Advices to prepare for GMAT exam to be taken in 3 years

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm super new to GMAT and this forum but I'm looking for some advices on how to best prepare for GMAT test which I'll take in about 3 years. Here are some of my questions:

1. What are some suggestions on materials and learning strategies you'd give to an undergraduate student who's looking to score 650 and who is really new to GMAT format?

2. What was your study plan like when you prepared for your GMAT test?

3. How much time did you spend each day on studying?

Thank you so much!!!

AjiteshArun · Answer

I'd work on the basics (quant and reading) if I had to, but why are you looking to get started  so  early?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamtrangdoan,

To start, if you're not really planning to take the GMAT for several years, then you probably have little to work on at this point. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, but even if you were to spend longer than that (for example, 6 months or more), then you would still be a couple of years away from when you should begin your prep.

The Official GMAT Score that you earn on Test Day is valid for up to 5 years, so to make sure that you're properly thinking about your timeline, I have a few questions about your current plans:

1) Since you're still an undergraduate at this point, when do you anticipate graduating with that degree?
2) When do you think you would be applying to Business School (or some other degree, such as a Masters)?
3) While not all Business School Programs require that applicants have significant Work Experience, most do. Are you planning to enter into the work force for some time before you apply (and if so, then for how long?)?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

iamtrangdoan · Answer

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC,

1. I'm graduating in a few months and I'd like to take early actions on my GMAT prep

2. My MBA application does require GMAT and at least 2 years of experience. I plan to go for my MBA in 2023-2024

3. I plan to work for at least 3 years before taking the GMAT test, which means it'll some time in the middle of 2022. If the test score is not what I expect, I plan to retake if need to.

When do you think should be the best time to start my GMAT prep if I am to do it in 2022 (with a condition that my job occupies most of my time)?

Thank you so much!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamtrangdoan,

At this point, there's no way to be sure exactly when you should begin your studies (since we're talking about a hypothetical job that you don't even have yet). Assuming that you end up applying to Business School some time in 2022, then if we assume that you'll be applying for Round 1 (in or around September, 2022), then it would make sense for you to formally begin your studies in early 2022. This would give you time to focus on that one piece of your applications without having to work too much on anything else. All of this is contingent on a number of variables that have not occurred yet though, so you should keep your plans flexible.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi iamtrangdoan,

I’m happy to answer your questions; however, given that you are not looking to take the GMAT for a number of years, I honestly would not stress about the test quite yet. I see that you are still in college, so for now, just go enjoy the good life! You’ll thank me for that advice one day

.

I look forward to hearing from you in 2021.

. I look forward to hearing from you in 2021.

MathRevolution · Answer

Hi, iamtrangdoan

Welcome to GMAT CLUB. We are glad to hear that you are trying to prepare for and learn about GMAT test, since early bird can achieve the goal more easily and quickly. If we know specific information about you, we can give you more useful and effective advice. So if you have more questions or need more advice, you can reach us at [email protected].

1&2. 650 is an achievable score. The thing is that planning studying strategy depends on your score you got on a mock test or an official test. So, we want you to take mock or official exam first to check your level and find out your weaknesses. Also, it is really important to focus on either Quant or Verbal, which means that you’d better set priorities to see improvements on your test. As our company is specialized in Quant, we want to say that it is much easier to improve Quant score if you have your strategy or way to solve the questions. Take MATH REVIEW course, which most of the gmat company offers for the beginner who needs to learn basics again. The way teaching basics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry and word problem) and skills are different by companies and you should choose one that takes your fancy. If your basic math concepts are solid, you may skip this step. Then we recommend you to focus on DS first, then PS. Math Revolution’s ‘IVY approach’ for PS and ‘Variable approach’ for DS guarantee high accuracy and quick solving. We apply ’variables–equations matching system’ to the DS questions, which is counting the number of variables and equations given in the question. By doing so, you can determine which answer choice will most likely be the answer. Then, you can apply our ‘IVY approach’ to PS type questions. Our IVY approach for PS can give you lots of tips and techniques to find the answer quickly and easily. Most of our students have 10 minutes to spare on the real test. (More information about our approach: https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/vs)

3. You should spend at least 3 months. As for Quant, you should spend 3-4 hours a day for 3 months.

☞ Students with a score of 45-49 ==> 1-3 month
☞ Students with a score of 35-44 ==> 2-3 months.
☞ Students with a score of less than 34 ==> 2-5 months.

Success is within your reach,
Good luck!

deddex · Answer

Hi iamtrangdoan , If you are a non native English speaker I would highly recommend you to start cultivating a habit of reading - this will help you immensely in improving your verbal section on the GMAT; start reading good novels if it interests you, etc. More on this from mikemcgarry here ---> https://magoosh.com/gmat/2014/how-to-im ... bal-score/

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Answer to your all three questions - I hope you find in this post Best Books For Concept Learning Manhattan Quant Guides Manhattan Verbal Guides For CR: The Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible For RC: Aristotle RC Grail For Practice The Official Guide for GMAT 2015-19 The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2015-19 The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2015-19 Best Courses (Budget) 1. e-GMAT 2. Empower GMAT 3. Math Revolution (Only Math) You can start with Quant or Verbal which suits you. If you have started with Quant then Start with the Arithmetic but if started with verbal then start first with Sentence correction. One month for learning Quant concepts and one month for practicing question and same practice for Verbal. During you Practicing question don't forget to make an error log to track your weak areas after practice. Once you know your weak areas revise your Concepts related to those areas and do some more Practice. 6-8 CATs are enough for practice the real tests. Make your Stamina for sitting 3 hours in the test and don't study more than 2 hours in one sit and 4 hours per day Top CATs for Practice 1. Official GMAC CATs 2. Manhattan CATs 3. Kaplan CATs 4. GMAT Club Quant CATs Other Helpful Posts Best GMAT Courses https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-co ... ml?fl=menu GMAT Study Plan https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-study-p ... ml?fl=menu https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-self-pr ... tml?f=menu Best Books Quant https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ma ... ml?fl=menu Verbal https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu All GMAT CATs https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-pra ... ml?fl=menu GMAT Timing Strategies https://gmatclub.com/forum/timing-strat ... ml?fl=menu Good Luck

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi iamtrangdoan, Welcome to GMATCLUB. You should dedicate around 3 months to study for your GMAT. You should begin by taking a GMATPREP Mock. You can then know your weaknesses and can work on them. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for that period, you are sure to achieve your goal. I believe you may benefit from taking a GMATPREP course. If you are willing, there are some great GMAT prep companies that can help you with your preparation. In order to make an informed decision I would highly encourage you to go to their websites and try on their free trial and decide for yourself which one do you like better. You try out free access to EmpowerGMAT, Magoosh and Optimus Prep as they have great reviews on GMATCLUB. Also for verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can easily track your progress in that you can identify your strengths and analyze and improve on your weak areas. You can also try out the MGMAT guides they are phenomenal and cover the entire syllabus really well. Just by going through these guides and solving the OG will help you reach 600+.I must add that if you are particularly looking to discover and improve on your weak areas in Quant; a subscription to GMATCLUB tests is the best way to do that. They are indeed phenomenal and will not only pinpoint your weak areas but also help you improve on them. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase GMATPREP QP 1 for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu Lastly, you can check out a very interesting article by Mike McGarry from Magoosh detailing a 3 month study plan https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... -students/. You will find it very helpful as it gives out a study plan as per your needs. Hope this helps. All the best.

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

Why do you want to take the GMAT after three years and aim a score of 650. Did you mean to say three months? If yes then its ok!! All the best in any case with your prep!!

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