The best way to study for the GMAT is to start with a clear diagnosis of your strengths and weaknesses, and then use a detailed gmat study plan that consistently attacks your weaknesses and develops your strengths. Gmatbuddy’s proides the best study plan to study for the gmat because it is breaks down your gmat score goal into sprints focused on developing the reasoning skills tested on the GMAT. This is extremely valuable because sprints allow for regular feedback cycles to assess progress and change study methods when necessary.
How do you study for the GMAT effectively?
Any effective method to study for the gmat requires the following:
- Understanding exactly what the GMAT test is measuring, why, and how.
- Having a specific gmat score goal within a clear deadline.
- Assessment: thorough diagnosis of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Breaking down your goal into a gmat study plan organized in sprints.
- Using error logs to keep track of weaknesses and progress.
- Focus on developing mastery in the skills required to excel at the GMAT.
- Breaking down goals into a Drill schedule of exercises that address weaknesses and doubles down on strengths.
- Frequent review: for every 10 hours of study time, 2 or 3 must be dedicated to review.
- Regular assessments and checkpoints: timed quizzes to assess change.
- Evaluation: have the goals been achieved, and if not, determine why. A gmat tutor can help here.
here is a clear break down of each points above.
What the GMAT assesses and How
The GMAT is a test required for admission into business school, and is designed to assess high order reasoning – the ability to process information and make logical inferences.
There are three sections in the GMAT, each assessing a specific set of skills as outlined below.
| SECTION | What it measures |
| Quantitive Reasoning | Using basic math literacy to define models and solve problems. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Understanding the structure of large texts and understanding how best to evaluate arguments and plans of action. |
| Data Insights | Synthesizing data from diverse sources of information to make informed decisions. |
What your GMAT study goals are
If your goal is to gain admission to a prestigious business school, you will most likely need a great GMAT score. The general benchmark is a 645+ (in the old gmat, that score was 700). If you have a compelling profile with demonstrated career progression and proof of great leadership, you can be admitted to great schools without a great gmat score. Otherwise, a score of 645+ will be required. How difficult it will be to hit that score depends largely on your educational activities during adolescence and your university education. The farther away you are from your objective the longer it will take to prepare and the more careful you need to be in how you study for the GMAT, set deadlines, and write your MBA application essays. It will save you a lot of time, heart ache and stress.
How to study for the GMAT: Step 1
Don’t delay this step for too long. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the test but don’t prepare for too long.
What your current score means about how to study for the gmat
The actions you need to take as you study for the gmat depend on your current gmat score or mock test score. The reasoning behind that is the following:
The tenets required for a great performance and gmat score complement each other. Some tenets or skills are foundational – you need to build them before advancing onto other topics. For example, you cannot be good at probability if you struggle with fractions or decimals. The chart below describes the types of exercises and material you need to focus on based on your current score. It also serves as a good estimator for time require to study for the gmat. These are benchmarks, and study time can be more or less.
You must learn how to walk before you learn how to run
GMAT Quant score section break down
The quantitative reasoning sub score is broken down into the following sections:
- Value, Order, Factors
- Rates, Ratios, Percents
- Algebra, equation, inequalities
- Statistics
But beyond that, what do you do? as some mathematical principles overlap
GMAT verbal score breakdown
The
- Critical Reasoning
- Reading Comprehension
Critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and the subsection scores. But beyond that, what does it really mean? The 4 areas.
GMAT Data insights score breakdown
etc.. but beyond that, what does it really mean?
The resources you use: what, when, why, where, and how
The path to learning across the GMAT score chart and what resources based on where you are:
Foundation, concepts, reasoning, etc…
What do you do in foundation. The goal.
What do you do with concepts.
What do you do with reasoning.
etc…
What
When
….
How
The variables are: the skill, timed vs untimed, how many, how long, how often, repeat.
Mock tests and evaluations, and what you are trying to do.
You can self study, take a course, free, youtube, group, online, presencial etc.