Is It Possible to Prepare for GMAT Test in 5 Steps?

The GMAT, also known as the Graduate Management Admission Test, is the uniform exam used by most business schools in many countries of the world. It is an important aspect of the admission process into a business school. Although, the test might seem business-oriented, it is majorly based on mathematics. The exam is designed to evaluate the candidate’s academic aptitude in all areas, including written and verbal communication.

Like the GRE and the SAT tests, the GMAT contains different sections that will assess your mathematical, writing, and verbal proficiency. The time allocated for the completion of the examis three and a half hours. The Writing section has a total of 30 minutes and you are expected to complete two separate essay tasks, which include the analysis of an argument and the analysis of an issue. The Mathematics section is made up of 37 multiple-choice questions covering problem solving and data sufficiency. The candidates are given a total of 75 minutes to complete this part. The Verbal section is the last part of the test and it is made up of 41 questions. It focuses on sentence corrections, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning. The students are given 75 minutes to complete this section. The scores you earn in the GMAT examare cumulative and not sectional based. It is important to mention that the Analytical Writing part of the test does not count towards the final score.

When it comes to preparing for the test, you have to be very serious and dedicated to your study. The GMAT is not an easy exam; it requires adequate and focused study to be able to pass it. To help you make the best of your exam prep, we have put together some tips which we believe will make a difference in your study.

1. Take the Test Early
   Most of the mathematics questions covered in the GMAT test are high school maths. When you take the exam while in school, you will have little to no problem working through the questions. However, if you wait until after graduating from college or when you start working, you might find it a bit hard to study for the test. By taking it earlier, everything you have learnt while in high school will still be fresh in your mind, giving you a high chance of clearing the exam without stress. Remember, the GMAT scores remain valid for a period of 5 years, so even if you write it in your junior class, you will still have a three-year period before graduating to get the necessary work experience you might need to pursue your degree.

2. Take Statistics and Economics in College
   You will be tested on statistics and economics during the GMAT exam. It is therefore important that you take an introductory course in statistics early while in college. This will make the content of the course fresh in your memory before you take the test. The same goes for economics. You need to understand the basic principles of the subject to be able to understand and interpret the business-oriented content of the GMAT test.
   
   

3. Pay Attention to the Verbal Section
   The Verbal section of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is very important. As a matter of fact, it is more important than you might have thought. Although the emphasis is on maths, your communication skills are also very essential in the exam. If you are aiming for high score in the test, you must pay close attention to this part of the test. Usually, the verbal and mathematics scores are added together to attain your final score. Performing poorly in the Verbal section will ultimately have a negative impact on your final score at the end of the day.

4. Practice Data Sufficiency
   To work through the data sufficiency section of the exam, you need copious practice. The test provides you a question and two statements. You will be required to determine which of the statements best answer the question, or if there is none that answers it, or if both answers are correct for the question. Without practicing, it will take a longer time to understand the question during the exam but by practicing, you would have understood the pattern of the question and be adequately prepared for the GMAT. Taking a lot of practice questions is therefore important to help you develop competence in this area. To have a more productive preparation, it is recommended that you take simulated practice questions. This will help you experience the real exam environment and see how you perform. By this, you are able to know how ready you are for the test and how hard you need to study more to be fully prepared for it.

5. Every Question Is Important
   This is very true but the first ten questions are the most important ones. How well your scores turn out at the end of the day depend largely on the first ten questions in a section. Remember, the test is computer adaptive and the first set of ten questions carry the most weight of the exam. You therefore need to put your best to correctly answer them. This does not mean you have to spend all your time on these ones, you have to manage your time efficiently to be able to cover all the questions.

Conclusion

Two things you need to bear in mind when you want to take the GMAT test is exam preparation and time management. You have to study and take a lot of practice questions. Ensure you cover all the sections of the test during your study and focus on all your weak areas. Now, no matter how hard you study, if you don’t manage your time effectively during the test, your preparation will be a waste. Really, what is the point in spending all your time studying when you cannot answer all questions in the exam? You therefore need to sharpen your skills in the area of time management before you write the test.

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