How to Stay Positive While Studying for the GMAT

Reading Time: 14 minutes

Last Updated on November 23, 2023

GMAT prep rarely (if ever) goes perfectly. Often, it’s a long road full of ups and downs. So, students frequently come to us asking, how can I stay positive and motivated to study? Maintaining a positive mindset for studying is a key aspect of GMAT success. Yet, it’s very easy for people’s mental health during studies for the GMAT to take a hit.

So, in this article, we’ll discuss how to stay positive while studying for the GMAT by examining 7 common scenarios that cause negative thinking about the exam. I’ll provide simple, practical tips for boosting morale during exam prep in each of those scenarios.

I’ll also answer some common questions about how to overcome GMAT anxiety and stress. Plus, I’ll give you tips on employing wellness strategies during preparation for the GMAT.

Here are all the topics we’ll cover:

• Scenario 1: You Feel Overwhelmed
  • Tip: Focus on One Step at a Time
• Scenario 2: Your Progress Is SLOW
  • Tip: Make Slow and Steady the Plan
• Scenario 3: You Feel Dumb
  • Tip: It’s Not About What You Already Know
• Scenario 4: You Got a Low Test Score
  • Tip: Every GMAT “Ailment” Has a Cure
• Scenario 5: Your Competition Is Stiff
  • Tip: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
• Scenario 6: You Imagine Worst-Case Scenarios
  • Tip: Game Out Your Fears
• Scenario 7: You’re Surrounded by Negative Talk
  • Tip: Seek Out Positive Stories
• How to Stay Positive While Studying for the GMAT: Key Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • What are some stress management techniques for GMAT exam preparation?
  • How can I balance study and relaxation to avoid burnout?
  • Should I take the GMAT if I don’t feel ready?
• What’s Next?

Let’s start with a scenario that many GMAT students face: feeling overwhelmed.

Scenario 1: You Feel Overwhelmed

If you feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn for the GMAT, you’re not alone! It is a super-common scenario for students to feel as though the long road ahead of them when they begin their GMAT studies is insurmountable. Particularly if you’re going to school or working full-time while studying for the GMAT, you may think you’ll never be able to “do it all.” That mindset can crush your study motivation, making studying for the GMAT seem like a losing battle before the battle has really begun.

Tip: Focus on One Step at a Time

The best way to cope with feeling overwhelmed about your GMAT studies is to make your tasks smaller! Learning everything you need to know to score high on the GMAT is a big project that may span months. But what about learning a single concept? How about one strategy for one question type? Not such big projects, right?

The truth is, one of the most effective study habits out there when it comes to the GMAT is learning one topic at a time, starting with the most basic topics and working your way up to the more advanced ones. Luckily, this also happens to be one of the most motivational study techniques. Why? Because it allows you to accomplish something in a short span of time, consistently. Thus, you make meaningful gains in your GMAT knowledge and skill essentially every time you study. When you take GMAT prep one step at a time, you’re always moving forward, which does wonders for your level of optimism about the exam.

So, make sure to use a resource that teaches you the GMAT one topic at a time, in linear fashion, and breaks topics into focused lessons. Then, you can learn concept by concept, skill by skill. The TTP course uses this method, and our students have seen fantastic results!

Also, it helps if your GMAT study resource shows you your daily progress and reinforces your sense of accomplishment. For example, the TTP course includes a daily study calendar that automatically updates as you complete each task for the day. Essentially, this calendar is like a digital to-do list that checks tasks off your list as you do them. It’s highly motivational!

Scenario 2: Your Progress Is SLOW

Slow progress in any endeavor can be demoralizing. You may be constantly questioning yourself: Why is it taking so long for me to master this material? Is there something wrong with me? Do other people take this long? If I’m going to be able to score high on the GMAT, shouldn’t I be learning this stuff more quickly?

This is a case of expectation not matching reality, and it can cause even initially optimistic test-takers to start thinking really negatively about the GMAT. Luckily, there is a pretty straightforward fix.

Tip: Make Slow and Steady the Plan

The ugly secret about the GMAT is that it often takes much longer to prepare for than people expect. Many students have their dreams of preparing for the GMAT in a month or two dashed upon starting the process. And when your expectation of how a situation will play out does not match the reality of how things are going, it’s natural to think you’re not capable of meeting the moment.

So, adjust your expectations! Make slow and steady progress the plan from the beginning (or, from now on). Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to prepare for test day. Factor in time for a GMAT retake, or a couple of retakes, so that test day isn’t “do or die.”

If you plan a somewhat longer GMAT preparation timeline than you may need, and your preparation moves slowly, then everything is going according to plan! Thus, there’s no reason to worry or be disappointed in yourself. You’re doing what you planned to do.

Also, try to study some basically every day, rather than “save up” study time for a couple of marathon sessions each week. Studying in fits and starts can slow your progress because you don’t keep your skills sharp by using them consistently. Even if you’re able to fit in only a half hour of study time some days, or 10 minutes with your flashcards, you’ll still be reminding your brain of what you’ve learned, and thus solidifying that knowledge. Not looking at a thing related to the GMAT all week, and then cramming for 8 hours a day on the weekends, doesn’t have the same cumulative effect.

Scenario 3: You Feel Dumb

It’s very common for students to doubt their intelligence when they study for the GMAT. Maybe you’ve performed poorly on standardized tests in the past. So, you’re going into the GMAT prep process with a negative view of your capabilities. Maybe you discover that some area of the GMAT is a weakness for you that you weren’t expecting. Or, maybe you’ve been out of school for a while. So, you’ve forgotten a lot of the material that the GMAT tests. In many cases, GMAT material just feels tough! Even if the concepts GMAT questions test are familiar, the ways the GMAT tests those concepts are tricky. The GMAT’s particular style of questions can take a lot of getting used to.

So, whether you haven’t been grasping GMAT concepts as quickly as you’d like or all of the GMAT content seems completely foreign to you, you may be asking yourself, am I too dumb for this test?

I think you know what my answer to that question will be!

Tip: It’s Not About What You Already Know

Here’s the thing about intelligence, when it comes to the GMAT and in general: it’s not really about what you already know. Rather, it’s about your capacity to learn what you don’t know. And trust me, you have the capacity to learn everything you need to know to perform well on the GMAT.

I have seen PLENTY of students start with practice test scores in the 500s, 400s, and even 200s and end up with 99th percentile scores. Yes, realizing those gains may take a significant amount of time and effort, but it is COMPLETELY doable. And nobody ever said this business school stuff was going to be easy, right?

So, don’t worry about what you don’t know right now. If you weren’t capable of learning and growing, you wouldn’t even be in a position to apply to business school! You’ve made it this far because you’ve learned the things you needed to know to get this far. Repeat those successes! There’s no reason to believe GMAT prep will be the one instance in which you’re incapable of learning new things.

On a more practical level, remember that you can seek support. Say you have particular GMAT weaknesses you can’t get past, or you’re not sure what’s holding your progress back. Just one or two sessions with an experienced tutor can help you diagnose your issues and implement concrete fixes.

You can also reach out to friends or colleagues who have taken GMAT, or search forums such as GMAT Club and the GMAT subreddit, to learn how others in your shoes have overcome feelings of inadequacy when studying GMAT content. Believe me, it’s a common story!

Scenario 4: You Got a Low Test Score

Many GMAT students start off their preparation with what they consider a “bad” or low baseline score. Furthermore, many students sit for the actual GMAT and score lower than they expected to. Both of these scenarios can make thinking positively about the GMAT difficult. You may feel like your GMAT studying is futile or you have too high a hill to climb.

There’s a solution!!

Tip: Every GMAT “Ailment” Has a Cure

Students wonder all the time, can a weak GMAT be overcome? The answer is YES. The fact is, there is a fix for every GMAT issue under the sun. If you earned a lower score than expected on test day, there will be concrete reasons why. You may be able to easily identify those reasons– for instance, nerves got the best of you. Or, you may need to take some time to uncover them. (Interested in learning some common reasons for lower than expected scores on test day? Check out our article on GMAT pitfalls that cause score drops on test day and how to deal with them.) Whatever the diagnosis, rest assured, it’s not terminal!

If you’re starting with a low baseline score, it’s important to remember that your starting score is just a snapshot in time. It’s not the score you’re going to stay at. You’re going to study and put in the work to increase your score. Really, your baseline score is just a tool to help you figure out how long you may need to study in order to reach your score goal. Other than that, it kind of doesn’t even matter what your baseline is!

So, whether you’re starting with a lower score than you’d like or test day didn’t turn out as planned, if you find yourself losing hope as to your GMAT prospects, remind yourself: every GMAT “ailment” has a cure. You just need the right medicine!

Scenario 5: Your Competition Is Stiff

One of the big reasons that many students have trouble with anxiety management during studies for the GMAT is that they’re aiming for admission to top schools. So, they know their competition is stiff. In other words, they’re worried that the GMAT score they’ll end up with won’t measure up. Or, they have a long way to go from their baseline score to the score they need. Thus, they don’t feel confident they can make the jump.

If you’re in this situation, you might be thinking, this is too hard. I’ll never be able to earn a score that’s high enough. Everyone else’s scores are so high. This train of thought is not productive. Let’s talk about what is.

Tip: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

First things first: stop thinking about anyone’s GMAT score except your own. Yes, you need to research the average scores of students admitted to the schools you’re interested in, so you can set an appropriate score goal for yourself. But beyond that, other people’s scores are not your concern!

Instead of thinking about how well your competition is doing and worrying that you won’t measure up, remind yourself of why you’re studying for the GMAT in the first place: to get into that great school and get the career you want. Every time you sit down to study for the GMAT, you’re changing your life for the better. Sure, you can’t predict the exact outcome of your efforts. But when you’re preparing for the GMAT, you’re still doing something positive for yourself. So, why not give yourself some credit and feel proud of yourself for that?

To help keep your eyes on the prize, you can also try some positive affirmations for studying with purpose, optimism, and even excitement. For example, before each study session, you can say to yourself:

This is bringing me one step closer to the score I want.

Or,

[Insert dream school here], here I come!

At the close of each study session, you can tell yourself:

I just got better at the GMAT.

Or,

One less study session to go!

Even if you don’t feel that different in the moment, over time, these positive affirmations will help you stay focused on and feel more optimistic about your studying.

Scenario 6: You Imagine Worst-Case Scenarios

Imagining test-day disasters and the resulting B-school rejections can take anyone’s mind to a pretty dark place. So, if you’re one of those GMAT students who spends a lot of time thinking about how things could go wrong, you’ve probably found that maintaining focus while studying is tough. You may even feel as though stress management during GMAT preparation is a lost cause.

Fortunately, there is a simple way that you can harness this negative energy and put it to productive use.

Tip: Game Out Your Fears

If spending time imagining worst-case scenarios makes maintaining a positive mindset for studying feel impossible, there’s a counterintuitive but highly productive fix. Play those scenarios out to their logical conclusions in your mind, and then put contingency plans in place to deal with them!

For example, if you don’t hit your score goal on test day, do you have a backup plan in place? Have you left yourself time for a GMAT retake, or two, or three?

If you’re worried you won’t have enough time each week to study, have you sat down with a calendar and actually “penciled in” study times for yourself? What will you do if you really don’t see enough time in your schedule? What other activities can you set aside for the time being to make room for GMAT prep? What steps do you need to take and who do you need to talk with to reprioritize?

By gaming out your fears and creating contingency plans, you take negative thoughts and turn them into positive actions. The great benefit of doing so is that then you’re prepared for whatever happens. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about those things anymore. You’ve planned for the worst-case scenarios, so what else is left to do but work toward the best-case one!

Scenario 7: You’re Surrounded by Negative Talk

As you’re studying for the GMAT, you may encounter a number of your peers who are disenchanted with the GMAT preparation process. These people tend to feel indignant about the fact that they have to study for the GMAT and may have struggled with GMAT prep in the past.

You also may encounter people who don’t have experience with the GMAT who simply don’t understand why it’s important or why you’re devoting so much time to studying for it. These people may say disparaging things about the test or try to convince you to spend your time on things that are more “fun” or worthwhile (in their view) than your GMAT prep.

If you’re surrounded by negative talk about the GMAT, it’s no wonder you’d have trouble staying positive. So, what can you do?

Tip: Seek Out Positive Stories

First, sometimes we don’t even realize how negative the people around us are. So, if you’ve been feeling really negative about studying for the GMAT, you may need to take a step back and evaluate whether you’ve been absorbing a lot of demotivating information and feedback from other people.

If you have, then you may need to take a step back from those people — if only temporarily — so that you can keep your head in the game. You can also have honest conversations with people about why the GMAT is so important to you and what you’re trying to achieve, and ask them for your support. The fact is, people engaging in negative talk often don’t realize they’re being so negative. You may be surprised at how receptive people are when you communicate honestly with them about your goals and why those goals matter to you.

Also, if you’re reading tales of GMAT woe online, remember, for every discouraging negative story out there about the GMAT, there is an inspirational positive one. So, see how the other half lives! Reading about how other test-takers have overcome their GMAT struggles and come out on top should really be part of every student’s GMAT preparation self-care.

How to Stay Positive While Studying for the GMAT: Key Takeaways

Remember these positivity tips for studying the GMAT in the following scenarios:

• You feel overwhelmed → focus on one step at a time.
• Your progress is slow → make slow and steady the plan.
• You feel dumb → it’s not about what you already know.
• You got a low test score → every GMAT “ailment” has a cure.
• Your competition is stiff → keep your eyes on the prize.
• You imagine worst-case scenarios → game out your fears.
• You’re surrounded by negative talk → seek out positive stories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s answer some common questions related to maintaining a positive attitude when studying for the GMAT.

What are some stress management techniques for GMAT exam preparation?

Stress management during GMAT preparation is something that every GMAT student has to contend with. So, first off, don’t be hard on yourself because you’re stressed.

Next, check out these 8 techniques for reducing stress during your GMAT prep, including study break ideas, effective study habits for lower GMAT stress, and other wellness strategies for exam preparation.

Finally, remember, a key way to keep stress low is to find a good sleep, study, and exercise balance. Staying active and well-rested during your prep will help you regulate your mood, stay alert and focused while you’re studying, and acquire new knowledge more readily.

How can I balance study and relaxation to avoid burnout?

Because the GMAT study process can be long, maintaining study work-life balance is a crucial aspect of successfully preparing for test day. In other words, GMAT prep is a marathon, not a sprint, and burnout is real!

That said, it’s natural to worry that we should always be doing more than we are. So, relaxation often falls by the wayside when a big task like preparing for the GMAT is ahead of us.

One way to make sure you’re taking the time you need to refresh and reset, so you can sustain your GMAT studying over the long haul, is to actually schedule relaxation time into your calendar.

Go for a bike ride on a Sunday morning, watch a movie with your significant other on a Friday night, or go out to dinner with friends. Listen to your favorite podcast or album when you get home from work, to give your brain a break before you put in your evening study hours. Whatever you like to do to relax, make it an official part of your day or week.

Finding “me time” on a regular basis is a lot easier when it’s there on the calendar, as opposed to just something you keep having to remind yourself to do.

Additionally, these techniques for cultivating mindfulness during study provide quick and easy ways to incorporate more relaxation into your day as you’re preparing for the GMAT.

Should I take the GMAT if I don’t feel ready?

If you’re hitting your score goal on practice tests, then you should be ready to sit for your actual GMAT. If you’re not hitting your score goal, or very close to hitting it, then there really is no point in sitting for the GMAT. Continue to prepare for the exam, and sit for it once your practice test scores show that you’re ready for the real deal.

If, despite hitting your score goal, you still don’t “feel ready” to take the GMAT because you’re worried you won’t perform well on test day, you may want to check out our article on how to eliminate GMAT test-day anxiety. That article contains lots of really great, proven techniques for combating GMAT anxiety.

What’s Next?

Check out our top 10 confidence-building techniques for GMAT students.

You may also be interested in this article about how getting excited about the GMAT can help you increase your score.

Happy studying!