GMAT Prep: Strategies for a 60-Point GMAT Score Jump
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a critical element for anyone looking to enter a top business school, and for many, it’s the key to unlocking the door to their future. Achieving a significant score increase on the GMAT — such as a 60-point jump — can feel daunting, but it’s absolutely possible with the right GMAT prep strategies, mindset, and effort. Whether you’re aiming for a specific target score or just looking to boost your performance, a systematic approach can help you make the necessary strides.
In this blog, we’ll break down actionable strategies that can help you achieve a substantial improvement in your GMAT score, including how to identify your weaknesses, prioritize your study materials, practice smartly, and stay mentally focused throughout the process.
1. Analyze Your Current Score to Identify Weaknesses
The first step in making any significant improvement is understanding where you currently stand. If you’re aiming for a 60-point GMAT score jump, it’s crucial to take a diagnostic test to understand your baseline. After completing the test, carefully review your results:
Which sections did you perform poorly in? The GMAT consists of three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights (DI). Identify whether your lower score is due to weaknesses in the Quant or Verbal sections, or whether other areas are contributing to your overall score.
Where did you make mistakes? Did you misinterpret the questions? Were your timing and pacing off? Understanding why you missed certain questions is key to improving your performance.
This assessment will give you a clear direction in your preparation, helping you focus on areas that need the most attention.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Now that you understand your starting point, set realistic short-term and long-term goals. A 60-point increase is achievable, but it requires focused effort. Aim for specific sub-goals in different areas of the exam, for instance:
Quantitative Section: Set a target score for the quantitative section based on your starting point. This requires strengthening foundational math concepts like algebra, geometry, and statistics.
Verbal Section: If you’re scoring lower in verbal, focus on improving critical reasoning, sentence correction, and reading comprehension. Set goals to target specific question types you struggle with.
Timing and Pacing: Often, improving your score comes down to better time management. Set a goal to finish practice tests within the allotted time, which will help you with pacing during the actual exam.
3. Prioritize Your Study Materials and GMAT Coaching
The GMAT is a comprehensive exam that tests a variety of skills, so it’s crucial to choose the right study materials. Instead of trying to cover everything, prioritize the resources that will have the greatest impact on your weaknesses.
Official GMAT Materials: Start with the official GMAT prep books and resources offered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). These materials are the closest to what you will encounter on the actual exam, and practicing with them ensures that you’re familiar with the question types, timing, and structure.
GMAT Prep Software: The official GMAT prep software is free and provides practice tests that simulate real exam conditions. Utilize this tool to get accustomed to the exam interface and test your endurance with full-length practice tests. Another excellent resource is Jamboree’s smart GMAT prep portal, which simulates real testing conditions.
Study Guides and Online Courses: Consider enrolling in a GMAT prep course or using online resources like Magoosh, Kaplan, Jamboree, or The Princeton Review. These programs offer structured study plans, which can help you make the most out of your limited preparation time.
Targeted Resources: Focus on specific resources to address weak points. If you struggle with sentence correction, for example, you might want to invest in a specialized grammar guide. For quant, books like The GMAT Official Guide or online platforms offering GMAT-specific problem sets can be particularly helpful.
4. Develop a Comprehensive Study Plan for GMAT Prep
During GMAT prep, a structured study plan is vital to staying on track and ensuring that you make measurable progress each week. A few tips for developing an effective study plan include:
Create a Timeline: Dedicate a specific amount of time each week for GMAT preparation. Ideally, aim for at least 10–15 hours per week if you have 2–3 months to prepare. This ensures you’re consistently practicing without feeling overwhelmed.
Use a Balanced Approach: Divide your study sessions between each section of the exam. Spend more time on the areas where you’re weakest but don’t neglect the sections you’re already strong in. This balanced approach helps you avoid becoming too complacent in any one section.
Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your practice test scores and individual section scores. This allows you to track your progress and make adjustments to your study plan if necessary.
Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice with full-length tests under timed conditions to familiarize yourself with the mental stamina required for the GMAT. Regularly taking mock exams will also help you build endurance and improve your timing.
5. Focus on Time Management and Pacing
Many test-takers find that pacing is a key issue that prevents them from achieving their target score. On the GMAT, it’s not just about answering questions correctly — it’s also about answering them within a set time limit.
Master Time Allocation: During practice, learn to adjust your timing for different types of questions.
Avoid Overthinking: Many students waste precious time by overthinking or second-guessing their answers. Train yourself to recognize when you’ve spent too much time on a question. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess and move on. You can always return to it later.
Skip Difficult Questions: If you encounter a question that seems too challenging, skip it and come back later if time allows. Focus on questions you can confidently answer to maximize your score.
6. Take Regular Full-Length Practice Tests
Full-length practice tests are invaluable when preparing for a 60-point score jump. Not only do they help you assess your strengths and weaknesses, but they also provide you with important practice under real exam conditions. Try to take at least one full-length practice test every two weeks, increasing the frequency as you get closer to test day.
Simulate Real Conditions: Take the test at the same time of day as your actual GMAT exam. Make sure to replicate exam conditions as closely as possible, including minimizing distractions, taking scheduled breaks, and following the timing limits.
Review Your Mistakes: After each test, thoroughly review the questions you got wrong and the ones you guessed on. Understanding the reason for your mistakes will help you improve and refine your approach.
7. Stay Motivated and Focused
Improving your GMAT score by 60 points is no small feat. You’ll need perseverance and focus, but there are ways to stay motivated throughout the process:
Set Milestones: Celebrate small victories along the way. Completing a practice test, achieving a personal best score, or mastering a tricky concept are all milestones to acknowledge.
Stay Positive: It’s easy to feel discouraged if you don’t see immediate progress, but remember that score improvement takes time. Trust the process and keep pushing yourself.
Get Support: Consider joining a GMAT coaching centre or study group or finding an accountability partner. Sharing your goals with someone else can help you stay motivated and on track.
8. Focus on Test Day Strategy
In the final days leading up to the exam, it’s essential to focus on test-day strategies:
Rest Well: Don’t cram the night before. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test to ensure you’re mentally sharp.
Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to stay calm during the exam. Confidence and calmness go a long way in maximizing your performance.
PRO TIP
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Conclusion
Achieving a 60-point GMAT score jump requires dedication, strategy, and focused effort. By identifying your weaknesses, utilizing targeted resources, practicing consistently, and staying motivated, you can reach your goal. With the right mindset and a clear study plan during your GMAT preparation, you can increase your score and open the doors to top business schools. Stay disciplined, trust your preparation, and take the exam with confidence!
