17 Habits I Followed to Reach My Target GMAT Score for M7 Programs While in College

Do you want a high GMAT score? As a South Asian blogger who has not only conquered the GMAT but also gained admission into a prestigious business school, I’m thrilled to share with you my extensive guide to achieving a stellar GMAT score. Strap in, and let’s dive into these comprehensive study tips that will set you up for success!

Utilize Online Resources

In today’s digital age, the abundance of online platforms can greatly support your GMAT preparation journey. YouTube, in particular, offers a treasure trove of valuable content. Channels such as GMAT Ninja and the GMAT Club provide insightful videos on various GMAT topics, strategies, and practice questions. By incorporating these resources into your study routine, you’ll gain additional perspectives, learn new strategies, and improve your overall test-taking skills.

GMAT Ninja, run by the renowned GMAT expert, Charles Bibilos, offers in-depth explanations of challenging questions, tips for approaching different question types, and valuable insights into the exam’s nuances. This by far was one of the most valuable resources for increasing my score. The GMAT Club, on the other hand, is an online community where you can connect with fellow test-takers, participate in discussions, and access an extensive database of practice questions.

Track Missed Questions

One crucial aspect of GMAT preparation is identifying and addressing your weaknesses. To do this effectively, maintain a comprehensive list of all the questions you answer incorrectly during your practice sessions. Be sure to note the difficulty level and topic area for each question. This record will serve as a valuable reference point, allowing you to identify patterns and focus on areas that require improvement.

For instance, if you consistently struggle with geometry questions, you can allocate more study time to that particular topic. Tracking missed questions enables you to analyze your progress, target specific areas for improvement, and tailor your study plan accordingly.

Review Missed Questions

After attempting a question and marking it incorrect, don’t just move on and forget about it. One week later, revisit the missed questions and thoroughly review them. This approach serves multiple purposes: it allows you to assess your progress, reinforce concepts, and identify any lingering areas of weakness that may require additional study and practice.

When reviewing missed questions, don’t merely focus on finding the correct answer. Instead, dive deep into the underlying concepts and reasoning behind the correct solution. Understand why your initial approach was flawed and learn from your mistakes. This level of review will strengthen your understanding and ensure that you don’t repeat the same errors.

Simulate Test Center Conditions

The GMAT is not only a test of knowledge but also a test of endurance and mental focus. To prepare yourself for the actual test day experience, it is vital to replicate the test center environment as closely as possible during your practice sessions. Familiarize yourself with the online interface, time limits, and overall ambiance. This will help you build confidence, reduce anxiety, and ensure that you perform at your best when it truly matters.

Create a designated study space that mimics the conditions of a test center. Sit at a desk or table, use the same online platform as the official GMAT, and adhere strictly to the allotted time for each section. By acclimating yourself to the test environment, you’ll be better equipped to handle the pressure and maintain focus during the actual exam.

Try to practice 31 questions at a time for Quant or 36 questions at a time for Verbal so you get the hang of sitting through an extended number of questions at a time. Trust me, it will help you from getting antsy or anxious on test day.

Time Yourself

Time management is a critical aspect of the GMAT. Each question must be answered within a specific time frame. To hone your time management skills, practice answering questions under timed conditions. Strive to complete each question in two minutes or less. This time constraint will train you to make quick and accurate decisions, ensuring that you don’t get bogged down or waste precious time on a single question.

Set a timer for each question or section, and challenge yourself to stay within the time limits. As you practice more, you’ll develop a sense of pacing and become more efficient in your approach. However, remember that maintaining accuracy is equally important, so aim for a balance between speed and precision.

Try to complete easy questions within a minute or less. Try to complete medium questions in less than two minutes. Lastly, try to complete hard question accurately. By saving time in the easy and medium questions, you’ll have more than two minutes to attempt the hard questions, which can be a game-changer.

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Master Shortcuts for a High GMAT Score

Efficiency is key when it comes to the GMAT. Memorize useful shortcuts and quick calculations, such as converting fractions to decimals and vice versa. Know what the decimal equivalents are for fractions such as 1/9 or 1/11 and vice versa. These techniques will help you save valuable time during the exam, allowing you to allocate it to more complex questions or review your answer choice.

For instance, to convert a fraction to a decimal, remember that dividing the numerator by the denominator will give you the decimal equivalent. Similarly, to convert a decimal to a fraction, identify the place value of the last digit and express it as a fraction over the appropriate power of 10. These shortcuts will enable you to perform calculations swiftly and accurately, giving you a competitive edge on the quant section.

Logic and Grammar Errors

Developing a keen eye for identifying logical and grammatical errors in answer choices is a skill that can significantly boost your GMAT score. By recognizing common errors and understanding the nuances of sentence structure, you can quickly eliminate incorrect options. This approach not only saves time but also enhances your accuracy and ensures that you choose the best possible answer.

Familiarize yourself with common grammar rules tested on the GMAT, such as subject-verb agreement, parallelism, and pronoun consistency. Additionally, sharpen your critical reasoning skills to identify logical flaws, assumptions, and weak arguments. Engaging with high-quality GMAT verbal practice materials and analyzing answer explanations will strengthen your ability to spot errors and select the most logical and grammatically sound choice.

Take Practice Exams and Track GMAT Score

Regularly administering full-length practice exams is essential for your GMAT preparation. These practice exams simulate the actual test experience and provide a comprehensive assessment of your skills and progress. Set aside dedicated time to complete these exams under realistic conditions, adhering strictly to the time limits. Review your performance afterward to identify areas of strength and weakness, enabling you to tailor your study plan accordingly.

Choose official practice exams whenever possible, as they closely resemble the actual GMAT. The GMAT Official Practice Exams, available through the GMAC, are particularly valuable. Analyze your performance in each section, identify patterns of mistakes or areas where you struggle, and focus your subsequent study efforts on improving those specific areas. Practice exams not only help you gauge your progress but also familiarize you with the test format, question types, and pacing required for success.

Review Weaker Topics for a High GMAT Score

GMAT preparation should be a strategic and targeted process. Identify the topics and concepts that you find particularly challenging, and allocate additional study time to these areas. Whether it’s geometry, data sufficiency, or critical reasoning, invest extra effort in understanding and mastering these topics. Strengthening your weaknesses will not only boost your confidence but also improve your overall score.

For each weak topic, break it down into smaller subtopics or question types. Use resources like the Official Guide or targeted study guides to gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles and strategies. Practice a variety of related questions to reinforce your understanding and gradually increase the difficulty level as you progress.

Track Correct vs. Incorrect Questions

As you progress through your GMAT preparation, it’s important to keep track of the percentage of questions you answer correctly versus those you answer incorrectly. This metric provides valuable insights into your progress and areas that require further attention. Analyzing this data can help you fine-tune your study plan, allowing you to focus on specific question types or concepts that need improvement.

Maintain a spreadsheet or a dedicated notebook to record the number of correct and incorrect answers for each study session or practice test. Review this data regularly to identify trends and patterns. Are you consistently struggling with a particular question type or topic? Are there any specific areas where you’re consistently performing well? Adjust your study plan accordingly, dedicating more time to weaker areas and reinforcing your strengths.

Build a Strong Foundation

A solid understanding of fundamental concepts is crucial for success on the GMAT. Resist the temptation to jump into medium or hard questions before mastering the easy ones. By ensuring you have a strong foundation, you’ll build the necessary skills and confidence to tackle more complex problems. Take your time to grasp the basics thoroughly before progressing to more challenging material.

Start with the foundational content of each section, such as number properties and algebra for quant, and sentence correction and reading comprehension basics for verbal. Use reliable study materials or prep courses to gain a solid understanding of the underlying principles. As you gain proficiency, gradually move on to more advanced concepts and practice questions of increasing difficulty. Building a strong foundation will set you up for success as you tackle more complex GMAT problems.

Transition from Easy to Medium to Hard

Similar to building a strong foundation, transitioning from easier to more difficult questions should be a gradual process. Rushing through different question difficulty levels can lead to frustration and gaps in understanding. Start with easy questions and gradually work your way up to medium-level questions. Once you feel comfortable, challenge yourself with harder questions. This approach ensures a smooth learning curve and prevents overwhelm.

Make use of the official GMAT study materials or reputable third-party resources that provide questions categorized by difficulty level. Allocate dedicated study time for each difficulty level, ensuring that you have a solid grasp of the concepts and strategies before moving on to the next level. This progressive approach will help you develop the necessary skills and confidence to tackle the toughest questions on the exam.

Aim for about 90% accuracy on easy questions before moving on to medium questions. Medium questions should have about 60-75% accuracy. Getting at least 50% of the hard questions right is a great accuracy to aim for.

Leverage Official GMAT Material

While there are numerous resources available for GMAT preparation, nothing beats the official GMAT study materials. The Official Guide for GMAT Review, published by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), is an invaluable resource. It provides authentic questions and practice exams that closely mirror the actual test. Familiarize yourself with the question types, formats, and answer strategies presented in these materials to maximize your preparation.

The Official Guide contains a vast array of practice questions, organized by topic and difficulty level. Utilize these questions to reinforce your understanding of the concepts and get accustomed to the GMAT question style. Additionally, the Official Guide offers answer explanations that can help you comprehend the reasoning behind correct answers and avoid common pitfalls. Supplement your study plan with official GMAT material to ensure that you’re practicing with high-quality, test-like content.

Maintain a Consistent Study Schedule

Consistency is key in GMAT preparation. Establishing a consistent study routine that aligns with your schedule and commitments is crucial for long-term success. Determine specific time slots each day or week dedicated solely to GMAT preparation. Treat these study sessions as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

Create a study schedule that strikes a balance between focused study time, breaks, and rest days. Consistency breeds discipline and helps you make steady progress towards your target score. Avoid cramming or irregular study patterns, as they can lead to burnout and hinder your overall performance. A consistent study schedule not only enhances your knowledge retention but also trains your mind to focus during dedicated study periods.

Take Care of Your Well-Being

Preparing for the GMAT requires mental and physical stamina. Don’t neglect self-care during this demanding period. Make sure to prioritize your well-being to maintain optimal focus and energy levels. Get sufficient sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular exercise. These activities contribute to your overall cognitive function and help reduce stress.

Incorporate stress-management techniques into your routine, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies you enjoy. Managing stress is crucial to maintaining a clear mind and making sound decisions during the exam. Remember, a healthy body and mind are vital assets in your pursuit of a high GMAT score.

Practice Mindful Review

While reviewing questions and concepts, strive for mindful engagement. Avoid mindlessly rushing through explanations or focusing solely on getting the correct answer. Take the time to understand the underlying principles, strategies, and reasoning behind each question.

As you review, ask yourself why certain answer choices are incorrect or correct. Reflect on how the concepts you’ve learned apply to the specific question at hand. This level of engagement strengthens your understanding and critical thinking skills, enabling you to tackle similar questions more effectively in the future.

Lastly, for exam day especially, know when to move on. If you look at a question and don’t know how to go about finding the answer within 30 seconds, guess and move on. This sounds counterintuitive, but you are better off making a logical guess and focusing on getting the next one right.

There are two reasons for this. First, questions are meant to be solved in less than 2 minutes. So if you can’t figure out how to solve it in the first 30 seconds, you are unlikely to solve it within 2 minutes. Second, you are better off saving the time and using it on a harder question you know how to solve. By holding onto that time, you can make sure you accurately answer the questions you do know how to solve.

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Stay Motivated

GMAT preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. To stay motivated throughout your journey, set realistic goals and milestones. Celebrate your achievements along the way, whether it’s completing a challenging set of questions, achieving a target score on a practice exam, or mastering a difficult concept. Reward yourself for your hard work and progress. At the end of the day, even the tiniest bit of studying is better than not studying at all. So if you can’t get yourself to study for an hour one day, just try 10 minutes or a few questions.

Visualize the exciting opportunities that await you after achieving a strong GMAT score, such as admission to top-tier business schools. Maintain a positive mindset, surround yourself with supportive individuals, and draw inspiration from success stories of others who have overcome GMAT challenges. Keeping your eyes on the prize will fuel your motivation and drive you towards your desired GMAT score.

Conclusion

With these comprehensive study tips in your arsenal, you are well on your way to acing the GMAT and securing a remarkable score. By leveraging online resources, tracking missed questions, simulating test center conditions, mastering time management, and nurturing a growth mindset, you can approach the GMAT with confidence and achieve your desired results. Stay focused, persevere through challenges, and embrace the journey as a stepping stone toward your future academic and professional success. Good luck on your GMAT adventure!

With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties

*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.