Many GMAT students — some who just started their GMAT prep and others who scheduled their exams for the upcoming weeks — have been understandably worried about how Coronavirus will affect the GMAT. While there is no denying that we all have to make some sacrifices and experience some inconveniences in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, these necessary safety measures don’t mean that your dreams of getting into a top MBA program are going to be derailed. In fact, there is plenty you can do to stay on track with your GMAT goals and your plans for business school.
First things first, let’s reiterate: You do NOT have to give up your GMAT goals or your plans for business school.
Things may seem up-in-the-air for the time being, and it’s true that the situation regarding COVID-19 and the GMAT is still evolving, but that only means that staying calm and focused on your goals is more important than ever.
This brings us to the second key point to remember: The dust is going to settle.
Right now, everyone is scrambling to get their bearings and figure out the path ahead, but this temporary upheaval will settle down eventually, and when it does, you’ll want to be sure that you’re in the best position possible to move forward with your goals. The MBA degree will continue to be a valuable asset for professionals around the world, and the GMAT will continue to be an important part of the admissions process.
So, let’s look at a few essential strategies for staying motivated during a difficult time and making the best out of circumstances that, let’s face it, we can’t entirely control.
#1: Stay Safe
The most important thing you can do for yourself and the people around you is follow the Coronavirus guidelines in your area, and put your health and safety first. Exposing yourself to unnecessary risks — for instance, meeting in person with your GMAT study group — isn’t going to bring you any closer to your goals. You don’t need the added stress of worrying how those kinds of risks to achieve something in the short-term could affect your long-term plans. If you are not healthy, nothing else will matter. Your health has always been, and continues to be now, your true wealth.
#2: Stay Informed
As we mentioned, the situation around COVID-19 and the GMAT is still changing and probably will continue to change for a while. However, GMAC (which administers the GMAT) is doing everything possible to keep test-takers informed about temporary closures of testing centers, rescheduling procedures, and other related matters. You can stay up to date on how Coronavirus is affecting GMAT testing and the test centers near you by bookmarking GMAC’s Coronavirus Updates page and checking back regularly. If you have questions or concerns that aren’t addressed on their website, you also can contact GMAC by email or phone.
If your GMAT is already scheduled and gets postponed, you should receive an email from GMAC instructing you on how to reschedule or cancel your exam, so keep an eye on your inbox. Don’t hesitate to contact GMAC if you’re unclear about any of the instructions you receive.
#3: Work With What You’ve Got
Roll with the punches. Make lemons into lemonade. Easier said than done, right? The truth is, it can be very de-motivating to realize that things you have little or no control over can come into your life and upend even the most organized and comprehensive study plan.
We’ve all had those days when a negative event takes us by surprise, or other priorities vie for our time, and we can’t seem to stick to the schedule we’ve laid out. The trick is to not let days of distraction and stagnation turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months.
None of us feel in control of every aspect of our lives, but there are a few things that are clearly under our control, and one of those things is how we deal with adversity. In fact, being able to constructively handle adversity is one of the key skills for scoring well on the GMAT.
Schedule isn’t what you thought it’d be for the next few weeks? Create a new schedule, and while you’re at it, improve upon the old one! Stuck at home with hours of time that used to be full? Try adding a new element to your study routine or tackling a GMAT topic that has been giving you trouble. Why not put the time you would’ve spent commuting to and from work or school into learning the ins and outs of Number Properties or reading magazines online to help prepare for RC? Why not master Weaken the Argument questions or become so good at functions and sequences that you can’t get these question types wrong? Use the time constructively.
If your GMAT was already scheduled and has been delayed, use the extra time to continue with your GMAT study and stay fresh on all the content you’ve learned. Who knows — the additional study time may help you earn an even higher score than you were expecting when you originally scheduled your exam! Maybe with that higher GMAT score you can make yourself competitive for the top business programs! If you look closely, you can find opportunity in adversity.
The point is, you can use the unanticipated changes life throws at you as an excuse to do nothing or as fresh motivation to get things done. Which one do you think will help you reach your GMAT score goal? Which one will your future self thank you for? You have more control over your day-to-day life than you may feel at the moment. Take control of your pirate ship, and steer it in the direction that maximizes your chances of finding the treasure you seek!
#4 Don’t Panic
This may be the toughest advice to follow, but it’s probably the most important. Studying for the GMAT is a stressful endeavor on its own, and if you’ve been doing it for any length of time, you likely are aware that panic and anxiety can hinder your ability to concentrate during your prep and make steady progress from one day to the next day. In general, when preparing for the GMAT, and especially at a time like this, don’t be afraid to schedule in some time to relax and “reset” your brain.
Maybe you have a little more time now to cook a nice meal for yourself at dinnertime, or to meditate for 10 minutes each morning before you start your day. Maybe you need to set an alarm for a certain time each afternoon, so that you remember to step away from your desk and get some exercise (just, please, not at the gym).
Do what you need to do to create small respites from any stressful situations that may be going on in your life, so that during the time you are investing in your GMAT prep, your mind is uncluttered and you can study effectively.
#5 Channel Your Stress by Becoming Laser-Focused on the Task at Hand
Another way to keep yourself from panicking is to channel any stress you feel into your GMAT study. For example – make a game out of drilling flash cards — see how many you can get correct in a row. Or take more time than you would ever dream of taking to analyze a practice question you answered incorrectly; make it your sole mission to understand every aspect of every concept the question touches on.
Even more motivating can be making a game out of your streak length. As you know, the GMAT rewards long streaks of correct answers with high scores. Therefore, you can focus on getting correct answers in streaks and see how long you can make those streaks; the longer the better!! For example, if you can get five questions in a row correct, your best streak length is 5 questions. Now, beat it! Try to get your streak length to 7 questions or 14 questions, or even to 31 questions!! Make it fun! This exercise will train you to focus on consistently getting correct answers to questions that you can answer. Try hard not to let a question break your streak!
The message is to distract yourself with a productive activity instead of spinning your wheels with anxious fretting. Chances are, you’ll thank yourself when you sit for your exam.
#6 Connect Online
At a time when social distancing is of the utmost importance, we’re lucky to have so many digital tools at our disposal to stay connected. In addition to keeping in touch with friends and family, using platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and Reddit to connect with other GMAT test-takers is a great way to reduce stress and keep yourself accountable as you continue your prep.
If you used to meet with a study group at the local coffee shop once a week, have a virtual meeting instead. If you’ve never posted on a forum such as GMAT Club or Reddit before, what better time than now to sign up? Talking with peers who are experiencing the same obstacles as you are can be very empowering, and you may be surprised by how willing people are to offer advice and provide motivation. There has probably never been a time when every other GMAT test-taker could relate to your worries and frustrations more. Take advantage of it!
#7 Leverage an Online GMAT Self-Study Course
At this point it’s almost inevitable that all in-person GMAT classes and private tutoring sessions have been canceled. That’s ok. Those seeking to maximize their time and study progress can enroll in an online GMAT self-study course. You can check the reviews on forums, such as GMAT Club, MBA Insight, or even Poets and Quants. If you’re seeking to earn an impressive GMAT quant score, of course Target Test Prep should be in the front of your mind. We’ve helped thousands of students earn GMAT scores beyond what they felt they were capable of scoring.
#8 An Important Final Thought on the GMAT, Business School, and the Future
This is a hard time for everyone. Hard times come and go, but hard people last. Now is the time to turn on your jets and let your light shine. When things return to normal, whether good or bad, right or wrong, top business schools will still be difficult to gain entry into. As a result, degrees from these schools will continue to pay a large ROI to those who earn them. Hundreds of thousands of people will still sit for the GMAT each year (many of them at home), and it will still be used as an important tool in the MBA admissions process. Those who invest the time and effort to earn top scores will still have a competitive advantage, all else equal, over those who do not. You’ve got this. You can do it. Study hard. Study smart. Put your best foot forward. Be optimistic. Do the best you can do. Work hard. Seize the day. All is not lost by any stretch. In fact, the future’s still bright. Our best – your best days – are still ahead.
