All-encompassing Guide to Crack GMAT – 10 Tips Included
Are you planning to study a management course abroad? By now, you must know the ask of GMAT scores by the most reputed universities globally. So what is included in a GMAT exam? Is there a GMAT test fee? Does one have to pay a particular GMAT fee? What are good GMAT scores?
Answering these and many more GMAT-related questions, we have written this well-researched GMAT guide for you. Let’s go through the various facets of the GMAT to ace its score.
What is GMAT?
For the uninitiated, GMAT or Graduate Management test is a computer-based adaptive test that evaluates a candidate’s analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills asked in the English language. Further, this test is taken by study abroad aspirants to get admission into graduate management programs, such as MBA and Masters in Finance-related courses in top business schools worldwide.
The registration fee for the GMAT exam in India is INR 18,500, and the validity of the score is for 5 years. A student can not give more than 8 GMAT exams in their lifetime. But is it that beneficial? Let’s understand a few benefits of the GMAT exam.
- It is used by more than 2,400 institutes globally to select candidates for various graduate management programs.
- This test is backed by 60+ years of testing expertise and decades of peer-reviewed research, covering hundreds of validity studies in the last 10 years only.
- With a good GMAT score, a candidate can exhibit their ability to do good with the course curriculum in a technically advanced and data-rich world.
- The difficulty level and questions of this exam are developed by international experts without any bias. Therefore, it evaluates all the candidates globally based on similar parameters, without any bias towards the English language.
- Since it’s an adaptive test—the next two-three questions are based on your current answer—it represents a student’s best ability.
- Advanced procedures and standardised test administration make the GMAT test safe. Further, due to its adaptive nature, no two students will probably see the same questions.
- It is used by more than 7,700 programs in 2400+ universities/institutions in over 114 countries and 600 plus authorised test centres.
Next, let’s explore the format of the GMAT test.
What is the Format of the GMAT Test?
GMAT exam measures a candidate’s verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and critical thinking skills. Let’s check out the parameters that are evaluated in each of these sections.
- Integrated Reasoning: It measures a candidate’s ability to analyze data and evaluate the presented information in various formats.
- Quantitative Reasoning: This section measures the candidate’s ability to analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions while using reasoning skills.
- Verbal Reasoning: This section measures the candidate’s ability to read and understand written/given material and evaluate arguments, thereby correcting written material to conform to standard written English.
- Analytical Writing Assessment: This section measures the ability to think critically and to communicate ideas in the form of essays.
You can connect with NCC Global, the best GMAT coaching Chandigarh, to get an in-depth understanding of the various GMAT sections. Further, let’s check out the number of questions in each section and the time allotted.
- 31 questions in Quantitative Reasoning/ 62 minutes
- 36 questions in Verbal Reasoning/ 65 minutes
- 12 questions in Integrated Reasoning/ 30 minutes
- 1 question in Analytical Writing Assessment/ 30 minutes
The GMAT exam is for 3 hours and 23 minutes with 2 optional breaks, and the online GMAT is for 3 hours and 7 minutes, not including the two optional 8 minutes breaks. Further, the candidates can access their score reports within 7 working days (20 days in a few cases.)
How to Share GMAT Scores?
The official GMAT website, mba.com has introduced new flexibility with the GMAT online exam that gives candidates control over when they are ready to send their scores to programs/universities. Included along with the GMAT online exam fee, the candidates will have the opportunity to first view their official score in their account and then choose to send them to selected programs.
In addition, candidates can send 5 complimentary GMAT score reports to the universities/programs within 48 hours upon the receipt of their official score in their mba.com account. These shared official scores will be made available to schools within 24 hours of the candidate’s request.
Next, let’s explore the process of applying for a GMAT test.
How to Apply for GMAT?
It is advised to apply to the GMAT exam 2-3 months prior to the examination date. However, a student can apply for the exam anytime between 6 months and 24 hours prior to the exam. Let’s explore the document requirements for registration:
- Full name proof as mentioned in your passport
- E-mail address
- Address for correspondence
- Phone number
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Payment information (Debit/ Credit card)
- Educational history (optional)
- Work history (optional)
- Native language (optional)
If you face any difficulty in registration, connect with NCC Global, the top GMAT institute in Chandigarh’s counselors and get exceptional guidance. You can register using online, postal, fax, and phone platforms. Follow the below-mentioned steps for GMAT registration:
1. Sign up on the GMAT official website mba.com.
2. Begin the GMAT registration process.
3. Enter your personal information asked in the form.
4. Enter optional information (if any.)
5. Verify your Profile by following the asked steps.
6. Schedule your GMAT exam by selecting a centre and date.
7. Pay the GMAT registration fee of INR 18,500.
Now you know the registration process. Next, let’s explore the steps to prepare for the GMAT.
Tips to Prepare for GMAT
A GMAT candidate must follow the given tips to begin their GMAT preparation.
1. Design a Study Plan
MBA or business master’s applications have many crucial components—including essays, letters of recommendation, resumes, and more—and the last thing you want to do is juggle all of these while also preparing for the GMAT on a timeline.
However, you can avoid this situation by setting a GMAT study plan early in your preparation journey for business school/ university. For this, you can check out the free Official GMAT Exam 8-Week Study Planner gives you the goals, tools, and tips to work toward your business school goals within two months. You can also consult with the best GMAT coaching online for the same.
2. Know All-about the Test
Before you formulate a study plan on your own or through a GMAT coaching institute in Chandigarh, it’s best to ensure that you know the structure of the GMAT exam. Visit the above-mentioned structure section to know more. This will give you an idea of all topics to cover.
3. Pick Trustworthy Preparation Material
There is an abundance of test prep resources available for the GMAT. But ensure to choose carefully as not all of these resources are created equal. To best prepare for your GMAT exam and simulate the real test-taking experience, we recommend using the GMAT Official prep materials. Since they’re created by the original makers of the GMAT, they use the same GMAT scoring algorithm as the actual test and contain the questions asked from past exams. You can also get enrolled in the best GMAT coaching in India for guidance.
4. Identify Weaknesses
Figuring out which skills need the most attention is paramount to your overall prep strategy. We recommend taking the diagnostic GMAT tests in the beginning. These will help you analyze your results and, from there, create a customized, weakness-targeted study plan to brush up on the areas where you need to strengthen your knowledge in order to reach your set GMAT goals.
But remember to be realistic with yourself, scoring a 700 or higher on the GMAT isn’t always easy. Keep a target score based on the first score and the time period for preparation. You can consult with GMAT coaching in Chandigarh for the same.
5. Keep track of Time
If you have limited time to study, pacing yourself is important to your GMAT success. If you know that a particular section will be challenging for you, for example, refine your knowledge/skills related to it but also ensure you can execute them quickly.
Once you’ve practised enough and understood the concepts, start keeping track of time while completing a particular section. This will help you use the GMAT test time wisely.
6. Don’t Stay on the Same Question
Remember that there’s a penalty for not completing each GMAT section, and with each unanswered/ left question, your score could gradually decrease.
Don’t worry about whether you are answering every question correctly or not. Do your best in each section, obviously, but stick to a time-pacing strategy. Don’t invest more than two and a half minutes on a particular question. If you get confused, make a strategic guess. The online practice tests at top GMAT coaching institutes in Chandigarh will help you build a strategy for this.
7. Use Elimination Technique
Don’t waste your precious time when you come across questions about which you’re unsure of the correct answer. When in severe doubt, rule out the wrong answers to get closer/near to the correct answer. Select the best of the remaining choices and move on to the next question. Just in case you run out of time, consider the “guessing strategy.”
8. Practice Visual Literacy
We’ve established that time management is one of the critical GMAT test-taking strategies. You can master visual literacy or the ability to read symbols, charts, and tables to save your time on the GMAT test. The best GMAT coaching classes & prep in Chandigarh can guide you on this.
9. Work on Your Mental Math
Mental math is a time-saving tool every student wants in their arsenal when it comes to the GMAT quantitative section. When you begin practising, resist the urge to reach for your calculator. Instead, you can practice doing calculations in your head/mind. Note that you won’t have a calculator facility for the real Quant section of the GMAT test, so honing your mental math skills is very crucial.
10. Practice Advanced Questions
You can increase your odds dramatically of getting admission to the top MBA or management institutes abroad with an elite GMAT exam score. To push the upper limits of what you’re capable of in the GMAT, there’s no better source than the GMAT Official Advanced Questions. You can further enrol in the best GMAT coaching centre in Chandigarh, as they will provide you with amazing study material.
Now that you know all about GMAT, if you get stuck at any point or wish to begin your preparation, book a meeting with NCC Global’s counselors. Our well-qualified faculty and well-equipped/ technically sound classes will smoothen your GMAT preparation journey. We have online and offline GMAT practice tests and separate doubt sessions. We look forward to creating a test environment for the applicant that resonates with the GMAT test centres environment. So rest assured, as, at the end of your GMAT course at NCC Global, you will know how much time to spend on each question, the critical topics, the best study material, the GMAT scores required for your dream university, and more.
To book a free consultation –
Call – +919878222772 or +911724014454
Email – info@nccglobal.in