrow down the choices and increase your chances of getting the answer right.

Recheck

Even if you are one hundred percent sure about your answers go through them one more time. Overconfidence can be disastrous. You don’t take the GMAT everyday so give it your best. Recheck all your answers to avoid any mistake.

You can!

The most important thing that matters on the exam day is your belief in yourself. Face the test with optimism and you won’t lose. GMAT is simply a test designed to analyze the abilities you already possess to make a good business graduate. You have what it takes!

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