Table of Contents
Achieving a good GMAT score is the first step to reaching your dream B-school. If you find it difficult to plan your GMAT exam preparation, read ahead. This 30-days GMAT prep plan will make you all ready to nail the exam. Embark on a journey of achieving your dream GMAT score by putting an ideal study plan in place.
Before moving to the study plan, let’s read a bit about the GMAT exam and the ideal GMAT score to target.
What is the GMAT exam?
The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is a three-hour and thirty minutes standardized test. Business schools all over the world use this test to decide if an applicant is ready to pursue an MBA.
The GMAT exam has four sections which cover a total of 80 questions:
- Verbal Reasoning- 36 questions.
- Quantitative Reasoning- 31 questions.
- Integrated Reasoning (IR)- 12 questions.
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)- 1 question.
Each section has a separate score. The scores are valid for up to five years after taking the test.
Statistics suggest that the average GMAT score for all test-takers in the pandemic year of 2020 was 579. With that in mind, it is easy to gauge the number of candidates who reach the score of 700.
The GMAT test can be a stressful exam that demands months of preparation. For an MBA aspirant, the GMAT exam stands as the single-most-important factor for admission at a reputed university, and the first step to nailing it is setting a score goal. To do this, you need to know what makes up a good GMAT score.
Also Read: Need to Know About the GMAT for MBA
What is Considered a Good GMAT Score?
A good GMAT score helps you obtain admission to one of the top B-schools globally. According to experts, a score anywhere between 670 to 700 is considered good. But if you aspire to enter one of the Ivy League colleges, you need to aim higher.
A good GMAT score also depends on the competitiveness of the program you are planning to pursue. Consider these four factors to determine whether your GMAT score is good:
- Previous batch’s average GMAT score.
- The GMAT score required for obtaining a scholarship.
- The estimated ROI on the basis of the GMAT score.
- Class profile of the previous year.
Anything above 700 is considered a great GMAT score, and your choice of MBA college should drive you to achieve that.
Study Plan for Your GMAT Preparation
Now that we have our basics clear, let’s move on to the GMAT prep strategy. Here’s how you can ace the standardized test with only 4 weeks in hand.
First things first, divide the month into three parts – 12 days, 12 days, and 6 days.
For professionals, we recommend you to spend two hours on workdays and four hours on weekends. One hour can be utilized in the morning to revise concepts, while you can spend one hour at the end of the day to solve real questions.
|
Also Explore these
|
Apart from this, solve as many online and on-paper mock tests as possible.
Let’s break down the three time periods and put a study plan in place.
Day 1 to Day 12
- Revise the basic concepts of the GMAT exam syllabus by spreading them across 11 days.
- Complete two practice tests for AWA.
- On the 12th day, take a timed practice test.
- Make notes and flashcards to memorize your strategies for solving questions.
- Take note of all the errors you make while answering the questions.
Make sure to cover the below-mentioned topics for each section:
Quantitative Reasoning
- Basics of Algebra
- Basics of Geometry
- Interest and Ratios
- Equations and Expressions
- Triangles and Quadrilaterals
Verbal Reasoning Basics
- Critical Reasoning
- Sentence Correction
- Vocabulary and Memorization
- Reading Comprehension
AWA and IR
┏ AWA basics- including the structure of the essay
┏ IR segment tests- two-part analysis, graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning, and table analysis.
Day 13 to Day 24
- Move on to the more advanced topics in the GMAT syllabus by covering them in 9 days.
- Start working on your Integrated Reasoning skills.
- Practice on at least two AWA questions.
- Keep in mind that during the actual GMAT test, you get 2 minutes to answer each question. So start timing yourself while answering these questions.
- Take a complete timed practice test on day 24.
Quantitative Reasoning topics to study
- Probability and Counting Methods
- Polygons, Circles
- Descriptive Statistics
- Rate and Work
- Positive and Negative numbers
Verbal Reasoning topics to study
- Reading Comprehension (Advanced)
- Sentence Comprehension (Advanced)
- Critical Reasoning (Advanced)
Day 25 to Day 30
- Focus on the difficult topics (for you) while revising all the exam material.
- Take two different GMAT practice tests on two consecutive days. Try to take the test as you will do in the actual GMAT environment. Time yourself to understand how quickly you can answer the questions. With each mock test, you should get more comfortable with the time limit and test format.
- Take some time off one day before the test.
Section-wise Test Preparation Tips
- Quantitative section. Utilize the given note board to measure angles or areas in data sufficiency questions. Solving a problem in writing helps. Glance through the answer choices before calculating the answer, as it can help you solve the question much faster.
- Verbal section. Bear in mind that you do not need expert knowledge on a particular topic. Do not make any assumptions and only use the information that is given in the passage to answer the questions.
- AWA section. Go through multiple model essays to get an idea of how you should write the answers. The official website of GMAT has a list of essay prompts that you must read. Make notes while reading through the essays.
- IR section. Practice is the key to perfection. A single question may have multiple parts. Hence, it is important to answer each of those correctly to get credits.
Resources to Refer for Your GMAT Prep
Refer to the official GMAT prep website for taking full-length tests. Some study resources that can prepare you for the GMAT exam are Kaplan GMAT Math and Verbal Workbook, GMAC’s The Official Guide, and Manhattan Prep.
How many questions can you get wrong and still score 700 on GMAT?
You should not make more than 8-10 mistakes (out of 36 questions) in the Verbal section and 6-8 mistakes (out of 31 questions) in the Quantitative section. With these numbers, you are likely to score at least 700 on the GMAT test.
Key Takeaways
- Since individuals take the GMAT exam at various stages of their life, it is important to note the level at which you are starting your preparation. This knowledge, along with an idea of your strengths and weaknesses would enable you to adjust your study plan.
- Taking a diagnostic test online would help you determine your level of preparedness for the exam. Use it to analyze if you need to learn from professionals to ace this exam.
- Once you have defined your target GMAT score, creating a strategy and executing the above study plan would be easier. When you study with the sole purpose of acing the GMAT exam, achieving your target score is only a matter of time!
If you still feel stuck about your GMAT prep or study abroad processes, feel free to reach out to us. We will help you nail the exam and achieve your study abroad dreams.
All the best
People also liked
GMAT
9 secrets you should know about Studying Abroad!