Simply practicing tons of GMAT math test questions might work to bring great scores for some; but generally, it simply won’t work. It is not enough that you get the answers right, won’t work. It is not enough that you get the answers right during practice time. You have to get the correct answers to GMAT math questions in at most 2 minutes for every item.
During your practice period, take note of the following pieces of advice:
1. Practice with materials that best represent the GMAT math type of test questions.
Get the most realistic GMAT math test experience with the official GMAT quantitative review. It is the only available test practice resource written by the creators of the GMAT. This book will put your GMAT quantitative preparation in the proper context and lay the foundation before you take a crack at other books for tougher questions.
2. Plan how your practice will go every time.
GMAT math preparation is about establishing a correct stance and habit in dealing with practice questions and the actual test later. Practice in a consistent manner - write computations on scratch paper, time every question you do, do 37-40 quantitative questions in one stretch. To simulate the actual test use GMAT CAT (computer adaptive test).
3. Do your practice correctly.
The usual focus of those preparing for the GMAT math is to master how questions are answered. There is nothing wrong with that except when it fails to recognize the need to get the correct answer within the time limit for every question.
4. Review your practice work.
In your subsequent study sessions, assess your previous practice. Evaluate your performance on 3 areas:
The bottom line of practicing efficiently is improving your performance. It entailed doing the question the first time, evaluating how you handled it, comparing it with the correct answer and the most time-efficient solution, reading the concept and explanation, and redoing to improve your performance.
This correct practice makes perfect. The redo of the question builds confidence. It also builds a habit to do questions efficiently.
During your practice period, take note of the following pieces of advice:
1. Practice with materials that best represent the GMAT math type of test questions.
Get the most realistic GMAT math test experience with the official GMAT quantitative review. It is the only available test practice resource written by the creators of the GMAT. This book will put your GMAT quantitative preparation in the proper context and lay the foundation before you take a crack at other books for tougher questions.
2. Plan how your practice will go every time.
GMAT math preparation is about establishing a correct stance and habit in dealing with practice questions and the actual test later. Practice in a consistent manner - write computations on scratch paper, time every question you do, do 37-40 quantitative questions in one stretch. To simulate the actual test use GMAT CAT (computer adaptive test).
3. Do your practice correctly.
The usual focus of those preparing for the GMAT math is to master how questions are answered. There is nothing wrong with that except when it fails to recognize the need to get the correct answer within the time limit for every question.
- When you do your practice, record the time you start every question and the time you finish solving for its answer. At the start, don’t be too concerned that you exceed the ideal 2-minute time per question. As you progress, though, you must close the gap between your clock time and the ideal time.
- Mark (with a star, a sad face, or an asterisk) every question that you think you handled inefficiently. This will be an area for future improvement. Also note your feelings about how you approached the question, and what you think about your difficulty and weakness.
4. Review your practice work.
In your subsequent study sessions, assess your previous practice. Evaluate your performance on 3 areas:
- The questions that took too long. Ask yourself about the factors that contributed to the extended time. Try solving the question using other methods and see which method yields better clock time.
- The questions that you answered incorrectly. This tells you that you need to improve on the conceptual aspect of the problem. Refer to the correct answer and read the explanation. Do this question again and do more of this type.
- The marked questions. This could be either of the 2 areas previously mentioned, but this could also be those answers which you feel you should have done better. Re-do this question in the most efficient way that you know.
The bottom line of practicing efficiently is improving your performance. It entailed doing the question the first time, evaluating how you handled it, comparing it with the correct answer and the most time-efficient solution, reading the concept and explanation, and redoing to improve your performance.
This correct practice makes perfect. The redo of the question builds confidence. It also builds a habit to do questions efficiently.