5 simple but effective GMAT study secrets
Exam: GMAT Test - Graduate Management Admission Test: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative section, Verbal section
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test required by potential graduate students in order to get admission in business schools and institutions. GMAT tests basic skills of an individual, which he or she would require in order to fulfill the obligations of a graduate management program. GMAT does not aim at developing skills rather it aims at testing skills developed over years through practice. Broad categories of GMAT include: -
- Analytical Writing
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
Before anything one must completely understand the scoring and structure of the GMAT. This helps an individual to judge his strengths and weaknesses as well as areas where he or she would have to pay more attention. The total GMAT score range from 200 to 800 and 540 is the approximate average score. Any and all high ranked business schools prefer the score to be in the range of seven hundreds. Score range of mid six hundreds is considered good though one may not be able to get admission in top ranked business schools but a decent one would not be very farfetched. Integrated Reasoning appears as a separate identity on the GMAT scorecard and it is not considered part of the total score. Unofficial GMAT score could be obtained right after the test is finished but the official score takes a little more time as the checking of Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing is done later. GMAT is not the only important factor as the whole application process is reviewed before giving admission but it is one of the most crucial one’s therefore preparing for it should be done systematically in order to ensure a good score.
Effective tips for preparation of GMAT
GMAT preparations start right from the time when an individual decides to take up a graduate management program. If the preparation is not carried forward in a well thought out manner then it might reduce the chances of scoring the acceptable range. Some of the tips one could incorporate in their schedule are: -
Beat The Time
GMAT is a computer adaptive test and what makes it more difficult is the time constraint involved. The test is divided into four categories and each category has been allotted a limited time. Analytical Writing Assessment is a section that has been allotted 30 minutes for completion and it has one topic that has to be covered. Similarly Integrated Reasoning is also allotted 30 minutes but it involves a total of 12 questions. Quantitative Reasoning has 37 questions in all and an individual gets 75 minutes to complete the section. Verbal Reasoning is also allotted a total of 75 minutes but the number of questions is 41. Such time constraint makes it important for the test taker to beat the targeted time during practice so as to be comfortable with it. One should be in a habit of completing the test much before time so as to be confident while taking the actual test.
Follow The Official Guides
The study material for GMAT can be obtained through various sources such as online websites, PDF’s, question banks etc. The questions provided in different study materials may not be accurate in nature as they may not be identical to the questions that one faces in the GMAT. Due to this reason it is very important to identify the important questions and study material that may be an actual representation of the original GMAT questions. For the same purpose it is advised that before using other sources one should firstly depend upon the official guides provided by the GMAT website. These guides are accurate and could be of great help for an individual preparing for GMAT.
More Is Less
GMAT is adaptive in nature, which makes it more difficult because if an individual constantly answers right then the difficulty level of questions keep increasing. Therefore one should practice as much as he or she can before appearing for the GMAT and should be prepared to face difficult questions with less amount of time available. Practicing the tips and tricks and inculcating them while solving the questions makes the process faster. These tip and tricks should be understood thoroughly so as to incorporate them in one’s practice. The more questions one solves the more chances he or she has to understand all the different types that one may witness during the GMAT. Due to these reasons more is always less and there is no limit to one’s practice.
Learn To Identify
GMAT questions are multiple-choice questions, which means that the test taker is expected to identify the right answer from the given choices. Most of the times these choices are very closely related, which creates confusion in the mind of the test taker. Test taker should be able to identify the right choice in the least amount of time in order to complete the test effectively. The method of elimination and deduction is one of the most effective methods for identifying the right answers but it takes a long period of practice in order to use them efficiently. One should first identify and eliminate the obvious wrong choices therefore leaving out only a few. Deduction can then be used to come to the conclusion. This trick is not only famous but it is also mentioned in almost all the study materials.
Use Preparation Tests For Practice
Preparation tests are those tests that replicate the original structure of GMAT and allow the test taker to experience the actual examination in order to prepare him or her better. The preparation tests offered by official GMAT website should be used extensively so that one could get used to the original GMAT structure.
Following these five secrets could help one prepare more efficiently and effectively for the GMAT. It would also make the test taker more comfortable and stress free while approaching the examination.