What is the SAT, And Why Is It Important for College Admissions?

You’re about to embark on a journey that  boosts your chances of getting into the MBA program of your choice.

But how prepared are you? 

Self-preparing for a standardized test like the GMAT is no small feat. Between stacks of study materials, deciding where to begin and how best to proceed can be difficult. 

Don’t worry, though; we’ve got you covered! 

This easy-to-follow guide gives you all the tips and tricks needed for successful GMAT prep. Fom breaking down complex concepts into simple steps to helpful practice strategies and even organizational hacks that maximize efficiency. 

Get ready – it’s time to equip yourself for success! 

Understanding the GMAT Exam Structure

The GMAT exam is made up of four sections:

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

This section tests your ability to think critically and communicate your ideas effectively. It consists of one essay, which you have 30 minutes to complete. 

You will be given an argument and need to analyze it, identify the flaws, and present a strong argument against it. Structuring your essay well and providing clear, concise, and logical arguments is essential. 

Integrated Reasoning (IR)

In this section, you will encounter 12 questions that test your ability to integrate information from multiple sources to solve complex problems. 

There are four different types of questions: 

1. Graphics Interpretation
2. Two-Part Analysis
3. Table Analysis
4. Multi-Source Reasoning. 

You will have 30 minutes to complete this section, so staying focused and managing your time effectively is essential. 

Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

Are you a math whiz? 

Then you will enjoy this section! You will find 31 multiple-choice questions that test your ability to solve mathematical problems and apply quantitative reasoning. The questions cover several topics, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. 

You will have 62 minutes to complete this section, so stay calm and paced as you tackle the questions. 

Verbal Reasoning (VR)

This part of the test checks how well you can read and understand texts, judge the strength of arguments, and fix writing to make it more transparent. You will find 36 multiple-choice questions with three different types: 

• Reading Comprehension 
• Critical Reasoning
• Sentence Correction. 

With 65 minutes to complete this section, we recommend you approach it systematically and read the question thoroughly before answering. 

Developing a Study Plan

Here are a few factors to keep in mind when you start creating your study plan for GMAT prep. But remember to be realistic, focused, and consistent, and you’ll be on your way to acing the GMAT in no time.

• Study Style: The first thing you must determine is your study style. Are you a visual learner who prefers watching videos or a hands-on learner who needs to interact with the material to understand it? Once you know your study style, you can choose the study materials that suit you best.

• Strengths and Weaknesses: The next factor to consider is your strengths and weaknesses. Are you a math wiz but struggling with verbal reasoning? Or you’re a wordsmith, but the sight of numbers gives you hives. 

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses will help you prioritize your study time and focus on the areas that need attention most.

• Time Availability: Another crucial factor is time availability. How much time can you realistically dedicate to studying for the GMAT preparation? 

Are you working full-time and juggling other commitments? Or do you have the luxury of saving entire days to learn? It’s essential to be honest with yourself about how much time you can commit so you don’t burn out too quickly.

• Test Date: Knowing your test date is essential when creating a study plan. If you have a long lead time, you can take a leisurely approach and thoroughly cover all the material. 

If you’re crunched for time, you may need to adopt a more focused approach and spend extra time reviewing your weak areas.

• Study Habits: You also need to consider your study habits. Are you the type of person who can focus for hours on end, or do you need frequent breaks to keep your energy up? 

Do you prefer studying in short bursts throughout the day or setting aside bigger chunks of time? Tailor your study plan to your study habits to ensure maximum productivity.

• Practice Tests: No GMAT preparation study plan is complete without practice tests. These are the best ways to measure your progress and identify areas that still need work. 

Try to take practice tests in timed conditions to simulate test day. But don’t overdo it and burn out on practice tests – ideally, you want to take no more than one per week.

Section-wise GMAT Self-Prep Strategies

GMAT is a challenging exam that requires a lot of preparation. However, with the right strategies and resources, you can boost your score and get into the business school of your dreams. 

Here are some section-wise GMAT self-prep strategies to have you ace this exam quickly.

Analytical Writing Assessment

You must hone your argument analysis and critique skills to ace the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GMAT. To do this, it’s best to practice writing under timed conditions. 

Set yourself a timer for 30 or 40 minutes and write an essay analyzing a given argument. You can find practice prompts online to get you started.

Integrated Reasoning

The GMAT’s Integrated Reasoning (IR) section is all about data interpretation and reasoning. To enhance these skills, check out online resources that mimic the format of this section. 

There are plenty of websites and apps out there that can help, so do a bit of research and find one that works for you.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GMAT is notorious for being harsh, but don’t let that scare you off. First, the key to mastering this section is understanding basic mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. 

Once you’ve got that down, you can move on to more advanced topics. For recommended textbooks and online practice platforms, consult with your tutors.

Verbal Reasoning

To do well in the Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT, you must be prepared for three questions: reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.

You’ll want to focus on improving your vocabulary and grammar to tackle these. This might mean reviewing basic grammar rules, learning new vocabulary words, and practicing identifying sentence errors until you’re a pro.

Tips for Mastering Vocabulary

Vocabulary is essential in GMAT preparation. Using simple words will do the trick in the AWA and IR sections. 

However, having an extensive vocabulary is necessary to score high on the Verbal Reasoning section. Here are a few tips for honing your language:

• Read more books: Reading books is an excellent way to learn new words and see them used in context.
• Watch English TV series: This is an entertaining way to learn new words, idioms, and phrases in everyday conversation. Try to understand the context in which certain words are used and mimic the pronunciation and usage.
• Maintain a Word Diary: Whenever encountering an unfamiliar word, jot it down in a dedicated diary. Research its definition and aim to incorporate it into your conversations or writing.
• Play word games: Word games, like crossword puzzles, can help you learn new words while having fun.
• Use flashcards: Using flashcards is another tool to boost your vocabulary. You can make them yourself using index cards or use online resources.