GMAT Test - Taking Tips and
Techniques |
Be Aware
By the time you have
finished your GMAT preparation, you should be aware of the type
of questions that will appear in the GMAT Test. You should also
be aware of how long each section is and the time limits. This
will help you pace yourself through the test. |
Know the directions for each
question
Knowing the directions for the questions
beforehand will save you valuable time. But remember the
directions for the questions in the GMAT Test might be slightly
different from the ones in your study material. So always read
the instructions but do it quickly. |
Don't stick to one question for too
long
By the time you have finished your GMAT
preparation, you should have a good estimate of how much time
you can give to a particular question. Don't get stuck on one
particular question for too long. This might cause you to lose
precious time and miss questions you could have easily
done. |
Don't Rush
The GMAT Test is about
optimizing. Finishing the paper first is not what is
important. You should devote just the right amount of time to
each question. Maximizing your marks in a given period of time
is your aim. So don't rush it as that might cost you valuable
marks.
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The questions at the beginning are the
most important
The questions at the beginning affect
your score more than those towards the end. Take your time
with those questions. It is vital that you get those questions
right. Getting these correct will dramatically improve your
score. |
Selection by elimination
When you
don't know the answers to some questions, try and use the
method of elimination. You may have a very good idea of which
option cannot be the answer. Eliminate such options. It
narrows down your guess to just maybe two options and
sometimes down to one.
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Don't leave any question
The GMAT
Test does not penalize you for wrong answers. So never leave
any question unanswered.
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Be very sure of your answer before
proceeding
With the Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) for
GMAT, you cannot return to a question once you have attempted
it. You cannot leave the difficult questions for later nor can
you check your answers towards the end even if you have extra
time. So pace yourself properly and be very certain of your
answers. |
Get adequate rest the night
before
Before the test, relax.
Research shows a person who is relaxed usually does much
better than a person who is tense during an exam. Get enough
sleep before the D-Day. Also if your GMAT is in the morning,
take a light breakfast. A heavy one might make you drowsy.
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Do a test drive exactly a week before
your test
Getting to the test center on time is vital.
In fact you should try and get to the test center 15-30
minutes before time. Taking a test drive to your test center
exactly a week before might be a good idea. This will give you
a rough idea of the traffic conditions at the time and day of
your GMAT. |
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Wear
comfortable clothes to your GMAT test center. It might be a
good idea to carry a sweater or a jacket, in case you start
feeling cold. Also make a check list well in advance of what
all you need on the D-day and keep everything ready the night
before. One of the things you need is a chronometer. (In case
you don't know what that means, start preparing for the GMAT
vocabulary ;-) |
Use the scratch paper the test center
provides
You are not allowed to bring any sheets of
paper to the GMAT test center but are provided scratch paper by
the center. You should make effective use of this to make
quick notes for yourself or for solving math questions.
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And lastly DON'T PANIC
No matter
what happens, DON'T PANIC. Keep your cool all the time, even
when you don't know the answer. Once you panic, you might even
answer the easiest questions wrongly. If you feel yourself
getting tense, take a short break, ask for a glass of water,
close your eyes, take deep breaths and calm yourself down.
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