GMAT Exam Preparation Tips: How to Prepare for GMAT Exam?

Last Updated on September 27, 2024

GMAT Preparation: Acing the GMAT is not an impossible mission. All it requires is concentration and clear action. If you are a GMAT aspirant, find the right study hacks and preparation tips with the help of Admissify! In the article, we will talk about how to prepare for the GMAT exam completely. To choose a better method how to prepare for the GMAT you must first observe the criteria and plan your study plan accordingly. You are also required to possess good GMAT books and resources in order to study on your own, along with study material, motivation, and self-discipline.

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How to Prepare for GMAT 2024 Exam?

Top 10 Study Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Exam 2024

Before you start your GMAT test prep, make sure you comprehend the GMAT syllabus and pattern. After you have a clear understanding of how the test operates, you should make a study strategy and consult reliable GMAT study materials. These top ten GMAT preparation suggestions are available for those planning to take the GMAT in 2024.

1. Identify the different GMAT sections

First off, let’s understand the GMAT exam structure.

The GMAT includes four sections:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA section): This part tests your skills in critical thinking and expressing thoughts.
2. Reasoning (IR section): assesses the skill to analyze data and understand information shown in various ways.
3. Quantitative Reasoning (Quant section): This part of the test checks how well the person can solve quantitative problems, think with math logic, and understand graphic information.
4. Verbal Reasoning (Verbal section): This tests your skills in editing, understanding what you read, and making sense of written arguments.

GMAT receives scores between 200-800. This score covers only the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. Integrated Reasoning is scored out of 8, but AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment) has a score range from 0 to 6.

2. Make a study plan before starting the preparation

Creating a GMAT study plan in advance will help you to establish a clear direction for your GMAT preparation. Normally, students make use of a 12-week study plan that assists them in learning the strategies and techniques necessary to attain their business school objectives. Generally, students dedicate between 3-6 months for the GMAT preparation stage. Here’s a suggestion: try taking a GMAT mock test before you determine how much time is needed for your GMAT preparation. Based on the score achieved in this practice round, it will help you decide how long to study for the actual GMAT.

3. Select GMAT prep material

Collect GMAT prep material from the internet and physical sources. Many online GMAT prep resources are available to assist you in preparing for the GMAT test. You may also consider reviewing GMAT official prep material. Choose the material that uses a scoring algorithm like the GMAT. Solve questions from past exams. Here is a summary of GMAT preparation books:

1. Manhattan GMAT Guides
2. GMAT official study material
3. Other resources from Veritas, Magoosh, Kaplan, etc.
4. Study with Khan Academy
5. GMAT Club and Beat the GMAT forums
6. Admissify’s personalised GMAT test prep with experienced faculty

4. Manage your weaknesses

Remember, with the right study plan and attitude, you can crack the GMAT test and get admission to your dream university. Focus on making your weaknesses your strengths by dedicating time to practice and revision every day. 

5. Don’t stick to one question

If a question comes off as incredibly difficult or challenging to solve, it is alright. Make sure that you move on to the following questions and leave nothing unanswered. Also, ensure that you give a designated amount of time to each question which is two and a half minutes ideally. 

6. Focus on the time limit while preparing for the GMAT

In a constrained time situation, it is crucial to develop your speed. You should concentrate more on the section that consumes excessive time from you. If, for example, you are spending too much time on the Quantitative section then work on enhancing your quants skills. Solve the GMAT practice exam every day and develop your speed.

7. Use an elimination strategy

Don’t waste much time on a single question that you can’t solve. Don’t obsess about giving the correct answers. When stuck with a difficult query, simply select the one closest to an accurate response and proceed to the following problem.

8. Improve visual literacy while preparing for the GMAT

Practice comprehending charts, symbols, maps, tables, and graphs in order to answer questions seamlessly. This is because the GMAT has a variety of visual data questions. Mastering this skill will help you ace the GMAT Quant section. 

9. Develop a holistic skillset

GMAT tests students in various areas. It is a limited-time test that helps students develop a sense of time management. 

10. Practice as much as you can

Practice, practice, practice! You should use the proverb “practice makes perfect” when you are studying for the exam, and after you are done, look over the free GMAT sample papers. It will assist you in determining your level of test preparation.

Important Links:

GMAT 2024 Study Material

For a self-study approach to GMAT preparation, these are the best books for GMAT 2024 along with study materials and GMAT study plans. Officiated by GMAC, there is an official study guide and also free software. You can use these resources as a reference point to create your own strategy for studying with the help of the mentioned books and materials:

The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 2022 – Within this exam guide, you can find over 900 questions from previous GMAT exams along with a diagnostic part that assists in assessing which areas need more attention. Additionally, it offers important advice on how to approach and prepare for the test as well as beneficial methods for taking tests effectively so you can achieve desired results.

Free GMATPrep Software – There are ninety free questions here – 30 Quantitative, 45 Verbal, and 15 Integrated Reasoning – along with their answers and explanations. You can use the tools to make your own practice question set too. This includes two full-length practice tests with answers included in addition to other features like an exam simulator that mimics real test conditions; ability to save responses for comparison later on; etc.

Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides – This pack comprises GMAT Roadmap, Fractions, Decimals, and Percents; Algebra; Word Problems; Geometry; Number Properties; Critical Reasoning; Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction and Integrated Reasoning & Essay.

Kaplan GMAT 800: Advanced Prep for Advanced Students – This is the perfect tool to prepare you, with detailed tips on test-taking, strategies that have been proven for getting a perfect score of 800, and clear guidance for answering each type of question.

Other Resources from Veritas, Magoosh, etc.

GMAT Club and Beat the GMAT forums.

Section-wise Preparation Tips for GMAT 2024 Exam

Discover how to get ready for the GMAT by going over the GMAT exam preparation advice section by section. Study the GMAT exam layout and syllabus, then make a focused schedule that addresses each topic one at a time. To get a GMAT score of 700 or above, you will need to work hard and improve gradually.

GMAT Preparation Tips: Integrated Reasoning Section

1. This section contains 12 questions and allows 30 minutes. A good test taker should aim to finish within 25 minutes, leaving the last 5 minutes for reviewing and also monitoring any unanswered questions.

2. Include all subjects, be it graphics understanding or table interpretation. This way, you can try the GMAT examination with full confidence.

3. Go through the books and study material to prepare for the test.

GMAT Preparation Tips: Quantitative Section

1. There are 31 questions in this section, and you have 62 minutes to complete them.
2. While practising, review issues about data sufficiency and problem-solving.
3. The pace can be increased by learning the mathematical formulas utilized in these topics.
4. Practice all of the GMAT’s topics, ranging from fairly simple ones to challenging questions. 

GMAT Preparation Tips: Verbal Section

1. The time given for the Verbal Section of the GMAT test is 65 minutes, and within this period you must answer 36 questions.
2. In this part, you can improve your English language skills and usage. For the Verbal section, you could use grammar books to enhance your grammar. Additionally, reading newspaper editorials will help you become familiar with complex sentence structures and advanced vocabulary.
3. The part may include inquiries from different subject areas such as reading sections, crucial reasoning and idioms, synonyms-antonyms, sentence correction and subject-verb agreement.
4. Include all these points in your guidebook process, because this section is about evaluating and assessing your reasoning abilities.

GMAT Preparation Tips: Analytical Writing Assessment

1. A total of 30 minutes are allotted to the Analytical Writing Section
2. Attempt to close the writing task in 25 minutes and keep final 5 for inspecting the written material
3. Develop the habit of reading and try to read topics from different areas
4. Read newspapers that will be of great help to prepare for the Writing section
5. Read articles that argue on relevant topics and highlight examples
6. Recall the key points from a topic and repeatedly practice using them in your writing.
7. Practice writing on different topics and highlight argumentative points
8. Try working on your speed so that you spend no more than 2 minutes on each question.

Check Other Test Preparation:

FAQs

How can I prepare for GMAT at home? 

It is absolutely possible to prepare for GMAT at home by referring to official GMAT prep resources, taking online test-prep coaching, and setting a self-study schedule. 

What is the difference between the GRE and the GMAT? 

GRE is an important prerequisite for admission to most graduate schools as well as business schools in countries like US, Canada, Australia, etc. On the other hand, GMAT is specifically for students who wish to study in business schools abroad. 

Is GMAT important to study abroad? 

Yes, GMAT is an important requirement for students who want to get into prestigious business schools. 

Manan

Manan is a graduate of the esteemed University of Delhi where he cultivated a taste for writing and research. His degree in Bachelor of Management Studies helps him guide students in their academic endeavours. Manan strives to spread excellent study abroad tips that can prove to be helpful.