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23 May 2025, 09:54
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The Truth About Intelligence and GMAT Prep
Here’s the thing about intelligence, when it comes to the GMAT and in general: it’s not really about what you already know. Rather, it’s about your capacity to learn what you don’t know. And trust me, you have the capacity to learn everything you need to know to perform well on the GMAT.
I have seen PLENTY of students start with practice test scores in the 500s, 400s, and even 200s and end up with 99th percentile scores. Yes, realizing those gains may take a significant amount of time and effort, but it is COMPLETELY doable. And nobody ever said this business school stuff was going to be easy, right?
So, don’t worry about what you don’t know right now. That’s what the learning process is for. If you weren’t capable of learning and growing, you wouldn’t even be in a position to apply to business school. You’ve made it this far because you’ve learned the things you needed to know to get this far. Repeat those successes. There’s no reason to believe GMAT prep will be the one instance in which you’re incapable of learning new things.
Also, try to remind yourself that no one shows up on day one of their GMAT prep already knowing how to do everything. Everyone starts somewhere. And yes, some people may progress faster than others, but that has more to do with their process than their raw intelligence. What matters most is your willingness to show up every day, keep at it, and refine your approach when something isn’t working.
On a more practical level, remember that you can seek support. Say you have particular GMAT weaknesses you can’t get past, or you’re not sure what’s holding your progress back. Just one or two sessions with an experienced tutor can help you diagnose your issues and implement concrete fixes. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and you don’t need to do it all alone.
You can also reach out to friends or colleagues who’ve taken the GMAT, or search forums such as this GMAT subreddit to learn how others in your shoes have overcome the exact same feelings of frustration or inadequacy. Believe me, it’s a common story. Struggling at first doesn’t mean you’re not smart. It just means you’re human.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
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