Maximizing Your GMAT Success: A 30-Day Preparation Plan
Welcome to a comprehensive guide on how to effectively prepare for the GMAT in just 30 days. This concise yet vigorous plan has been outlined based on expert advice and practical experiences, helping you optimize your time and effort for a high score.
Essential GMAT Preparation Tips in 30 Days
My name is Martina Huffman, and I have distilled valuable insights from Lara Garrison’s free e-book, a renowned CFO from KPMG in Virginia Beach, USA. This guide focuses on daily study habits, identifying weaknesses, efficient studying, and practical tips to keep you motivated.
1. Commit to Daily Study
Studying every day is key to staying on track. Start with the GMAT Official Guide to get a broad overview. Even if you don’t complete it, use a variety of resources like e-books, podcasts, or flashcards. Here are some effective ways to incorporate GMAT practice into your daily routine:
During your commute, read or do problems on public transit or listen to podcasts. At red lights or while waiting in traffic, use this time to review flashcards or recite prime numbers. At home, have your family or roommates quiz you on GMAT concepts.While sitting at your desk for long hours might seem tempting, mix it up to stay engaged and immersed in the GMAT world.
2. Identify and Tackle Weaknesses Immediately
Identifying and addressing your weak areas is crucial. Here are some strategies:
Math skills rusty? Start with your basics like multiplication tables. Struggle with Critical Reasoning? Read the Economist or the New York Times to build skills. Having trouble with Reading Comprehension? Practice on articles from these sources.By recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, you can refine your study plan and make the most of your limited time.
3. Study Short Blocks, Rotating Concepts
To avoid burnout, distribute your study sessions effectively. Try to hit at least 3 different question types in a day. For example:
1.5 hours of Reading, 2 hours of Quant, and then a break before 2 hours of Sentence Correction. Limit yourself to 2 hours on any one concept to retain information effectively.Studying in blocks and rotating concepts keeps your mind refreshed and engaged, making studying not just tolerable but effective.
4. Prioritize Review Over Practice
Reviewing your mistakes and learning from them is more important than just answering questions. Use the 40/60 rule: 40% of your time answering questions and 60% reviewing mistakes, watching instructional videos, and engaging with blogs.
For quantitative problems, vary the arguments to understand the impact of different values. Solving variations of the same problem often provides more insights than new problems entirely.
Setting a couple of hours between practice and review can help clear your mind, leading to better analysis of your mistakes.
5. Take GMAT Practice Tests Regularly
Take at least one full-length GMAT practice test per week. Plan for a minimum of 4 practice tests, including your diagnostic exam. Feel free to skip the AWA section if time is tight, but take the IR section seriously as it reflects the real test experience.
In the final week or two, increase the frequency to two tests per week if needed. This helps alleviate test-day nerves and improves your pacing.
Staying positive and recognizing that your preparation is both challenging and admirable will keep you motivated. Use the looming deadline to drive your efforts. Remember, even if you face some setbacks, the dedicated preparation will lead to a significant score improvement.
With this comprehensive plan, you are well-equipped to maximize your GMAT success in just 30 days. Good luck!