Tips for GMAT takers

I recently gave GMAT and got a score of 740. I thought I would also put in few tips that might help others to preapre for GMAT:

1. There is no proper preparation period (as in 1 month or 2 months etc...) it varies from person to person. I had studied for only 15 days but still managed a decent score as I am an engineer (so I am comfortable with maths) and I had studied verbal a lot for my GRE so I required less time for preparation in GMAT. So don't ask anyone as to when you should be taking the GMAT. It is YOU who has to decide what would be the appropritae time.

2. Decide and plan out your studies well. My weakest section was verbal. So I took the 1000 questions CR and SC document which I had and solved all 1000 questions. I was on a leave at that time and so managed to solve all of them.

3. Become competent in all the GMAT sections and revise all formuals and solve as many questions as you can before giving the GMAT pratice tests. I am suggesting this as most of the time people in their need to check their competence levels start giving tests very early on and simply waste the pratice tests. I would suggest get your concepts cleared before begning to give any tests, so that you dont waste the scarce resource of tests that you may be having and don't get bogged down by the low scores.

4. Kaplan, OG, Powerprep are a must before giving the actual GMAT. After revising all sections this is how is paced my tests schedule:

a. I gave Princeton first. Princeton tests are comparitively simpler.So starting with them gives you a lot of confidence.

b. I then moved onto Kaplan tests. Kaplan tests are toughest amongst the lot. So remember that it is important that you dont get bogged down if you score a little less here. A score of 650 and above is pretty good on these tests.

c. OG I solved the full OG book after this. The OG has all questions that have been previously asked in GMAT so this is the best pratice to help you realise how good or bad your preparation is. If you still are not fairng well in solving OG then i recommend that you go in for postponing your date.

d. Finally give the 2 powerprep tests on third last and second last day before GMAT. My experience has been that your score on these tests is very similar to your actual GMAT score as the toughness level is same.

e. Give all the tests strictly ahdering to the time limit and give them in a controlled enviornment so that no one disturbs you. Also always write the essays along with the tests. This is very very important and often neglected part of GMAT preparation. More than practicing essays it will help you get used to the 4 hour schedule. Remember in GMAT you have to write the essay sections before you move onto the main sections. So if you are not used to writing essays then you may have trouble giving the main sections. This is because you will not be used to writing essays before begining the main sections.

f. A day before exam just CHILL don't touch your books. Especially dont go near your computer or TV as it starins your eyes (remember you have have been sitting in front of your comp for the past month or so giving tests and on the next day again you will have to sit for 4 hours. Your eyes need rest!) So just relax. Sleep, eat (don't drink ), go out with friends and basically have fun.

5. During exam relax. You have doen all the work now and there is no point in taking tension. So be cool and dont worry.

6. After exam PARTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY well I hope my experience helps you guys in your preparation. All the best to everyone for their GMAT. I am planning to apply for fall 2007. So will look forward to collabarating with many of you for the admission queries

CHEERS!!!!