Posted on by Phil

How I Studied for the GMAT

Every 6-10 weeks someone asks me how I studied for the GMAT and any advice I have.  Well, here’s my story!

Unfortunately, in college I was friends with a bunch of over achievers who thought it’d be a good idea to take the GMAT during senior year after they’d secured full time jobs.  So, due to peer pressure and insecurity, I too signed up to take the test.

I took the ManhattanGMAT class which was ~7 weeks long.  Each week consisted of 2 hours in a classroom, and 2 hours or so of homework.  I’d say I did around 1/2 of the recommended homework each week.  After taking the prep course, I immediately signed up for a date to take the actual exam which was about 2 weeks out.  The date was during my finals week at NYU, but I wanted to take it before I headed out for a post-graduation trip to Asia with friends (the same ones who’d peer pressured me into taking this exam!!).

Before the prep course, I took a practice test and scored ~610 (my memory is slightly hazy, but it was in that ballpark).  My goal was to get to a 700 by the time I took the test, and I was around a 680 by the time I finished the prep course.

The number one piece of advice for anyone taking this test is to create and use flashcards to internalize the information you need to answer the most difficult questions.  This was a strategy I stole directly from my Dad who used it to become a doctor (much harder than getting into bschool – so it seemed battle tested).

With that in mind, I went through the 7-8 books that the test prep course had provided, and made a flashcard for any piece of info that I thought would help me answer questions.  I made them for the types of triangles, grammar rules, and for the toughest types of questions (two trains going towards each other, the ones that require factorials, etc).

I had 200-300 flashcards, and would look at them when I had 5 mins on the subway, or while waiting for a friend.  When I’d correctly answered a given card in three consecutive cycles (I put the card on the bottom of the deck after I’d tried to answer it), I discarded it.

The week before the test, I studied for 3-4 hours/day (mostly the flashcards plus some practice problems).  The day before, I didn’t do anything but workout, eat some good food, and watch a movie.  It’s important to rest your brain and de-stress!  Now, I’d probably also do an extra long mediation session but I wasn’t into that back then.

I don’t remember exactly the slope of the curve, but there was a huge increase in my scores in the week before the test.  I started off maybe at the 700 mark for a practice test, and then got a 720, and a 750 before my studying ended (don’t take too many practice tests.  They are good to gauge where you’re at, but take a lot of time and aren’t very instructive in helping you improve).  I’m pretty confident if I’d pushed the test back another week I could have continued to improve…but the commonly accepted rule says increasing your score above a 700 doesn’t help too much in getting you into school.  Btw, I share these numbers only so you can see my progress from the original 610 to when I took the exam and what I did to get there – not to brag!!!

The day of the test of course I was a bit nervous.  The worst part of the GMAT is that they ask you “do you want to accept this score” after you take the test.  Basically, you can say “no” – and it’s like it never happened.  But, if you “accept the score” it goes on your record.  My advice: just accept the score unless you had a monumental meltdown for some reason.  Because of the way the test works, you get harder questions if you answer questions correctly.  So, if you’re getting hard questions, even if you can’t answer them, you’re doing well!

In the end, I scored a 740.  I remember not being completely happy with the score when I got it, and the person working the front desk who’d given me the score basically said “I don’t get it – if I got that score, I’d be jumping up and down!”

My advice is to not put that much pressure on yourself.  And, if you score above the range you need to get into your dream school, go celebrate!  Luckily, I came to my senses about 10 mins after leaving the test center and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for a few days.

Good luck, don’t stress, and look forward to two of the best years of your life 🙂

14,712 Replies to “How I Studied for the GMAT”

  1. I am actually pleased to read this webpage posts which carries plenty of useful facts, thanks for providing these information.

  2. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest
    thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing
    without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.

    Thanks

  3. Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo
    News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Cheers

  5. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work
    on. You have done a marvellous job!

  6. Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hi there, You’ve performed an incredible job.
    I will definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
    I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

  7. I got this web page from my friend who told me on the topic of this web site and at the moment this time I am browsing
    this site and reading very informative content here.

  9. incredibly good examination. I hope you can continue
    to perform so that you can add insight to get the readers on the website.

    Furthermore visit my personal site to get each one of the latest articles about togel.

  10. It is likely you make that seem convenient with your organization demonstration but
    I really find this sort of matter receiving actually something which I think I want to never take pleasure in. It
    seems also complex and intensely broad for me personally.

    I am looking forward for your impending post, I can try to get utilized to
    it!

  12. Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information about this topic for
    ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon so
    far. However, what about the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to the
    supply?

  13. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what
    you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally
    discuss with my website =). We will have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us

  15. Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the
    time and energy to put this information together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a
    significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  16. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info with us.

    Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  18. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.

    I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  19. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before
    but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
    Regardless, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back
    regularly!

  20. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too great.
    I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating
    and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you
    still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you.
    This is actually a terrific website.

  21. Thanks for any other informative web site. Where else may just I
    get that type of information written in such
    a perfect approach? I have a venture that I’m just now working
    on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.

  24. When someone writes an article he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her mind that how a user can be aware of it.
    Thus that’s why this post is perfect. Thanks!

  25. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  28. Undeniably consider that that you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to
    be on the internet the simplest factor to bear in mind of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked even as other people consider concerns
    that they just do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as
    smartly as outlined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , people could take a
    signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  30. Excellent pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your page.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You have done a great job. I’ll
    definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they will be benefited from this web site.

  31. Excellent blog here! Additionally your website a lot up very fast!
    What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate link on your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  32. I am curious to find out what blog platform you are utilizing?
    I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and I’d like to find something more risk-free.
    Do you have any solutions?

  33. Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but
    I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this
    website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues
    with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another
    platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  34. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am going through problems with your RSS.
    I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it.
    Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution will
    you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  35. Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
    previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here,
    certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a
    tremendous web site.

  37. You can certainly see your skills within the article you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  40. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your
    article seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Cheers

  42. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have
    put in penning this website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later
    on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my
    own, personal website now 😉

  43. extremely good examination. I hope you may continue to work so that you
    can put insight to the readers in this website. Similarly visit my very own site to get all the
    latest articles or personal blogs about playing togel.

  44. Hi there, I think your website could be having browser compatibility issues.

    Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it
    looks fine but when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful blog!

  46. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog?
    My blog site is in the very same niche as yours
    and my users would genuinely benefit from some of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you!

  47. Wonderful site you have here but I was curious about
    if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
    I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable individuals
    that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let
    me know. Bless you!

  48. Definitely believe that that you said. Your favourite reason seemed to be on the net the
    simplest factor to take into accout of. I say to you,
    I definitely get irked at the same time as other people think
    about worries that they plainly do not recognise
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and outlined out the whole thing without having side effect , folks
    could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

  49. When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each
    time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same
    comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from
    that service? Thanks a lot!

  50. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page
    layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what
    youve got to say. But maybe you could a little
    more in the way of content so people could connect
    with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

Comments are closed.