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8 Weeks GMAT Study Plan

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This is an 8 weeks GMAT study plan which will prove to be the best if you are someone on the lookout for a short-term study plan. We also have a separate study plan for the test-takers who are working professionals and cannot give in much time.

GMAT Prep Checklist

Before commencing the preparation process of 8 weeks, it is recommended that all the test takers must keep the following this handy:

  • GMAT Handbook: This includes the prerequisite information like checking the GMAT eligibilities for registration, how to prepare, what to expect on test day. This will gear up the prep game.
  • Full-length practice tests: Make sure you’ve plenty of GMAT sample practice tests as it is the only way to hone your skills.
  • Practice Questions: Selective sections require practice questions to be solved, this is vital after learning any and every new sections
  • GMAT preparation books: IT is mandatory to get hold of GMAT prep books which contains strategies, practice questions, tips and tricks, and lastly written by scholarly ones. Kaplan, Manhattan are great examples when it comes to GMAT prep books.
  • Online calendar: It is crucial to maintain time as GMAT is a time-bound exam and test-takers need to pay heed to the time taken for each section

GMAT 8 Weeks Study Plan

Three very crucial steps should be incorporated by every test-taker before commencing with their GMAT preparation.

STEP 1: Take a Preliminary full-length practice test

This is an important step as this will determine the knowledge level that a candidate possesses during the beginning of the preparation. The verbal, quant, reasoning and analytical writing section scores are to be determined from this preliminary test. The test scores convey information about the types of questions the candidate did well on and also the ones that were difficult to answer.

The next benefit of solving a practice test is, the candidate becomes familiar with the GMAT exam pattern. Once you perceive the whole exam format, an idea will be created in your head as to how the exam will feel like.

The next benefit is you being able to rectify the mistakes by reviewing the test. Once you’re done with the test, the explanatory videos will be very helpful.

Note: The preliminary practice test should be tried to take in a condition similar to that of GMAT. Devote 4 hours of your day to give the exam, and if you plan to skip the essay then 3.5 hours.

STEP 2: Devoting time to create a study schedule

Though it may seem that 2 months is a prolonged time but procrastination is not an option. Studying 5 days a week for 1 and half hours have proven to be beneficial. The study schedule will prove helpful if you are aiming at improving a particular weak section like verbal or quant. To improve that particular section, arrange for flashcards or phone app.

STEP 3: Design a Study Plan

The main factor that has to be kept in mind while making a study plan is – always learn and practice. Following up what you just learnt is the only way to ace the GMAT exam.

What to study? Focus on your preliminary test, notice the portions that you scored less in. start with those sections.

Now let us get hold of a table:

Diagnostic Score 610
Target Score 720
Week 1 Practice Test + Review (6.5 Hours), Class 2 days x 3 hours (6 hours), Study 2 days x 1.5 hours/day (3 Hours)
Week 2 Class 2 days x 3 hours (6 hours), Study 3 days x 1.5 hours/day (4.5 Hours)
Week 3 Class 2 days x 3 hours (6 hours), Study 3 days x 1.5 hours/day (4.5 Hours)
Week 4 Class 2 days x 3 hours (6 hours), Study 3 days x 1.5 hours/day (4.5 Hours)
Week 5 Practice Test + Review (6.5 Hours), (Very busy at work!)
Week 6 Practice Test + Review (6.5 Hours), Study 4 days x 1.5 hours/day (6 Hours)
Week 7 Practice Test + Review (6.5 Hours), Study 4 days x 1.5 hours/day (6 Hours)
Week 8 Practice Test + Review (6.5 Hours), Study 4 days x 1.5 hours/day (6 Hours)

During the last week practice, the sections that are your strengths as this will boost your confidence before the exam. Make sure you’re able to solve every kind of questions.

8 Weeks Study Plan for Working Professionals

Day 1 Preliminary Test as already mentioned
Days 2 – 15 These days should be devoted only for the stronger sections – verbal/quant.
Study the types of questions, both easy and difficult. Take help from explanations in videos or online classes
Practice from the official guides
Days 16 – 40 Devote time for the weaker section.
If you’re weak in the verbal section then start with practising CR, then move to SC and lastly RC.
If you’re finding difficulty in RC then you can do it before.
CR should always be kept at first as it takes comparatively more time and the knowledge can also be applied in RC
Days 41 – 45 These 5 days should be focused only on practising and learning from the mistakes. Mixed practice should be done at this time. After completing any set of questions, move to the explanation section
Day 46 – Take a test This day take a full-length GMAT test in a proper test-like condition and also when you’re fresh – then only the score will be counted.
Take the test from the GMAT official section
Days 47 – 50 Recognise and rectify the process of reaching the answer by studying the last mock test. It happens that the answer is accurate but the method is wrong, if that happens, consider it wrong.
Also, keep an eye on the sections you faltered the most
Devote these 4 days on rectifying the mistakes
Days 51 – 58 Perform the same method of taking the mock tests on day 51, 55 and 57 and reviewing the results on the day in between
This time there should also be a focus on IR and AWA
Day 59 This is a rest day. Do not practice anything or look up the explanations for anything. Panic can cause great problems
Day 60 DAY FOR GMAT

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

BS

Bhavya Singh

18 Mar 21ISB Hyderabad

Several factors affect the chance of a candidate getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad. Not only the GMAT score, but also the application profile, essays, and performance in the interview combined together decides whether a candidate should get a seat or not in such an elite institute. The points listed below are some important aspects to consider for admission to such institutes.

  • There is no fixed cut-off for ISB Hyderabad, as declared by the institute. There are examples of people with a GMAT score of 720 not getting a seat from the interviews. On the other hand, there are candidates with a score of 700-710 but are successful in getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad.
  • GMAT score is not the only criteria for getting a seat, but the door to get an interview call. The quality of essays written by the candidate, his/her application/ profile, and the performance in the interviews are also considered.
  • For candidates with an average profile, a GMAT score of 720+, along with a complete application and a good essay can be considered to have high chances to receive an interview call. After having a call, the rest depends on how the candidate will perform in his/her interview.

This is the overall scenario for admission in ISB Hyderabad, for a student with an average profile.


MN

Mahak Nigam

30 Jun 22Master of Business Administration Degrees & Finance, Aditya Institute of Management Studies and Research

More than 140 Business Schools in India accept GMAT scores. Here is a list of popular B-School that accept GMAT scores.

IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX) IIM Bangalore (EPGP) IIM Calcutta (PGPEx)
IIM Indore (EPGP) IIM Kozhikode (EPGP) IIM Lucknow (IPMAX)
XLRI Jamshedpur MDI Gurgaon IMT Ghaziabad
IIFT Delhi FMS Deli ISB Hyderabad/Mohali

Many other reputed B-School across the country also accept GMAT scores.


AV

Arvind Verma

30 Jun 22Studied at Indian School of Business

ISB Hyderabad accepts both examination scores. So, you can opt for either of GMAT or GRE. Your chances of selection or rejection will remain the same. Go through the examination pattern and syllabus and choose the one in which you feel that you will be able to score better. Ultimately having a good score is what matters during admission. As per the recent trends, ISB Hyderabad cutoff for GMAT is 600, while for GRE it is 311. 


AS

Aditi Sen

12 May 21PGDM from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (2019)

There are many business schools in India that require GMAT scores at the time of admission.

Some of the top business schools with requiring GMAT scores in India are:

Institute Name

GMAT Score

ISB, Hyderabad & Mohali

730 or higher

S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

550

IIM Ahmedabad

711

School of Management, NMIMS Mumbai

600

IIM Bangalore

710

Great Lakes Institute of Management

600

IIM Calcutta

701

XLRI Jamshedpur

710

IIM Lucknow

680

IMT (All campuses)

720

IIM Indore

700

ICFAI Business School (Hyderabad & Mumbai)

700

IIM Kozhikode

700

A few other institutes include - MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, Sunstone Business School Noida, ISB Indore, and more.


NM

Nishad JK Makol

10 Mar 23PGDM Marketing & Consulting, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (2017)

I see that you already have more than 50 months of work experience. My suggestion for anyone with such work experience is to opt for the 1-year PGPM Program rather than the 2-year PGDM Program. Keep working for another year and earn your fee for the 1-year program. This way you will save time. Money and even be spared from investing additional efforts when the same could be done in lesser time. The cutoff for both the programs is

Program

Cutoff

PGPM

660

PGDM

85 Percentile