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Effective GMAT Self Preparation Tips for High Score

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams

GMAT self-preparation requires intense focus and determination. Choosing GMAT self-study would give you the advantage of personalization. Also, it is the best option for candidates having the time or financial problems. GMAT self-preparation includes private tutoring, in-person courses, and online courses. While these are excellent options, they can be quite pricey and lack schedule flexibility, or maybe both. In this article, we talk about a few suggestions for authentic GMAT preparation material, a study plan that may be helpful for you as you begin your self-guided GMAT prep.

How to Prepare for GMAT at Home? 

A lot of test-takers wonder how and from where to start the GMAT preparation. Here are a few GMAT preparation tips that you can use for your GMAT preparation.

Previous Year Question Papers

Practice from previous year’s question papers ensures that you know the entire GMAT syllabus. Taking the mock tests will provide a benchmark for you to judge your current aptitude. Taking GMAT practice tests will benefit you in two major ways:

  1. You’ll be able to identify your weak areas that requires improvement
  2. You’ll gradually develop your confidence and be able to gauge your timing for the duration of the real test

GMAT Preparation Books

A good study guide can change a lot to your self-study regimen. Here are the best GMAT books for self study that you can include in your study plan to enhance your GMAT score:

  • Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review: Check PDF
  • GMAT Advanced Quant By Manhattan Prep-Check PDF
  • The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review-Check PDF
  • Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Strategy Guide-Check PDF
  • GMAT Club Ultimate Grammar- Check PDF

Take Help from Internet 

Browsing through the Internet in search of GMAT materials is an easy option. It is easy to find a solution for any doubt or query. You can download a few GMAT apps, scroll through various websites, run into YouTube for any sorts of help during preparation.

Time Management

The test-takers often prepare for GMAT for weeks, months, and sometimes for years. On average, candidates get the preparation for 3-6 months; however, 8 weeks or 90 hours of compact GMAT time management tips helps the test-takers to secure a sufficient score.

But, – the graph below indicates that studying more hours can serve even more.

Time Management

Complete GMAT Plan for Self-Study

Here is a sample GMAT study plan for you to get an idea of what you can keep in mind while making yours.

Week Objectivs Tasks
Week 1 Understanding GMAT exam pattern and finding out own weaknesses Know each section and subsections of GMAT
Understand the weakness and strengths by taking a mock test
Week 2 Make a good study plan Learn the basics every day
Have a clear idea of graphs and charts
Focus on building analytical skills
Attempt GMAT practice papers
Review the questions and answers
Week 3 Make an assessment to track progress Make a plan for weak subjects
Clear the fundamentals of verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning
Learn more vocabulary every single day
Review the result as compared to the previous week’s performance
Make safe distance from any types of distractions
Week 4 Focus on managing your time Always use a timer while taking the exam
Understand your takt-time for each question type
Get your Solved analytical writing tasks checked by your teachers
Week 5 Use smart tips Learn GMAT preparation tips from GMAT books or online
Understand the explanation of the tips
Apply the tips while taking the mock tests
Week 6 Focus on time Compare the results
Check how much time it takes after answering with tips
Sort the tips you want to use
Week 7 Know about your Readiness Find out your pacing in the mock test
Increase the difficulty level
Lessen the time for each type of question
Week 8 Get ready for GMAT Register for the exam
Take more mock test
Boost up your confidence
Lessen study hour and relax

GMAT Self Preparation Tips

Here are the some GMAT preparation tips that you can follow:

  • Wise Selection of GMAT Preparation Materials

GMAT study materials comprise the previous year’s questions that help the aspirants in better preparation. GMAT practice tests provide the candidates an idea about the question pattern and the difficulty level.

  • Work on your Weakness

While taking mock-test review and recognise your weakness and work on them. You can work on their weaknesses by taking numerous practice tests, watching explanatory videos, studying from the app, and also taking coaching classes.

  • Plan your Time-table

The best way to study for GMAT is to manage your GMAT Preparation Time. Be regular, follow your timetable and try not to procrastinate.

  • Work on Mental Math during GMAT Math Prep

Mental math saves a considerable amount of time during GMAT math prep. Since candidates will not be getting any calculators, honing mental math skills is necessary.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GMAT 2023 : 27 answered questions

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Ques. MBA Preparation: What GMAT score can be considered good for applying to ISB Hyderabad with an average academic profile?

● Top Answer By Uday Pawar on 30 Jan 23

Generally speaking anything above 750 is a good score for admission to IBS Hyderabad. But even a high GMAT score does not guarantee admission to IBS Hyderabad because the shortlisting is profile-based. GMAT score is just a part of the entire selection process. You need to improvise your profile by working on other aspects also like  essays profile academics extracurricular activities Academics: Your 12th class marks graduation grades, post-graduation, and certification scores along with the GMAT cutoff is considered in your academic profile. Leadership: The leadership skills of the aspirants are tested on the basis of their prior achievements and roles. Personal attributes: This comprises your personal qualities like hobbies, talents, and extracurricular skills. Aspirants from diverse work experiences, cultures, and educational backgrounds are welcomed at IBS Hyderabad. So along with preparing well for GMAT, give importance to these parameters as well to increase your chances of admission....Read more

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Ques. What is the percentile required to get into ISB Hyderabad?

● Top Answer By Akanksha Sharma on 30 Jan 23

In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile. There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780....Read more

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Ques. Is it worth spending 30k to join GMAT coaching at Crack ISB Hyderabad?

● Top Answer By Yash Bhati on 30 Jan 23

Yes, it certainly is worth paying a hefty fee of 30k for GMAT coaching at Crack ISB Hyderabad. The quality of trainers and the certainty of admission is what draw the candidates here. While there are many institutes that specialize in training for the CAT, very few institutes offer training for GMAT.  Crack ISB Hyderabad has many features that have made it so popular and demanding among GMAT aspirants The peer group is a productive and effective group discussion is possible The institute gives the admission essay reviews free of cost while most institutes charge around 20-25k The quality of editing is much better at this Institute mainly because the faculty comprises alumni of top B Schools  So it’s better to pay more for quality education than pay less or the same for substandard education. But remember an Institute can just prepare you for your entrance exam. It’s upon you to put in maximum effort and achieve your goals....Read more

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Ques. Why do students go for CAT, XAT, SNAP etc when almost all the B-Schools in India accept GMAT scores for the full time MBA?

● Top Answer By Nia Malhotra on 17 May 21

There is hardly any B-school in India that accepts GMAT scores for full-time MBA. IIMs, FMS, XLRI, JBIMS, IIFT, MDI, etc. are some of the institutions that accept GMAT scores.  However, students applying through a foreign national quota or NRI quota are eligible for GMAT score. ISB on the other hand accepts the GMAT for its full-time program MBA program. Here is the list of some B-Schools that accepts GMAT scores in India XLRI, Jamshedpur XIM, Bhubaneswar VIT Business School TISS, Mumbai TERI School of Advanced Sciences, TERI University TASMAC, Pune TAPMI, Manipal School of Management, Udaipur School of Management, NMIMS, Mumbai School of Management, International Institute of Management This is why most students go for CAT, XAT, SNAP, and other management exams for admission in MBA. Only foreign nationals or students with NRI Quota can apply through GMAT....Read more

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Ques. Does ISB Hyderabad need work experience apart from the GMAT score?

● Top Answer By Bejoy John on 30 Jan 23

Yes, ISB Hyderabad’s PGP program requires a minimum of 2 years of full-time paid work experience. This criteria came into force on 31st March 2016 and is still a necessity. For candidates who lack in this aspect, there is a back door entry called the Early Entry Option or the EEOs. Under this, you can apply right away, go through the selection process, and receive the admission offer but join only after working for 2 years. This can also be referred to as Deferred admission.  ...Read more

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