The right way to prepare for GMAT

The journey of starting off with anything begins from learning the basics and so does for GMAT. Understand the exam right from the different sections, the pattern and the CAT-Computer Adaptive Nature of the exam. The GMAT comprises of 4 sections mainly - Verbal, Quants, IR and AWA. Before starting the preparation do ample amount of research and then the next best step would be to join a community where you can find like-minded people moving ahead on the same journey i.e. the GMAT Club. The GMAT Club is an amazing platform where you can ask away all your queries right from the start until the end.

After getting a fair idea of the structure of the exam, the next best move would be to take up a Mock-Test from MBA.com. The mock test will not only help you evaluate where you stand but also help you to realise how much more effort is required from your end ! The Mocks from MBA.com provide true representation of the of level of difficulty in the real exam. Every GMAT aspirant must give a minimum of 5-6 Mocks before the actual exam.

Let us now look into each of the above discussed points in detail.

Structure of GMAT -

GMAT follows a basic structure with specific sections. The test makers of GMAT are able to choose the order in which they take GMAT test sections. You will choose your section order at the test center following the computer tutorial and just before you begin your test. There are three orders you will be able to choose from:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, Verbal
2. Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
3. Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Now, the question that arises is how do you start preparing for it or rather what is the right way to prepare for it?

Stage 1 -

The foremost thing I’d suggest an aspirant is to know and figure out the structure and learn the format well. You need to figure out what level do you stand at, basically to know what kind of preparation do you need when you venture to start out. Now how would you know that? Simply take the mock test and the whole 3 hours of the exam, the result lets you know where you stand, based on the evaluation of each question you appeared.

The next thing you can do is join the community where you have people who are following the same journey along with you, this way you can ask questions, learn from others, and help in creating healthy competition for you.

One of the hardest parts of studying for the GMAT is finding the time. Figure out a schedule and stick to it. Now if you’re a person who’s not self-disciplined, you can opt for joining a studying group, so in a way, it compels you to study harder or join any coaching institute, that helps you in your GMAT prep and guides you along with a community and a schedule.

This is a general observation backed by various professionals and experts that various aspirants tend to waste a lot of time by taking the wrong ways to prepare for an MBA. They tend to look up to almost everything and create a sort of ruckus for their brains.No problem, this guide is at every aspirants’ aid, we aim to provide and help them with our expertise in this field.

Stage 2 -

Mock tests -

Along with knowing the GMAT and its sections in theory it is also equally important to gain insights and analyze what is your weakness and what are your strengths and how much preparation time is required for you to appear and get better at mock tests. MBA.com is the official site by GMAC who conducts the GMAT exam so it’s one of the most reliable sources for taking the mock test. You have to set certain hours i.e 3-4 hours and then give the right amount of section and also recognize your strength i.e Quant or verbal etc so that you focus on that maximize the score in that section and work on the weaker to lift up the score over there as well. Now you’d ask how and why are mock tests such an important aspect of MBA, well let me answer that for you as well -

Practice for the real exam -
It helps you to get used to writing the exam and hence you can get used to the exam by the real exams actually arrives.

Concentration-
Now GMAT is a pretty long exam, you need to sit straight for 3 hours at a stretch and write the exam and for that, you need to be prepared and that is where the mock tests come in. It helps you in knowing what floats your boat and help you find ways to make yourself more productive at the exam and study/write the exam efficiently.

Analyzation -
Now, if you experience any stressful or panicking event in your life you tend to think to post your mind is at rest. You see what were the impulsive decisions you took or what were the things that you’ve done wrong or probably could have done in a better way. In a similar way giving a mock test helps you analyze every question that you attempt. It helps you to know all the silly mistakes, or if there were chances that you could attempt this answer in a much better way, etc.

Stage 3 -

Apart from all this there are some general factors that the mock tests help you adapt with like - systematic approach, it helps you sort things out and you plan things out in a standardized or logical routine according to your preferences. In this last phase that is 3-4 months before the exam, you look out for things or sections you can get better at. From the mock texts, you have given you have an idea as to where and what can be improved further at this stage.

So now you know how to actually start preparing for MBA, so go ahead and ace the tests. All the best.