How to Study Successfully for the GMAT?

Answer 1

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized tests used by business schools to evaluate candidates for graduate programs. The test is taken most often by candidates for MBA programs, but may also be taken by those pursuing a PhD in business. Studying for the test is imperative, even for good students, since scoring well on the test relies at least as much on an understanding the format and the scoring of the test as it does upon your actual knowledge and aptitude.

Learn the Test

The first step to studying for the GMAT is learning about the format of the test and what to expect when taking the test. For example, in 2011, the test has two written sections, a verbal section and a quantitative section. One writing section covers Analysis of an Issue and the other covers Analysis of an Argument. The quantitative section asks 37 multiple-choice problem-solving and data-sufficiency questions, while the verbal section has 41 multiple-choice questions addressing critical reasoning, sentence correction and reading comprehension.

Take a Practice Exam

The second step in studying effectively for the GMAT is taking a practice exam. Find an exam in a book, on a website, or at the official GMAT test site. This will give a candidate a good idea of where their strengths and weakness are and where to focus in studying for the test.

Take Time to Practice

Once a candidate has taken a baseline exam to determine strengths and weaknesses, they should develop a plan for study and practice based on that evaluation. Purchase a study manual, find a practice website or work with old textbooks to practice the needed skills. Set aside a certain time each day or weekly to devote to study. Keep to the schedule despite distractions or lack of motivation. It's important to allow adequate time to improve skills -- several months is best. Schedule the exam for several months away, but well before the application deadline for the business school.

Retake Practice Tests

After studying for several weeks, take another practice exam, then another, then another. When the scores are consistently in the desired range, then a candidate is ready to test. Keep in mind that the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, so practicing on a computer can better mirror the actual test-taking experience.