GMAT Tips

1. Pacing tips
Example
What is 999,999 x 999,999?

Hmmm... can you get that done in four minutes? While working on a dry erase board? I don't think so! You could solve this question by doing the math (after a few minutes) or you could use a shortcut with FOIL by converting 999,999 into 1,000,000 minus 1. You can then change 999,999 x 999,999 into (1,000,000 - 1)(1,000,000 -1) = 1,000,000(squared) - 2,000,000 + 1.

More than likely you just find the answer with "1" as the final digit and you have found the correct answer in less than 15 seconds. As a rule of thumb, if you have spent more than four minutes on a question, there was likely a shortcut that you missed.

A useful resource for time management is 800score. They offer a GMAT test pacer system that trains you to learn proper pacing for the GMAT. This available on their free GMAT download.

2. Don't panic or fret over the last question
The most effective approach is to practice, practice, practice to get used to taking the test under timed high-pressure conditions, and remember, if all else fails you can always cancel the exam at the end.

3. Fill in the blanks
If you have a minute left and many questions to go, just fill in all the blanks. There is a greater penalty for unanswered questions than guessing.

4. Spend a great deal of time and take many tests
You may need more time (two to five months) if you have been out of school for some time and need to brush up on material. In general, you should spend at least 50 hours preparing.

5. Study courses
Consider taking a classroom or online ecourse if you need additional help. Your score may increase by 100 to 200 points. If you are looking to beat the GMAT, evaluate your GMAT course options.

6. Focus on sections most amenable to improvement
The essay section and the sentence correction sections questions will tend to show the largest improvements with preparation.
- For the essay section, have 2 or 3 basic templates - this saves a lot of time and thinking during the exam. Also, brainstorm ideas in the first five minutes before you start writing. The work you put in then can make the rest of the essay much easier. I have not scored anything less than a 6.0 essay yet, so this method of attack must have some merit.

- For reading comprehension, find the method of reading passages that works for you (jotting down notes or remembering content as you go along). Some guides recommend jotting down notes as you read, but I found this distracting as I was able to keep key points in my head reasonably well. In any case, make sure you have a clear idea of the main point of each paragraph after you've read it.

8. Learn to use the scrap board
You can use scrap paper effectively by copying from the screen and doing work or taking notes on the scrap paper. You can also use the scrap paper to make an answer grid, which is helpful for eliminating answer choices.

9. "The perfect is the enemy of the good" Voltaire
Do you know that on the GMAT you can get 55% of questions right and still get a great score? Don't try to get perfection. Even if you are aiming for an 800 score, you still don't need to get every question right. Thinking about the test this way is liberating. Don't worry if you are stuck, just move on.

If you are stuck, then try to eliminate obvious wrong answers and guess at the remaining choices. If you are spending six minutes on a question, it is likely because you do not know how to do it, and you will almost certainly get it wrong. Get it wrong (or right if you are lucky) quickly by guessing and save the time for questions you do know how to answer.


10. Take care to avoid needless errors
As a multiple choice test, you know that you made an answer if your answer isn't one of the five choices! After you have finished your practice GMAT exams, you'll find that many errors are simple carelessness. Oftentimes you mis-copy the text of a question onto scrap paper, make a simple mathematical error or mis-read a question. Eliminating needless errors is largely a matter of discipline, focusing and practice. After you catch enough of your own errors, you will start to see patterns and can act to prevent them.