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The GMAT is one of the most important components of your MBA application, so it is imperative that you get a strong start when you begin your GMAT preparation. One of your first actions will be to calculate how much time to devote to GMAT preparation. Then, you will need to develop an effective GMAT study schedule to keep yourself on track. You probably have many demands on your time, so it is important that you create a schedule that will balance your work, family, and social responsibilities with the heavy demands of studying for the GMAT and finishing the other elements of your business school applications.
In this article, we’ll look at the many factors to consider in crafting an effective GMAT study plan. These factors include researching your target score, establishing your baseline score, knowing your application deadlines, and determining how much prep time you need to be at your peak on test day. In addition, we’ll present you with several options for choosing your best GMAT study strategy.
Here Are the Topics We’ll Cover:
- The Factors Influencing Your Choice of Test Date
- When Should You Start Studying?
- How Will You Prepare for the GMAT?
- Summary
- What’s Next?
The Factors Influencing Your Choice of Test Date
You can’t create an effective GMAT study schedule until you have decided when you will take the GMAT. Deciding on your test date is crucial, and there are many factors to consider when choosing it. You might have seasonal demands at work, such as the end of the fiscal year, when you might be temporarily working 12- to 15-hour days; this stressful time would not be good for taking such an important test. Or, family commitments, such as vacations or holidays, may impact the date you choose to take the test.
Another factor that will impact your choice of test date is the date you plan to submit your application for business school. The deadlines for round 1, round 2, and round 3 are generally September 1, January 1, and March 1, respectively.
You want to make sure that your entire application package is ready by your deadline, so you must ensure that your resume, your personal statement, your letters of recommendation, and other parts of your package are complete. You must invest significant time making sure these are exceptional, so you must give careful attention to each, in addition to keeping up with your other commitments.
TTP PRO TIP:
Know the admissions deadlines for the schools that interest you.
Scheduling Your GMAT Test Date
You have virtually unlimited flexibility in scheduling your GMAT test date. With options to take the exam in person at a test center or online at home, you can choose essentially any date or time to take the test. But you want to ensure that you take the GMAT such that you receive your test results in time to submit them before your application deadline. Official results are available about 3 weeks after your test date. And don’t overlook the fact that you might want to retake the GMAT in order to get a better score; build this option into your GMAT prep timeline.
With all this said, we recommend that you schedule your test no later than 2 months before the admissions deadline of your desired school. This gives you adequate time to get your official scores and submit them. It also allows for a retake if you are not satisfied with your initial scores and even provides a small cushion for reviewing material before your retake.
TTP PRO TIP:
You should schedule your GMAT no later than 2 months before your school’s admissions deadline.
When Should You Start Studying?
Your decision about when to start studying for the GMAT is not cut-and-dried. If you begin your preparation too early, you might pass your peak before exam day. Similarly, if you start studying too late, you will have to scramble for time and be stressed out and ill-prepared on test day. So, what is your optimal time for beginning your GMAT prep?
You can’t leave your studying decision to chance! Guessing wrong could be disastrous. Consider the following items to help you make your decision.
Determine Your Target Score First
Too often, I encounter students who have no idea what their GMAT score goal is. When asked, they say something like, “as high as possible” or “enough to get into HBS or Stanford” (or whatever their dream school is). Yet they have no idea what score that translates into.
Do some research to determine your target score. Look up the GMAT scores of those accepted at the schools you’re interested in. Note that many schools provide a range of acceptable scores for applicants. You don’t want to set your sights on scoring at the low end of the range. Aim for at least the average score of accepted students for the schools you’re interested in!
Another reason for establishing your target score is for those all-important scholarship applications! Many scholarships are based either solely or partly on your GMAT score, so be sure to research any minimum GMAT scores required for qualifying. A great GMAT score could be worth tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars!
TTP PRO TIP:
To determine your target GMAT score, research the GMAT scores of students who were accepted at the schools you’re interested in.
After you determine your target score, you’ll need to take a practice test.
Determine Your Baseline Score by Taking a Practice GMAT
Once you know your target score, you need to establish your baseline score by taking a practice GMAT exam. You can get 2 free full-length practice exams at mba.com and purchase 2 additional exams. Don’t spend much time studying for this first practice exam. Spend a little time learning the basic structure and format of the GMAT, but don’t spend an inordinate amount of time trying to memorize formulas and master the rules of critical reasoning questions! The practice test will simply give you a baseline score, which you will compare to your target score. The gap between these 2 scores will give you a sense of how much studying you may need to do.
TTP PRO TIP:
Take a practice GMAT exam to establish your baseline score.
Determine How Much Study Time You Need
After you compare your baseline score to your target score, you’ll have an idea of the point increase you need to improve during your GMAT preparation. Use the following guideline as an estimate of the number of hours you’ll need for your prep, based on your baseline score and the number of points you want to increase. The number of months in the “Time Required” column is based on studying 15 hours per week.
| Score on Practice Test | Desired Point Increase | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 525 | 50-80 | 180 hours or 3 months |
| 605 | 50-80 | 240 hours or 4 months |
| 505 | 100-150 | 300 hours or 5 months |
| 605 | 100-150 | 360 hours or 6 months |
Keep in mind that these are average figures regarding how long to study for the GMAT in certain scenarios. Your unique situation will determine the length of time you’ll need. For instance, you could be a fast learner with a high aptitude for the material tested on the GMAT. Or perhaps you can study more than 15 hours each week. In either case, the number of months needed to complete your studies would be reduced.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a natural aptitude for the material tested on the GMAT, or if you have other work or family commitments, you may require a longer timeline than what’s given in the chart. Just keep your eye on the prize, and stay the course.
TTP PRO TIP:
Compare your baseline score to your target score to determine the point increase you need. Then, estimate the amount of time you’ll need to spend in order to reach that score improvement goal.
Decide How Much Time You Can Commit to Studying
You probably have an incredibly busy life. You have work, family, and friends, all of which may be putting demands on your time. It may be difficult to imagine that you can find the necessary time to study for the GMAT as well.
Put your GMAT preparation into perspective. A great GMAT score leads to gaining admission to a top-tier school, which leads to getting a satisfying and lucrative job after graduation. So, a great GMAT score is worth every hour that you invest in studying!
TTP PRO TIP:
A great GMAT score is an investment in your future.
Think of your GMAT studying in the same light that elite athletes approach practice. It’s a necessity. Don’t make a meaningless statement like, “I will study every day.” That’s like saying, “I want to lose weight, so I will eat less.” It shows desire but not commitment. Instead, keep the big picture in mind and make a promise to yourself that you will stick by your decision.
If at all possible, commit to studying at least 15 hours each week. That number is the minimum recommended by nearly all GMAT tutors and professionals. It is enough to ensure that you can learn and retain information, but it is not excessive. You could study for as little as 1 hour each weekday and 5 hours on each weekend day and meet the goal.
Remember, your GMAT prep will last for no more than a few months. Remind yourself that you can handle a few months of just about anything, GMAT studying included, considering the potential payoff of getting that great score!
Commit to studying at least 15 hours each week.
Make a Schedule and Stick to It
You have already calculated your test date: 2 months before your application deadline. And you have used the chart to determine the number of months of study time you need to commit to. Now it’s time to get started!
For many students, using an actual calendar, whether digital or paper, is useful for providing a visual reminder of their scheduled study time. The study schedule holds you more accountable to yourself (and others) of the commitment you have made.
Don’t cheat! If you have scheduled yourself to study 15 hours each week, then schedule the days and times ahead of time. And once you commit, don’t miss your scheduled study time! Get in the mindset that you have as much responsibility to meet your GMAT study schedule as you would to get to your job or an appointment on time.
TTP PRO TIP:
Create a study schedule to help keep you on track to achieve your GMAT score goal.
How Will You Prepare for the GMAT?
You’ve completed your planning. You know your target and baseline GMAT scores, you’ve chosen a test date, you have a study schedule, and you’re ready to get down to business.
What to do now? Should you buy the Official Guide (OG) and start solving random problems? Do you take more practice tests to determine which topics you need to study most? Do you go out on the internet and search for “three month GMAT study schedule” or “six month GMAT study schedule” to get an idea of what topics to study and how much time to devote to each?
There are many approaches to your GMAT preparation schedule, and it is your job to decide which one(s) will work best for you. Fortunately, you have many options, from private self-study to using great online resources. Let’s look at several of them now.
TTP PRO TIP:
Before starting your prep, make sure to determine the best way to study for the GMAT.
Try Self-Study
If you are both motivated and self-disciplined, you very well could prepare for the GMAT on your own. You could spend some time collecting good study materials and searching the internet for some structured study plans that might work for you, ensuring that they cover every math and verbal topic that’s covered on the GMAT. You could read blogs and postings on GMAT websites.
There are some cons to self-study. First, you must bear the burden of keeping yourself on track and motivated. Second, you must be sure that you are able to teach yourself GMAT material that is new or unfamiliar. Third, you must accept that you will be somewhat isolated during your study time, with no one to commiserate with or collaborate with. But if you have the wherewithal to overcome these drawbacks, self-study can be an effective, low-cost way to study on your own terms.
TTP PRO TIP:
Self-study is a viable GMAT study option for self-disciplined individuals.
Enroll in a Prep Class
Consider enrolling in an in-person or online prep class. A structured class has many benefits. Being in a class requires you to attend at a predetermined time and day. You’ll be “forced” to cover some topics that you might tend to skip or gloss over if you were studying on your own. Your instructor will be able to clarify some points of confusion. Additionally, there’s a social component to taking a class: you’ll be in the company of other students with the same goal. Finally, you’ll often be assigned homework, so you’ll be held accountable for completing it and keeping up with assignments.
There are a few drawbacks. First, you don’t have the flexibility to choose your study times because class times are set. Second, the instructor will present material based on the syllabus, and won’t be able to speed up or slow down the teaching pace based on your strengths and weaknesses. So keep all this in mind when considering a prep class.
KEY FACT:
A GMAT prep class will keep your preparation structured and on track, but it will not be personalized to your unique needs.
Hire a Private Tutor
Hiring a private tutor is an attractive study option, especially when time is a major consideration. A good tutor will design GMAT study sessions to meet your specific needs, so there will be no wasted time. Having scheduled tutoring appointments will keep you on track with your study schedule. And, in case your energy or motivation drops a bit, your tutor may act as a motivator to keep you on course. A big plus is that a tutor will be able to teach you the GMAT topics that give you trouble. One drawback to private tutoring is that the cost may be prohibitive.
KEY FACT:
A tutor, while expensive, can tailor your GMAT prep to your specific needs.
Create a GMAT Study Group with Friends
If you are a social animal, then you can get the best of both worlds–studying and spending time with friends—by creating or joining a GMAT study group. Enlist a friend or two who are also planning to take the GMAT and who have similar goals as you, set a meeting schedule that you can agree upon, and get started!
You can create a syllabus, choose study resources, and set a few ground rules before you begin. Then, hold study sessions on schedule and keep committed to your goals and your study schedule. You can benefit from both the studying and the camaraderie of your study group.
TTP PRO TIP:
Forming a GMAT study group with friends can provide an effective means of studying and socializing.
Enroll in an Online GMAT Prep Course
Another way to study for the GMAT is to enroll in an online GMAT prep course. Some features of a good prep course are that it:
- gives you a comprehensive study plan
- tracks your progress automatically
- presents the exact material that has been tested on the GMAT
- provides analytics, giving you valuable feedback on the types of questions that you have trouble with and why you miss certain questions
- supplies equation guides and flashcards
- presents you with expert test strategies
There are many online GMAT courses available, so you should try a few free or low-cost trials to find the one that you are most comfortable with. For example, the Target Test Prep GMAT course offers a free 5-day trial. All online GMAT courses offer 24/7 access, and many students like the flexibility of being able to access their course anytime.
TTP PRO TIP:
An online GMAT prep course may satisfy all your study needs. It offers many attractive features that can make for an effective study experience.
Summary
In this article, we have focused on the factors you should consider when planning your GMAT preparation.
You have to first determine when you will begin your studying. The initial step is to decide if you intend to meet Round 1, 2, or 3 application deadlines. Then, back up about 2 months to set your test date, allowing time to receive your official score and to have a cushion in case you need to retake the exam.
Consider the following factors to decide when you should start your GMAT studying:
- What is your target score? Research the schools that interest you and find out the average GMAT score of accepted students.
- What is your baseline score? Take a practice GMAT.
- Compare your target score to your baseline score and calculate the number of points you need to improve your score. Approximate the number of months you’ll need to study to reach your target score.
- Determine how many hours you can realistically commit to studying for the GMAT each week. In general, you should study for at least 15 hours each week.
- Make a study schedule and hold yourself accountable to it.
To make your studying easier and more efficient, you can use a variety of strategies. These include the following:
- self-study
- in-person prep class
- private tutor
- GMAT study group
- online GMAT prep course
Each of these has pros and cons. Choose the resource that works for you!
What’s Next?
This article has focused on the factors you should consider in creating and implementing your GMAT study schedule. Before you decide, you might want to read this article about additional GMAT study resources.
