GMAT Tips
Test tips from leading prep firms for applicants studying for the GMAT. If you know your strengths and weaknesses, browse by test section: AWA, Quant and Verbal.
Latest Stories About GMAT Tips
GMAT Tip: Inequalities…and then some…(Part 1)
When it comes to tricky quantitative questions, inequalities take the prize for serving as one of the biggest deceivingly easy questions. Test takers should just treat inequalities as algebraic “equal to” equations with just a < or > symbol in place of the = sign, right? If only it was... Read more »
GMAT Tip: You Don’t Need to Solve for S
Memorizing endless numbers of formulas is never the path to high-scoring success on the GMAT. Nevertheless, formulas can give you a leg up – provided you understand how to use them appropriately. As with any quantitative question, the key is to be flexible, incorporating a variety of approaches to efficiently... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Just When You Think You’re Done, Keep Going
Many test takers preparing for the GMAT get frustrated with questions in the quantitative section, often providing responses like “I took advanced math in college!” and “I did great on my SAT math, what gives?!” The GMAT Quantitative section is a tricky beast, with one key theme to the questions... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Consider Algebra, not Arithmetic
Many test takers fail to make the connection between not being permitted to use a calculator on the quantitative section of the GMAT and, well, not making intensive, calculator-required calculations. The reality is, when you are working through a question and think a calculator is needed and/or there is some... Read more »
GMAT Tip: When You Can’t Swim in Critical Reasoning, Eliminate
With Critical Reasoning questions, many test takers forget the immense importance of figuring out the gap, or disconnect, in the reasoning in the question being provided. Understanding this gap is essential to determining what answer choice fits to resolve the gap. The next step is moving to evaluate what the... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Consider the Possibilities and Make a Well-Reasoned Guess
In the GMAT Quantitative section, there are often problems that appear simple but turn into big time-wasters that detract from test takers’ ability to get to the tougher questions and/or finish the quantitative section of the exam. These time-wasters are a) often arithmetic questions b) also data sufficiency questions and... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Stop with the Calculations, Already!
Timing is hands down one of the biggest challenges test takers have for the GMAT. The exam recognizes this, of course, and in fact sets up a penalty for those who leave the exam unfinished. Smart test takers have a solid understanding of the foundation of the GMAT – high... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Simplifying Fractions
In previous posts, we have discussed how the best way to tackle a difficult looking quantitative question on the GMAT is to clean it up – consolidating like terms, adding or subtracting inside of parentheses, or reorganizing variables to where it is easier not substitute equations. Not only is cleaning... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Don’t Fret Over Two Letter Words
Many students get frustrated when evaluating sentence correction problems, with the biggest point of frustration coming from feeling that they need to memorize chart after chart of idioms. While knowing idioms can certainly be helpful, if you are facing a short timeline, sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Consider Algebra, Not Arithmetic
Many test takers fail to make the connection between not being permitted to use a calculator on the quantitative section of the GMAT and, well, not making intensive, calculator-required calculations. The reality is, when you are working through a question and think a calculator is needed and/or there is some... Read more »
GMAT Tip: Only a Kitchen Calculator
There are many different approaches in tackling a GMAT Quantitative question effectively. Algebraically, working backwards from the answer choices, considering “lucky twins” – a smart test taker is flexible and takes a fresh new approach by evaluating each quantitative question individually, taking the route that is efficient and effective. But... Read more »
So, You’re Terrible at Integrated Reasoning…
Since its release on the June 2012 exam, the Integrated Reasoning portion of the GMAT has had some test takers stumped. This 30-minute, 12 question section is oddly scored on a 1 to 8 scale, and no partial credit is given, even for multi-part, multi-answer questions. For the past several... Read more »
Combinations: Consider the Grouping with the Slot Method
The GMAT loves to present combination questions that force people to sit next to each other, or in certain seats, and then have the test taker figure out how many different ways people not forced to be glued to possibly a very uncomfortable chair can be seated around them. Because... Read more »
Probability Tip: Three Strategies That Aren’t Used Enough
Some GMAT instructors will say that students often place too much emphasis on studying for Probability and Combinatorics, rather than spending more time focusing on the heavy lifters of Algebra and Arithmetic. Like it or not, GMAT students get fixated on combinatorics and probability because a) these questions are never,... Read more »
Integrated Reasoning Tip: More Integral Than You Think
The newest section of the GMAT, the Integrated Reasoning, is often discounted by students as “less important” that the bigger beasts of the exam, the Verbal and Quantitative sections. But many MBA programs have become more familiar with what the Integrated Reasoning examines and more than half of programs, particularly... Read more »
