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GMAT Test Taking Tips And Strategies

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Rituparna Nath

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

GMAT test-taking tips will help you get through the exam day and ace the exam. GMAT tips and tricks include making a proper study plan and following it consistently. The best way to study for GMAT is to practice a lot of reading and writing for GMAT Analytical Reasoning, English grammar rules for GMAT verbal and IR, practice algebra, arithmetic, and geometry for GMAT quant.

GMAT Prep Strategy

To ace the GMAT test, you need to go over several last-minute GMAT study tips. GMAT tips and tricks help you maximize your performance and make sure you learn proper GMAT time management.

Here are some last minute GMAT tips that you can include in your GMAT study plan to get through the questions in the exam:

  1. Smart Guessing

It is important to complete the exam on time, hence you can’t afford to waste time over a single question for long. Here is a trick to deal with the question. You can eliminate the answer choices which you are sure won't fit the question. Then it is easier to guess the right one. Don’t hesitate to take a guess. Then move on to the next.

  1. Choose the shortest ones in Sentence Correction Answers Options

In case you’re stuck on a GMAT sentence correction question and need to guess, choose the shortest one. This generally prefers concise options over longer ones

  1. Do Back Calculation for Math Problems

For GMAT quant problem-solving questions you can often work backward to save time. You might have heard of these GMAT tricks as “plug and chug.” For example, if the answer choice D is 25 and it’s too low, you can eliminate answer choices A and C if they’re, say, 16 and 18.

  1. Make use of Scratch Paper

During the test, you will be provided with a double-sided laminated GMAT scratch paper to write on with a marker. This will help you to remember important details from reading comprehension passages or math problems. This would help you remember small details.

  1. Outline Your Essay

Outlining your GMAT AWA essay beforehand will save your time and will help you produce better results. It makes sure that you organize your ideas and express them more cogently and effectively. And also you can refer back to it as you write, so you won’t forget any initial thoughts you had while reading.

GMAT Test Day Tips

Here are some tips that you can follow on your test day:

  • Don't overstrain yourself on the day before your test.
  • Do finish studying early. Take the evening off to do something relaxing.
  • Do get a good night’s sleep.
  • Do wake up early and have breakfast.
  • Arrive at the GMAT test center at least half an hour before your scheduled exam time.
  • Take your passport as a photo ID
  • You are allowed two eight-minute breaks between the GMAT sections. It is advised that you take them. You should spend at most 5 minutes outside the testing room.
  • Carry little food like protein bars and water bottles which will help you to rejuvenate yourself during the break.
  • While selecting the GMAT Section order, choose the one which you are most confident about.
  • To stay focused for four hours during the GMAT exam is tough. Thus during GMAT preparation distribute your study time evenly.
  • If you come across difficult and unknown questions, do not hesitate to skip them and come back later. Staying calm is the best way to get through and ace the GMAT.
  • If you face any problem during the exam with the computer or other things, raise your hand to get the attention of the invigilator.

Things to carry on the GMAT exam day

There are a few necessary things you will need to carry with you on the GMAT test day.

  1. Approved ID which matches all the local ID requirements, otherwise, your registration fee might be forfeited.
  2. Your name and date of birth must be mentioned on the ID, and match with the information given during registration.
  3. You must carry your GMAT appointment confirmation.
  4. You must carry a 1-liter bottle of water and/or an energy drink, healthy snacks.
  5. You Must not carry watches, notebooks, or phones inside the testing room.
  6. Do not carry earplugs, backpacks, wallets, or purses in the exam room.

GMAT Verbal Tips

The GMAT verbal questions are complicated and proper tricks are needed to solve GMAT verbal questions. Questions of these sections are Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning.

GMAT Tips Sentence Correction Opt for the most precise answer Pick the most concise answer
GMAT Tips Reading Comprehension The questions may confuse you – so read the passage first Don’t hurry in finding the answers Check all the answers before marking
GMAT Critical Reasoning Tips Notice the stem of the question before proceeding Understand the question types and stay logical

GMAT Quant Tips

The GMAT quant section is very tricky with the data sufficiency and Problem-Solving questions and the following tips can help you here:

GMAT Tips Conjunction of the Number Plugin the numbers to make the questions easier.
For questions, use the 12TEN trick to solve the question easily. In this question, the options look much similar, so check the options twice before marking them.
Problem Solving Tips Estimate the closest answer where answers are given in the form of exponents.
Use divisibility rules for large numbers

GMAT Tips for Integrated Reasoning

The exclusive test-taking strategies for integrated reasoning include:

  • Calm down even if you get a very critical graph or image
  • Fetch the data wisely
  • Don’t skip any information even if it appears unimportant
  • Work on your graph reading skills.
  • Develop a timed practice test habit.
  • Try answering realistic sample questions.
  • Practice using the on-screen calculator.

GMAT Essay Tips

The best way to prepare for GMAT analytical writing assessment is to:

  • Structure a template to have a smooth flow of writing
  • Plan the essay in five minutes and have a clear thought
  • Write in connecting paragraphs
  • Try to use your own words
  • Focus on outline
  • Keep in mind the common flaws of AWA essays
  • Practice writing

*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