Preparing for exams is an inevitable part of a student’s life and it becomes crucial to strategise on the preparation wisely, so as to land great career opportunities. The GMAT is one such exam that accurately assesses the intellect of an individual. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to focus on smart preparation before taking the test.
The constant fear of making mistakes in the GMAT exam is a nightmare for all the test-takers. Today, we have gone ahead and listed the most common GMAT mistakes to avoid for a 700 score level.
#1. Procrastination
There are a million ways to put off something till the last hour and it takes only a healthy mind to realise the importance of time. In college, students often seem to procrastinate their studies until the last minute and it is how this habit develops to take a toll on other exam preparations.
The GMAT exam doesn’t have a vigorous syllabus to begin with but an applicant has to understand the need to put in consistent efforts to develop analytical and critical skills along with proper grammar. To sum up, a typical GMAT preparation takes about 100 hours and procrastination hardly does any good to the test-taker.Stay aware of your local GMAT test dates, and make sure you prepare accordingly.
#2. Level of Questions
While studying for the exam, it is extremely important to follow the structured modules starting from basic to high-order questions. The reason behind the same to avoid any sort of gaps in the learning process. To an average person, the basic questions might seem to be a little too easy and they might fall in the trap of switching to higher-level questions sooner than expected. This is where the preparation goes wrong as it is significant to ensure that 500-600 score level questions are covered entirely before jumping to 700-score level questions.
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#3. Obsessive Questions
An applicant has to effectively realise the questions that can take too much time at a glance. This usually happens with the Quant section, particularly with Data Sufficiency problems. Now, it is not really mandatory to get every question right during the preparation. Learning is what matters and obsessing over a specific topic or a question can be really detrimental. It could result in the devotion of less time for other topics.
This exam does not function in the same way as other competitive exams. Addressing the questions according to the format of this exam is the key to success.
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#4. Mugging Up
Cramming in case of GMAT can certainly prove of no use as the exam is analytical in nature. Some applicants might find it comfortable enough to mug up the entire study material in the last months and score good. The GMAT exam can really dwell on the weaknesses of the test-taker. Therefore, a test-taker is expected to be ready for all kinds of questions regarding critical reasoning, judgement approach, etc. Studying timely can save an applicant a seat in the top B-schools with no hidden tricks in terms of preparation.
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#5. No Plan
All the mistakes can rest as, without a plan, the agenda of taking the GMAT exam fails miserably. A plan of action is a must-have before starting with the prep. This is because keeping up with a study routine to gear up the process of improving the skills is required rather than taking multiple practice tests one after another. Practice tests can help in keeping a track of time and getting a real vibe of the exam, but it hardly substitutes for the planned study routine.
#6. No Timer
This might seem an avoidable factor and one can simply do well without keeping track of time. However, in the case of a GMAT exam, timing the questions plays an indispensable role. The mode of conducting the GMAT exam is not similar to other competitive exams and so it becomes all the more important to use a timer. Spending too much time on basic questions can hamper the overall test score. So, It should be looked out for. It is believed that the concept clarity plays a part in the exam but recalling the underlying concepts subject to time restrictions, plays a major role.
#7. No practice in CAT format
The GMAT exam is a Computerised Adaptive Test (CAT), which means that the questions in the test adjust to the capabilities of an individual. This is a blessing but only for the applicants who are familiar with the mode of conducting the test and have had sufficient practice in the same format. Practice tests should be in the same format for a real-time analysis of the examination. The most reliable source for taking such tests is the GMATPrep Software, authored by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC).
#8. Switching over to GRE
It is a myth that GRE is easier as compared to GMAT and a lot of applicants after their first attempt considering switching over to GRE. However, there is no truth in this belief and both the tests are subject to not only their own conditions but also their worth and acceptance. There is also a misconception about the GRE score being less scrutinized by B-schools which is again a misbelief. The GMAT soon-to-be test-takers to stay away from such assumptions and ensure an uptop exam preparation.
#9. Inadequate Time on Weaknesses
With a thorough exam prep come certain weaknesses which require detailed and adequate attention by a test-taker. All the questions demand time, but the weak spots deserve more time. It is crucial to delve into these weaknesses and work towards a consistent approach while answering the questions. The score for all the sections shall be uniform with no major variations and hence an individual is expected to be well-versed with all the testing areas.
#10. No Compromise on Sleep
The physical and mental health together play a good role in excelling the GMAT exam. An applicant studies pretty hard for a few months before taking the exam. Therefore, it is not advised to burn the midnight oil and get sufficient rest the day before the exam. It helps the memory skills of a person. The physical and emotional state of the applicant determines his/her performance on the exam.
Every individual has its own way of learning and processing the information and one can’t really be taught about it all by someone else. However, an individual can learn for the problems faced by others and make note of them so as to avoid them in his/her course.