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GMAT Preparation

Students get ready for the GMAT in different ways. You can take a class, work from a prep book, or devise your own study plan—what matters most is being consistent. The GMAT is like a marathon: To do your best, you need to put in the mileage beforehand. It's tough to get a great score when you show up out of shape and in the wrong shoes—then sprint through a few questions and pull a muscle.

So why is a protracted running analogy useful? Because in GMAT prep it helps to have a training schedule. Here are some tips:

Plan your practice

Prep courses are great because they give you a syllabus to stick to. If you're working on your own, block out your practice times—a half-hour in the morning, five sample questions on your lunch break, a GMAT practice test every weekend. Pace yourself. You'll get the most out of your prep if you can make a plan and follow it, one week at a time.

Target problem areas

All test-takers have question types that give them trouble. If you're in a course that adapts to your progress, you'll know exactly which concepts you need to master before test day. Try tracking the sections that challenge you most. Then, run through GMAT sample questions for each target area until you're good to go.

Don't forget the small stuff

For morning exams, get used to waking up with plenty of time a few days beforehand. Show up early so you're not stressed about time. And most of all, relax! If you've stuck to your practice plan, you'll be in great shape for the GMAT. Breathe deeply, don't second-guess yourself. Just focus on the question at hand, one at a time, and you'll sail through it.

To learn more about finding a prep program that's built for you, check out Knewton's online GMAT course.