If you're trying to get into business school to earn your MBA, you'll likely be required to pass the GMAT exam. Like any tests, it's important to prepare for GMAT exams, particularly when taking into account the $250 registration fee. Although you may retake the test, you may find the cost of a "Training for GMAT Exam" class to be well worth the investment.

Keep in mind that, along with the multitude of companies offering GMAT preparation classes, there are a number of free and readily available resources online. You can find everything from GMAT exam dates to an actual sample GMAT exam with a little searching. Also, don't forget to do some brushing up on the following test-taking basics.

1. Learning to manage your time is an essential key to succeeding at the GMAT exam.

2. Develop stress-coping techniques that you can do while taking the GMAT examination.

3. Even the most advanced GMAT class may forget to teach the very basics, such as making sure you arrive on test day with everything you need. It would be terrible to have to reschedule because you forgot a pencil.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bookmark 'About GMAT Exam'-type websites that cover all the basics

When you don't know where to start preparing for your GMAT exam, go to a website focused on the GMAT that covers all the basics you'll need to know before taking the exam. Ideal websites cover a range of topics, from finding a GMAT prep class to applying to business school.

I recommend: MBA.com is, of course, the most notable resource for all you need to know about its GMAT exam. Also, while it's essential to visit the key websites, don't overlook hidden gems such as GMAT-MBA-Prep.com, Achievers Point Knowledge Systems, and OnlineMathLearning.com.

Increase your GMAT exam score using helpful tips from the experts

When you are preparing for your GMAT, you'll discover there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you increase your GMAT score. Look to respected and well-known resources for the most reliable advice.

I recommend: GMATTutor.com has a thorough and outstanding Tips and Tricks section featured on the website. The Eduers.com gives a number of preparation tips, including detailed ones on each exam section. Finally, you'll hit the jackpot at BSchool.com Business Schools Directory with a staggering list of 100 tips, tools and resources.

Get training for GMAT exam advice from people who have already taken the GMAT

The GMAT is a big deal in the business world, so much so that there are entire online communities whose main goal is to help people do well on the GMAT examination. Who better to get advice from than someone who's already been there?

I recommend: Don't miss LearnHub's GMAT Prep community. With thousands of members, you're sure to get the help you need. Also, register at Examville.com for online study groups, message boards, live classes and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While the Internet is a great tool for preparing for your GMAT examination, don't forget about your local library. There, you can find GMAT preparation guides and other valuable resources you can use to pass your GMAT without spending a penny.

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT exam, is an internationally administered standardized test that is designed to test relevant verbal, math and analytical skills for students applying to graduate degree programs in management.

The GMAT examination is not an extremely difficult test to prepare for -- you won't need to study a lot of facts or have specific knowledge, but you will need to know how to do certain aptitude tasks to prove your verbal and math abilities. Because the GMAT exam is a general abilities test, you can best prepare with GMAT preparation classes and some test-taking tips and strategies.

If you're planning to apply to business school and need to take the GMAT examination, make sure you:

1. Register with mba.com to get GMAT exam information on test dates and locations.
2. Use practice questions and sample tests to see if you need a preparation course.
3. Compare prep courses to find the one that's right for you.
4. Plan ahead when signing up for a prep course to make sure you can make a preparation schedule that works for you.
5. Try out some test-taking tips and strategies on your own.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the GMAT exam and register for it

Go right to the source to learn the most accurate registration information such as costs, test dates and locations for the GMAT. At mba.com, you'll find a simple selection of GMAT exam dates and times, which include most weekdays during regular business hours, and information about the GMAT exam and its uses. Find out how the test is structured and get test-taking tips here as well.

I recommend: Register for the GMAT exam online at mba.com. After you've registered for the GMAT exam, you can download free test prep software, including full-length practice tests.

Sample GMAT exams ahead of time

Whether you've decided to take the GMAT examination or are still in the process of deciding, check out some GMAT sample verbal, math and analytical questions to get a better idea of how much prep you will need and in what areas.

I recommend: Start with a few basic sample questions from Kaplan to get an idea of the structure of the test and the types of questions GMAT exams include. See how you do, and if you need to see some more of the text before deciding how to prep, you can check out several sources for a free full-length GMAT practice exam -- Kaplan has one you can get if you register at its website, as does Peterson's. Get a full-length GMAT practice exam and a free interactive tutorial lesson at the Princeton Review.

Compare GMAT preparation classes for the help you need

All GMAT prep classes are different, so compare information to learn the set-up of the lessons, the focus of the preparation, and the degree of emphasis on test-taking skills. No class is universally the best class -- you'll just have to choose depending on your study needs.

I recommend: Look at how prep courses say they compare with the competitors and see if you like what they're selling. Veritas, a newer company for GMAT preparation classes, advertises more sample tests and higher scores among tutors, but is also more expensive. Kaplan, on the other hand, emphasizes its many years of test prep experience. Use the comparison charts to decide for yourself what you value in a prep course. Some, like Testmasters, may offer unique services such as telephone tutoring in addition to access to full-length tests.

Plan ahead for your prep course

GMAT preparation classes may be in high demand and fill up quickly, so check their course locations and schedules early in the year you want to take the GMAT exam to make sure you can get into a class.

I recommend: Many preparation course providers post easy links to see the schedules and locations for their GMAT preparation classes. Testmasters and Kaplan are two GMAT prep class providers you can sign up with online.

Learn some GMAT test-taking tips

The GMAT, like any standardized test, has some basic elements that are specific to the test format -- for example, you can't skip a question on the GMAT because it is computer-adjusted and answering a question right or wrong determines what question comes next. You can make the GMAT exam much easier for yourself by being familiar with the question types and test-taking strategies for this specific test.

I recommend: Admissions Consultants offers some general standardized test-taking tips and how you can apply them to the specific situations you'll encounter on the GMAT. Another good source for independent test preparation is Kaplan's strategy sessions, which are broken down by section of the test to give you more tailored advice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The GMAT is a computer-adjusted test. If you've never taken a computer-adjusted test, read about how it works on the mba.com website so you'll know what to expect. Don't forget to check on what you'll need to have with you on test day, too, because you don't want to be forced to reschedule the GMAT examination.