“a goal without a plan is just a wish”
-Antoine de Saint
It is essential to understand how important it is to prepare for GMAT in a structured manner. Globally, more than 1.2 million GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST (GMAT) examinations have been conducted over the past five years. I am sure by now, you must have gauged your competition and know about the need to prepare for the GMAT in advance. Well, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about a thing, we have got you covered.
Let us have a look at a step-by-step guide on how and when to prepare for the GMAT exam.
When is the perfect time to begin your GMAT Prep?
If you are into sports, dancing, singing or any such activities, you know how much time and effort goes into preparing for the final day. Likewise, studying for GMAT requires constant dedication. Ideally, one should start preparing for it at least 6 months before taking the exam. It generally calls for about 2-3 hours reviewing study material and practicing regularly. Even if you opt for coaching classes, 2-3 hours of self study is essential.
Should you start your GMAT Prep in your undergrad years?
YES, you can and should start preparing for and attempt GMAT during your undergraduate program. Your GMAT score is valid for 5 years so there is no need to worry about your score expiring. Moreover, it is not mandatory to have work experience before giving GMAT, it is an added advantage when you apply for your desired college. Therefore, giving the exam before you graduate along with relevant work experience is the most viable way of getting into the college of your choice.
It is easier to mange your GMAT prep while you are graduating as you are studying the same and/or similar subjects in college and you have ample time to decide whether or not, this is what you want to do, eliminating the need for a gap year. Having been studying for a year, there are better chances of you getting a good score. You are also likely to get more chances to attempt the exam without wasting years as compared to your peers.
Online training or coaching classes?
To begin with, both online training and classroom coaching have their pros and cons. Classroom coaching has the personal touch that often most students require. Students get to clear their doubts one to one with the professors immediately.There is a proper study plan which students have to follow everyday so there is no backlog and the student is always done with his/her portion. The only drawback is that classes often tend to be a little expensive and they tend to make the students dependent in a way that they lack self study skills.
Online training is the most convenient method of training as you study in the comfort of your house.You save money and time on travelling. Online training is less expensive and hence cost effective.Unfortunately,it has more cons than pros. Due to the lack of personal touch most of the students end up getting confused and keep watching the same video over and over again hence wasting time. Online training does not follow a structured plan and so students are mainly on their own with minimum guidance.
Self study – an important requirement for a good score:
Although you have opted for coaching, no class can ever guarantee you a good score. In the end it all comes down to YOU i.e. your efforts, your discipline, your perseverance and your passion. For this, self study is extremely necessary. Self study makes you independent, confident and knowledgeable. Students develop stronger study skills and are always in control. Coaching classes help you gain knowledge but self study is the actual process where you execute the knowledge and think beyond. To conclude coaching classes plus self study is the best combo to boost your GMAT prep.
