This blog is dedicated to GMAT aspirants who want tips; strategies,practice questions,learning videos and study notes on how to tackle the Reading comprehension,Problem solving, Data sufficiency and critical reasoning section of the GMAT.
Duration: Your preparation can last for 5 months or 3 months or 1 month. Ideally you can be GMAT ready in 1.5 - 2 months . Lets have a chat to see if you can be ready in less time. My contact link is below
The Plan
I feel GMAT preparation can be broken into 3 phases.
Phase 1- concepts
Phase 2 - application
Phase 3- mastery.
I will go into each phase after explaining the thinking behind the plan The thinking
As a tutor, I primarily focus on efficiency. Maximum performance in shortest possible time
I would recommend a preparation time of 1.5 - 2 months. A structured study plan, designed keeping your strengths and weakness in mind, is paramount. This study plan will make or break your preparation.
If you need help in making a study plan, feel free to contact me. You can see my bio below. A little bit about me.
I am George, a GMAT tutor, since 2008. I coach students online as well as offline at my center in Chennai, India. You can
Read my thoughts on GMAT prep via my blog: let's GMAT
Now lets focus on the plan
This plan requires
1. GMAT Study material - study books /learning videos
2. GMAT Practice tests- Progressive test series -Test difficulty level increases systematically.
3. GMAT Computer adaptive tests Phase 1: Concepts Learning objective: Build concepts. Don’t worry on speed. Focus on accuracy
Here are few Activities in phase 1
Visit mba.com and understand the GMAT test structure, Take the Diagnostic test. See your comfort level. If you feel you are ready to dive into preparation get into prep mode or else ... get a tutor
Use your prep material to
Work on your math computation skills. Learn basic mathematical computation like multiplication squares/cubes/square roots. I recommend vedic math. Watch this tutorial to compute faster
Collect all the math formula relevant to the exam
Identify and collect all the grammar rules . This learning video can show you the first step in sentence correction preparation
Identify the different question types in the Critical reasoning section. Make a list of them. Collect a strategy for each question type. This learning video can guide you..
Collect idioms and study them – you need to study idioms with their usage. Watch this learning tutorial
·
Develop the skill of critical reading. GMAT reading comprehension passages tests your ability to infer information from the passage. Watch this learning tutorial
Points to note
Practice easy to medium level questions to build confidence.
Work on GMAT type passages always.
Improve your basic vocabulary
Check your progress at the end of this stage
your accuracy level should be 50% in each section
You should have completed atleast 50 GMAT reading comprehension passages
Phase 2: Application Learning objective:
Build speed. You need to solve a question in less than 2 minutes. Focus on speed
Here are few Activities in phase 2,
Do section tests topic wise
Write 10+ GMAT analytical writing essays. Get them evaluated by a subject matter expert
Focus on higher order thinking skills in math and verbal. For example Check this tutorial on probability, permutation combination
Check your progress
your accuracy level should be 75% in each section
You should have completed atleast 100 GMAT reading comprehension passages
Phase 3: Mastery
Learning objective: Test yourself and track your progress. Activities:
Practice GMAT Official guide questions x 3 times
Take 10+ mock computer adaptive tests
Revise your error logs…. many times
Complete 150 GMAT reading comprehension passage
If you reach your target score in 5 tests or more then go ahead an book your test slot.
Continue practicing till day of exam
I hope that you got the flow. Feel free to contact me if you have further doubts. Happy learning.
One fear most test takers feel is ‘ what if the passages are totally unfamiliar’. This is highly unlikely if you have spent a good amount of time reading quality passages and have taken good number of comprehension tests.
2. Imagine yourself succeeding
Be optimistic about your preparation and success in the GMAT. Start your preparation early so that you do not take the test till you are ready.
3. For god’s sake do not procrastinate
The day you wake up to think, oh I have plenty of time left for prep, you are on the road to procrastination. You have semester work, events to participate in, personal issues; none of these should come in the way of your reaching your goal.
4. All strategies need not work for you
We all vary in our styles of learning. Some of us would require longer preparation time, others less. It’s more rewarding to compare our performance today with our own past performance than with that of others.
5.Do not expect overnight results
Efficient reading involves building an array of skills. It takes time. Perseverance is the key. Lot of hard work is required to excel, give up not.
6. Do research
Learn those tiny tips from friends who are preparing for verbal tests, what worked for them, what did not, they are invaluable sources of test info.
7.Meditate;
with your learning your own reflections and insights can throw up new ideas that work best for you.
8.Do not panic;
instead make a panic plan. Put together a remedial plan with the help of a mentor- a senior or trainer; there is always a way out.
9.Invest intelligently
in buying good reading material: books, CDs, general reading material. And invest time wisely.
10. Selfishness is a virtue
If Ayn Rand did feel that way, so can you. Do not spare your reading time playing agony aunt/uncle for those hapless souls; nevertheless when you need reassurance ask and get!!
What are the pain points you face while preparing for #GMAT.
I have been tutoring students for 10 years. since 2010. I have handled many, different, cases . One thing I realized is that each of you need a customized solution.. One size doesn't fit all... Lets work on a solution which maximizes your performance in the shortest possible time... Lets chat Call or whatsapp me 9884123808... Catch me on linkedin.. https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/
