Preparing for the GMAT test takes time and sincere efforts. You can prepare for the exam in six to eight months or it can be 3-4 months depending on your practice and ability. You need to give consistent efforts to get a good GMAT score. Make sure that you understand the GMAT pattern and syllabus before you purchase any study material. You must start with the GMAT official study material and then move on the other standard resources such as the Manhattan Prep guides. You must also appear for GMAT mock tests every week to gauge your progress.
Yes, GMAT exam preparation is quite time consuming and requires a lot of precision in terms of applicant's understanding. The sections on GMAT are four in total and each section has a certain set of question type that are targetted in a timebound manner. Applicants have to time their preapration for GMAT because there's lots to cover based on syllabus and pattern. Plus for some the Quant section may be challenging, while for others the Verbal Reasoning section may be challenging. Based on the difficulty time should be allocated for GMAT preparation for individual sections and holistically as well.
Once the applicant decides to give GMAT exam, he or she should first understand the time that will be taken for GMAT preparation. The GMAT exam preparation varies with each applicant, and some applicants may need more time while the others may not. Once the applicant is completely sure of the fact that they wish to appear for GMAT, they should begin their preparation. The preparation for GMAT exam should be timely divided and applicants should identify their strategies first.
- How to To Prepare for GMAT: Top 10 Tips for 2025
- GMAT 2025 Study Material
- Section-wise Preparation Tips for GMAT 2025 Exam
- Three Month GMAT Preparation Plan
- GMAT Preparation 2025 FAQs
How to To Prepare for GMAT: Top 10 Tips for 2025
Make sure to understand the GMAT pattern then refer to the prescribed or suggested GMAT study material to make a study plan.
Those who are going to take the GMAT exam in 2025 can go through these top 10 GMAT preparation tips.
1. Learn about the GMAT sections
Before making a study plan, you know everything about GMAT exam structure. Understanding the GMAT exam pattern is the very first step towards GMAT preparation followed by understanding the GMAT exam syllabus.
The GMAT Focus includes three sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning (Quant section): evaluates the test-taker's ability to solve quantitative problems and reason mathematically.
- Verbal Reasoning (Verbal section): it measures your editing abilities, reading comprehension skills, and critical reasoning.
- Data Insights (DI): This is a new section of GMAT which assesses the applicant's ability to analyse and interpret different types of data and apply it to real-world business scenarios.
The GMAT is scored between 205 and 805. The GMAT results or scores include all three sections of the GMAT (Focus). In the latest GMAT exam format, there is no writing assessment.
2. Make a study plan before starting the preparation
Having a GMAT study plan early will help you choose a clear path for GMAT preparation. Mostly, students prepare a 12-week study plan that helps them know the tips and tricks needed to achieve their business school goals. Typically, students spend around 3-6 months on GMAT preparation. Here is a tip: before you decide how much time is required for the GMAT preparation, take a GMAT mock test. Depending on the score you get in the mock test, you can decide how much time you need to prepare for the GMAT.
3. Select GMAT prep material
The next step for GMAT preparation is gathering GMAT prep material online and offline. There are a lot of online GMAT prep materials that you can use to prepare for the GMAT test. You can also look at the GMAT official prep material. Select the material that has a similar scoring algorithm as the GMAT. Also, solve questions from past exams. Here is an overview of the GMAT preparation books:
- GMAT official study material
- Manhattan GMAT Guides
- Other resources from Veritas, Magoosh, Kaplan, etc.
- GMAT Club and Beat the GMAT forums
- Thursdays with Ron videos
4. Work on your weaknesses
Based on your past academic performance, identify your weaknesses and work on them first while preparing for the GMAT. After identifying your weak areas, make a plan and work on them regularly. Out of the three GMAT sections and sub-sections within them, check out the areas where you need improvement and give all your attention to strengthening your skills as part of your GMAT preparation plan.
5. Don't stick to one question
There will be a penalty if you don't complete each exam section. Also, unanswered questions will decrease your score. Don't spend too much time on solving a single tricky question; rather, give a limited time to each question. Do not spend more than two and a half minutes on one question. Thus, keeping these pointers in mind, devise your GMAT preparation strategy.
6. Focus on the time limit while preparing for the GMAT
With limited time, developing your speed is of utmost importance. Focus more on the area which is taking up too much of your time. For example, if you are taking too much time on the Quantitative section, then work on improving your Quantitative skills. Solve the GMAT practice exam every day and develop your speed. This way, you will gain confidence with GMAT preparation and not get overwhelmed in a real exam setting.
7. Use an elimination strategy
Don't spend too much time on a question you cannot solve. Do not get obsessed with giving the right answers. Whenever stuck with a tricky question, just mark the one which is nearest to the correct answer and move on to the next question. Using this strategy during your GMAT preparation will be beneficial when you appear for the main GMAT exam date.
8. Improve visual literacy while preparing for the GMAT
Learn to read charts, symbols, tables, and graphs to increase your efficiency while preparing for GMAT. GMAT exams have visual data questions, so, learning this skill will help you in better time management as well. This will help you in solving the GMAT Quant section.
9. Develop the right kind of skills
As it is a timed test, develop cut-to-cut skills that will be useful while taking the GMAT test. Find your weak area and work on it, so, it will not affect your performance on the entire exam. GMAT preparation should be solid, and one must not leave any stone unturned.
10. Practice as much as you can
Practice more and more! As they say, practice makes a man perfect. To prepare for the GMAT exam, apply this strategy, and then proceed to the free GMAT sample papers once you've completed your preparation. It will help you in finding how well you are prepared for the test. Also, keep the scope to retake the GMAT exam if the need may arise.
Commonly asked questions
In order to crack GMAT in one go with a good score, you should begin preparing for GMAT exam at least 6 months before the exam date. Everyday you should target 1-2 hours for six months dedicatedly. Plus, attempt as many mock tests as possible in this duration.
You must plan your GMAT preparation well in advance so that you can prepare with enough time in hand.
The GMAT conducted by GMAC, acts as a gateway for admission to more than 4,000+ business schools across the world. According to experts, you can start getting ready for the GMAT Focus Edition by using the following advice:
- Determine which business school you want to attend and what GMAT score you need (out of 805).
- Before creating a study schedule, familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam syllabus and also the GMAT exam format.
- Choose the appropriate study materials and mock tests for the exam in accordance with the GMAT syllabus.
- Make a proper study schedule and focus on verbal and reasoning sections, as the GMAT prioritizes these sections more.
- Recognize which subject requires more of your attention so that you can give each section the time it needs.
- Regular practice is necessary in addition to mock exams to improve GMAT accuracy.
- Know why you want to attend a particular college; this will help you after your GMAT exam and when you are writing your college SOP.
The GMAT scores are valid for 5 years, and you can get the opportunity to study at top colleges after scoring well in the GMAT.
Candidates need an appropriate strategy to score a perfect 805 in the GMAT Exam. Before start preparing also decide what a good GMAT Score (according to you) is, and then prepare accordingly. The best way to prepare for GMAT is as follows:
- To begin with, applicants must first understand the structure of the GMAT exam.
- Understand what kind of questions are tested and then proceed with GMAT preparation.
- Take mocks to assess skills tested on GMAT exam and then ready your preparation.
- Practice more and more to get agrip on the GMAT preparation.
- Candidates can also go through previous GMAT Sample Paper which will help them in preparing for the GMAT exam.
GMAT 2025 Study Material
If you choose to prepare for the GMAT through self-study, you'll find the best books for 2025 preparation, along with study materials and GMAT study plans, to help you. GMAC has its official study guide and free software. Refer to the following GMAT 2025 books and resources to help create a study plan:
- Premium GMAT Study Collection - Includes a comprehensive study material bundle along with 3-6 full length practice tests. Allows students to use this to understand the adaptive testing of GMAT Focus.
- GMAT Official Guide Qauntitative Review 2025-2026
- GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review 2025-2026
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2025-2026 – This exam guide includes more than 900 questions from past GMAT exams, a diagnostic section to help you assess where to focus your efforts, and invaluable test-taking tips and strategies to help you get the score you want.
Apart from the official resources, there are other GMAT preparation materials which can be used for self-study:
- Kaplan GMAT 800: Advanced Prep for Advanced Students - Test-taking tips, proven strategies for getting a perfect score of 805, and focused guidelines for tackling each question type all combine for the ideal preparation tool for the most ambitious student.
- Manhattan Prep All the GMAT
- Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides
Commonly asked questions
Yes, more or less the GMAT books are same for preparing for Focus edition with older versions. Applicants can just selectively choose the topics that are relevant for the current GMAT edition and can easily prepare for the exam. However, there are options to buy official guides or prep material from MBA.com website for GMAT Focus Edition.
To prepare for the GMAT exam, applicants can use the following study material:
- Start with the GMAT Official Guide (GMAT OG).
- You may also opt for the GMAT Official Guide Bundle. The reason for starting with the GMAT Official Guide is that you need to be aware of the previous years’ GMAT questions and the official GMAT study material. Hence, make sure that the GMAT Official Guide forms the base of your preparation.
- Also, The Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, Kaplan books, Khan Academy and Veritas also provide useful prep material.
Apart from this, you can also check out our GMAT Preparation Plan for 4 weeks.
Candidates need to understand that purchasing many GMAT books will not fetch them a higher GMAT score. In fact, if they start referring to multiple GMAT books and resources for a single topic, they will only get confused and end up leaving all the study material. The best starting point is always the official GMAT exam material. The official GMAT prep material should be at the base of your preparation. Make sure to cover the entire official study material at least twice. Once you are done with it, you can study other resources such as the Manhattan Guides, Veritas study material, GMAT club, Beat the GMAT, Thursdays with Ron, etc. Stick to selected GMAT books and resources, prepare notes, and appear for as many GMAT mock tests as possible.
Section-wise Preparation Tips for GMAT 2025 Exam
Learn how to prepare for the GMAT and review the GMAT exam preparation tips section-wise. Learn about the GMAT exam pattern and syllabus and plan your routine strategically covering topic by topic. Making slow progress but continuous efforts will help you achieve a GMAT score of 645 or above.
GMAT Preparation Tips: Quantitative Section
- This section includes 21 questions and a time limit of 45 minutes.
- Cover questions related to Algebra and Arithmetic while practising.
- Memorizing the mathematical formulas used in these topics will help increase the speed.
- Practice both easy and tricky questions to cover the entire GMAT syllabus for the Quant section.
Read: GMAT Preparation Tips: Quantitative Section
GMAT Preparation Tips: Verbal Section
- 45 minutes are allotted for the Verbal Section of the GMAT test during which you need to solve 23 questions.
- This section tests your English language skills and usage. For the Verbal section enhance your grammar with grammar books and read newspaper editorials.
- The section will have questions from various topics like reading passages and inferring the main idea and its supporting ideas.
- This section will also test the applicant's critical reasoning aspect, thus applicants should practice questions which challenge their critical thinking.
- Cover all these topics while preparing and using different guide books as this section will also test your reasoning and analytical skills.
Read: GMAT preparation tips: Verbal section
GMAT Preparation Tips: Data Insights
- A total of 45 minutes are allotted to the Data Insights Section for a total of 20 questions.
- Practice questions on data sufficiency, examining the interpretation of data from multiple sources.
- Understand and build your speed for table analysis and graphics interpretation.
- Solve as many questions as possible, source them from analysis through different media and simultaneously check your performance.
- This section is new on GMAT Focus, hence, you can source its questions and solutions either from the official website or from prep materials.
- Try to increase your speed, so, manage time efficiently and be able to answer maximum questions on Data Insights on GMAT exam.
Note: The AWA or the writing section on GMAT has been scrapped for the new format of testing.
These preparation tips will help you understand how to improve your GMAT scores to get into better colleges. Getting a great score on the GMAT exam isn't a difficult task, and just requires proper planning and preparation.
Commonly asked questions
Applicants who struggle with questions like these should consider the following pointers:
- Are they comfortable with self-study or they require discipline by taking up a GMAT prep course?
- Have they cracked exams before by studying on there own or by seeking help?
- Lastly, do applicants have the budget to go ahead with a GMAT prep course?
Based on these questions, applicants can make up their minds of whether they should take a GMAT prep course or study independently. These questions are subjective and will vary person to person.
GMAT tests different skill sets like the ability to think critically, ability to analyse data and draw conclusions using reasoning skills. So, one needs to develop these skills to get a decent score in order to get admission to their dream B-school. The best way to develop these skills and score well on the GMAT is to practice the official study material multiple times and appear for as many GMAT mocks as possible. Once you have completed the official GMAT study material, you can move over to other GMAT books such as the Manhattan prep GMAT guides.
One can take the GMAT practice test anytime, however, make sure you take the exam in the same way as you are going to take the real test. If you are going to attempt the Writing section first then do the same in the mock tests as well. Do not take extra time, and complete the test in one sitting. With every subsequent GMAT practice test and its analyses, you will come up with certain strategies (whether they are related to certain topics or sections); make sure to try those strategies in the next GMAT mock tests. Analyses of the GMAT mock tests is as important as the mock itself.
Three Month GMAT Preparation Plan
Now that you have looked at the section-wise strategy of the GMAT 2025 exam preparation, it is time you understand, in brief, the 3-month GMAT 2025 study plan. Students can always tweak this plan as per their requirements. The best way to study for GMAT exam is as follows:
| Month |
GMAT 2025 Prep Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 |
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| 2 |
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| 3 |
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Check out: GMAT Study Plan for 3 Months
Commonly asked questions
If at some point you prepared for GMAT 10th Edition and are planning to appear for the GMAT Focus Edition, then here are a few strategies to help you adjust your study plan for GMAT Focus.
- Since GMAT Focus is shorter, applicants will have to effectovely plan their question solving capacity.
- Practice taking GMAT and solve multiple GMAT sample papers to understand the pattern of the paper. The mock test of GMAT Focus may be difficult to access so relying on available materials is important.
- Since GMAT Focus has the bookmarking questions feature where applicants can come back to review and edit, will also be an added advantage for the applicants.
There is a lot of GMAT study material available online which you can access and start preparing. Those who do not want to go for coaching/tutoring can study at home and can prepare for the GMAT test on their own. Make sure to prepare a sound strategy to prepare effectively. Do not leave the official GMAT study material at any cost. You must complete it at least twice. Prepare short notes as you study; these will aid in revision. Also, give practice tests once you are through with the preparation. It is always better to understand your weaknesses and work on them.
Well equally distributing time for each section can be beneficial for applicants. However, those who feel that completing one section at a time is beneficial, they can use that strategy. Either ways, it is a plus point to cover GMAT syllabus and thoroughly prepare for the exam at large at the end.
GMAT Preparation 2025 FAQs
For answers to more queries, you may read our GMAT 2025 Preparation FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
The best way to start GMAT preparation is by:
- Understand everything about the GMAT exam.
- Check the GMAT syllabus, the topics it tests and the duration of each section.
- After this just take a diagnostic test to understand how confident you are about the exam and the ideal time for preparation.
- Next is making a schedule to study and prepare for the exam.
- Set a timetable and stick to it, be regular with your practice and preparation.
- Keep taking GMAT practice tests to keep in sync with your preparation.
Getting a perfect GMAT score i.e. 805 is not at all easy and not many test takers achieve this feat. Out of almost 2,00,000 test-takers annually, only a handful of candidates are able to get a perfect GMAT score. With consistent efforts and perfect strategy, one can get a good score; however, getting a perfect score is quite difficult. Students need to understand that a good GMAT score does help in their application; however, it is not the only criterion of your admission application. Other documents such as a Statement of Purpose, admission essays, etc. are equally important. Hence, you must focus on these documents as well.
You should take GMAT practice tests as often as possible after you are done with the complete GMAT exam preparation or if you are targetting preparation section wise. Practice tests give an overview of the overall strengths and weaknesses of the applicant based on their performance. Based on this assessment, applicants will get help in honing their skills where they lack.
Candidates are not allowed to bring their calculators; however, they are provided digital calculators with basic functionality for the Integrated Reasoning section. Rather than depending on a calculator, candidates must increase their speed. The best way to do this is to visit CAT and Indian Banking exams’ websites. Students can find the best possible tricks to increase their calculation speed on these websites. Moreover, it is advised that the students memorize tables till 20, squares till 30, and cubes till 20. Your goal should be to increase your speed without compromising your accuracy.
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Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum VitaeComments
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The current version of the GMAT exam "will continue to be available until early next year". There is no specific date for the same. After MCom, you may opt for an MBA as it will enhance your profile. You might as well venture into a new field (e.g. supply chain management) if you find it interestin
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Hello. Now that you have completed your graduation, you can very well appear for the GMAT exam. Please make sure to check the eligibility criteria for MBA abroad as certain B-schools demand prior work experience. You may also apply for MIM programmes as they are also rewarding. You may check the to