Brand new to GMAT? Here is how to Start:

New to GMAT and Completely Lost? Here is how to get Going!
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Step 1: Find out what score you need
Don't just check averages but check scores for your competitive set at your target program. For example, Ross FT MBA average GMAT is 720 but for Southeast Asian male applicants that score is 750. For more scores, and to understand how to set your target, check average GMAT Scores in Top US Schools


Step 2: Take a diagnostic test
You can take a GMAT Prep from mba.com - these are free tests that are really good and very close to the real deal. Take only 1.


Step 3: determine how much you need to improve.
You may be 50 or 100’s of points away from your goal. Here is a handy guide for improvement from scratch:

• Average Improvement: 100 points – studying casually.
• Top 25% improvement: 150 points – studying with a purpose, taking notes, etc.
• Top 5% improvement: 200 points – continuously pursuing your weaknesses, daily mistake reviews, and methodical focus on the GMAT while sacrificing personal and professional life
• Top 1% improvement: 250+ points – focus on minute details and aspects of test prep, significant changes to study routine, meditation, time hacking, and devotion on the GMAT. Fewer than 10 debriefs on GMAT Club exist for 250+ point improvement.

Step 4: Develop a Study plan and Timeline:

• Ideally spend between 2 and 4 months on the GMAT Prep.
  The more need to improve, the longer it will take but don’t spend more than 4 months as you will have to spend more time refreshing than studying. You should plan to be done with the GMAT at least 1 month before your application deadline. This will allow you to retake if disaster strikes. Ideally you would have 2 months to write your applications.
  
  
• Choose how you will want to prep. Here is what you will need:
  
  
  1. Official Guide Book (this contains 900+ official questions and explanations but nothing else)
  2. A GMAT Course or a Book Set you will use to study for the GMAT. This is where you will study how to deal with square roots, distance problems, assumptions, and how to do it in under 2 minutes.
  
  
  
  Overwhelmed with choices? Here is how to choose:
  
  

  1. Decide if you want a book or a course. For example, Manhattan prep offers the same material in print or in live format. If you are disciplined and more productive unplugging studying with book, then get the MGMAT Book set. It is $130 on Amazon and comes with 6 practice tests.
  
  2. If you want to get higher score improvement, sign up for an in-person or live-online course. You will stay on schedule and will get pushed by your instructor and classmates to perform stronger
  
  3. Want to study anywhere for cheap and feel you can stay disciplined then you can get an on-demand course. Which on demand course is the best? That’s easy - the one that motivates you to study more. All of them offer free trials - sign up and see which ones would motivate you to stay on target for the next 3 months.
  
  4. P.S. don’t buy 2 courses or books for the same job. Start with 1 and consider getting a second option only if you feel you need more specific material. And obviously get the OG for the questions.
  
  
• Books
  
  • By far, the best book set is Manhattan Prep. If you buy the books new, they include access to the 6 Manhattan mock tests. Books are recommended if you like studying with physical media, make notes, highlight things and have a visual memory. Books also allow you to unplug and not be distracted with a device
    
  • If you are in a rush, you can get the 3 Kaplan books (Math Foundations, Verbal Foundations, and Kaplan main book). They do come with Kaplan practice tests that you cannot get otherwise as stand-alone.
  
  
  
• Courses
  
  1. In person – this is the Cadillac of test prep but doing it in person also delivers the highest improvements in scores. Currently only Manhattan Prep offers in person GMAT Prep classes.
  2. Live online – these classes mix live instruction with recorded sessions. Manhattan Prep, Magoosh, Target Test Prep and eGMAT currently offering these. Second highest level of improvement as scheduled sessions push you to cover material faster.
  3. On Demand – this is fully at your pace. The course content contains videos and exercises. There is no scheduled classes but you do get live support in case you have questions or run into trouble. These courses are the best value for the money. Some are only $99 per month. However, just like with books, you have to be disciplined to stay on schedule.
  
  
  
• Practice tests
  (you don’t need them yet) but most people use about 10 practice tests during their prep. Here is what’s currently available on the market:
  
  
  • GMAT Prep – 2 are free and you can purchase 4 more for $108. Expensive
  • Manhattan Prep – you can buy 6 tests for $50.
  • GMAT Club Tests (you can 25 Quant and 9 Verbal sectional tests for $79)
  • Experts Global – you can buy 15 for $49

Step 5: Start studying

Keep an error Log. GMAT Club comes with a built-in error log that you can download in an Excel file. GMAT is a pattern-based test to a large extent. Keep track of your mistakes and while you won’t see the same questions on the GMAT, you will see similar questions.

Step 6: Measure your performance on a daily basis
As you do exercises from the official guide or a course, make sure you are improving and not moving on until you have hit your desired accuracy target. If you need more drills or specific practice, use GMAT Club’s Forum Quiz. This is a tool that allows you to attempt any of the question discussions posted on GMAT Club in a test-like interface. All of your results will be saved in the error log automatically.



Step 7: Register for the test
Do it when you are close to your target score. Change fees are pretty high and online GMAT is available any time, so you can sign up a week in advance. On the other hand, a local test center may get busy before deadlines, so plan accordingly.


Deciding between GMAT Focus and GMAT Classic?
https://gmatclub.com/forum/whew-to-take ... 14128.html



Still have questions?
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