5 GMAT test prep tips

Preparing for the GMAT can be rough. Fortunately, there are a number of tips and tricks that you can use to streamline your study process and improve your overall testing performance. Here are 5 tips to help you kick your prep time into top gear.

1. There is no “maybe”

   GMAT test writers will try to trick you into wasting time during the verbal section by listing answers which could possibly be true under specific circumstances. These so called “maybe” answers are designed to make you second guess yourself. All too often these answer choices cost testers precious time as they try to rationalize and overthink them. In reality, these answers should be able to help you shave time off of the entire verbal section by following one very simple rule. Maybe is never the correct answer! When you come across these options eliminate them immediately and move on.

2. Check your progress often

   I know that taking a full practice test is never a fun way to spend your afternoon, but they really are the best way to know where your scores currently stand. You should be taking them regularly and doing so in a way that closely resembles actual testing conditions. This means following section time limits and cutting out all distractions. While it is possible to overdo things, and I don’t recommend taking a practice test multiple times a week, practice tests provide you with invaluable information that other types of prep work cannot.

3. Use flash cards

   Let’s face it, to succeed on the GMAT you will have to memorize a lot of information before setting foot in the testing room. There are all sorts of tricks, rules, and facts to learn. One of the best ways to commit them to memory is by drilling yourself with flashcards. Are you having trouble remembering your multiplication tables or a specific grammar rule? Write them down on a flash card and add them to your deck. Multiple studies have shown a strong connection between the act of writing and fact retention which is why even in today’s digital world I still recommend physically writing your flash cards. However, if you want a more ecofriendly option, or if you just like having your cards with you all the time, there are a number of free flash card apps that you can download.

4. Ask questions

   No one expects you to know everything off the top of your head. The GMAT is a tough test and sometimes you will need a little help. Luckily, we live in a time blessed with an unprecedented amount of GMAT test prep materials. Better still, much of it is absolutely free. If you are stuck on a concept, don’t be afraid to go online and look for more information. There are entire websites dedicated to the GMAT (in fact you are on one right now).

5. Use shortcuts but avoid cutting corners

   The GMAT is a timed test and you will need to be familiar with a wide array of shortcuts to finish on time. While studying you should approach every question asking yourself what the most efficient way to solve the problem is. However, as useful as shortcuts are, you should never confuse them with cut corners. Let me get something out of the way right now. There is no quick and easy way to study for the GMAT. It is a hard test and it takes considerable time, effort, and practice to master. If you are looking for an easy way out, you will not find it.

Do you have any tips to add? Let us know in the comments section!