How to Prepare for the GMAT: Study Plan and Tips

Key Takeaways

• The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is structured around three core sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
• The exam is computer-adaptive, so performance early in each section influences question difficulty and overall scoring.
• Effective GMAT preparation follows a structured sequence: start with a diagnostic test, build strong fundamentals, create a realistic study plan, and use high-quality, test-aligned materials to guide practice.
• Score improvement comes from active practice, detailed review of mistakes, and regular full-length practice tests that build pacing, endurance, and confidence for test day.

Each year, graduate business schools receive applications from a large and competitive pool of candidates. MBA, EMBA, and specialized master's programs often attract far more qualified applicants than available seats, requiring admissions committees to make selective and strategic decisions. To manage this volume and identify candidates who align best with their academic and professional goals, schools rely on multiple evaluation tools, including GMAT scores. 

While admissions decisions are never based on a single factor, a strong GMAT score can strengthen an application and help candidates stand out in a crowded field. As test takers, understanding how to prepare for the GMAT is crucial for improving your chances in an increasingly competitive admissions environment.

What Each GMAT Section Includes

The GMAT consists of three core sections that measure different aspects of your analytical and reasoning abilities. It's important to understand each section in order to know how to approach your preparation strategically.

Quantitative Reasoning evaluates your ability to analyze data and solve problems using mathematical concepts. You'll work through questions involving number properties, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The section tests logical thinking and problem-solving rather than advanced mathematical knowledge.

Verbal Reasoning measures your ability to read critically, correct written material, and analyze arguments. Questions assess your understanding of grammar rules, sentence structure, and logical reasoning. You'll need to identify the relationships between ideas and evaluate the strength of arguments.

Data Insights combines elements of data analysis and integrated reasoning. This section tests your ability to interpret charts, tables, and multi-source information to solve complex business problems. You'll work with quantitative and verbal information simultaneously, reflecting the integrated decision-making required in business settings.

All three sections use computer-adaptive technology and the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance. Stronger performance on earlier questions leads to more challenging questions later, which can result in higher overall scores.

How to Prepare for the GMAT

Successful GMAT preparation follows a sequential framework. Each step builds on the previous one and helps create a foundation that supports consistent score improvement. Skipping steps or rushing through fundamentals can limit your progress and leave gaps in your conceptual understanding.

Take a diagnostic test

Begin your preparation by taking a free official practice exam from reputable sources like mba.com. This diagnostic test provides your baseline score and reveals which question types you handle confidently and which require focused attention.

Review your diagnostic results section by section. Note your performance in each of the three sections separately. Pay attention to question types where you struggled, whether it's data sufficiency in quant, critical reasoning in verbal, or multi-source reasoning in data insights. Your diagnostic results become the roadmap for your study priorities, helping you allocate time to areas where improvement will have the greatest impact on your overall score.

Build strong GMAT fundamentals

Before working through hundreds of practice questions, make sure you have solid foundational knowledge. For Quantitative Reasoning, focus on number properties, arithmetic operations, basic geometry, and algebraic manipulation. You don't need advanced calculus or trigonometry; the GMAT tests your ability to apply fundamental concepts in creative ways.

For Verbal Reasoning, review grammar rules that govern sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and logical modifiers. Strengthen your critical reasoning skills by learning to identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, and recognize logical fallacies. Accuracy matters more than speed at this stage. Build your conceptual clarity first, then work on timing and efficiency.

Create a realistic GMAT study plan

Most test-takers benefit from a preparation timeline of three to six months. Shorter timelines can work if you have a strong quantitative or verbal background, but consistent, spaced-out study sessions generally produce better results than cramming.

Plan to study four to five days per week, dedicating 60–90 minutes per session. Consistency matters more than marathon study sessions. Your brain retains information better through regular, focused practice than through sporadic all-day cramming. As you take practice tests, adjust your study plan based on your results. If certain question types continue to challenge you, allocate extra time to those areas.

This structured approach mirrors the disciplined planning valued by MBA programs at institutions like the Leavey School of Business, where students balance rigorous coursework with professional responsibilities.

Choose the right GMAT study materials

Quality study materials make a measurable difference in your preparation. Prioritize official GMAT resources because they're created by the same organization that writes the actual test. The GMAT™ Official Guide, GMAT™ Official Starter Kit, and official practice exams from mba.com reflect real exam difficulty, question formats, and adaptive algorithms.

Official materials give you the most accurate practice experience. Third-party prep platforms and tutors can supplement your preparation, especially if you need additional explanations or personalized guidance. However, make official materials the foundation of your study plan. When you practice with materials that match the real test, you build familiarity with question patterns and pacing that translates directly to test day.

Practice actively and review mistakes

Active practice means more than just answering questions and checking if you got them right. After completing a practice set, review every question, including the ones you answered correctly. For incorrect answers, identify why you missed the question. Did you misread the question stem? Make a calculation error? Misapply a grammar rule? Fail to recognize a logical flaw?

For correct answers, verify that you used the most efficient solution method. Sometimes you reach the right answer through a time-consuming approach when a faster method exists. Learn the logic behind every answer choice. Understand why wrong answers are wrong as well as why right answers are right. Track recurring mistakes. If you consistently struggle with a specific question type or concept, that pattern reveals where you need focused review.

This systematic review process drives score improvement more effectively than simply completing large volumes of practice questions without reflection.

Take full-length practice tests

Full-length, timed practice exams serve multiple purposes in your preparation. They build the mental stamina required to maintain focus across three hours of testing. They help you refine your pacing strategies for each section. They simulate the pressure and time constraints of the actual exam environment.

Schedule practice tests every two to three weeks throughout your preparation. Simulate real test conditions: quiet environment, timed sections, no interruptions. Use your practice test results to improve your study plan. If you're consistently running out of time in Quantitative Reasoning, you need to work on efficiency and decision-making under time pressure. If you're scoring well on Verbal but struggling with Data Insights, shift your study focus accordingly.

Space your practice tests throughout your preparation rather than clustering them at the end. Each practice test provides feedback that informs the next phase of your study plan.

Advanced Pacing and Test-Day Tactics

Pacing matters as much as content knowledge on the GMAT. You need to make strategic decisions about time allocation across questions of varying difficulty. Spending too much time on a single difficult question can leave you rushing through easier questions later, costing you points you should have earned.

Develop an awareness of time pressure without becoming fixated on the clock. Know roughly how much time you have per question, but focus more on recognizing when you're stuck and need to make an educated guess and move forward. The GMAT rewards consistent performance more than perfect performance on a subset of questions.

Build mental stamina through your practice routine. Three hours of sustained concentration requires practice. As you progress through full-length practice tests, you'll develop techniques for maintaining focus when fatigue sets in during the final sections. On test day, trust your preparation. You've trained for this specific challenge through months of deliberate practice.

Conclusion

Preparing for the GMAT follows a clear, sequential process: diagnose your starting point, build conceptual fundamentals, create a realistic study timeline, use official materials, practice actively with thorough mistake review, and take full-length practice tests to build stamina and refine pacing. Start early, stay consistent, and trust that systematic preparation produces measurable results.

Strong GMAT scores support your applications to business programs such as the MBA programs at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business. When combined with compelling application materials, your GMAT performance can also help open doors to scholarships that make graduate business education more accessible.

Learn more about how to apply for MBA programs and begin building the foundation for your next career move.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is it to score above 700 on the GMAT?

Scoring above 700 requires strong fundamentals, consistent practice, and effective time management across all three sections. It's achievable with a structured 3–6 month preparation plan, but only about 10% of test-takers reach this level. Focus on steady improvement rather than a specific score target.

How long does it take to prepare for the GMAT?

Most test-takers benefit from three to six months of preparation, studying four to five days per week. Your timeline depends on your starting point, target score, and how quickly you master foundational concepts.

How to prepare for GMAT while working full-time?

Create a realistic study schedule with 60–90 minute sessions on weekdays and longer practice tests on weekends. Consistency matters more than volume. Many MBA programs, including Santa Clara's Evening MBA and Online MBA, are designed for working professionals who balance career and education demands.