Most people find it difficult to determine the appropriate time to begin studying for the GMAT. This test comes with a lot of demands, especially the preparation process, but if you understand
Most people find it difficult to determine the appropriate time to begin studying for the GMAT. This test comes with a lot of demands, especially the preparation process, but if you understand where to start you will find it very simple to reach your GMAT goals.
In this article, we are going to look at everything you need to understand about how to begin your preparations for the GMAT test, outlining the appropriate time to begin studying, how to come up with a preparation plan, and what to concentrate on first.
When Should You Start Preparing for the GMAT?
The first thing you’re going to need to decide, is when to start your GMAT test prep. The perfect time to start studying is around five months prior to your earliest business school application closure. This will provide you with about three months for study and preparation purposes before the GMAT, and an adequate amount of time for your score reports to be conveyed to the MBA programs of your choice.
A gap between your GMAT test date and your MBA application deadline is very essential since your official score reports will be conveyed to the business schools you have sent applications to about 20 days after your completion of the exam. Any extra score reports you request will only take a week to get to your selected programs.
So, the ideal time to take the GMAT is at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to the application deadline. If after taking the test you fail to reach you goal score, then you may think of retaking the test, and for this you should leave several months for preparation purposes. The ideal timeline for GMAT study is three months as this is an adequate time to enable you to minimize your weakness and perfect your strengths.
For Your GMAT Test Prep:
1. Draft A Study Plan
This is usually the first step for good GMAT preparation. To study effectively and methodologically you have to be organized as beginning your preparation blindly won’t help anybody. As you craft your study plan, you have to take a diagnostic test via the official GMATPrep software or your GMAT test prep tutor. This will help you to identify where to start based on your initial GMAT score. Being aware of where to start will aid you in setting a GMAT score target based on the average scores of students who have been admitted to your prospective MBA programs.
2. Analyze Your Strengths And Weaknesses
Doing a practice test is the ideal way of determining your strengths and weaknesses. You will be in a position to realize the sections you need to perfect and the types of questions you are unable to answer correctly. To best understand your weaknesses, read out the solutions you provided to the questions you struggled with. Try to identify and rectify the mistakes. Base your GMAT prep around your weakest sections and allocate adequate time for these areas. You should allocate more time for areas of weakness in comparison to your perfect areas.
3. Edit Your Study Plan As Needed
Once you have identified your weaknesses, you have to modify your initial study plan to accommodate the changes. For instance, if you are having difficulties with timing, set a goal to complete a set of questions in a given timeline and minimize the timeline incrementally as the exam gets closer. If you realize you are encountering problems with GMAT vocabulary words, create time to utilize flashcards to test yourself on words that appear on the test.
