Whether you've got one day or one month to prepare for the GMAT, try to set priorities. On this page are four realistic GMAT study schedules, which vary according to how much time you have until your test date. Choose Plan A if you have 2 days, Plan B if you have one week, Plan C if you have 2 weeks, or Plan D if you have 3-4 weeks.
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Plan A (2 Days)Okay, you're planning to take the GMAT tomorrow or the next day, and you've put off any GMAT study until now. Assuming you don't want to (or can't) reschedule your test, here's what you need to do:- Work through this Web site's areas in the following order: (1) Teach Yourself, (2) Coach Yourself, (3) Test Yourself.
- Review the analysis of each question that stumped you in the Quantitative Ability Practice Sets and Verbal Ability Practice Sets. This review is the most efficient way to pinpoint and eliminate your problem areas.
- Download the GMAT Information Bulletin from the GMAC Web site (or pick one up 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.)
- Work through the "Sample GMAT Questions" at the GMAC Web site. There you'll find 5 samples of each of the 7 basic GMAT 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.)
- Generate a printout of the following Web pages (10 altogether) from this site:
On exam day take these tip sheets with you to the testing center. Review them just before going into the testing center to begin the real ordeal.
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):- 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.)
- 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 Web site.
- If you have more time, concentrate on your weak areas. If your Quantitative skills are weak, search the Web for additional additional free math review. Or if English is your second language, study the Sentence Correction and Analytical Writing lessons at some other GMAT-prep Web sites.
Plan C (2 Weeks) 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:- Augment your study materials with workbooks aimed specifically at your weakest areas.
(You'll find my picks among GMAT workbooks at the GMAT Store.) - Take additional full-length practice tests. (Be sure to stagger them evenly over your 3-4 week prep period.)
- Follow my 2-week study plan, but take more days off (perhaps every 3 days).
See also, these
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