Learn how to collect the low-hanging fruit—those easy GMAT points—on Test Day. #PredictYourScore
Sometimes boosting your GMAT points isn’t about studying more; it’s about knowing the simple tips that aid in the way tests are scored. Basically, there are easy ways to earn more GMAT points with little effort. Learning how to collect the low-hanging fruit can bring you one step closer to predicting your GMAT score—and boosting it!
You’ve busted your hump studying for this exam, so don’t miss out on the “freebies,” or easy ways to add GMAT points to your score. All it takes is some basic knowledge about the test. Tick these score-boosters off your list, and get ready to target your desired GMAT score.
Score booster #1: On the Verbal section, you’re only scored on the questions you answer
When it comes to the GMAT Verbal section, you’re only scored on the questions you choose to answer. That means you can skip around within the section and answer the questions you’re sure of. Take your time, and omit the questions you don’t have time for. “Don’t worry about needing to race through, checking off random answers,” advises Bloomberg Business. “On average, that will give you no different a score than if you were to leave them blank.”
Score booster #2: On the Quantitative section, leave no question blank
This omit-answers-you’re-not-sure-about advice is by no means universal when it comes to the GMAT. The Quantitative section is a different beast than the Verbal. Your score will decrease significantly with each unanswered question, so it pays to take an educated guess. If you’re not sure of an answer, first eliminate as many wrong answer choices as you can. If two or three are still haunting you, it’s better to guess than leave it blank. A one-in-five chance (or, 20 percent chance, depending on the number of possible answers) is better than a zero-percent change, right?
One thing that won’t help? Marking two answers in hopes one of them will be correct; the GMAT will automatically dismiss this type of answer.
Score booster #3: Don’t get too hung up on any one math problem
Think about it this way: you get 75 minutes for 37 questions in the quantitative section, meaning about 2 minutes per question. If a math question is taking you 5 minutes to answer, that could be a tip-off that there’s a shortcut you’re not thinking of. Knowing beforehand—and while you’re prepping—that all math calculations should take 2 minutes or less will help you know what to expect on GMAT Test Day.
Score booster #4: In Reading Comprehension, look for “opinionated language”
Words like “obviously,” “clearly,” and “hence” show that an author’s opinion is expressed in the passage.” If you can identify the author’s opinion (or lack thereof) by spotting opinionated words like these, that’s an automatic indication of the point of the passage. This will help you move easily move through Reading Comprehension questions.
Now that you know how boosting your test knowledge might boost your score, find out more about how you might do on the GMAT if you took it today. Check out our Score Predictor Quiz to get a sense of where you stand.
The post Predict Your Score: Collect the ‘Easy’ GMAT Points appeared first on Business School Insider.
