It's easy to be objective before taking that big exam. But before you know it, you're in the hot seat, biting your fingernails and silently wondering if you prepared enough for such an important step in your academic career. Relax. While the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is designed specifically to gauge the skills necessary for survival in a tough business curriculum (like reading comprehension and analytical writing), your outcome is by no means predetermined. By learning a few ?tricks? and habits to avoid during the test, your chances for success will increase greatly.
- Know the format.
- Practice like it's the real thing.
- Remember the rules.
- Show up prepared.
The GMAT is given in a computer-adaptive structure. Questions are unpredictable and presented according to an algorithm that gauges your response and selects each subsequent question accordingly. This format places extreme importance on your first five questions because your responses to those few will determine how the rest of the exam will go.
As with any major examination, it will be to your advantage to mimic real testing conditions to the best of your ability. This includes making sure there are no interruptions during test time, adhering to standard time allotments, and answering all questions without the aid of Internet or other electronic devices. Additionally, you'll want to double check your answers after each session. Be particularly mindful of possible trends in the types of answers you frequently got wrong.
The GMAT is unlike many standardized paper-based tests in that you cannot go back and answer skipped questions. Do not, under any circumstances, leave a question blank, because although incorrect answers do not count against you, unanswered questions can have a huge negative impact on your score. Remember that by eliminating even one obviously incorrect answer, you'll have a better shot at a higher score.
It may seem like silly advice, but there are few things that can hinder your success with the GMAT like not getting enough sleep the night before or skipping breakfast the day of. You will need to be well-rested to tackle this exam. It is also important to know exactly what items you will be allowed to bring and what items or behavior are prohibited. Don't waste time by visiting the help screen or asking for scrap paper; what might seem like small diversions can severely damage your overall score.
For more information on the GMAT, visit the official Web site for the GMAT's writers, The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Here you will find even more important information on making your first experience with the GMAT the most successful and beneficial it can be.
By Hannah Roberts
