Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2211:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence Excel in timed test environment- Nov 23
11:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease. 
Nov 2510:00 AM EST
-11:00 AM EST
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors.
27 Jun 2025, 08:42
Kudos
Bookmarks
Why a Topic-by-Topic Study Plan Is Essential for a High GMAT Score
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken with GMAT students who ask, “How do I improve my GMAT score?” and yet are not following any kind of structured study plan. Often, these students are working through a stack of study books and attempting hundreds of random questions. They believe that by simply reviewing answer explanations and doing enough problems, they will eventually improve. If that sounds familiar, it’s important to understand that this method alone is unlikely to move the needle.
One reason is that the GMAT isn’t about how many questions you’ve seen. It’s about how well you understand the underlying concepts and how reliably you can apply those concepts under time pressure. Without a structured plan that focuses on topic-by-topic mastery, you may feel busy and productive but make little real progress.
Keep in mind that the GMAT tests a wide range of skills across Quantitative and Verbal. To build the foundation required to perform well on test day, a linear, topic-by-topic study plan is key. This kind of plan allows you to build up your skills gradually, ensuring that you don’t skip over foundational topics in your rush to feel “ready.”
Here’s what an effective structure looks like: first, learn one topic in detail. Understand the underlying concepts and get comfortable applying them. Then, reinforce your learning by practicing problems that focus specifically on that topic. Once you’re hitting a high level of accuracy and your timing is improving, move on to the next topic.
Eventually, once you’ve built up a solid base, you can start working with mixed-question sets and practice tests to fine-tune your test-taking strategy. But until then, resist the temptation to jump ahead or rely only on passive review.
This kind of structured approach might feel slower in the beginning, but it leads to real, lasting improvements. You’ll feel more confident, solve problems more efficiently, and, most importantly, raise your GMAT score in a sustainable way.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
Moderator:
