10 best ways to study for the GMAT

Every human being has something that they truly desire; that includes you as well. Suppose you’ve found a door that will lead you to that; what would you do? You would jump for it, right?

That’s why countless students are jumping for the GMAT; they know that it can lead them to their desired universities. We understand that the GMAT test can seem a bit tricky; don’t worry for a bit, as you’ve found us.

Brace yourself, as in this informative blog, you will explore the 10 best ways to study for the GMAT and some fascinating facts about the GMAT that we bet you didn’t know.

So, without any more chit-chat, let’s take a quick dive into the world of GMAT.

What is GMAT?

First, we need to understand what the GMAT actually is. The full form of the GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test. It is a computer-based test that is fully owned and administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

If you want to see yourself studying at a top business school, the GMAT is a must because more than 2,400 business schools require this test as their admission requirement.

GMAT exam format

The GMAT exam takes exactly 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The total score range of the GMAT lies between 205 and 805. It has three sections. You can take this exam up to 5 times a year, but not more than 8 times in your life.

You’ll be allowed to take a break for 10 minutes, and what’s great is that you can take this break at any section that you want.

A chart is given below so that you can better understand the GMAT exam format.

(A quick note: Are you wondering if the score of each section is 60 to 90, then how come the total score is 205 to 805? It should be 180 to 270, right? Well, the score is based on percentile.

Suppose, according to your score, your percentile rank is 72%; that means your GMAT score would be 605. A percentile rank of 72% indicates that you have scored better than 72% of all the test takers, and 28% of all the test takers performed better than you.)

GMAT Total Score Percentiles

Best way to study for the GMAT

What is the best way to learn anything in the world? Any guess? Well, it’s consistency. If you’re not determined to see the end of it, most likely, you won’t be going anywhere.

Make it a mission to get enrolled in one of the finest business schools in the world, and to pass this mission, you've got to pass the GMAT test, but how can you study in the most effective way for the GMAT? Don’t worry.

Given below are the 10 best ways to study for the GMAT:

1. Get familiar with the GMAT concept
2. A study plan
3. Pick the right study materials
4. Study like a musician
5. Go beyond ‘Ok, I get it’
6. Undivided attention
7. Know your weakness
8. Study group
9. Take prep test
10. Private tutor

1. Get familiar with the GMAT concept

Suppose you are pretty good at badminton. What was the first thing that you did before even beginning to play badminton? You wanted to know the game, right? You were aware of the rules first.

Take GMAT as your game. Know the rules, know the game, and then go for it.

2. A study plan

What’s the first thing you do when you want to achieve something? You plan it all out, right? Good, as it is the most important part of GMAT preparation. Create a plan that would suit you and your lifestyle the best.

3. Pick the right study materials

How can you win a war? By the right tool or by an abundance of tools? Of course, by the right tool. While preparing for the GMAT, you’ll find tonnes of resources. You have to pick the most valuable resources that will be of great value.

Wondering what the right study materials are for the GMAT? Don’t worry, as in the next section, you’ll find them.

4. Study like a musician

Michael Jackson is the greatest performer that ever lived on earth, right? Do you think it was a result of one day? No, he has spent countless hours practicing to be perfect and in the best way possible.

Be like a musician for several months. Lose yourself in the GMAT world. All the efforts would definitely pay off in the end.

5. Go beyond ‘Ok, I get it’

Have you ever said to yourself, 'OK, I get it; let's move on,' while solving a new math problem or reading a new analytical text? Indeed, you did. My advice would be not to leave it at that.

You might be confident that if a question comes from that topic, you can answer it, but most of the students can’t pick the right answer. Delve down a bit on that topic, go beyond, and don’t put it down just because you thought you got it.

6. Undivided attention

What will happen when you give your undivided attention to your study? You can simply cover the study of 2 hours in just 30 minutes. All the students are distracted by many things, and devices are one of them. Due to these distractions, students can’t focus on their studies, and thus, it takes more time.

Sit down, silence your phone, and study like it’s a new game to play or a new movie to watch. You’ll see the results.

7. Know your weakness

Find your weaknesses and figure out in which areas you need to spend your time the most. No one can tell you how your brain works while solving a problem. Know yourself and work on yourself.

If you have a problem in the quant section, spend more time in math, and if you’re facing problems in verbal and data, practice as much as possible. Learn to practice under timed conditions.

8. Study group

Teamwork makes the dream work. That’s why students who have their exams near jump for group study; collaborating with other students with the same interest makes your preparation way more effective.

Study groups can boost your motivation, and you could learn valuable insights from your study mates.

9. Take prep test

‘If you only had an hour to chop down a tree, spend the first 45 minutes sharpening your axe,’ and that’s why it is important to take as many prep tests as you need before sitting for the actual test.

The prep test will help you to know where you stand for your GMAT preparation and where you need improvement.

10. Private tutor

The greatest perk of having a private tutor is that he can guide you in preparing for the GMAT without wasting any of your time. He’ll be of great help in your GMAT preparation.

What to study for GMAT?

Don’t just study everything related to the GMAT like a madman! You have to pick the right study resources for your GMAT preparation.

The best study materials for the GMAT that are recommended by actual test takers are given below.

1. GMAT Official Guide Books by GMAC
2. Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus
3. Manhattan Prep's GMAT Books
4. Free GMAT Focus Edition Practice Tests 1-2
5. Veritas Prep
6. Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set (Book)
7. The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible (Book)

How long does it take to study for the GMAT?

It doesn’t matter how many months you study for the GMAT. All that matters is how effectively you’re using your time. If you’re studying without any kind of disturbance, then studying for 8–10 hours for 3 months is great.

What is a good GMAT score?

A good GMAT score would be to go above 705, as it’ll place you in the 98th percentile. But, as long as you are meeting the admissions requirements of your desired university, then you’re good to go.

How to prepare for the GMAT at home?

Many working professionals can’t adjust their schedules to attend coaching and classes, and that’s why they prefer to prepare at home. As long as you confirm that you won’t cheat in your home preparation, it’s fine.

Here are 5 tips that will help you prepare for the GMAT at home:

1. Find a quiet, comfortable study zone
2. Be unsocial on social media for some months
3. Make sure there is no distraction
4. Keep your devices away while studying
5. Take short break

GMAT exam/test fee

The GMAT exam fees for 2025 in several countries are mentioned below:

6 inside tips for the GMAT

GMAT can seem tricky to many people. There are several things that you must know before you even begin to enter the world of the GMAT.

1. You can select the 3 sections of the GMAT in any order you like.
2. This test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level of your next question will depend on your performance on your current question. Suppose you have done well in the 1st section, then the 2nd section is most likely to get hard.
3. Answer all the questions because there are no negative markings on the GMAT, and you might lose penalty points for missing out on questions.
4. Don’t aim for a prep test at first. Study first and then take the prep test, or you’ll have to go back; thus, you’ll be wasting your time.
5. A calculator is not allowed, but don’t worry, you won’t be facing any question that really needs a calculator.
6. At the end of the section, you can review the questions that you bookmarked. Remember, you can only change up to 3 answers.

7 GMAT test day tips

On the exam day, you must follow some rules to score better on your GMAT test. These are:

1. Don’t get nervous. Treat this as just a test, and if it doesn’t go well, you can take it again at any time.
2. If you’re stuck on one question, jump to the next one.
3. Don’t take more than 2 minutes for each question.
4. Understand the question first.
5. Don’t study on your test day.
6. Trust your instinct.
7. Get a good sleep.

Farewell note

Oh boy! That was quite a dive into the GMAT world, wasn’t it?

At this point, we can say for certain that after reading this blog about the ‘best way to study for the GMAT,’ you’re no longer confused about the GMAT test. Just remember 2 things: one is to be consistent, and the second is to figure out the best way to study that’ll fit you the best.

Well, that about sums it up, and we wish you nothing less than the best on your GMAT test. Good luck!

FAQs

What is the best way to study for the GMAT online?

The best ways to study for the GMAT online are given below:

1. Take an online GMAT class
2. Get some apps for vocabulary
3. Watch sample videos of GMAT sections
4. Download E-books to practice verbal and quantitative section
5. Read a lot of books
6. Watch movies and series
7. Set a study plan
8. Understand the GMAT

How to prepare for the GMAT at home?

Here are 7 tips that will help you prepare for the GMAT at home:

1. Understand the question types
2. Know the question formats
3. Find a quiet, comfortable study zone
4. Make sure there is no distraction
5. Keep your devices away while studying
6. Take short break
7. Be unsocial on social media

How long should I study for the GMAT?

It doesn’t matter how many months you study for the GMAT. All that matters is how effectively you’re using your time. If you’re studying without any kind of disturbance, then studying for 8–10 hours for 3 months is great.

What is the best study plan for the GMAT?

The best study plan for the GMAT involves:

1. Consistency
2. Set a target score
3. Analyse official GMAT questions
4. Track your progress
5. Identify areas for improvement

What is the best source for preparing for the GMAT?

The best sources to prepare for the GMAT are:

1. GMAT Official Guide Books by GMAC
2. Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus
3. Manhattan Prep's GMAT Books
4. Free GMAT Focus Edition Practice Tests 1-2
5. Veritas Prep
6. Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set (Book)
7. The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible (Book)

How can I prepare for GMAT self-study?

You can definitely prepare for the GMAT test in your own way. Some ways are:

1. Set a study plan
2. Get familiar with the GMAT concept
3. Pick the right study materials
4. Go beyond ‘Ok, I get it’
5. Pay undivided attention
6. Know your weakness
7. Take prep test