Sign up

Heading Out Already?

close

Our Ivy League mentors and top admission experts can help with personalized tips to get you into your dream school

Speak with our Experts

7 April 2025

5 minutes read

Beat the GMAT: Best GMAT Prep for Admission to MBA Programs

Dirghayu Kaushik
avatar

Dirghayu Kaushik

linkedin

Founder & CEO

21 August 2024

5 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • To beat the GMAT exam, create a personalized study plan that targets your weak areas, uses official resources, and builds a consistent routine.
  • Practice is key to beat the GMAT exam — use adaptive practice tests, analyze every mistake, and focus on mastering each question type.
  • The smartest way to beat the GMAT exam is to stay connected with expert communities like Beat The GMAT for strategies, prep resources, and real test-taker insights.

GMAT preparation is a milestone activity for students aspiring to pursue MBA admission at top business school institutions. To enhance your chances of getting a better GMAT score, preparing for the GMAT is imperative. A disciplined study plan, efficient utilization of prep materials, and optimal test-taking strategies will be crucial factors to help your GMAT improve. This e-book provides the ultimate guide on how to drive your GMAT prep process perfectly.

Beat the GMAT: How to Craft an Effective GMAT Study Plan?

Creating a study schedule that caters to one’s needs when preparing for the GMAT is important in optimizing preparation. With a plan in place, studying time can be effectively managed in order to cover all the questions and sections on the GMAT. To prepare for the GMAT and acquire your desired score, understanding how to allocate studying time and materials is imperative. Don’t forget that each test-taker comes to the pinnacle of leading the greatest milestones of their career in a unique way, so learn in your way and plan accordingly.

beat the gmat 1

A customized study plan is not merely about getting through topics — it’s about strategy, commitment, and high productivity.

1. Strengths and Weaknesses Assessment

The initial input is to be familiar with the enemy and familiarize yourself. Determine whether you are weak in verbal and quant sections, integrated reasoning, analytical writing, or CR questions. Knowing this concept makes it easier for you to concentrate and enhance weak points quicker.

2. Resource Selection

Select the best materials to aid your preparation. Reliable names such as the GMAT Official Guide and Manhattan Prep provide in-depth explanations and practice for verbal questions, quant, and integrated reasoning. These materials are crucial for mastering the various GMAT question types that require time and expertise to answer.

3. Practice Tests

Practice taking GMAT practice tests to monitor progress and to mimic the exam day atmosphere. Don’t forget to utilize the timer on practice to become acclimated with pacing, particularly on questions which are more time-consuming to resolve. Elite test-taker secrets involve waking early to prepare, utilizing the timer for practice drills, and even going over wrong and correct responses.

Study Plan EssentialsWhy It Matters
AssessmentHelps focus on weak areas
ResourcesBuild concept clarity with the Official Guide & Manhattan Prep
Practice TestsImprove percentile ranking and timing skills

For instance, the Beat The GMAT Social Network provides a free 60-day GMAT study guide with a day-by-day preparation plan to study effectively. It enables you to interact with current students, gain insights from actual experience, and balance preparation with small classes in an interactive environment. Their method trains you to learn your way while balancing analytical writing, verbal questions, and integrated reasoning challenges.

Finally, waking up early, mastering the timer, and practicing GMAT tests consistently will make you ready for the real test. And if it’s your aim to achieve your target score and stand out in your range of percentiles, a targeted study routine is the key to success.

How to Leverage the Best GMAT Prep Resources?

Access to high-quality prep resources can significantly impact your performance. Platforms like Target Test Prep (TTP) offer comprehensive courses with in-depth lessons and thousands of practice questions.

Popular GMAT Prep Resources:

  • Target Test Prep: Known for its detailed quantitative section coverage.​
  • Manhattan Prep: Offers a suite of guides and practice tests for holistic preparation.​
  • GMAT Club: A social network providing forums, practice problems, and expert advice.​

Engaging with these resources can enhance your understanding and application of GMAT concepts.​

What are the Ways to Improve Your GMAT Score for Top MBA Programs?

The quant section assesses your mathematical and analytical skills. To excel, it’s essential to understand the underlying concepts and practice efficiently.​

beat the gmat 2

Strategies to Improve Your Score:

  • Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding the fundamentals rather than rote memorization.​
  • Timed Practice: Use timers during practice sessions to simulate test conditions and improve time management.​
  • Error Analysis: Review mistakes to identify patterns and prevent them in the future.​

Remember, spending less than 2 minutes on a question is ideal to maintain pace.

The verbal section evaluates your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction abilities. Improving in this area requires a strategic approach.​

Tips to Enhance Verbal Performance:

  • Reading Practice: Regularly read complex materials to improve comprehension skills.​
  • Grammar Rules: Familiarize yourself with essential grammar rules for sentence correction questions.​
  • Critical Reasoning: Practice identifying assumptions and evaluating arguments effectively.​

Simplifying complex language and focusing on structural understanding can be beneficial. ​

Navigating Test Day Successfully

The day of the exam can be stressful, but proper preparation can alleviate anxiety. Ensure you have all necessary documents, and arrive early to the test center.​

Test Day Checklist:

  • Identification: Carry valid ID as required by GMAC.
  • Confirmation Letter: Bring your appointment confirmation from GMAC.​
  • Comfort Items: Dress in layers and bring necessary medications if needed.​

Staying calm and focused will help you perform at your best. ​

Top 10 Foreign Universities for MBA

If you’re looking to pursue an MBA from a world-renowned foreign university, it is crucial to plan wisely and invest smartly. Don’t waste your valuable time and resources without knowing the right options. Taking the test like the GMAT can improve your score and increase your chances of admission into these prestigious institutions. Remember, the GMAT is an adaptive test that adjusts question type based on your performance.

Many test-takers use free prep resources and practice GMAT exams to avoid common mistakes and ensure they don’t get wrong answers in the actual test. But your last practice sessions matter just as much as taking the test itself. Here’s a look at the top 10 foreign universities for MBA, their countries, and the approximate fees involved.

Sl NoUniversityCountryFee (Approx. per year)
1Harvard UniversityUSA$73,440
2Stanford UniversityUSA$76,950
3INSEADFrance/Singapore$105,900
4London Business SchoolUK$109,700
5Wharton School, University of PennsylvaniaUSA$84,874
6HEC ParisFrance$82,000
7MIT Sloan School of ManagementUSA$80,400
8University of Chicago Booth SchoolUSA$77,841
9Columbia UniversityUSA$84,496
10IE Business SchoolSpain$82,300

These universities are known not only for their academic excellence but also for helping students prepare effectively for their MBA journey. So whether it’s practicing question type strategies, using official GMAT free prep tools, or ensuring your last practice is your best, improving your score is always possible with the right guidance and dedication.

Conclusion

Achieving a high GMAT score is a blend of strategic planning, utilizing quality prep resources, and consistent practice. By understanding the test format, focusing on both quantitative and verbal sections, and preparing diligently for test day, you can enhance your chances of admission into top MBA programs. Remember, persistence and a positive mindset are key to conquering the GMAT.​

Looking to study abroad? Let Ambitio guide your dream journey! From test prep to top university admits — connect with the study abroad experts at Ambitio today and unlock a world of global opportunities.

FAQs

What does it really mean to beat the GMAT exam?

To beat the GMAT exam means preparing smartly with a strategic study plan, mastering every question type, and achieving a score that helps secure admission into your dream business school.

How can I beat the GMAT exam without wasting time?

To beat the GMAT exam without wasting time, focus on understanding concepts, practicing consistently, and using resources like the GMAT Official Guide and adaptive practice tests efficiently.

What is the best study plan to beat the GMAT exam?

The best way to beat the GMAT exam is by creating a customized study plan that covers Quant, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing — while allowing time for practice tests and revision.

Can practice tests help me beat the GMAT exam?

Yes, taking regular practice tests is crucial to beat the GMAT exam as it builds test-day stamina, tracks your progress, and helps identify weak areas that need improvement.

Is it possible to beat the GMAT exam in 2-3 months?

Many test-takers beat the GMAT exam within 2-3 months by studying intensively, following a disciplined schedule, and focusing on accuracy and speed under timed conditions.

How important is time management to beat the GMAT exam?

Effective time management is critical to beat the GMAT exam because spending too long on difficult questions can hurt your overall score due to the test’s adaptive nature.

Can anyone beat the GMAT exam on their first attempt?

With the right preparation strategy, clear concept understanding, and consistent practice, it is absolutely possible to beat the GMAT exam successfully on the first attempt.

top universities

You can study at top universities worldwide!

Get expert tips and tricks to get into top universities with a free expert session.

Book Your Free 30-Minute Session Now! Book a call now

Related Blogs

How To Calculate GPA For GMAT Exam?

How to Apply for GMAT Exam: A Complete Guide

Scroll to Top