{"id":24050,"date":"2014-05-26T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2014-05-26T15:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/top-3-mistakes-of-gmat-test-takers\/"},"modified":"2014-05-26T08:00:42","modified_gmt":"2014-05-26T15:00:42","slug":"top-3-mistakes-of-gmat-test-takers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/top-3-mistakes-of-gmat-test-takers\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 3 Mistakes of GMAT Test Takers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\"Top<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\"GMAT<\/a>Kaplan GMAT instructors will tell you that we hear common refrains from our students and friends. In my years of teaching, I have compiled a list of three of the most common mistakes my Kaplan students and personal friends have made while they are prepping for the GMAT.<\/p>\n

Mistake #1:\u00a0 Failing to Make Studying Concrete<\/strong><\/p>\n

You've done this at least once. You say you're going to study. You probably said it something like this: \"I have to study for the GMAT this week.\" Then suddenly, it's Sunday night again and another week has passed and you didn't crack a book or open your online syllabus. What happened? When planning your GMAT study,\u00a0be specific. Don\u2019t just say you need to do it, and don't even just list Monday \u2013 \u2018GMAT PREP!!!\u2019 on your calendar. Choose a date and a time and list the aspect of the test that you plan to review: 'Monday, 7-9pm, practice GMAT Reading Comprehension passages'. This will make your schedule organized and actionable.<\/p>\n

Mistake #2:\u00a0 Focusing on GMAT Content (at the Expense of Everything Else)<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is imperative to learn, memorize, and understand GMAT content. \u00a0Many students like to make flashcards of the content areas.\u00a0 (Area of Triangle = \u00bd bh, circumference of a circle: 2(pi)(r), etc.)\u00a0 These equations are important but they won\u2019t translate directly into points on test day. Why? You MUST make them actionable<\/strong>!\u00a0 The equation for the area of triangle is only important when you know when and how to use the formula to find the answer to a GMAT question.\u00a0 The GMAT isn\u2019t testing your ability to memorize formulas \u2013 it is testing your ability to identify the moment and situation when you have to USE the equation.\u00a0 In order to develop this ability, take full-length Computer Adaptive Tests and quizzes.<\/p>\n

Mistake #3:\u00a0 Thinking a Book will Solve Everything<\/strong><\/p>\n

It won\u2019t.\u00a0 Many students prepare very well by using a book.\u00a0 However, it isn\u2019t the book that causes their success \u2013 it is their diligence.\u00a0 A book is a collection of questions and information on content.\u00a0 You have to take this knowledge and apply it to real GMAT practice tests.\u00a0 Studying with a book may earn you a few extra points on test day.\u00a0 However, like everything in business, you get what you pay for - look for a book that comes with online resources and realistic computer adaptive practice to get the most bang for your buck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kaplan GMAT instructors will tell you that we hear common refrains from our students and friends. In my years of teaching, I have compiled a list of three of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,558,243,940],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gmat","category-kaplan-blog","category-blog","category-gmat-prep-gmat","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/120"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24050"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24050\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}