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