Preparing For The GMAT
The GMAT is given by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). More than 7000 graduate programs around the world use the GMAT as part of their evaluation of applicants. According to a 2016 survey of business school admissions officers, about 90% of the business schools in the USA and Europe will accept the GRE for MBA programs; however, about a quarter of them state that they prefer the GMAT over GRE. So, if you are planning to apply to a competitive graduate business program, you should prepare for and take the GMAT.
The GMAT exam is given at designated Pearson VUE test centers around the world. The test is taken on a computer and is available “almost any day of the year.” Some centers are not open on Sundays. The test can be taken only once in any 16-day period, no more than 5 times in a year, and a maximum of 8 times total.
But don’t get the idea that just taking the test multiple times will get you where you want to be. (Also, consider the $250 fee per sitting). Most ordinary mortals should plan on some serious studying for the GMAT. As with most tests, much of the material you will encounter will be topics that you studied years ago; so, lots of review is required. Also, most students will find some topics on the test that are new to them.
The GMAT exam is given at designated Pearson VUE test centers around the world. The test is taken on a computer and is available “almost any day of the year.” Some centers are not open on Sundays. The test can be taken only once in any 16-day period, no more than 5 times in a year, and a maximum of 8 times total.
But don’t get the idea that just taking the test multiple times will get you where you want to be. (Also, consider the $250 fee per sitting). Most ordinary mortals should plan on some serious studying for the GMAT. As with most tests, much of the material you will encounter will be topics that you studied years ago; so, lots of review is required. Also, most students will find some topics on the test that are new to them.
Our Approach
Perry says:
That’s where I come in. I have been tutoring for standardized tests for 18 years and understand the GMAT content in detail.
My tutoring covers all areas of the test and includes real GMAT practice tests. By working on real tests, released by the test maker, you can be assured you are preparing on the topics you will see on the test and at the appropriate level of difficulty. I also incorporate computer-based, adaptive tests in my program. They share the same structure, instructions, and question types as the real test. They are also timed in the same way, with two 30-minute sections and two 75-minute sections.
My approach is to use all the real tests GMAC has released and, if more materials are needed, then to use other testing materials that I have found to be most reflective of the real test.
My math curriculum covers GMAT Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. I teach skills for dealing with Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions.
My Verbal Reasoning curriculum teaches skills for the test’s Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction question types. One bit of good news for GMAT takers is that vocabulary knowledge is not as important as it is for the GRE. There are a limited number of words related to analysis and business communications that are important, and I make sure those are covered.
That’s where I come in. I have been tutoring for standardized tests for 18 years and understand the GMAT content in detail.
My tutoring covers all areas of the test and includes real GMAT practice tests. By working on real tests, released by the test maker, you can be assured you are preparing on the topics you will see on the test and at the appropriate level of difficulty. I also incorporate computer-based, adaptive tests in my program. They share the same structure, instructions, and question types as the real test. They are also timed in the same way, with two 30-minute sections and two 75-minute sections.
My approach is to use all the real tests GMAC has released and, if more materials are needed, then to use other testing materials that I have found to be most reflective of the real test.
My math curriculum covers GMAT Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. I teach skills for dealing with Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions.
My Verbal Reasoning curriculum teaches skills for the test’s Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction question types. One bit of good news for GMAT takers is that vocabulary knowledge is not as important as it is for the GRE. There are a limited number of words related to analysis and business communications that are important, and I make sure those are covered.
Where To Begin?
Start by sitting for an official GMAT, to get baseline scores and an understanding of how much you will need to improve in relation to the requirements of your desired graduate program. Depending on how busy you expect to be during your 12 months prior to your application deadline, I’d suggest starting your preparation from 6 to 12 months ahead of your deadline. Then schedule your next test when you will have time for intensive preparation over the three months prior to that test date.
