The early steps of your GMAT journey!

Achieving anything in life usually starts with a plan. In grade school, you probably wrote that you wanted to attend college in the near future. You eventually achieved your goal of graduating from your undergraduate institution because of your many hours of learning in the classroom and studying at the library. Now you are ready for a new challenge. Because you wish to attend graduate business school, the GMAT is now your focus.

Your early approach to the GMAT

Before you start studying for the GMAT, I encourage you to take an online practice test offered by a reputable company such as Princeton Review or Manhattan GMAT. By taking a practice test, you can infer what areas you need to focus on studying. Even if you do well on the practice test, I suggest that you take a few more practice tests before scheduling your GMAT. From personal experience, you can come across a practice test with questions that fit your skill level. But, your next score on a practice test may be considerably lower, and this score could be more reflective of your GMAT ability.

After taking one or two practice tests, most individuals begin to buy GMAT study materials. Unfortunately, some people just buy the most popular GMAT study guides. Before I go any further, you must buy the Official Guide for GMAT Review, since this book contains retired GMAT questions. Beyond the previous book mentioned, you should purchase books that fit your individual needs. For example, if you scored poorly on the sentence corrections problems, then you should consider buying a GMAT sentence correction rule book and a GMAT sentence correction practice book. Honestly, it will not hurt you to study all areas of the GMAT; however, I aware that some geniuses will read this article, so those individuals have my permission to take the GMAT with minimal preparation.

What if you do not know what other GMAT books to buy? For one, talk to your friends or colleagues that have already taken the GMAT. Also, go to several GMAT communities. You might find that other people in those forums had the same difficulties in their early GMAT studies that you are currently experiencing in early GMAT studies. My last sentence probably would not pass the GMAT’s concision test. So, I give you permission to laugh at me. You will probably find an opportunity to laugh during your GMAT journey, especially if you struggle to solve a problem with the answer staring you in the face. Good luck!