GMAT Prep Strategy

GMAT is an important input to your ISB YLP, and in pretty much any B-School, application. Your GMAT score helps AdCom to judge a lot about your problem solving aptitude. It also helps AdCom gain a confidence that you will be able to handle the heat of the PGP curriculum.

There are many ways to prepare for GMAT. I highlight the way that worked for me. I am confident that this method should work for most of you albeit there will be some for which this method won’t much work.

The resources that I used for my preparations are –

1. GMAT Official Guide (Called OG)

2. Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guide (Set of 8 books)

Yup. Just 2 set of books.

Here’s roughly the sequence that I followed –

First, I downloaded the software from mba.com for GMAT Preparation. It is said that the software is closest to the real thing. No other coaching entity has been able to match the level of this prep software. On downloading, you will be able to attempt two tests. Give the first test. Remember it will be a 3 hour test. [The AWA component is optional in this one but it is not optional in the real one] Doing this test first would give you 3 important insights

1. Your Baseline Score [The minimum you can expect yourself to get with minimal practice]

2. Your Weak Spots [Quant or Verbal. Critical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension]

3. Your Endurance [Remember it is important that you are in your top game throughout the 3.5 hour test]

Second. Now you know your weak spots. Practice those parts from Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guide. 8 books are divided into 8 sections.

1. Fractions, Decimals and Percents

2. Algebra

3. Word Problems

4. Geometry

5. Number Properties

6. Critical Reasoning

7. Reading Comprehension

8. Sentence Correction

Additionally, there are 2 more books on Integrated Reasoning and AWA (both in one book) and Math Foundations. Practice all the questions in the relevant book to strengthen your weak spots.

Third. After working on your weaknesses, pick up OG. Work through all the questions in the diagnostics section. By this time, you should see a marked improvement in your weak spots. You should see less errors.

Fourth. After working through the diagnostics section. You should be able to pinpoint which topics come naturally to you and which don’t. For me it was Reading Comprehension. Especially, the tougher ones. I gave myself 3 days to work on RC only. I picked up the Manhattan book again to make sure I’m not fundamentally wrong in attempting the questions. I later went through OG questions. Each time reviewing my mistakes and learning from them.

At this point, you have two options. Either you’ve gained above average knowledge in your weak areas or you’re not confident enough. If it is the latter, I urge you to go through all your practiced problems and understand your mistakes. GMAT is not like other entrance exams. The questions get progressively difficult with each right answer. Hence, it is important to KNOW the subject matter well. Reviewing your mistakes would help you better understand the subject matter. That’s the strategy in a nutshell. Practice. Review. Learn. Practice. Rinse. Rise. Repeat.

Two weeks before the exam, try to give the second test from the GMAT software. Ideally, you should see a marked improvement. (Assuming you landed sub 700 in the first one) If not, you have enough time to practice. If yes, move on to AWA. For AWA, use this link.

Wishing you all the best for your GMAT Prep.