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Who doesn’t want a seat in one of the world’s leading MBA programs? After all, business is a sought-after career line for many Indian students today. Statistically speaking, 2021 saw over 4.35 lakh enrollments for B-schools in India. India also has the second-largest number of MBAs in the world. If the course is so popular, the GMAT exam is bound to be competitive. So, the obvious question is how to prepare for GMAT.
A good GMAT score is the foundational step towards getting into top B-schools in India and worldwide. Almost 2300 business schools worldwide accept and rely on GMAT scores for admissions. After course completion, if you have a good GMAT score, you can smoothly land up to a post-MBA placement and get a good salary. A GMAT score manifests your analytical and problem-solving skills and thus requires a good GMAT preparation strategy.
Now that we know how significant a GMAT score can be for your career, let’s explore some bigger prospects. Like, how to prepare for GMAT? How to prepare for GMAT at home? What is GMAT study material? What is the best GMAT preparation strategy? This article will address these aspects and make you strategize how to get 700+ in GMAT.
GMAT Exam Format
Understanding the syllabus of GMAT is a prerequisite to understanding how to prepare for GMAT. The exam is a blend of both subjective and objective type of questions. In total, 80 questions have to be answered in 3 hours and 7 minutes.
The syllabus is divided into four segments which are mentioned below.
1. Quantitative Reasoning:
This segment measures the candidate’s analytical skills, from numeral literacy to data interpretation, from reasoning to mathematical ability. You will get 62 minutes to solve 31 questions. This segment helps the candidate handle complex problems in finance, managerial statistics, and accounting. To ace this section, you must be familiar with key comets like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, to name a few.
2. Verbal Reasoning:
This segment includes a blend of three categories of questions, which aim to analyze the critical reading abilities of a student. Reading comprehension passages up to 350 words and questions are put up. You will be required to solve 36 questions within 65 minutes.
These questions are usually related to finding the core idea of the comprehension, inferences, or identifying relationships between different passage elements. Additionally, there can be another segment of questions in which you must decipher conclusions from short arguments. The third category of questions includes grammatical sentence correction.
3. Integrated Reasoning:
Unlike the previous sections, this segment includes data in tabular and graphical format. The candidate is required to interpret data and make an analysis. The questions can be divided into four segments, of which 12 response questions must be answered within 30 minutes.
- Graphics Interpretation: MCQs and True/false questions out of graphic
- Table Analysis: Tabular analysis of numeric data.
- Multi-source Reasoning: Fill-in-the-blank statements from a graphic.
- Two-part Analysis: Choosing the best decisions or alternatives present in a table.
4. Analytical Writing Assessment:
This segment can be a win-win situation for students with good critical thinking and communication skills. It comprises one question of an essay, which must be completed within 30 minutes. The topic may vary from general knowledge to business or other subjects of general interest.
This segment aims not to check how knowledgeable you are but to analyze your writing skills. Additionally, it also checks your command of the English language and communication skills.
5. Computer adaptive test:
The exam is commuter-adaptive in nature. This means that the computer makes a real-time assessment of your performance on its own. It is, therefore, not merely a written test on a computer.
The quantitative or the Verbal Reasoning sections make a real-time assessment of your performance as you take the test. Additionally, after you answer a question correctly, it is followed by a more challenging question than the previous one. Similarly, an easier question is followed by a difficult one.
GMAT Focus Edition 2024 Overview
The GMAT Focus Edition 2024 is a 2-hour 15-minute adaptive test designed to evaluate your quantitative, verbal, and data insight skills. Scores range from 205 to 805. Below is a breakdown of the test sections:
| Section | No. of Questions | Question Types | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 multiple choice | Problem Solving, Algebra, and Arithmetic | 45 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 multiple choice | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning | 45 minutes |
| Data Insights | 20 multiple choice | Data Sufficiency, Multi-source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis | 45 minutes |
GMAT Preparation Strategy
Students must bear the structure of the exam in their minds before starting to prepare for it. Now that you are well versed with the pattern let’s begin to understand how to prepare for GMAT.
Prepare a study plan:
Go through the syllabus, and understand the exam format. Once done, you must begin the journey by making a realistic and strategized study plan. Once you are sorted with the time schedules and management, you can easily start your preparation with clarity. Not to mention that MBA admissions can be hectic in the end. A condensed timetable will help you build your problem-solving abilities.
Explore your core strengths:
Once the timetable is set, explore where you score the best. In the beginning, it might be difficult to do that right away. But you need to make a comparative analysis between all exam segments. This will help you build confidence and boost your score in areas where you perform the best.
Work on your core weaknesses:
This tip can be a scoremaker. Whether it is quantitative aptitude, comprehension, essay, or integrated reasoning, you can not master all these segments quickly. However, you can identify what you find difficult and continue working on it. You can also perform sectional tests to help you build better coherence and confidence in the subject.
Aim conceptual clarity:
Most students aim to jump onto advanced questions in sections like Quantitative analysis without building a strong basic foundation. Before solving any question, try to dig into the core concept. The rest will follow up.
Attempt regular mock tests:
With many online test preparation resources, one must selectively choose and practice. Mock tests are the best way to analyze your performance and prepare for the exam day. You can also go ahead and practice the previous year’s questions and use the actual GMAT scoring algorithm.
Build your pace:
GMAT is not only a test of your intelligence but is also a test of your efficiency. It analyzes how well you can work under pressure in a limited time. Therefore, all mock tests must be given in a time-bound manner. While refining your skills in different segments, make sure you finish questions in time or best before it.
Explore time-tested techniques:
Follow the GMAT preparation strategy on how to prepare for GMAT given by previous top scorers. Strategies like the elimination technique have worked for applicants to make the most out of questions they know little about. While performing the test, do not try to answer every question correctly. While giving your best attempt, do not overdo some tough questions. You can invest a maximum of two and a half minutes on each question.
Practice advanced questions:
Try practicing GMAT official advanced questions after your bases are thorough. Once you have developed good comprehension and analytical skills, moving to the advanced level and improving your skills is best.
Improve your mental math:
You might need to save time while practicing quantitative ability questions. This can be done by improving mental math. By keeping a calculator at bay, you can minimize the time it would take to solve math problems.
Manage GMAT Anxiety:
Feeling anxious about the GMAT is completely normal, especially since your score significantly impacts your career path and future earnings. While you prepare for the exam, it’s equally important to mentally prepare yourself to manage stress and test-day nerves. This will help you stay calm and focused, ensuring you’re not overwhelmed when it matters most.
GMAT Preparation Material
There is no dearth of resources to help boost your GMAT preparation or improve your skills. Today, there are a plethora of platforms that provide GMAT preparation material to candidates for free. Some of the useful and popular GMAT prep courses are mentioned below.
- mba.com: You can use the Official GMAT Prep Software to get access to a computerized adaptive GMAT practice test, two sets of customized practice questions, and a GMAT quant review.
- Beat the GMAT: This forum will connect with other GMAT aspirants and get access to the study strategies of students with top GMAT scores. You will also get a 60-day GMAT study plan to help you strategize your preparation effectively.
- Manhattan Prep can be useful for full-length adaptive GMAT practice tests, strength and weakness analysis, tutorials, mock tests, etc.
- Veritas Prep Question Bank and Free Practise test have loads of mock tests and video explanations for all sections that you can access for free.
- GMAT Club has some effective study tools like a GMAT Timer, quant and verbal flashcards, practice materials, and attempt strategies, to name a few.
- Khan Academy is another free resource that you can leverage for conceptual clarity and video lectures. Additionally, there are free GMAT practice tests to maximize your GMAT score.
The Perfect Score In a Nutshell
Tips for Achieving a Top GMAT Score
Getting into top B-schools requires a strong GMAT score. While it’s essential to set realistic goals, aiming for a 700+ score can keep you motivated and consistent. Managing your time wisely, both in and out of the exam hall, is crucial.
1. Regular Practice:
Understanding the GMAT exam structure through regular practice tests is key. These tests help you identify strong areas to boost your score and weak areas to improve on.
2. Time-Bound Plan:
Start with a realistic, time-bound study plan and stick to it. This approach ensures steady progress and keeps you on track.
3. Learn from Toppers:
Study the strategies of past GMAT toppers and find what works best for you. Use GMAT-specific timers, prep books, and full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
4. Master Mental Math:
Reduce time on the quant section by practicing and mastering mental math.
5. Leverage Free Resources:
Take advantage of the free resources available online to enhance your preparation. However, remember that your success ultimately depends on the effort you put in.
By using the best GMAT prep books and dedicating yourself to consistent practice, you can achieve your dream of scoring 700+ on the GMAT.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )
How to prepare for GMAT and How much time does it take?
Studying for the GMAT is not a cakewalk; it surely requires an investment of both time and money to get a 700+ score. It takes 2-3 months to get a hold of the preparation. Using these 2-3 months efficiently and strategizing your preparation with a study plan is important.
How do I prepare for GMAT at home?
GMAT preparation can be done at home with mock and full-length tests available online. You can also buy GMAT preparation books and GMAT study material to get a hold of the nature and pattern of the exam. Focus on time management and be thorough with the basics. You can also ace speed reading and mental math through practice at home.
Is it hard to get 700 in the GMAT?
Statistically, only 20% of candidates can score 700+ in GMAT. It is all due to strong comprehension and analytical skills that they can get such good scores. If you study efficiently, work at pace, and use tactics and GMAT practice tests, you can reach this 20%.
How can I prepare for GMAT in India?
There are a plethora of institutes in India that give GMAT coaching and assistance to freshers. It is best to start studying at least 4-6 months before the exam. Alternatively, you can leverage free GMAT preparation materials for mock tests, timers, study plans, tricks and tools, and tutorials.
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