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 Pick a Prep Plan
WHETHER YOU'VE GOT one day or one month to get ready for the GMAT, make the most of your time (and money) by prioritizing your GMAT prep. Here you'll find my candid advice on how to do so. To pick a plan, just click on the links or scroll down.

Plan A (2 Days)
    Okay, you're planning to take the GMAT tomorrow or the next day, and you've put off GMAT prep until now. Assuming you don't want to (or can't) reschedule your test, here's what you need to do:

    1. Work through this Website's areas in the following order: (1) Teach Yourself, (2) Coach Yourself, (3) Test Yourself.

    2. Review the explanations for the questions that stumped you in my Quantitative Ability Mini-Tests and Verbal Ability Mini-Tests. (Explanations are on the same Web pages as the Mini-Tests.) This review is the most efficient way to pinpoint and eliminate your problem areas.

    3. Download the GMAT Information Bulletin from the GMAC website (or pick one up at at any 4-year-college testing center). Read the "official" test-taking tips, and try the practice questions. (You'll find about 2 or 3 of each type.)

    4. Work through the "Sample GMAT Questions" at the GMAC website. There you'll find 5 samples of each of the 7 question types. At a proper testing pace (about 2 minutes per question, on average), it should take you about 50 minutes to attempt all of the multiple-choice questions. (Be sure to read the analysis for each question you answer incorrectly, so you can avoid making the same mistakes again.)

    5. Generate a printout of the following Web pages (10 altogether) from my site:

      On exam day take these tip sheets with you to the testing center. Review them in your car just before you begin the real ordeal; you'll be glad you did.

Plan B (1 Week)
    After carrying out Plan A, if you have at least a few more days before exam day, here's what you should do (in order of priority):

    1. Take at least TWO full-length practice tests (all sections) under timed conditions. Why are practice tests such a high priority? When it comes to the GMAT, building up endurance and finding your optimal pace is half the battle. After each test, review the explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly, but don't dwell on your scores. (Better yet, don't even compute them!)

      The quickest way to get you hands on full-length GMATs is to trek over to your local bookstore. You'll find the equivalent of two full-length tests in my book 30 Days to the GMAT CAT. Don't worry: None of the questions in my book are duplicates from this Website.
      (You'll find my other picks for practice tests at the GMAT Store.)

    2. Download the official GMAT essay questions. (Two of these questions will appear on your GMAT.) Then read all about the GMAT essays in the AWA area of my Website.

    3. If you have more time, concentrate on your weak areas. For example, if your Quantitative skills are weak, work through the math review in my book. Or if English is your second language, work through my book's Sentence Correction lessons and GMAT-essay lessons.
Plan C (2 Weeks)
    Two weeks of prep time is enough for a comprehensive self-study plan. Spend the first day or two carrying out Plan A, then augment Plan B as follows:

    1. Work through the lesson materials in a comprehensive GMAT prep book. Find a book that concentrates on skill building lessons, not just practice test questions. Pace yourself so that you complete the lesson materials at least 3-4 days before exam day.
      (You'll find my picks for comprehensive GMAT books at the GMAT Store.)

    2. In tandem with performing step 1, take at least four full-length practice tests (all sections) under timed conditions. (Remember: Building up endurance and finding your optimal pace is half the battle on the GMAT.) Take one practice test every 2 or 3 days, but not more often; full-length testing day after day can very quickly result in burnout. After every test, review the explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly, but don't dwell on your scores. (Better yet, don't even compute them!)
      (You'll find my picks for practice tests at the GMAT Store.)

    3. The day before the exam, unwind. If possible, spend the day engaged in relaxing leisure activities. Don't talk about the GMAT; in fact, try not to even think about it.

    Here's a sensible 2-week GMAT prep schedule:

    Day 1: Work through my Website ("Teach Yourself," "Coach Yourself," "Test Yourself")
    Day 2: Full-length practice test #1 (and review)
    Day 3: Self-study: Quantitative Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 4: Self-study: Verbal Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 5: Full-length practice test #2 (and review)
    Day 6: Download the official GMAT essay questions
    Self-study: Analytical Writing
    Practice writing two essays
    Day 7: Take the day off
    Day 8: Full-length practice test #3 (and review)
    Day 9: Self-study: Quantitative Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 10: Self-study: Verbal Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 11: Full-length practice test #4 (and review)
    Day 12: Self-study: Work on your weakest areas
    Day 13: Full-length practice test #5 (and review)
    Day 14: Take the day off

Plan D (3-4 Weeks)
    If you have more than two weeks to prep for the GMAT, expand my 2-week study schedule to fit your time frame, budget, and needs. Here are some suggestions:

    1. Augment your study materials with workbooks aimed specifically at your weakest areas.
      (You'll find my picks among GMAT workbooks at the GMAT Store.)

    2. Take additional full-length practice tests. (Be sure to stagger them evenly over your 3-4 week prep period.)

    3. Follow my 2-week study plan, but take more days off (perhaps every 3 days).
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