Understand All of Your Options for GMAT™ Exam Prep
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True or false: the more time you spend on GMAT exam prep, the better you’ll do. While survey data shows that those who score highly tend to devote more time to prep, your motto for your prep plan should be to prep smarter, not longer.
Key to achieving this is understanding all of your options for GMAT exam prep and leveraging the resources that make the most sense for you, taking into account your learning style, your budget, and how much time you can devote to exam prep.
So, what’s the best way to study for the GMAT? It depends on who you are. Read on to learn about your options for GMAT exam prep and guidance for personalizing these resources to earn your best score and stand out in the business school admissions process.
What’s the best way to get started on GMAT prep?
Though it can be tempting to dive head-first into prep products and courses, test prep experts actually advise against it. The best way to get started on GMAT prep is to take a moment to reflect, and then make a basic plan of attack.
First, take a moment and think back on your past experiences with tests like this. If you could do it all again, would you do anything differently? Asking questions like this from the start can help you avoid repeating past missteps.
Another question to ask yourself is: what kind of learner are you? There are four basic types of learners, and our quick learning styles quiz can help you identify your ideal learning style and give you insights for your test prep. Leaning into your strengths with these insights can help you maximize the impact of your prep time.
Next, you’ll want to map out a prep plan. Use the free Official GMAT™ Exam 8-Week Study Planner as a template to get started. You’ll no doubt adjust your study plan as you go, but before you dive in you should have a general timetable with some major milestones for you to work toward. Especially in the early days of your prep, it’s important that you feel like you’re building toward a goal, and not aimlessly burning through practice questions.
✔ Read more: How Long Should You Study for the GMAT Exam?
Not sure when to schedule your exam for? Check out our Ultimate Business School Application Checklist and Timeline to get a sense of how to best time your test date relative to your admissions deadlines. When you’re ready, book your exam date right here on mba.com.
Explore free Official GMAT prep resources
A common misconception is that you need to spend a lot of money on prep materials and courses in order to earn an elite score. In fact, the makers of the GMAT make many Official GMAT™ prep resources available for free on mba.com. These free resources are the perfect way to begin your prep.
Jump in with the free GMAT™ Mini Quiz. Answer just eight real questions from past GMAT exams to get your instant estimated score range. From there, access the free GMAT™ Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2, which gives you two full-length, official practice exams that use the same scoring algorithm as the real GMAT exam.
These resources are the perfect introduction to the GMAT, all available at no cost to you.
Get to know the test with the Official Guide
One of the most common mistakes test takers make is assuming they should devote equal amounts of prep time for each section of the test. That’s not prepping smart!
Instead, first devote your time to getting to know the test. There’s no better way to do this than with the GMAT™ Official Guide 2022: eBook + Online Question Bank. From the makers of the test, use the Official Guide to learn the exam’s sections and pinpoint your areas for improvement.
Then, adjust your study plan to spend more of your time actively attacking those weak areas and turn them into strengths. With the Official Guide, you and create custom practice sets specifically for this purpose. You can also purchase the section-specific Verbal or Quantitative Review Official Guide for additional help on your improvement areas. That’s prepping smart!
Simulate the real test taking experience and aim for a high score
Does thinking about your big test day stress you out? Test anxiety is a real thing, and it’s perfectly normal to be nervous. Among our best advice for conquering your test anxiety is to simulate the real test taking experience during your prep.
“Once students have taken some practice tests, they’re often amazed at how much their anxiety levels decrease,” says Jamie Nelson, a GMAT instructor at Manhattan Test Prep.
Invest in GMAT™ Official Practice Exams 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 to practice with full-length exams that match the actual test structure and increase in difficulty as you improve. This will allow you to score and pace yourself against the same algorithm that'll be used on exam day. This will undoubtedly boost your confidence as you accumulate reps that replicate the real thing.
Aiming for an elite score? Use the GMAT™ Official Advanced Questions to practice with handpicked hard GMAT questions from past exams. Use this resource to unlock tools designed to precisely measure your GMAT exam section weaknesses and provide an affordable, targeted remedy.
Consider finding a GMAT prep community for support
Your GMAT prep doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. In fact, many people have made lasting friendships through connections they made through finding or starting a GMAT prep group.
This is an especially good idea if having an external source of accountability is helpful to you. Not all of us are disciplined enough to stick to our study plans without knowing someone else is expecting you to show up and put in the work. Finding a community of supportive study mates can not only help you sharpen your GMAT skills, but give you that extra bit of motivation to put in the work and achieve your best score.
Check your city’s Meetup page to see whether there are any GMAT study group Meetups in your area. Collaborating with other people is a great way to make the process more fun and social and can offer new perspectives on study methods and ideas. If you can’t find an organized Meetup in your area, consider checking Facebook groups (or creating your own) to see if you can form more informal GMAT study sessions with like-minded test-takers.
Which prep resource is best for you? Take the quiz!
As you can see, there’s plenty of cost-effective options for you to choose from when it comes to your GMAT prep. But which is the best resource for you individually? One size does not fit all when it comes to GMAT exam prep. In less than a minute, find out which GMAT Official prep product fits your personal study style and exam score goals by taking this quiz.