Are you wondering how to improve your GMAT score? If you’ve been studying for the GMAT for a while or have taken the test numerous times but your score is not improving, we’ve got you covered!
Having a stagnant GMAT score is discouraging. The good news is that there is still hope for getting a great score! This article will help you get over the hump and achieve your desired GMAT score. We’ll discuss the various reasons why your score is stuck in place, as well as strategies for improving it.
Here are the issues we’ll explore in this blog:
- #1: Do I Have Any Skill Gaps?
- #2: Am I Making Careless Mistakes?
- #3: Do I Have Timing Issues?
- #4: Am I Following a Topical and Systematic Study Plan?
- #5: Am I Using Inefficient Quant Strategies?
- #6: Am I Using Inefficient Verbal Strategies?
- #7: Do I Have Control of My Test Anxiety?
- How Much Can You Improve Your GMAT Score?
- Summary
- What’s Next?
Let’s take a look at the first of the seven important questions. Their answers can help you determine how to improve your GMAT score.
#1: Do I Have Any Skill Gaps?
There are hundreds of concepts that you must master in order to improve your GMAT performance. You have no way of knowing which concepts will be tested on exam day. Thus, you must be well-versed in all of them prior to taking your GMAT. In addition, if you’ve practiced any GMAT questions, you likely now know that a single quant or verbal question can test you on several concepts simultaneously.
As a result, identifying any skill gaps you have is critical to improving your overall score. Your ability to employ multiple skills when confronted with any category of GMAT question increases in direct proportion to the number of skill gaps you close.
Identifying any skill gaps you have is critical to improving your overall score.
So, let’s discuss how to identify your skill gaps.
Identify and Address Specific Weaknesses
Identifying skill gaps can be difficult, especially if you’re incorrectly answering questions that require you to apply multiple concepts to a single problem.
Quant Weaknesses
To identify your weak areas, you may need to break down a question into its component steps. For example, when answering a Coordinate Geometry question about a shape plotted in the xy-plane, you may be required to complete the following steps:
- Analyze the figure in the xy-plane.
- Use an appropriate formula to describe the shape (e.g., circle, line parabola).
- Create an equation for the shape.
- Use algebra rules to simplify the equation.
What would happen if you were solid all the way up to step 4, but you misused the rules of roots? Unfortunately, you’d get to the one-yard line but not score the touchdown, right?
A big mistake would be to assume that you’re struggling with Coordinate Geometry questions. Before making this assumption, you must do a further analysis of where you went wrong. You want to pinpoint the fact that step 4 was your sticking point. If your issue truly is just Roots, then you can go back and work on that topic. And since the topic of Roots spans many math concepts, you’ll improve not only on questions directly involving Roots but also on questions from topics such as Quadratic Equations and Coordinate Geometry.
TTP PRO TIP:
Ensure that you properly identify the quant topic that is keeping you from getting a question correct.
Verbal Weaknesses
In the Verbal arena, it is equally important to identify one’s weaknesses. For example, one key aspect of success in Critical Reasoning questions is to match what the question asks you to find. You must analyze every answer choice to determine which choice actually answers the question stem. Consider the following example.
Example – Critical Reasoning
Recently, sales of bananas have dramatically increased in many areas of the country. Just before the increases in sales began to occur, a new video game was released in which characters become powerful by eating bananas. Clearly, the reason for the increase in sales of bananas is people’s seeing bananas portrayed as sources of power in the new video game.
Which of the following if true provides the most additional support for the conclusion of the argument?
- Because bananas can be grown in many climates, it is possible to grow them in many areas of the country.
- Sales of cranberries also have increased recently.
- Not only sales of fresh bananas, but also sales of banana chips have increased recently.
- Sales of bananas have increased only in areas of the country in which the new video game is popular.
- Bananas are sources of important nutrients including potassium.
Solution:
First, carefully read the question stem. Pay close attention to the argument, noting that the argument states: “the reason for the increases in sales of bananas is people’s seeing bananas portrayed as sources of power in the new video game.”
You can see that the correct answer is choice D. The fact that “sales of bananas have increased only in areas of the country in which the new video game is popular” tends to confirm the argument’s conclusion by making a connection between the video game and sales of bananas.
Answer: D
TTP PRO TIP:
Analyze CR answer choices to ensure that your choice answers the question presented in the question stem.
Maintain an Error Log
Maintaining an error log is an effective method of identifying your skill gaps and ensuring that you systematically address them.
Maintaining a thorough error log entails keeping track of the types of questions you get wrong and the reasons for your mistakes. For example, if you are analyzing a quant question that you answered incorrectly, you might ask yourself the questions below:
- Is it possible that I did not fully comprehend the content on which the question is based?
- Was there a specific formula that I needed but could not remember?
- Did I forget how to perform a specific mathematical task (for example, solving a quadratic equation)?
- Did I misunderstand the question that was asked?
- Did I fall for a trap answer choice?
Each time you identify a weakness in your math abilities, you move one step closer to your GMAT target score. The more times you identify a weakness in your math abilities, the closer you’ll bring yourself to your score goal.
It’s critically important to analyze the results of practice tests or problem sets. To catch your errors, make sure to review each question you answered incorrectly and determine exactly what went wrong.
Each time you identify a weakness in your math abilities, you move one step closer to your GMAT target score.
It’s likely that you’ve been keeping track of errors throughout your GMAT prep. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to start now. Of course, if you’re currently using TTP, we provide an error log that allows you to easily track your errors.
Examine the Results of Your Practice Tests
When you are reviewing your GMAT practice test results, it is especially important to thoroughly analyze each and every question in order to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Each practice test contains only 21 quantitative questions, 23 verbal questions, and 20 Data Insights questions, so you can’t afford to take even a single question for granted.
When you’re reviewing answers, it is critical to be completely honest with yourself. Don’t give yourself credit for a lucky guess. If, for example, you answered an Average Rate question by backsolving, don’t tell yourself that you have mastered Average Rate questions. Take the time to review the concept of Average Rates to fill in any knowledge gaps.
Remember that you cannot rely on being able to “fool” the GMAT in any way. If, between practice tests, you don’t put in the necessary work of identifying and correcting any gaps in your skills, you shouldn’t expect your score to improve from one practice test to the next.
Don’t be surprised if it takes you four or five days to thoroughly review a practice test and study the material that corresponds to your weak areas. For more advice on this process, take a look at our blog about smart strategies for taking GMAT practice tests.
TTP PRO TIP:
When reviewing your practice test results, use every question as an opportunity to thoroughly analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
#2: Am I Making Careless Mistakes?
Whenever a student approaches me with the question, “How can I improve my GMAT score?,” I immediately ask about the student’s tendency to make careless mistakes. Careless mistakes come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all costly.
For example, you might overlook a crucial fact in the provided information, such as “x is less than zero.” You might make a calculation error, such as simplifying 14/34 as 7/16. You might not notice the word “except” in a Critical Reasoning question stem. As a result, you choose an incorrect answer.
If you make even one of these careless mistakes, your GMAT score will suffer. Thus, reducing the number of careless mistakes when answering GMAT questions will have a significant impact on your overall score.
TTP PRO TIP:
Reducing the number of careless mistakes you make when answering GMAT questions will have a significant impact on your score.
Careless Mistakes Are Unforgivable
Unlike other errors that result in incorrect answers, careless mistakes do not typically reflect gaps in your content knowledge. Rather, careless mistakes are frequently the result of poor habits, such as:
- reading questions too quickly
- rushing through calculations
- relying too heavily on mental math
- taking sloppy and disorganized notes
Careless mistakes are debilitating and frustrating because they can cause you to miss questions that you should have answered correctly. So, if you have a tendency to make careless mistakes, correcting them will certainly result in a higher GMAT score.
Careless mistakes are debilitating and frustrating because they can cause you to miss questions that you should have answered correctly.
Fortunately, careless mistakes are preventable and can be avoided. You should maintain focus, follow a sound strategy, and put in the necessary time and effort into your work.
Careless Mistakes Are Completely Preventable
Become aware of your own tendency to make careless mistakes. This awareness is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your chances of making them. If you are aware of your patterns, you can catch yourself in the act of making a mistake. In other words, you can alert yourself before you make a specific type of mistake.
Consider the following scenario: you notice a pattern of answering questions that aren’t being asked. So, you start double-checking what the question is asking before you choose your answer. You make sure, for example, that you do not answer a question about Theresa’s age when you’re asked to determine Martha’s age.
Or let’s say you notice that you frequently mix up numbers or lose track of calculations that involve math skills about which you are confident. After noticing that pattern, you could review your note-taking techniques and brush up on your calculation skills.
Making careless errors is quite common among test takers. Correcting them will have a significant positive impact on your GMAT score. Your error log will assist you in understanding the types of errors that are preventing you from making significant improvements in your score. So, make a note of any instances of your getting a question wrong due to a careless mistake, as well as the nature of the mistake.
TTP PRO TIP:
Your error log is an important tool for understanding the types of careless mistakes that are preventing you from making significant improvements in your score.
Slow Down When Answering Questions
In addition to becoming aware of the careless mistakes you make, you must approach your work with a mindful and methodical approach when answering GMAT questions. For many test-takers, this approach involves doing something they dread: slowing down during their examinations. Concentrate on the problem at hand. Move slowly and methodically through it; this will help you make fewer careless mistakes and improve your score significantly.
Concentrate intently on each problem, working through each step as efficiently as possible. Don’t rush through the problem-solving process.
Honestly, it is better to take your time and avoid silly mistakes on four questions — even if doing so forces you to guess on the last question because you ran out of time — than to rush through those four questions and get them all wrong because you made mindless, avoidable mistakes.
TTP PRO TIP:
Working slowly and carefully reduces the number of careless errors you make, mistakes that can cause your GMAT score to stagnate or decline.
#3: Do I Have Timing Issues?
The importance of timing in improving your GMAT score cannot be overstated. Poor timing is a common problem among GMAT students. It can certainly contribute to an inability to improve one’s score.
For example, some students “overspend” on one or more questions, leaving little time to complete the remaining questions. We frequently spend excessive time on a question because we believe that we should be able to answer it correctly. We just can’t seem to let it go. In other cases, students give up on questions too quickly if they believe they are taking too long to come up with a correct answer.
Great timing on the GMAT is like baking a perfect cake. Undercooking the cake is no better than overcooking it — either way, it’s ruined. Likewise, whether you spend too little time on a GMAT question or too much, you may be setting yourself up for failure.
Develop an Internal Clock
Developing an internal clock is an excellent method of addressing timing issues. Once you’ve developed your internal clock, you should be able to get a reasonably accurate sense of how long you’ve spent on a question and how much time you have left to find an answer.
For instance, a GMAT quant question will take approximately 2 minutes to complete, on average. So, having an intuitive understanding of what 2 minutes feels like will be extremely beneficial.
You can develop this intuition by completing timed practice GMAT questions in the latter stages of your preparation. For example, when you begin working on a quant question, set a timer for 5 minutes. When you believe that 2 minutes has elapsed, check the timer to see how close you were to that time. Your goal is to develop a comfortable intuition for how that amount of time will feel. The more you practice “when 2 minutes are up,” the more comfortable you’ll become working within this time frame.
TTP PRO TIP:
Develop your internal clock by completing timed practice questions in the latter stages of your GMAT preparation.
Be Careful About Moving on from Questions too Quickly
The fact that you reached the 2-minute mark on a particular GMAT quant question does not mean that you should immediately guess and move on. If you believe that you are on the verge of getting an answer, even if you are at the 2-minute mark, it may be worthwhile to spend another 30 to 45 seconds answering the question.
Quant Considerations
On the other hand, you are not required to spend 2 minutes on every quantitative question on the GMAT. For example, you are 30 seconds into a difficult Statistics question, and you have no clue how to move forward. In that case, take a guess and move on! In so doing, you’ll gain extra time to work on a later question that might take a bit of extra time but whose answer you are confident you can calculate.
Verbal Considerations
The Verbal Reasoning section is more problematic about timing. You can’t just use simple arithmetic to determine the average number of minutes to answer a verbal question. The two types of questions – Reading Comprehension (RC) and Critical Reasoning (CR) – are quite different from each other in terms of timing and strategy. For example, for RC passages you must first read the passage before you can answer the questions. Thus, you must account for the reading time of a passage. Thus, the 3-4 RC passages (and their attendant 13 questions) might need 8 minutes of reading time and 21 minutes to answer the 13 RC questions. This would leave about 16 minutes to answer the 10 CR questions.
The numbers presented in the previous paragraph are just guidelines. You know that some questions will be more challenging than others. But, with reading time taken into account, your average time to answer any verbal question will be a little more than 1.5 minutes. But, rather than give up when 1:30 has passed, you need to assess whether you’re on the path to arriving at a correct answer soon or just struggling as the seconds fly by.
TTP PRO TIP:
There is no simple equation for determining how much time to devote to each quant or verbal question. Use judgment and experience to guide you.
For more advice on improving your GMAT timing strategies, check out this blog about timing strategies for GMAT quant and this blog about timing strategies for GMAT Verbal.
#4: Am I Following a Topical and Systematic Study Plan?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken with GMAT students who asked me the question, “How do I improve my GMAT score?” yet were not following a structured study plan. Many of these students were using a few GMAT study books and practicing hundreds of random questions. They were hoping to master GMAT quant and verbal by simply reviewing the solutions to problems they had encountered. If that situation reminds you of something you’re currently doing, I have some news for you: your current study method is unlikely to result in an increase in your GMAT score.
Remember, there are hundreds of topics that you must be familiar with in order to perform well on the GMAT. It is impossible to learn so much information without following a well-structured study plan. For GMAT preparation, a linear, topic-by-topic approach is the most effective way to ensure that you master each GMAT topic. If you use such an approach, you won’t waste time practicing questions before you’ve mastered the fundamentals of the material.
So, the structure of your GMAT study plan should be to learn one topic at a time. Then, practice what you’ve learned by answering questions that are specific to that topic before moving on to the next topic in your study plan. Start with the fundamentals and work your way up to more advanced concepts. This method of study will be a game-changer for you.
TTP PRO TIP:
Don’t try to learn advanced topics until you’ve mastered the fundamentals of the subject.
#5: Am I Using Inefficient Quant Strategies?
It’s true that if you know all of the concepts, rules, and formulas that are required to perform exceptionally well in quant, you could get an awesome GMAT quant score. However, if you are not using the best strategies when solving GMAT quant questions, you still may fall short of your GMAT quant score goal.
For example, you’re working on a tough multiple-choice algebra question. If you decide to backsolve by plugging in each answer choice into the equation, you may be doing yourself a huge disservice. Backsolving may allow you to get the right answer, but it is unbelievably inefficient. It’s so much better to think for a moment before jumping into such a time-consuming strategy. Give your brain a few moments to process the information given. Perhaps the better, more direct way of solving the problem will come to you
Use a Variety of Solution Strategies
Of course, back solving or testing answers may be effective on occasion, but to answer GMAT quant questions efficiently, you really need strategies that are effective for answering a wide range of questions, not just a few of them. After all, if the strategies you employ are effective only 50 percent of the time, how realistic is it that you will be able to improve your GMAT score?
Of course, it’s important to remember that most GMAT quant questions can be solved using a variety of approaches. That said, there is usually one approach that is significantly faster than the others. Consequently, you want to make sure that you not only have the conceptual knowledge you need to answer quant questions, but also are applying that knowledge in the smartest, most efficient ways.
If you find that your quant strategies are inefficient and not leading you to correct answers in a reasonable amount of time, invest time in “retraining your brain,” so that more efficient methods of solving GMAT problems become second nature to you.
TTP PRO TIP:
During your GMAT prep, invest the time necessary to “train your brain,” so that efficient methods of solving GMAT problems become second nature to you.
#6: Am I Using Inefficient Verbal Strategies?
Just as there is usually one approach that is significantly faster than others for solving a GMAT quant question, there are inefficient strategies for answering GMAT verbal questions and efficient strategies. Both types of strategies may lead you to correct answers. However, only the efficient strategies are going to help you improve your GMAT verbal score.
For example, you’re tackling a Reading Comprehension passage. You decide to just read the first and last sentence of each paragraph before going to the first question. Your thinking is that using this strategy will give you more time for the questions. In fact, students using this strategy often end up spending more time than necessary searching the passage for the information they need to answer questions. Although it may seem counterintuitive, a more efficient strategy would be to read the passage completely the first time around.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of inefficient GMAT verbal strategies out there that have become quite common among GMAT students. As well-versed as you may be in the elements of arguments or the structures of passages, such strategies aren’t going to get you very far once you start taking timed tests.
Don’t be afraid to let go of verbal strategies that aren’t getting you the results you need. The sooner you train yourself to use more efficient verbal strategies, the more time you’ll have to work on improving your verbal score!
For more tips on efficiently solving GMAT verbal questions, check out this blog on how to get faster at GMAT verbal.
TTP PRO TIP:
Don’t be afraid to let go of verbal strategies that aren’t getting you the results you need.
#7: Do I Have Control of My Test Anxiety?
If you feel as though you’re already following the advice we’ve discussed in this blog, but you’re still not sure how to improve your GMAT score, then anxiety may be a major issue for you.
What Is Test Anxiety?
Many students experience test anxiety, which manifests itself in increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and racing thoughts. A high-stakes exam such as the GMAT can exacerbate this anxiety, making it difficult to concentrate. After all, your GMAT performance will have a significant impact on your future.
Truth is, for even the most well-prepared test-takers, a small amount of test anxiety is normal and expected during the GMAT. However, excessive stress can cause distractions. These in turn can cause you to lose focus. And losing focus will limit your ability to achieve a score that accurately reflects your GMAT abilities. Learning to control your test-taking anxiety will bring you one step closer to breaking through your GMAT score ceiling.
Take Control of Your Test Anxiety
Fortunately, there are numerous effective techniques for dealing with test anxiety, including visualization, breathing exercises, and transforming anxiety into excitement. If you believe test anxiety has been preventing you from improving your GMAT score, it’s worthwhile to investigate these options. The best way to reduce test anxiety is to know GMAT quant and verbal like the back of your hand. The more familiar you are with the subject matter, the more relaxed you’ll be when you’re tested on it. In fact, knowing the material inside and out is the most underappreciated technique for overcoming test anxiety.
If you are already confident in your ability to answer GMAT questions, go ahead and practice some more! Prepare yourself to the point where the material no longer causes anxiety. Here is an excellent strategy for becoming familiar with GMAT content: Don’t just practice until you’re able to answer questions correctly; practice until you’re virtually unable to answer questions incorrectly.
Knowing the material inside and out is the most underappreciated technique for overcoming test anxiety.
Up to this point, we have discussed several issues that, if addressed properly, can impact your GMAT score considerably. Now you may be wondering, by how many points can I really improve my score?
How Much Can You Improve Your GMAT Score?
I don’t think a day has gone by when I have not heard a student asking, “Can I improve my GMAT score by 100 points?,” or 200 points, or any other number. The good news is that regardless of your starting point, there really is no limit to how much you can improve your GMAT score. My philosophy is, if you follow a structured study plan and a realistic timeline, any score improvement is possible.
That said, a massive GMAT score improvement is not something that happens overnight. But if you work your tail off and give yourself enough time, then great things can happen. For example, this TTP student was able to improve her GMAT score from 250 to 780! However, such a feat took her four years. Clearly, she was motivated and driven to achieve her GMAT dream score, no matter how long it took.
Summary
This article has covered 6 major tasks that you should complete if you are wondering how to improve your GRE score.
- Identify any knowledge or skill gaps.
- Keep an error log.
- Eliminate careless mistakes.
- Address timing issues.
- Follow a systematic and topical study plan.
- Manage your test anxiety.
If you can complete the tasks above, there is no reason why you cannot get the GRE score you desire.
Just remember, whether you’re seeking a dramatic score improvement or a modest one, it’s critical that you ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have any skill gaps?
- Am I making careless mistakes?
- Do I have timing issues?
- Am I following a topical and systematic study plan?
- Am I using inefficient quant strategies?
- Am I using inefficient verbal strategies?
- Do I have control of my test anxiety?
What’s Next?
Was your test-day performance disappointing in comparison with your performance on practice tests? This article explains the 10 most common reasons for a GMAT score drop.
Looking for more ways to improve your GMAT score? Check out this article 25 tips for increasing your quant score and this article on how to score high on GMAT verbal.
Good luck!
