the GMAT Exam

How to register and prepare for the GMAT exam
By Lesley Graybeal 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.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.