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Effective GMAT Self Preparation Tips for High Score

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Jan 24, 2023

GMAT self-preparation requires intense focus and determination. Choosing GMAT self-study would give you the advantage of personalization. Also, it is the best option for candidates having the time or financial problems. GMAT self-preparation includes private tutoring, in-person courses, and online courses. While these are excellent options, they can be quite pricey and lack schedule flexibility, or maybe both. In this article, we talk about a few suggestions for authentic GMAT preparation material, a study plan that may be helpful for you as you begin your self-guided GMAT prep.

How to Prepare for GMAT at Home? 

A lot of test-takers wonder how and from where to start the GMAT preparation. Here are a few GMAT preparation tips that you can use for your GMAT preparation.

Previous Year Question Papers

Practice from previous year’s question papers ensures that you know the entire GMAT syllabus. Taking the mock tests will provide a benchmark for you to judge your current aptitude. Taking GMAT practice tests will benefit you in two major ways:

  1. You’ll be able to identify your weak areas that requires improvement
  2. You’ll gradually develop your confidence and be able to gauge your timing for the duration of the real test

GMAT Preparation Books

A good study guide can change a lot to your self-study regimen. Here are the best GMAT books for self study that you can include in your study plan to enhance your GMAT score:

  • Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review: Check PDF
  • GMAT Advanced Quant By Manhattan Prep-Check PDF
  • The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review-Check PDF
  • Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Strategy Guide-Check PDF
  • GMAT Club Ultimate Grammar- Check PDF

Take Help from Internet 

Browsing through the Internet in search of GMAT materials is an easy option. It is easy to find a solution for any doubt or query. You can download a few GMAT apps, scroll through various websites, run into YouTube for any sorts of help during preparation.

Time Management

The test-takers often prepare for GMAT for weeks, months, and sometimes for years. On average, candidates get the preparation for 3-6 months; however, 8 weeks or 90 hours of compact GMAT time management tips helps the test-takers to secure a sufficient score.

But, – the graph below indicates that studying more hours can serve even more.

Time Management

Complete GMAT Plan for Self-Study

Here is a sample GMAT study plan for you to get an idea of what you can keep in mind while making yours.

Week Objectivs Tasks
Week 1 Understanding GMAT exam pattern and finding out own weaknesses Know each section and subsections of GMAT
Understand the weakness and strengths by taking a mock test
Week 2 Make a good study plan Learn the basics every day
Have a clear idea of graphs and charts
Focus on building analytical skills
Attempt GMAT practice papers
Review the questions and answers
Week 3 Make an assessment to track progress Make a plan for weak subjects
Clear the fundamentals of verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning
Learn more vocabulary every single day
Review the result as compared to the previous week’s performance
Make safe distance from any types of distractions
Week 4 Focus on managing your time Always use a timer while taking the exam
Understand your takt-time for each question type
Get your Solved analytical writing tasks checked by your teachers
Week 5 Use smart tips Learn GMAT preparation tips from GMAT books or online
Understand the explanation of the tips
Apply the tips while taking the mock tests
Week 6 Focus on time Compare the results
Check how much time it takes after answering with tips
Sort the tips you want to use
Week 7 Know about your Readiness Find out your pacing in the mock test
Increase the difficulty level
Lessen the time for each type of question
Week 8 Get ready for GMAT Register for the exam
Take more mock test
Boost up your confidence
Lessen study hour and relax

GMAT Self Preparation Tips

Here are the some GMAT preparation tips that you can follow:

  • Wise Selection of GMAT Preparation Materials

GMAT study materials comprise the previous year’s questions that help the aspirants in better preparation. GMAT practice tests provide the candidates an idea about the question pattern and the difficulty level.

  • Work on your Weakness

While taking mock-test review and recognise your weakness and work on them. You can work on their weaknesses by taking numerous practice tests, watching explanatory videos, studying from the app, and also taking coaching classes.

  • Plan your Time-table

The best way to study for GMAT is to manage your GMAT Preparation Time. Be regular, follow your timetable and try not to procrastinate.

  • Work on Mental Math during GMAT Math Prep

Mental math saves a considerable amount of time during GMAT math prep. Since candidates will not be getting any calculators, honing mental math skills is necessary.

*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