For those of the students who have heard the word 'GMAT' for the first time, it would be useful to know some hints to ease the task of taking the test. Follow the rules outlined below to make sure that you have picked the right strategy!

 

 

1. Approximation.

 

The GMAT does not require you to perform long division. The quantitative part of the test uses a set of simple numbers. When stuck on the question, try to approximate by using mental math tricks. This will save you time on difficult questions and grant you additional time to cope with the remaining questions.

 

 

2. The reading part of the verbal section does not require you to be deeply aware of any scientific topic

 

Although reading passages do have tough vocabulary, you do not need to have any spicific knowledge on any of the possible topics. On the contrary, you should leave alone your personal experience and concentrate on what is being said in the passage. To better understand and structure the content, it is advisable that you make a so-called skeleton, which is basically a brief theses plan of a passage.  

 

 

3. Only three fourths of the questions matter

 

The verbal and the quantitative sections of the GMAT exam have trial questions, which do not infleunce your score regardless of whether you answer them correctly or not. They are given to you so that the GMAC could assign a certain level of difficulty to those questions depending on the percentage of people who have answered them correctly. 

 

 

4. Use your scratch paper

 

You will be given six sheets of paper and two markers, which is enough to cope with either of the main sections. If you have run out of paper, just raise your hand and the proctor will bring you more. 

 

 

5. Allow yourself enough time to do the first and the last questions

 

Although your failure to do correctly the first five questions will not necessarily break your desired score, you will have higher chances to hit 700+ if you perform well on them. Remember, the last questions are as important as the first questions.

 

 

6. Watch the time

 

Don't you dare to take the real GMAT test without trying the mock test first! It is important that you understand how it feels to work under time limit. You will be given extremely little time per question, so time management is everything.

 

 

7. Panic is your first enemy

 

Try not to panic. Always keep in mind the fact that you can retake the GMAT exam. Panic and stress will make you miss out on important details.

by Chris Hazel