Compare the effectiveness of two different student's test preparation methods utilizing a GMAT test-prep course. Two students detail their test-preparation in a journal starting from the first class of their course up to and following the actual GMAT exam.

Let’s imagine two students each preparing for the GMAT exam. Both Alex and Brad decide to register for a several week test-preparation course. What follows are excerpts from journals they were asked to keep starting from the day of the first class and maintain until the last entry following the GMAT exam.

• Week 1 (Alex)
  

  I signed up for a classroom course and after completing the first day am exhausted. I didn’t have a chance to talk to the other students and don’t think I will, even though it was recommended that we exchange information. I just don’t feel comfortable doing that. If I need help I can just contact the instructor. There was a lot of talk about the structure of the exam so I figure once I learn that I should be set. I’ll probably study later in the week.

• Week 1 (Brad)
  

  I do not live close to a test-prep center so I signed up for the online classroom course. I didn’t know what to expect but decided to treat it as I would an actual classroom. I locked myself in a quiet room with my laptop and was surprised at how real the experience felt. Using the instant messenger I discussed my ambitions with several other students and learned about their experiences and goals, we decided to share contact information and begin a study group. One student actually lives nearby so we decided to meet in person before each new class session as sort of a review for the last class.

• Week 3 (Alex)
  

  I took a GMAT practice test and it seems just like any other exam. I know they said that it’s a CAT exam but it really did feel just like any other exam. We started learning about deconstructing questions but I’m still not too sure how that’s different from just trying to answer the question. I guess I’ll figure it out as the course goes on. We were also told to boost our vocabulary and review grammar rules but I already read a lot for work so that should take care of it. I’ll do some homework this week, it didn’t look too hard so it shouldn’t take too long.

• Week 3 (Brad)
  

  I took a practice test and wasn’t too happy with my score. I’m beginning to understand the concept of a CAT exam and find it a bit scary. I’m worried that I’ll fall into a lower proficiency level and will feel like I’m doing well but only because I’m answering easier questions. My colleague in the class had the same concern so we contact the instructor and he assured us to focus only on what’s important. He said he was going to assess our strengths and weaknesses and help us focus our studies on those areas. I plan on doing the homework tonight then taking another look at it tomorrow. I’m having difficulty trying to think like a test-maker instead of a test-taker but do understand that the traditional instincts I had for test taking might not apply for this exam. I trust the instructor and will see what comes next in the course.

• Week 6 (Alex)
  

  I took a look at a few questions and decided it’s time to start focusing. I also think I’m starting to get the hang of the exam based on classwork. The instructor told me what he felt my weaknesses were and stressed that my study plan focus on those areas. I decided to dedicate one night a week to really studying, about an hour of study. I worked in a group today and one of the other students mentioned something that I found interesting. He was confused about something on the Critical Reasoning portion of the exam and I had the same questions but there was something he said that I don’t remember. I’m going to try to schedule a tutoring session with the instructor.

• Week 6 (Brad)
  

  I’ve been doing timed drills and have been getting faster and faster at answering questions. My instructor helped me develop a study plan so I focus a lot of my time on those areas but try to keep fresh on everything. He said we should plan for about two minutes for each question so I’ve been practicing with only 1.5 minutes available for each question. I try not to panic and not dwell on questions, I worry more about my right answers than possible wrong ones. I’m a little nervous and anxious but my instructor told me to use those feelings and rely on the instinct that we’re currently conditioning. I trust his experience and told him about my review sessions with a fellow classmate. He said it was a good idea and gave a few suggestions on how we can improve our studies.

• Week 8 (Alex)
  

  I had a tutoring session and just had the last class session and feel like I’m ready. I did some studying, one time last week and once before this class, half an hour each time. I’m trying to find the time to take a practice exam before the actual test but don’t know if I’ll be able to. I’m very strong with the quantitative problems so my goal is to focus on that and hopefully it will outweigh the rest of the exam for me.

• Week 8 (Brad)
  

  I took another practice test and am glad that I have no problems working with the time constraints. I decided to work on the essay portion of the exam and will trade off with several other classmates, two students reviewing each essay. Hopefully I can implement everything I learned but still plan on reviewing some of the online lectures before the exam and possibly a tutoring session with the instructor on the area of Sentence Correction. I still feel a little weak with grammar and am trying to go through a grammar guide.

• POST EXAM (Alex)
  

  Although my score was average I still feel a little disappointed. I was doing very well on the Quantitative section, however, ran out of time and wasn’t able to answer all the questions. I started the Critical Reasoning section off a little slow but once I got the hang of it I did alright but again had difficulty finishing. This exam puts a lot of pressure on the test-taker and the whole time I felt stressed. Even when I knew the answers I was worried and kept rechecking them. The scratch sheet to take notes was also difficult to work with. I tried relying on my instincts like the instructor said but my gut never went one way or the other.

• POST EXAM (Brad)
  

  I scored in the 96th percentile and at no point felt nervous while taking the exam. There were a few questions that I was not sure about so I just checked off an answer I felt could be right and moved on. Practicing and reviewing questions really paid off because I felt like I was familiar with everything that came up. My pace was very good from start to finish. I’m glad I worked with that grammar book and had that last tutoring session because some stuff came up on the Sentence Correction section that my instructor specifically discussed. It only helped with two questions but every question counts. When I got them right my confidence just soared. The test did get progressively harder though but I maintained my same strategy and trusted that what I was doing was right.

The Manhattan Review test-prep course will lead to improved scores, however, to reach maximum potential it is important to fully dedicate your efforts. Brad treated the GMAT as the Olympics and conditioned himself as an athlete with repetition and exercises. Alex, although confident in his understanding of the exam, was unprepared for the test-like conditions. For the GMAT it is just as important to know how to take the exam as it is to know how to answer the questions. There were missed opportunities as well. He did not utilize the classroom environment by learning from fellow students insights. Sure it was because he felt uncomfortable, however, this is something that should have been discussed with the instructor. It is important to maintain open communication and voice any concerns. Alex’s test preparation was passive, he relied too heavily on others. Instructors can definitely help but it is important to take what they have to give and master it on your own. Brad was very active in his approach to preparing for the exam. If he had concerns he sought advice and instruction, he did not just sit back and wait for the solution to fall into his lap. Competitive Business schools are interested in Brad because they know he will bring the same level of intensity he had while preparing for the GMAT to their MBA program.

Find out why a strong knowledge of grammar can potentially be a weakness on the Sentence Correction portion of the GMAT exam. The Sentence Correction section of the GMAT exam aims to test analytical and critical thinking, not knowledge of Standard English grammar.

As a professional writer of many years I never believed that the Sentence Correction section of the GMAT exam would be my Achilles’ heel. It was with tears in my eyes that I discovered just how wrong I was. I found myself consistently answering questions wrong during the grueling process of test-preparation and had no explanation as to why. The right answers did not distinguish themselves from the wrong ones making it impossible to identify what was being asked. Sacrificing an entire section of the exam due to ignorance was not an option and so I deflated my wordsmith ego and took the logical steps forward. I sought help and as a result had a complete blowing of my mind as to what was actually expected from me as a test-taker on the Sentence Correction section.

The GMAT is an exam that assesses a student’s analytical and critical thinking. Every aspect of the exam is aimed at forcing a student to make a logical decision. The math section is not constructed to test a student’s knowledge of mathematic concepts, but rather, uses math as a tool to create brain-teasing questions. This same concept is applied to the verbal section. The test doesn’t aim to test the student on their knowledge of the English language; the English language is simply used to create questions that gauge critical thinking. Once this concept was made clear to me I began to understand what I was doing wrong. When a sentence was presented to me as being incorrect my instinct was to correct the grammatical structure. This style of thinking led me down a rabbit hole of false answers and confusion when presented with the correct answers. I was not being asked to identify if the grammar was correct, I was being asked if the message was clear. I was to identify the intent of the author and select the answer that best conveyed that intent. My confusion, although slightly alleviated, was still present.

What does it mean to identify the test-maker’s intent? The answer to this question involves a series of steps that can be referred to as BAD. These steps are:

1. Break down
   

   The first step is to break down the underlined portion of the provided statement. This underlined section is either correct as written or needs to be replaced with the best logical alternative. Identify what words are being used and what those words represent. What are the nouns, the prepositions, the modifiers, and so forth? Identify what tense you are dealing with. Is there a comma? How is the comma being used? By breaking down both the underlined and not underlined portion of the text you can easily identify which word is the focus of the question. Generally, on the Sentence Correction section of the exam, each question comes down to whether or not a word is being properly used to convey a particular message.

2. Analyze
   

   Once the sentence is broken down you must analyze what is the intended message. Ask yourself who is being talked about. What is the true subject of the text? If the subject is underlined analyze and identify every specific detail. If the subject is an animal ask yourself if it is a single specimen, a group, or an entire species that is being referred to. The quicker you can identify who or what is being described the quicker you can identify what parts of the text need to match.

3. Decide
   

   Once the text has been broken down and analyzed the only logical step left is to decide what is the best answer. You don’t need to break down and analyze each answer choice because if you followed the first two steps when reading the provided text then you already know what you are looking for. Your focus should be on key words and your decision should be dictated based on what the text requires in order to make total sense. Total sense does not refer to grammatical sense, but rather, intended message.

The most important factor to mastering the Sentence Correction section on the GMAT exam is practice. It is difficult to recondition literary instincts developed over many years. People often read passively and accept a text as correct if the text can easily be understood. To master the GMAT you need to become an active reader because you are not reading for pleasure, you are reading as a detective on the look out for possible culprits. Once the BAD system is understood it is important to implement it during an extensive study period. Question after question need to be attacked using the BAD method in order to develop new instincts.

Learn what 4 ways thrive best to master english for TOEFL exam.

Many wishing to master English as a foreign language are curious as to the best methods available. The key to mastering a language is to live as if you already have complete fluency. Immerse yourself in the culture of the language and those who speak it. The goal with learning a language is to be able to express yourself fully and understand the thoughts and attitudes of those around you. Your aim is to understand the language both conversationally and formally. Learning a language and living a language have different effects. By learning a language you are simply exercising your memory through repetition. Sure you will know certain aspects of the language, but you will not have a strong feel for the intricacies that help languages define a culture. Here are several ways that can help you transition your language skills from a learned reflex to an instinct. These ways help you to master for the TOEFL exam.

1. Read a novel
   

   Be sure to pick a novel with a middle of the road difficulty level so that your dictionary will only see action on rare occasions. Animal Farm by George Orwell and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck are recommended because of their difficulty level and length. What you can learn from reading a novel is an instinct for style. Being able to construct sentences in new and interesting ways as well as utilizing adjectives in ways that you might not have considered before will add a flavor to your language that will not only make you appear, but help you truly feel like a fluent English speaker.

2. Read a newspaper
   

   The language that presents itself in a newspaper is unique to any other source. A strong grasp and understanding of this formal communication is very important and there is no better way of learning it through the absorption of current events. Current events are rarely boring and nothing grabs attention more than interest. The mind will work extra hard to focus on the details and slowly but surely you will develop a stronger ability to understand the communicated message.

3. Watch sitcoms
   

   There is no better way to master a language than to watch sitcoms, or situated comedies. These programs are generally 30 minute in length comedy shows centered on simple situations and littered with jokes. The reason why these television shows are amazing as a tool to aid in language fluency is because you don’t have to follow a complicated storyline or understand every intricacy. Each joke can work independently meaning that even if you don’t understand the storyline as a whole you can still find entertainment in the program. Learning through the use of jokes on a sitcom also helps build a library of cultural phrases and humor that can’t be read in a language book.

4. Get a pen pal
   

   Fluency comes from conversation. When you read text or watch a television program in a foreign language you are working to process and understand the ideas being presented. By participating actively in a conversation with someone you are also forced to synthesize your own ideas and present a response. Conversations are uncontrolled and wild, they can navigate most any topic and do so without much warning. Through the help of a pen pal you will be forced to think quicker in the language you are aiming to gain fluency in. The goal is to instinctually think in the foreign language. When you think in a language you are no longer translating but rather fluently understanding and expressing yourself.

Fluency is not just about learning a language, it is about understanding a culture, idioms, jokes, phrases, and attitudes. These are intricate aspects to a language that cannot be learned from a study guide. The only way to fully gain fluency in a language is to immerse yourself in the same environment as the society that speaks that language. The best way to gain fluency in European French would be to appreciate and take part in French culture. To gain fluency in English you must live as an English speaker in an English-speaking nation. Someone born in New York learns how to speak from the world they witness so to speak like a New Yorker you must live like a New Yorker. This applies to any city, language, or country.

The quantitative section on the SAT exam can be very tricky. Find out the top tricks to master any math problem and out-trick the test makers by getting a higher grade.

The SATs can feel like a maze, however, any maze once mastered becomes no different than a stroll in the park. The key to mastering the quantitative section of the SAT exam lies in studying several math concepts. Once the required rules and formulas are memorized all that remains is learning how to identify when to use what technique for problem solving.

1. Know your formulas
   

   It is important to have a series of necessary formulas memorized so that when the appropriate problem pops up the technique for solving is immediately recognized. The circumference (distance around) of a circle is equal to 2(pi)(r). This means that pi, rounded to 3.14, multiplied by the radius (half the diameter) of the circle multiplied by two gives you the distance around the circle. The area of a circle is (pi)(r)2. Formulas such as these open up many opportunities to figure out missing information about shapes, lines, and angles. When it comes down to it, solving any problem is a matter of using what information you have to figure out what information is missing. Several more important formulas include: area of a triangle = (1/2)(base)(height), volume = (length)(width)(depth), in a right triangle a²+b²=c².

2. Identify the branch of mathematics
   

   According to Google Mathematics is defined as “the abstract science of number, quantity, and space.” According to this definition Mathematics covers a very broad spectrum and that is why it important to understand the different branches. Geometry involves the study of points and lines, which working together create shapes. Algebra involves the use of symbols to replace missing information. The goal in algebraic math is to solve for the missing information and discover what number or quantity the symbol represents. The more you understand the concepts and goals of the different mathematic problems the quicker you will be able to identify the required technique to find the answer.

3. Practice makes perfect
   

   Solving math equations takes a bit of developed reflex in order to master. The goal is to become so acquainted with the various mathematic problem types that solving one question will feel no different than solving another. Just like 2 + 5 feels just as simple as 3 + 7, more complicated problems will become just as simple once you understand the steps required to find the solution. Make sure to allocate the necessary time before the scheduled exam date so that you can work through many practice tests as well as practice manuals.

4. Measure twice, cut once
   

   Remember to always, ALWAYS review your work as you’re working on the problem. Many test-takers make the mistake of finishing their work then going back to check for mistake, this is time consuming and can result in complicated detective work. A slight error involving an improper computation can cause many problems if not immediately identified because every following equation is using false information. This is why it is important to double-check every equation right after computation.

The Math found on the SAT exam is not meant to trick you. The problems follow a certain pattern and as long as in your studying schedule you set aside time to learn the various question types you should have no issue maneuvering the exam.

Find out how to solve probability, combination, and permutation problems on the GRE exam by paying attention to keywords. Probability, combination, and permutation problems on the GRE pose a lot of stress on students, but learn how to identify the best methods to solving each question with these key tips.

Math equations can be solved by utilizing appropriate formulas, following easy to memorize rules. The verbal section requires concentration and a mastery of English standard grammar. There exists a series of questions on the GRE, however, that require the use of all of your test-taking senses. Probability, combination, and permutation questions require an instinct for flags, flags that give away tell tale signs as to how to solve for the solution. Once you understand exactly what the question is asking for and why, the problem will seem as flipping a coin.

1. Mutually Exclusive or Independent
   

   It is important to remember the difference between factors that are mutually exclusive and factors that are independent of each other. Say you are given ten boxes of chocolates, each box containing a different flavor. Imagine that chocolates containing nuts can only be found in boxes 6 through 10. If you would be asked what is the probability of selecting a chocolate from one of the first 5 boxes AND have the chocolate contain nuts, the resulting answer would have to be zero because boxes 1 through 5 don’ contain nuts. The two factors are mutually exclusive. If you were asked to flip a coin followed by rolling a 6 sides dye. The probability of landing on heads and rolling on a 6 are possible because the outcome of one event does not affect the outcome of the other. The two events are independent of each other.

2. The Difference Between AND and OR
   

   There is a huge difference between the probability of two events occurring, or either of two events occurring. If you are asked to roll a die and asked what is the probability of rolling an even number and a number less than 4, you are still being asked the probability of a single event. This single event just happens to have more than one qualifier. There are 3 even numbers on a die, and 3 numbers less than 4. The number 2 is the only digit on the die that meets both of the given requirements. There is one outcome, out of the six total possible outcomes, that would work for our needs. Now say you were asked what the probability of rolling a number that is either a 4 or an odd digit. We are now asked to find the probability of two separate events. We are asked to find the probability of rolling a 4, and we are also asked what the probability is of rolling an odd digit. There is one outcome resulting in a rolled 4 and 3 possible outcomes for rolling an odd digit. Four outcomes would meet our requirements out of a total six possible outcomes.

3. Permutation and Combination
   

   Always be asking yourself, how important is order? When entering the code into a pad lock the order of the digits is very important. If the right code is 144, 414 would not open the lock. This kind of problem is referred to as a permutation problem. There are 10 possible choices for each digit on the lock (in the case of this three digit lock we would need to multiple 10 by 10 by 10 to see the total number of permutations). You can also have a permutation problem in which repetition is not allowed. Say that once a number is used on that imaginary lock we discussed, it can no longer be used. In that case the options change (the first digit has 10 options, while the second has 9 as a result of one outcome being removed as a possibility, the next digit has 8 possible outcomes). To solve this sort of permutation problem we would multiple 10 by 9 by 8. A combination problem is one in which the order of the factors doesn’ matter. A lottery is a combination problem without repetition. The order of the numbers doesn’ matter and numbers can appear more than once. Say this particular lottery we’re playing contains 6 numbers ranging from 01 up to 49. There are 49 possible outcomes for each number drawn. Because order doesn’ matter we need to reduce the amount of outcomes that would exist in a permutation problem. The formula is 49!/6!(49-6)!

   We have 49 options for each number and only six numbers are going to be drawn. Combination problems with repetition are a bit trickier. Imagine you are reaching into a refrigerator filled with 5 different types of sodas. If you would like to select only 4 sodas to take out, how many combinations of different sodas can be selected. The solution is derived from the following formula: (5+4 -1)!/4!(5-1)!

   The reasoning is that all four sodas could be the same, or all different, or two the same, or three, and depending on which sodas are selected or excluded altogether.

The probability, permutation, and combination questions pose a lot of stress on test takers because they are very large in scope and design. They are questions about options and too many options can confuse anyone. The key is to visualize the problem, see it as a relatable situation, whether a combination lock, a lottery, or a refrigerator filled with sodas.

The GMAT exam represents more than just a grade submitted to Business Schools. Find out how taking the GMAT can help in both your educational and professional career.

Several years ago I was working at a small company that I’ll leave unnamed and felt that the time had come to take progressive steps with my career. My work was definitely not unskilled, however, I found myself getting paid less than colleagues who I’d regularly assist on daily tasks. I felt like I had no future and limited options. The only option that felt like it might have an actual, definite, impact on my career was going back to school. I was torn between attempting an MBA program or law school, but after a month of research decided that the analytical and critical reasoning foundation of an MBA program was the right choice. The first step was studying for and taking the GMAT exam. After this first step I was completely validated in my decision and immediately saw the impact that my choice had on my career.

1. Companies love ambition.
   

   Before I even began applying to business schools I began adding that I completed the GMAT exam to my resume and Linkedin profile. There was an immediate impact in the amount of interviews I was getting called in for. I would get asked directly about my having completed the GMAT and my intentions for an MBA. What I learned was that companies are seeking ambitious young talent. Just like business schools want students that stand out, employers are seeking employees that stand out and will contribute tenfold to their daily operations. By taking the GMAT you are exemplifying progressive steps to improve your talents and continue learning.

2. The GMAT applies to every day life.
   

   In preparing for the GMAT I began to notice changes in the way I performed at work. The GMAT exam is based on analytical and critical reasoning, solving problems using logic. My main task at work was to compile a database of relevant media sources and journalists. Before preparing for the GMAT I would conduct basic searches and input whatever data I could find. After studying for the GMAT I completely overhauled my thinking for how to locate the information I needed. I became an investigator, contacting sources and creating leads. Studying for the exam actually sharpened my mind and opened up a whole knew world of opportunity just based on expanding my thinking. Because the GMAT is structured around logic the techniques learned through studying can apply to any field.

3. Ambitious acts inspire more ambition.
   

   Initially when I was studying for the GMAT my only intent was to take the GMAT. I wasn’t even thinking about applying to business schools or what might follow. I decided to take things one-step at a time. It was only after I began studying for the exam and meeting like-minded potential b-school students that I started to broaden my ambitions. For lack of a better term, I became hungry. I felt that the sky was the limit and as long as I worked hard I could accomplish a career and lifestyle that before I felt was out of reach. During my test preparation I even began looking for a better job than the one I had and was made an offer. Before even taking the GMAT I was already progressing in my career just because I was motivated and ambitious.

Chances are that if you’re thinking about taking the GMAT exam you are the type of person who wants to maximize on their potential. No one should settle for a job because a career will take up most of your life. The time you dedicate to your work should be rewarding in every sense of the word. Preparing to continue your education can mean the difference between working for your dreams and having it be a dream to come to work.

Learn how paying attention to how you speak in your native language can help you master the TOEFL exam. Communication is about conveying a message and mastering the use of words and phrases is what the TOEFL aims to assess.

The TOEFL exam is meant to assess your mastery of English as a foreign language. Fluency is defined as being able to communicate in a language with relative ease. You are only as fluent in a language as you are able to easily convey messages, ideas, thoughts, using grammatically correct words and phrases. The best way to practice this skill is by analyzing how you communicate in a language you are already fluent in, your native tongue.

1. What words do you use and why?
   

   Next time you are having a conversation with a person pay close attention to your choice of words. Think about what other words you could have chosen and why you decided to phrase your idea the way you did. Understanding the intricate differences in meaning that words have can be the difference between speaking a language and articulating your thoughts. Two words might hold similar meaning but the choice of one might convey an entirely different phrase. Take for example the words hit and attack. Both words describe an action but in a sentence can convey entirely different messages. If a person hits someone, it could be out of self-defense, it could be justifiable; it’s also possible that the person is guilty of a horrible act. All you know is that an act of violence occurred. To describe the same person attacking someone paints an entirely different picture. It becomes clearer who the aggressor was in the situation. When choosing what words to use in a sentence you must fully comprehend the details of the message you want to convey.

2. Feel with your heart, think with your head.
   

   Communication should be genuine, it should not, however, be emotional. When you are having a simple conversation, your phrasing is clear and you make perfect sense. In an argument, however, you get passionate and emotional; you stumble over words and lose focus over the point you are trying to make. It is for this reason you should always keep in mind that you should communicate with your head, and feel with your heart. Allow your ideas to come from an emotional place, once you have your ideas you need to cut off the emotional source and focus only on how to best construct an argument. You have no personal stake in the argument; you are nothing more than a programmed machine with a mission. That mission is to use the words that you know to clearly convey a message.

3. Listen first, speak second
   

   One of the easiest forms of communication is basing your messages on the messages you are receiving. When communicating you should focus more on the argument you are hearing. Listen closely and base every response on what you hear. Do you agree? Do you disagree? How and why? You are building your response on an already existing foundation. When you meet a new person, before you can judge whether you are interested in them or not you must learn their personality through their communication. The same holds true for the TOEFL. What are the questions asking of you? Once you understand the message of the question, you can easier develop an answer.

Communication is simple once you understand that every phrase should be a well thought out, constructed puzzle where every piece serves a purpose in making a whole picture come together. By paying attention to the word and phrase choices you make in every day conversations you will have a better understanding of how communication works. Using these skills you can learn to better communicate in a foreign language, developing not only a fluency in the language but the ability to articulate your thoughts like a professional speaker.

Years after taking the SAT exam, what drives a person to regret not taking a test-preparation course? Find out the top reasons why a successful student regrets not taking an SAT test-prep course even after receiving a good grade.

It was years ago that I completed the SAT exam, then again a second time several months later. I attended and graduated from a four-year college and am now currently enrolled in a test-prep course preparing for the GMAT exam. Although it has been a significant amount of years since I took the SAT exam it’s only through my experience of preparing for the GMAT that I realize just how different everything could have gone. I was, and still am, considered very smart. I went to a reputable High School and committed to a study schedule when the time came to take the big test. I scored well and got into a good college. I was happy because I was doing well, it is only now that I realize that doing well is an underachievement if you are not doing your best. Taking a test-prep course allows you to tap potential you don’t even know you have. Here are the top reasons why I regret not taking a SAT test-prep course when I had the chance all those years ago.

1. I don’t know everything
   

   I’m smart, I can admit this, what I can also admit to is not knowing everything. I’m not referring to information that I can learn in a book, because I’ve studied every book I could get my hands on when preparing for exams. What I’m referring to is not knowing what can only be learned through experience. Taking a test-prep course puts me in a room with an instructor that is a professional in guiding students to reach their full potential. They know all the different techniques to shave minutes off test taking time and how to gauge a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Instructors have access to test taking methods that I just did not and could not possess.

2. Discipline
   

   I studied for the exam. My studying was not as disciplined as it could have been. When I found available time, or the only time I would admit to being available, I worked on practice problems. By signing up for a test-prep course, however, there is a set schedule. I have assignments and am responsible to commit a certain amount of time and energy to productive studying. Even though I was dedicated to receiving a high score on the exam I found it difficult to always be motivated to study. Having an instructor helped take the burden off of my shoulders. I wasn’t solely responsible for my studies, there was someone pushing me to apply myself and demanding that I commit a 100% to my work.

3. Stress
   

   I have taken a lot of exams in my life, I have also taken many standardized exams. No matter how many times I take an exam there is always the lingering stress of failure. Even if I’m prepared and know that I’m prepared for the exam there still exists a stress and anxiety. This anxiety translates to slower test taking time, sloppy mistakes, a lower grade than my knowledge should have earned. After taking a test-prep course I was more relaxed during the exam because I had gone through a process of conditioning for test like conditions. When studying on my own there were no time constraints, no pressures or competition. Even if I decided to conduct a practice exam under timed conditions there was no real consequence of breaking the rule. In a test-prep course I was surrounded by other students competing with me for a higher score and had an instructor present who would implement rules on how the class was conducted. By going through this process I was far less anxious than usual because the experience was mirroring previous ones in class. I felt comfortable.

The ultimate reason why I regret not taking a test-prep course in the past is because of my grade. I was happy with my grade but after knowing that it could have been higher I feel disappointed. I settled for something when instead I should have fought to utilize every tool available. Good isn’t very good unless it’s your best. I now know this and am seeing the results on my GMAT studies. Although I can’t change the past what I can do is learn from my experiences and present the lessons I’ve learned. If you have an opportunity to improve on yourself, take it.

What many don't realize is that the GRE exam covers material that should already have been covered. The best way to prepare for the GRE test is to work backwards retracing your educational history.

College is over and preparation is under full way for continued education. Getting into graduate school is competitive and everyone hopes to be among the top candidates applying. It is true that a graduate level education is a step forward, however, don’t be fooled, everything you need to know in order to master the GRE exam is already in your lexicon. The best way to prepare for such an exam is to understand that a majority of what you should be doing is reviewing what you’ve already learned.

1. Remember the SATs?
   

   One of the best ways to prepare for the GRE is to prepare for an exam you’ve already taken, the SAT exams. The quantitative and verbal sections provide excellent examples of what you might see on the GRE exam. Hopefully you still have your test prep books from several years prior available. Study the problems as well as your notes.

2. Back to School
   

   High school math and English textbooks can be very helpful in preparing for the GRE. Just like studying for the SATs can help in preparing for the GRE, studying High school level math and English can help prepare you for the SATs. If you have any of your old high school notebooks feel free to give them a look over. The information you will be required to know will not be complicated, just probably forgotten. Refresh your memory of what you already spent so many countless nights cramming.

3. Read a Challenging Book
   

   Atlas Shrugged is long and filled with vocabulary that will probably require the use of a dictionary. As you navigate through an interesting story you will also be adding vital information to your memory bank. The GRE uses language that one does not come across on an average day; this is why it is important to read text that will challenge us.

4. Be a Mathlete
   

   Attempt to become competitively good at math. Work at not only solving geometry, algebra, and trigonometry problems, but also solving them at a competitive rate. The GRE is a competitive exam, everyone else taking the exam is competing with you for placement at a top Masters program.

It may seem simple and that’s because it really is. Grad schools aren’t interested in what you don’t know because that’s what they’re there for, to teach you the advanced information. The admissions counselors just want to be able to gauge how well you’ve retained the information during your academic career. If you never spent too much time studying and the quantitative and verbal problems you’re coming across seem like a foreign language then the GRE test preparation journey will be more difficult. Whenever preparing for an exam it is important to remember that the fault, as well as the responsibility, lies solely on your shoulders. The more effort you put in the better the results will be. When it comes to the GRE consider it a second chance to take an exam you feel you could have done better on in high school. The GRE is a second chance everyone should take advantage of.

An important aspect to taking the GMAT exam is time management. Find out the top ways to slash your GMAT test taking time without sacrificing time for covering important material.

Preparing to take the GMAT exam? Studying all the tips and tricks on how to decipher the logic of sentence correction or basic geometry on the quantitative section? The steps you are taking are the right steps, however, do not be fooled, how fast you can answer the questions is just as important as how well you can answer them. The test makers are not interested in your ability to answer a question correctly if it is at the cost of not having enough time left to answer another question. In addition to the test-preparation course you already have underway it is important to add additional exercises that will slash your test taking time and make you the most efficient test taker.

1. Read something boring.
   

   Find a topic that you consider to be very boring. For some it may be economics, for others it may be a fantasy novel revolving around elves and fairies. Whatever you find painfully difficult to read, check out a book on that genre and use it to sharpen your speed-reading abilities. Remember, it is not just important to be able to read quickly but also to absorb important information from what it is you are reading. With this exercise you will need a boring book, a stopwatch (or some other form of time keeping), a notepad and a pen. Open up to a random page and read it as fast as you can. When you finish reading note the time it took you to complete the task then in your notepad write as detailed of an account of what you read as possible. Continue this for several pages. Then attempt to beat your fastest time. Continue this pattern and you will notice a mark improvement in how fast you can read and still retain important information.

2. Read the answers…first.
   

   This especially applies to the sentence correction section of the exam. The GMAT is an exam that requires the test-taker to think like the test-maker. You should always be asking, “What is it they want me to see?” The best way to find what the test-makers are putting before you is to read the provided answers and analyze for differences. When you can spot the differences between the answers generally you can focus your attention on that portion of the provided text. By identifying what is incorrect it becomes easier to logically select best answer.

3. Take practice tests like you’re competing in a race.
   

   You should take untimed practice tests in order to best acquaint yourself with the type of material you will be coming across on the day of the exam. On separate occasions you should take practice tests simply to see how fast you can answer all of the questions. Do not worry about right or wrong answers, simply attempt to speed through the exam. Time yourself. With each practice test try to beat your previous time. Do not beat yourself up over incorrect answers, with test preparation and a strong study schedule you will be able to identify the correct answers. These speed runs are aimed at conditioning you to answering questions mechanically and relying on your instincts and reflexes. Many have also admitted that the quicker they attempt to take the test, the more relaxed they are and don’t lose time doubting their answers, over analyzing.

A portion of your test-preparation should be dedicated to thinking like Michael Phelps on the cusp of another Olympics. You want to be fast and efficient. An MBA program is aimed at producing talented and quick thinking and acting professionals into the world and the first step is the GMAT exam. Any question of the last five you do not answer will result in a point deduction from your final score so it is important to complete the exam entirely. It is important to never panic on the exam and the best way to ensure a calm test taking experience is to condition yourself to actual test like conditions.