All TTP Fun Friday GMAT Tips at one place

Question

No.   
 
    Topic   
 
    Post

1. 
 
 Focus on One Step at a Time to Stay Motivated During Your GMAT Prep 
  Post  
 
   2. 
 
 The GMAT Myth of Being a “Math Person” Is Harmful 
  Post   
 
   3. 
 
 Make Sure to Study a Little Each Day, Even When You Lack Motivation! 
  Post  
 
   4. 
 
 A 1% GMAT Improvement Each Day Leads to a Top Score Faster Than You Think 
  Post  
 
   5. 
 
 Debunking the GMAT Myth About the First 7 Questions 
  Post  
 
   6. 
 
 Use Visualization and Deep Breathing to Relieve GMAT Test-Day Pressure 
  Post  
 
   7. 
 
 Why Treating the GMAT Like a "Knowledge Test" Might Actually Hold You Back 
  Post  
 
   8. 
 
 The Smarter Way to Identify and Fix GMAT Quant Weaknesses 
  Post  
 
   9. 
 
 Think Twice Before Sacrificing GMAT Verbal Questions to Catch Up on Time 
  Post  
 
   10. 
 
 Why Your “GMAT Verbal Gimmicks” Might Be Hurting Your Score 
  Post  
 
   11. 
 
 Why Knowing the Content Isn’t Always Enough on the GMAT 
  Post

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Focus on One Step at a Time to Stay Motivated During Your GMAT Prep

If you feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn for the GMAT, you’re not alone!

It is a super-common scenario for students to feel as though the long road ahead of them when they begin their GMAT studies is insurmountable. Particularly if you’re going to school or working full-time while studying for the GMAT, you may think you’ll never be able to “do it all.” That mindset can crush your study motivation, making studying for the GMAT seem like a losing battle before the battle has really begun.

The best way to cope with feeling overwhelmed about your GMAT studies is to make your tasks smaller! Learning everything you need to know to score high on the GMAT is a big project that may span months. But what about learning a single concept? How about one strategy for one question type? Not such big projects, right?

The truth is, one of the most effective study habits out there when it comes to the GMAT is learning one topic at a time, starting with the most basic topics and working your way up to the more advanced ones. Luckily, this also happens to be one of the most motivational study techniques. Why? Because it allows you to accomplish something in a short span of time, consistently. Thus, you make meaningful gains in your GMAT knowledge and skill essentially every time you study.

When you take GMAT prep one step at a time, you’re always moving forward, which does wonders for your level of optimism about the exam.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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The GMAT Myth of Being a “Math Person” Is Harmful

It’s tempting to assume that GMAT math is easy for others, since you don’t see the many steps they’re taking to improve their Quant scores. For instance, you don’t see:

their late nights of studying math concepts and working through practice problems 
 their Saturdays spent taking practice tests 
 the dozens of hours they spend with GMAT math tutors 
 how many times they took the GMAT before earning a top score on the Quant section 
 the math anxiety they have to overcome

Simply put, you don’t get to see the effort that went into the final product.

Also, sometimes people make the process look easy — we’ve all read the stories online. For some people, taking a few practice tests or studying math for a month leads to a Q90 score. But do you know those people’s histories? Do you know whether their parents emphasized math study, or whether they have math-heavy jobs?

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a prodigy or someone who has “always” been skilled at something to learn to be great at it. And, more importantly for our purposes, you don’t have to be a math whiz to excel at GMAT math. Solving GMAT math problems requires advanced analytical reasoning skills but not advanced math skills. Do you know what level of math is on GMAT? The actual math concepts in GMAT questions don’t rise beyond those you covered in high school. Do you need innate talent to master high school math? Or do you simply need to put in the work and have confidence that you can succeed?

Why This Myth Is Harmful

Maybe in high school or college, you did not perform as well in math classes as some of your peers. You might have assumed that their higher math grades and great test scores were the result of “natural” abilities. It’s easy to make these assumptions because they explain the situation and provide a convenient excuse. Those people are simply better at math than you are!

The problem is, if you believe that you’re not a math person, you’re likely to put in less effort when studying or preparing for math tests. On some level, you’ll feel that your situation is hopeless. And if you don’t put in as much effort, even subconsciously, then your performance actually does suffer. As you continue to perform poorly in math, you see confirmation of your beliefs. The pattern repeats, and the story you’ve told yourself becomes reality.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Make Sure to Study a Little Each Day, Even When You Lack Motivation!

Every GMAT student agrees that studying can be grueling! Understandably, you might want to choose other aspects of your life over GMAT studying. Here’s the thing. Your daily level of  dedication, motivation, and discipline  will either contribute to or detract from your GMAT success.

Stick to your study plan! However, it’s understandable that if you study hard for a few weeks straight, you might want to give yourself a cheat day. That’s okay, as long as you change your study schedule to reflect your day off.  Just don’t let one day off from studying turn into two or three . Alternatively, if you can’t bear the thought of a full study session, at least flip through your flashcard deck or do a 20-question mixed review. The key idea is to keep your forward momentum even on days when you would rather flip burgers for the rest of your life than study for the GMAT.

Keeping your GMAT prep as your most important daily activity will get you through those tough days. Remember, it’s only for a couple of months, and it will pay big dividends for the rest of your life.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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A 1% GMAT Improvement Each Day Leads to a Top Score Faster Than You Think

We all have days when we feel on point—everything flows smoothly, our focus is sharp, and progress comes easily. It’s as if we have it all together, and every task runs like clockwork. On the other hand, there are days when even the simplest things feel challenging, when motivation dips, and when we have to put in extra effort just to accomplish what we set out to do. And that’s okay. Growth isn’t about being perfect every day; it’s about showing up and making progress, no matter how small.

Striving for perfection isn’t a bad thing. High standards can push you to do your best. However, when you have multiple responsibilities and goals competing for your attention, it’s important to give yourself permission to be human. Some days, you’ll exceed expectations, and other days, you may fall short. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t growing. Real progress happens in the space between success and failure—where you challenge yourself, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward. If you can recognize the areas where you can improve, even just a little, you’re already on the path to success.

The key is to set realistic, quantifiable standards that help you track your growth without feeling overwhelmed. Small, consistent improvements compound over time, leading to significant progress. Instead of aiming for flawless execution, aim for steady advancement. As Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg wisely said, “Done is better than perfect.” Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that every step forward—no matter how small—gets you closer to your goal.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Debunking the GMAT Myth About the First 7 Questions

Maybe at some point during your GMAT test prep, you heard that if you correctly answer the first 5-7 questions in each GMAT section, you automatically get a great score. Maybe you decided that this   “secret weapon”   would give your score that extra little boost it was missing. Maybe, as a result, you experienced a GMAT score drop.

Myths about the GMAT are never in short supply, but the myth of the first 7 questions is one with serious staying power. Unfortunately, overinvesting time in the first 7 questions of a GMAT section to better your chances of getting them correct can actually have a negative impact on your score.

For one thing,  answering the first several questions correctly does not mean that the GMAT scoring algorithm will have you pegged as a “high scorer.”  Furthermore, by spending extra time on those initial questions, you’ll likely end up rushing at the end of the section. You may even have to guess on several questions. Either of those scenarios could hurt your accuracy and your score.

So, even if at question 7 you had a very high score, by the time you reach the last question in the section (if you make it there), your score will have plummeted.

Are the first 7 questions of a section important? Sure. But all of the questions in a section are important. So, stick with a timing strategy that allows you to pace yourself methodically throughout a section. This approach gives you the best chance to correctly answer each question, not just the early questions.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Use Visualization and Deep Breathing to Relieve GMAT Test-Day Pressure

Did you know that developing the determination to find the correct answer—no matter what—can add 5 or more points to your GMAT Verbal score? It’s true!

The secret lies in learning to sit with the discomfort you feel when tackling challenging Verbal practice questions. Pushing through that discomfort, rather than letting it overwhelm you, is key to building the mental resilience you’ll need to excel on test day.
 
Think of it as strengthening your GMAT Verbal "muscles." Just like lifting heavy weights in the gym helps build physical strength, persevering through tough questions sharpens your analytical and critical thinking skills. The more you practice navigating through the discomfort of uncertainty, the stronger and more confident you’ll become in solving even the trickiest Verbal questions.

Scientific studies back this up. Research shows that mindset plays a crucial role in test prep. For instance, reframing anxiety as excitement has been shown to improve test performance and grit—the ability to persevere through challenges—is a major predictor of success. If we avoid discomfort when something doesn’t come easily, we never give ourselves the chance to grow to a point where it does. Discomfort is often the first step toward mastering something new, and embracing it can turn frustration into a powerful tool for improvement.

When practicing for GMAT Verbal, expect to feel confused or challenged at times. Instead of letting that feeling discourage you, welcome it. Recognize that it’s a natural part of the learning process. Every time you push through those moments of discomfort, you’re rewiring your brain to think more critically and efficiently. These are the very skills that will help you tackle the heavy lifting of GMAT Verbal on test day.

So, the next time you’re stuck on a tough question, resist the urge to give up. Say to yourself, “This is hard, but I can figure it out.” Remind yourself that confusion is not a sign of failure but a signal that you’re challenging yourself in the right ways. With each question you work through, you’re not just practicing—you’re growing, learning, and moving closer to your target score.

Remember, growth happens in moments of discomfort. Embrace those moments, persevere through the challenge, and watch your GMAT Verbal score soar to new heights!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Why Treating the GMAT Like a "Knowledge Test" Might Actually Hold You Back

The fact that you’re preparing for the GMAT — an entrance exam for graduate business school — suggests that you’ve already taken your fair share of written tests. So, it’s only natural to assume that you’ve developed a sense of what tests are all about and how to prepare for them. But here’s the catch: the GMAT isn’t just another test. It’s a unique assessment with its own logic, its own rhythm, and its own rules. And that means your usual test-prep instincts — the strategies that may have served you well in college — might actually hold you back here.

Many standardized tests are designed primarily to assess knowledge. So if you’re someone who’s always been great at memorizing facts and formulas, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that acing the GMAT is just about “knowing more.” But while you do need a solid foundation of math and grammar knowledge, the GMAT doesn’t care nearly as much about what you know as it does about how you think.

Take the Quant section, for instance. Yes, it covers math topics — arithmetic, algebra, and so on — but the goal of GMAT Quant isn’t to test your math knowledge. Instead, it uses relatively basic concepts as a framework for assessing how well you can reason through complex, unfamiliar problems. It’s less about crunching numbers and more about critical thinking — recognizing patterns, eliminating traps, and using logic to arrive at efficient solutions. Often, the fastest way to solve a problem isn’t the most “mathematical” one, but the one that requires the sharpest insight.

The same goes for the Verbal section. It’s not about vocabulary or obscure grammar rules. It’s about how you interpret, evaluate, and break down information. Can you spot assumptions in an argument? Can you distinguish between what the passage says and what it implies?

In other words, the GMAT is less of a knowledge test and more of a reasoning test. And that means mastering the GMAT is less about cramming facts and more about developing cognitive skills — skills that take time, deliberate practice, and the right approach to build.

So, if your GMAT progress has stalled, ask yourself this: am I trying to master the test by treating it like a test of knowledge? If so, it might be time to reset your mindset. The real path to GMAT success lies in training your mind to think the way the test requires — analytically, strategically, and flexibly.

Once you start seeing the GMAT for what it really is, you’ll be in a much better position to tackle it head-on.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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The Smarter Way to Identify and Fix GMAT Quant Weaknesses

You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken — and that’s exactly why practicing GMAT Quant questions is so important. One crucial reason to spend time practicing GMAT Quant questions is to figure out which math concepts give you trouble. It’s one thing to understand the broad strokes of a topic and be able to solve straightforward example questions, but can you solve questions testing the topic in unfamiliar ways? Or questions testing less-common aspects of the topic?

To be prepared for whatever comes your way on test day, you must work to identify and address specific weaknesses. For example, saying “I struggle with work problems” is not as helpful as identifying the specific work concepts that cause trouble for you. Perhaps you’re good at combined worker problems in which each worker works for the same amount of time, but you have trouble with problems in which one worker stops before the other. By determining exactly which concepts you struggle with, you can more efficiently resolve those issues.

Sometimes, the issue isn’t just content-related but strategy-related. For instance, maybe you understand the math involved in weighted averages, but you frequently make small calculation errors, or you rush through the setup and misinterpret what the question is asking. These kinds of recurring mistakes can quietly hold back your score if you don’t take the time to identify and fix them.

So, how do you identify your weaknesses? One effective method is to maintain a detailed error log as you practice. Track each question you miss and categorize your errors by topic and type. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns—maybe you consistently misread certain types of questions or struggle with particular setups. By logging and reviewing your errors this way, you can easily pinpoint specific areas for improvement and develop a more focused study plan.

The bottom line is, you don’t want to just practice GMAT Quant—you want to practice with purpose. That means reflecting on your performance, identifying patterns in your mistakes, and targeting your weak points until they become strengths.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Think Twice Before Sacrificing GMAT Verbal Questions to Catch Up on Time

Here’s the thing: you have no way of accurately assessing whether the GMAT considers a question easy, hard, or in between. So, blindly sacrificing questions in an effort to catch up on time is a very risky strategy. After all, randomly guessing on (and missing) an easy question — or multiple easy questions — can significantly hurt your score.

For example, let’s say you’re on question 13 with only 16 minutes left on the clock. The idea is that you’d sacrifice questions 14 and 15 to catch up on time. However, it isn’t prudent to throw away questions that you may be able to quickly answer. Furthermore, if you throw away a question that the test expects you to get right, your score will be penalized heavily.

Unfortunately, the idea that you should jettison random questions if you’re behind the clock is common in GMAT circles. A smarter strategy is to kick your executive decision-making prowess into high gear. Quickly and objectively evaluate whether you have a reasonable hope of efficiently answering the question in front of you. If you’re spending too much time on a question and feel no closer to the answer, make an educated guess and move on. If you recognize early that you have little hope of correctly answering and you’re short on time, take some time to eliminate answers and make your best guess, then keep moving.

The key is to remain calm and stick to a structured time management strategy. Don’t panic. You’ll likely have a mix of challenging and approachable questions throughout the section. That’s just the nature of the GMAT. So, rather than panic and sacrifice questions at random, rely on your judgment and test-day poise to navigate time crunches strategically.

Randomly jettisoning questions has the potential to hurt your Verbal score more than it helps. Don’t roll the dice!

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Why Your “GMAT Verbal Gimmicks” Might Be Hurting Your Score

If our explanations for why a Verbal answer choice is correct or incorrect are based on gimmicks instead of sound logic, then regardless of what other strategies we use, we’re unlikely to consistently get questions correct.

This may sound obvious, but it’s an easy trap to fall into. When we’re trying to move quickly or feel unsure, we often look for shortcuts—ways to make decisions without fully engaging in the reasoning process. And on the GMAT, that can backfire.

For example, let’s say you were solving the following GMAT Critical Reasoning practice question:
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(A) Because fig trees can thrive in a range of climates, it is possible to grow figs in many areas of the country.

Many GMAT students might say that choice (A) is a good one because it “seems realistic.” But here’s the problem—what’s “realistic” in the real world doesn’t necessarily make sense in the world of GMAT logic. “Realistic” isn’t a valid criterion for choosing an answer.

Another common gimmick is automatically eliminating answers with “extreme” words like all, none, or always. Yes, extreme language can be a red flag. But it's not a guarantee that the answer is wrong. If the passage or argument justifies the extreme claim, then the answer could be 100% correct. So instead of thinking, “This word looks too strong,” ask yourself whether the reasoning actually supports the strength of the claim.

You may also see people advise choosing answers that “use the same words” as the passage. That too can be misleading. Just because an answer mimics the passage’s language doesn’t mean it reflects the author’s intended meaning. The GMAT often includes trap answers that sound familiar but are logically off-base.

So, what do all these gimmicks have in common? They don’t require any real thinking. They let us feel like we’re solving questions without actually engaging with the logic of the argument, the evidence in the passage, or the reasoning behind the answer choices.

If you want to truly improve your Verbal score, your goal should be to build airtight reasoning for every decision you make. That means identifying exactly why an answer is correct, using the information in the passage or the logic of the argument—not gut instinct, familiarity, or rule-of-thumb tricks. If your reasoning is vague—“this feels wrong” or “this seems close”—you’re missing a learning opportunity. The GMAT doesn’t reward guessing well. It rewards reasoning well.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

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Why Knowing the Content Isn’t Always Enough on the GMAT

If your GMAT score isn’t improving despite all the time and effort you’ve put into studying, it might not be your understanding of the material that’s holding you back. Instead, the issue could be how you're handling the test itself.

It’s common for test-takers to build solid content knowledge but still struggle on test day. One reason this happens is that, under pressure, old habits resurface. You might rush through a question, second-guess yourself, or forget to apply the strategies you practiced. When that happens, even though you know the material, you aren’t able to use that knowledge effectively when it matters most.

Timing can also be a major factor. You may find that you’re spending too much time on difficult questions, which puts you behind schedule and forces you to rush through the rest of the section. Or you might reach the end of a section with unanswered questions, leaving easy points on the table. Either way, poor pacing can undermine the accuracy you’ve worked so hard to develop.

If you’re consistently doing well in practice but struggling during full-length tests or official exams, it’s a sign that you need to shift your focus. Content mastery is important, but so is learning how to stay calm, manage your time, and apply your strategies under real test conditions. These are all part of what it means to be “test-ready.”

Improving your score from here may not be about learning more, but rather about performing better with what you already know. That means treating full-length practice tests as opportunities to refine your pacing, maintain your focus, and respond effectively to pressure.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

VirenderSingh092 · Answer

This is very true in my case. Beyond a point I realized that accurate execution mattered more than just knowledge. GMAT is a lot about executing your preparation than widening the scope of your knowledge beyond what's required.

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All TTP Fun Friday GMAT Tips at one place

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My Rewards

No.	Topic	Post
1.	Focus on One Step at a Time to Stay Motivated During Your GMAT Prep	Post
2.	The GMAT Myth of Being a “Math Person” Is Harmful	Post
3.	Make Sure to Study a Little Each Day, Even When You Lack Motivation!	Post
4.	A 1% GMAT Improvement Each Day Leads to a Top Score Faster Than You Think	Post
5.	Debunking the GMAT Myth About the First 7 Questions	Post
6.	Use Visualization and Deep Breathing to Relieve GMAT Test-Day Pressure	Post
7.	Why Treating the GMAT Like a "Knowledge Test" Might Actually Hold You Back	Post
8.	The Smarter Way to Identify and Fix GMAT Quant Weaknesses	Post
9.	Think Twice Before Sacrificing GMAT Verbal Questions to Catch Up on Time	Post
10.	Why Your “GMAT Verbal Gimmicks” Might Be Hurting Your Score	Post
11.	Why Knowing the Content Isn’t Always Enough on the GMAT	Post