How to Score High in GMAT-Test-Taking Tips & Study Strategy

GMAT exam has become a de-facto exam for getting admission to the World’s elite Business schools. It gauges the mental acumen of the graduates and working professionals who are keen on enhancing their managerial skills. The test takers are required to submit their scores for North American universities; however, the test’s popularity and acceptance rate has surged to a new height and top-notch universities across the European Union and other nations widely recognize GMAT scores today.

The test is divided into three parts:
1. The Analytical Writing Assessment or AWA.
It has two essays: One is the Analysis of issue and the other is the Analysis of an Argument. The Argument essay tests ones caliber in writing the rationale for the specific argument, without writing about your opinions on the matter. Whereas, the essay on the Analysis of issue requires us to relate on the topic with our own experiences relevant to our stand on the issue. Both these essays measure the individual written skills and the gauge the aptitude to think precisely, while able to express clearly. The test organizer, to practice for the big day provides a pool of essays.

Tips:
There is no quick fix solution for getting the perfect score in this test. It requires a comprehensive study habit nurtured over years. However, being able to express your views precisely and in a diligent manner with all the pertinent words to illustrate it would surely increase the chances of getting good grades. Many B- schools in the world give a lot of importance on AWA section and a good score could mean an assured way of getting the admit card. It requires an inquisitive mind to read and comprehend new words and sentences in Newspapers, magazines and web sites to implement in essays.

2. Quantitative section.
This part hosts a range of multiple-choice questions from algebra, concepts of geometry and arithmetic for testing problem solving skills of an individual. There are assorted Data sufficiency questions, which assess our ability to identify the required missing information among the choices given.

Tips:
The success in this section wholly depends on the individual’s basic computing skills, necessary for the corporate world. The level of difficulty is moderate and is higher than that of the GRE exam. More emphasis is on logic and connectivity of sentences, which can be grasped easily over little time by a quick review of mathematical formulas from varied sources.

3. Verbal section.
It provides various multiple-choice questions on Reading Comprehension or RCs, Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction. The RCs provide 350 words passage and shoots many questions that gauge one’s vocabulary; ability to arrive at a conclusion based on the facts given in the passage; capacity to logically connect various preeminent points in the passage.
Critical reasoning section focuses on the correct inference on the given argument. If you can identify the traps, that shift your focus away from the key point, one can arrive at the correct answer in no time. This requires a lot of practice on puzzles and analysis of various AWA guidebooks. This test primarily tests one’s logical reasoning for the argument given.

Tips:
The success on the Sentence correction section greatly depends on the depth of knowledge in the English grammar. The Wren and Martin guide for effective grammar and composition is an excellent source; also, the online editions of Merriam Webster dictionary provide a repertoire of synonyms, antonyms including pronunciation audio. Oxford dictionary is another significant source.

The GMAT exam is a computer adaptive test, meaning that it adjusts the level of difficulty of the next question based on the success of present one. Therefore, it is imperative to answer the first few questions correctly to be the top scorer. For a study plan, being consistent with any course of preparation for GMAT is suffice. Flash card method is another popular choice among the aspirants; formulas and words can be jotted down on a small visiting card sized paper for quick review. Apart from a good GMAT score, an outstanding GPA, Statement of Purpose or SOP, and recommendation letter from your employer or faculty can add a feather in your cap.

IMPORTANT Books for GMAT Preparations:

Study Strategy

1. Master the Fundamentals (Especially for the Quantitative and Sentence Correction Questions)
   There is no substitute for simply knowing the content. No number of tips or gimmicks can produce a 700 score if you do not understand prime numbers and complicated subject-verb agreement. There is only one way to guarantee a good score on the GMAT: learn the content.
2. Mastered Questions Are Better Than More Questions
   There is a common belief that simply by working more questions, your GMAT score will improve. However, it is not working more questions that translates into a better score, it is mastering questions that translates into a higher score. It is essential that you re-do missed questions a few times over a period of a few weeks to ensure you do not repeat the mistake on test day.
3. Practice Under Timed Constraints
   Although it is permissible to practice without time constraints in order to learn the content, you must spend most of your practice time working problems under timed circumstances. This is essential because the GMAT is timed and you cannot expect your performance on an un-timed GMAT practice test to mirror your performance on a timed GMAT test.
4. Practice With A CAT Format Test
   The GMAT test-writers sell old paper copies of the GMAT (i.e., copies of old GMAT exams before the test became a CAT format exam). Although these provide some value, it is important to practice under conditions as close to the conditions under which you will actually take the GMAT. Consequently, you should spend the overwhelming majority of your study time taking CAT-format practice tests.
5. Take Numerous Practice Exams
   Although working drill problems is important, it is crucial that you develop the stamina necessary to take the GMAT. Moreover, taking numerous practice exams is the best means to practice your pacing and time management on the GMAT.

Test-Taking Tips

1. Finish Every Section at All Costs
   It is absolutely essential to answer every question. The GMAT test-writers explicitly state that "there is a severe penalty for not completing the GMAT test."1 Unanswered questions are more costly than a wrong answer. Consequently, if you are not on pace to finish and one minute is left, drop everything and finish the test by guessing at random.
2. Take Optional Breaks
   There are two optional breaks (one between the AWA and quantitative sections and another between the quantitative and verbal sections) and you should certainly take these. Since the GMAT is a grueling exam, it is important to take the break time to clear your mind and regain your mental stamina.
3. Take 15 Second "Mini-Breaks"
   Most humans cannot focus intently for 75 consecutive minutes. Consequently, it is important to take mini-breaks between some questions in order to ensure you do not make careless mistakes.
4. Maximize Break Time
   In order to maximize your break time, if you finish any section early, instead of clicking in your final answer with time left, rest in your chair while the time ticks down and click in your answer with 30 seconds left.
5. Read Directions Carefully (Looking for Traps)
   There is little doubt that this is one of the most important tips for scoring high on the GMAT. Many students know the content, but become nervous and make numerous careless errors. Consequently, you must read directions carefully looking for traps the GMAT test-writers set for you (e.g., trying to trick you into believing a number can only be an integer when it could also be a decimal number).
6. Pace Wisely-Do Not Be Stubborn With Difficult Questions
   Although it is mentally difficult to admit defeat, click in an answer you are unsure about, and move onto the next question. This is one of the most important mental disciplines to develop. Individuals who spend too much time on a question will hurt their score by putting enormous time pressure on later questions (e.g., spending more than 3 minutes on three questions will likely be enough to put you in a time crunch later on). The pain of stubborn refusal to move on to the next question is doubled by the fact that spending exorbitant time on a question often fails to pay off with a correct answer. GMAT questions are designed such that you should be able to solve them in two minutes without tedious calculations. The worst part of draining your time on a question you likely will miss anyway is the fact that you are stealing time from future questions you know how to do and could answer correctly (presuming you have time left). In order to move on from difficult questions you are spending too much time on, it is helpful to think "if I keep working on this question, I will have to guess on later problems that I can easily and correctly solve with two minutes of time." In addition, decide before going in that you will take an educated guess on 2 math and 3 verbal questions (or some similar combination). Doing this helps free you from the mental agony of giving up, which is especially difficult for students desiring a high score.
7. Eliminate Wrong Answers and Guess
   If you are unsure about what answer is correct, do not guess at random. Look for answers that you know are wrong, eliminate them, and take an educated guess.