Study MBA Abroad with These GMAT Preparation Tips

If you aspire to crack the GMAT exam, you are in the correct place. This article will make our GMAT journey easy and smooth. It will help you understand how to prepare for GMAT, the eligibility criteria for this exam, the application process, tips, etc. This article will answer the frequently asked questions about GMAT exam preparation.

GMAT is an inevitable part of the admissions process for business and management programs worldwide. This includes part-time and full-time master’s degrees and MBA programs. Good preparation for the GMAT exam will help you score better, giving you an edge during the admission programs. Besides being a primary requirement for business program admissions, a GMAT score is also helpful in the entry of PGDM programs in India.

GMAT is the most trusted exam created to assess the skills and abilities required to succeed in a graduate business program. Students exclusively take this exam to aim to get admission to top business schools for masters in business programs. It helps business schools analyze the reasoning skills, critical thinking, and suitability for academic objectivity in students. GMAT is an adaptive computer test. You can write it online or at a test center.

Eligibility for GMAT Exam

The primary criteria for a GMAT exam are age, academic qualification, language, and the number of attempts. The candidate should be 18 or above to apply for the exam. If the student is below 18 years, they will need written consent from the guardian. Any student with a bachelor’s degree from a college is eligible to give the GMAT. A person can appear a maximum of 5 times in 12 months. Always meet all the eligibility criteria before applying for the test.

The Process to Apply for GMAT Exam

Applying for a GMAT exam might be one of the easiest things you have ever done. Just follow these three steps:

• Select your exam delivery method: You will have two exam delivery method options – online or at a test centre. Choose the convenient option, and voila! The choice is yours.

• Create an account: Create an account at https://www.gmac.com/. Fill in the basic information asked to move forward with your profile.

• Register for your GMAT exam: Once you fill in your basic information, you will find a register option. Register yourself by clicking the register option. Now, select a convenient date and time for your exam. Complete your registration by paying the fees.

GMAT Sections You Need to Know About

The GMAT exam format is simple. It contains four sections, all of which should be covered during your GMAT exam preparation. Get to know how to prepare for GMAT better by learning about its sections below:

Quantitative Reasoning: This section demands elementary algebra, geometry, and arithmetic knowledge. It contains two kinds of questions – Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. The data sufficiency questions are to measure your ability to analyse and solve a quantitative problem and to solve the problem using the data given in the question. Problem-solving questions will measure your capability to solve quantitative problems using logic and analytical reasoning.

Verbal reasoning: This section includes three questions. The first question is about reading comprehension, which helps you analyse your skills to understand statements, draw inferences from given information, understand logical connections between relevant points, etc. Critical reasoning questions measure your ability to create arguments, evaluate arguments, and formulate a plan of action. Finally, questions involving the correction of sentences test your language proficiency. It will determine the correct expression and practical expression of your language.

Integrated reasoning: Integrated reasoning consists of four sections – Multi-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, and Two-Part Analysis. This section involves questions that are both quantitative and verbal reasoning. Many questions in this section might demand more than one response. This section analyses your skill in solving complex problems by integrating data.

Analytical Writing Assessment: This section will measure your ability to reason a given argument. You need to analyse the use of evidence and the line of reasoning in the argument. So, take a few minutes before answering this section and plan your response. The answer should be organised and developed.

Tips for GMAT Preparation

GMAT is an effortless exam if you can decode the secret way to prepare for it. So, follow the below tips for preparing for the GMAT exam:

1. Create a study plan: Developing a how-to study for the GMAT plan before the exam application is the most crucial exam tip. Once the applications are started, you will have your essays, resumes, and letters of recommendation to worry about. You don’t want your GMAT exam preparation to pile above it, do you? Yeah, we also thought so. Make a detailed how-to study as part of the GMAT strategy and avoid the tension and stress of procrastinating the preparation.
   
   
2. Learn about the test sections: Before creating your study plan, learn about the test sections, types of questions, and other details of the preparation for the GMAT exam. Consider all these factors while making a study plan. The test has four sections:
   
   • Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA part): It assesses your capacity for critical thinking and concept communication
   • Integrated Reasoning (IR): This test component assesses your capacity to evaluate information presented in various formats and to interpret it.
   • Quantitative Reasoning (Quant part): This portion evaluates your capacity for mathematical reasoning, quantitative problem-solving, and data interpretation.
   • Verbal Reasoning (Verbal part): It measures your ability to understand written arguments and your comprehension and editing capabilities.
     
     
3. Choose genuine prep materials: The experts always advise choosing the prep materials from the official website because the materials from other sites might not meet the requirements for the test. Also, picking materials from the official website will help you score more marks as the makers of the GMAT create it.
   
   
4. Identify your weakness: Figuring out the relevant skills needed for the exam is one of the critical steps in your GMAT preparation strategy. We advise taking the official GMAT Preparation Guide Series to assess your skills and identify your areas of weakness. After analysing your GMAT strategy, create a tailored study plan to brush up on the areas where you need to improve your abilities to crack the GMAT.
   
   
5. One at a time: GMAT consists of many components. So, while preparing for it, make sure you concentrate on a single topic at a time. For example, don’t attempt to study geometry on the side if you are focused on algebra. Before moving on to the following subsection, complete your study of algebra and cement your knowledge. Changing between two or more sub-sections at once will merely cause prep in each sub-sections to take longer and be less effective.
   
   
6. Keep track of time during the preparation: Pacing yourself is essential for your performance in GMAT since you have a limited amount of time. For instance, if you know that the verbal portion of the test will be difficult for you, work on your vocal abilities while making sure you can use them quickly. Start keeping track of time once you’ve had enough practice and a solid grasp of the topics to hone your problem-solving skills.
   
   

7. Don’t get stuck on a question: Remember that there is a penalty for missing a section, and your score may go down with each question you don’t successfully answer. Avoid getting caught up in the trap of questioning, even if you are responding to each one appropriately. Do your best, of course, but follow a pace plan. Spend no more than 2.5 minutes on any single question. If you’re stuck, take a calculated guess.
   
   
8. Stick to the process of elimination on the GMAT exam: Don’t waste time when you encounter questions you don’t know the answer to. When in doubt, rule out the incorrect answers to move closer to the correct answer. Continue to the following question by picking the best option from the remaining options. Prepare a “guessing approach” in advance just in case you run out of time (despite your most satisfactory time management plan) to prevent unnecessary GMAT score penalties.
   
   
9. Practice and improve your visual literacy during the GMAT prep: Time management is critical to the GMAT test-taking technique. Are you looking for a quick trick to boost productivity? The best way to prepare for GMAT is to learn how to interpret symbols, charts, and tables and master visual literacy. The GMAT frequently includes this kind of visual data, so being able to decipher it is a crucial skill in the GMAT rapidly. You could also come across non-standard mathematical notations (or symbols related to a problem) on the GMAT Quant section of the exam, so it’s critical that you are comfortable with visuals and can maintain composure during the test.
   
   
10. Maintain your mental health: Use mental math for the quantitative component. While practicing, avoid using your calculator whenever possible. Train your brain to perform calculations instead. You won’t have a calculator during the GMAT’s fundamental Quant part, so developing your mental math skills is crucial.
    
    
11. Create an error log: An error log will help you capture and analyze the question’s behavior and technicalities after each attempt. The error log may be the most neglected and underappreciated tool in GMAT preparation. However, those who have mastered the art of maintaining one regularly have gained invaluable insights into their study habits and have made precise modifications, aiding them more swiftly and efficiently in reaching their target GMAT score.
    
    
12. Be Consistent: Last, you must be consistent in your preparation. We must work hard if we want to accomplish anything in life. GMAT does not serve as a test of theory or ideas. This exam cannot be passed by memorisation alone. It includes skill development, which can only occur with consistency and discipline. Studying for 30 minutes a day, six days a week is preferable to studying for three hours one day and then going six days without studying. So be consistent and be a diligent student!

Want to explore numerious options for your career path? Dive in to our guide on Career Options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does it take to prepare for GMAT?

Ans. The answer to this question depends on you. Many factors should be considered while calculating the approximate GMAT preparation time. If you are consistent with your studies, you can prepare for your GMAT exam in just 20 days.

Q2. How should I start preparing for GMAT?

Ans. The above-given tips for scoring a good GMAT score are the steps to follow during a GMAT prep period. The first and foremost step should be gathering information about the GMAT test preparation and creating a study plan accordingly. Collecting information about the type of sections and questions of the GMAT is crucial. The main steps to follow are studying, practicing questions, assessing your progress, and improving on the weak areas.

Q3. How hard is it to score a 700 on GMAT?

Ans. Generally, scoring a 700 on GMAT is tough. According to the reports, 88% of the people taking this test score less than 700. This might be due to the lack of skills and preparation. But most of the time, a low mark results from inconsistency and a lack of smart prep strategies. Following a strict GMAT study plan, practicing your questions, and improving the weak sections, you can easily score a 700 on the GMAT test.

Q4. Is GMAT a hard exam?

Ans. According to the data, the GMAT exam is challenging. Only 6% of the total applicants score more than 720 on GMAT. With a good GMAT strategy and Chegg’s Exam Prep, this should not be very difficult.

Q5. Do Indian Colleges accept GMAT?

Ans. Yes, Indian colleges do accept GMAT. Some top MBA colleges that accept GMAT are IIMS, ISB, XLRI, etc. The better your score, the better the college you can take admitted into.

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