Quick Summary
Who doesn’t want a seat in one of the world’s leading MBA programs? After all, business is a sought-after career line for many Indian students today. Statistically speaking, 2023 saw over 108,851 lakh enrollments for B-schools in India. India also has the second-largest number of MBAs in the world. If the course is so popular, the GMAT exam is bound to be competitive. So, the obvious question is how to prepare for GMAT.
A good GMAT score is the foundational step towards getting into top B-schools in India and worldwide. Almost 2300 business schools worldwide accept and rely on GMAT scores for admissions. After course completion, if you have a good GMAT score, you can smoothly land up to a post-MBA placement and get a good salary. A GMAT score manifests your analytical and problem-solving skills and thus requires a good GMAT preparation strategy.
Now that we know how significant a GMAT score can be for your career, let’s explore some bigger prospects. Like, how to prepare for GMAT? How to prepare for GMAT at home? What is GMAT study material? What is the best GMAT preparation strategy? This article will address these aspects and make you strategize how to get 700+ in GMAT.
Understanding the syllabus of GMAT is a prerequisite to understanding how to prepare for GMAT. The exam is a blend of both subjective and objective questions. In total, 80 questions have to be answered in 3 hours and 7 minutes.
The syllabus is divided into four segments which are mentioned below.
This segment measures the candidate’s analytical skills, from numeral literacy to data interpretation, from reasoning to mathematical ability. You will get 62 minutes to solve 31 questions. This segment helps the candidate handle complex problems in finance, managerial statistics, and accounting. To ace this section, you must be familiar with key comets like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, to name a few.
This segment includes a blend of three categories of questions, which aim to analyze the critical reading abilities of a student. Reading comprehension passages up to 350 words and questions are put up. You will be required to solve 36 questions within 65 minutes.
These questions are usually related to finding the core idea of the comprehension, inferences, or identifying relationships between different passage elements. Additionally, there can be another segment of questions in which you must decipher conclusions from short arguments. The third category of questions includes grammatical sentence correction.
Unlike the previous sections, this segment includes data in tabular and graphical format. The candidate is required to interpret data and make an analysis. The questions can be divided into four segments, of which 12 response questions must be answered within 30 minutes.
This segment can be a win-win situation for students with good critical thinking and communication skills. It comprises one question of an essay, which must be completed within 30 minutes. The topic may vary from general knowledge to business or other subjects of general interest.
This segment aims not to check how knowledgeable you are but to analyze your writing skills. Additionally, it also checks your command of the English language and communication skills.
The exam is commuter-adaptive. This means that the computer makes a real-time assessment of your performance on its own. It is, therefore, not merely a written test on a computer.
The quantitative or the Verbal Reasoning sections make a real-time assessment of your performance as you take the test. Additionally, after you answer a question correctly, it is followed by a more challenging question than the previous one. Similarly, an easier question is followed by a difficult one.
The GMAT Focus Edition 2025 is a 2-hour 15-minute adaptive test designed to evaluate your quantitative, verbal, and data insight skills. Scores range from 205 to 805. Below is a breakdown of the test sections:
| Section | No. of Questions | Question Types | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 multiple choice | Problem Solving, Algebra, and Arithmetic | 45 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 multiple choice | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning | 45 minutes |
| Data Insights | 20 multiple choice | Data Sufficiency, Multi-source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis | 45 minutes |
Preparing for the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) requires a structured approach and a solid strategy to maximize your score. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare effectively:
Familiarize yourself with the structure of the GMAT, which includes four main sections:
Understanding the format will help you manage your time effectively during the test.
Research the average GMAT scores for the programs you are interested in and set a realistic target score based on your goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your preparation.
Invest in high-quality study materials, including:
Identify your strengths and weaknesses through diagnostic tests. Spend extra time on areas where you struggle, whether it’s quantitative reasoning, verbal skills, or integrated reasoning.
After completing practice questions and tests:
In the last week before the exam:
Students must bear the structure of the exam in their minds before starting to prepare for it. Now that you are well versed with the pattern let’s begin to understand how to prepare for GMAT.
Go through the syllabus, and understand the exam format. Once done, you must begin the journey by making a realistic and strategized study plan. Once you are sorted with the time schedules and management, you can easily start your preparation with clarity. Not to mention that MBA admissions can be hectic in the end. A condensed timetable will help you build your problem-solving abilities.
Once the timetable is set, explore where you score the best. In the beginning, it might be difficult to do that right away. But you need to make a comparative analysis between all exam segments. This will help you build confidence and boost your score in areas where you perform the best.
This tip can be a scoremaker. Whether it is quantitative aptitude, comprehension, essay, or integrated reasoning, you can not master all these segments quickly. However, you can identify what you find difficult and continue working on it. You can also perform sectional tests to help you build better coherence and confidence in the subject.
Most students aim to jump onto advanced questions in sections like Quantitative analysis without building a strong basic foundation. Before solving any question, try to dig into the core concept. The rest will follow up.
With many online test preparation resources, one must selectively choose and practice. Mock tests are the best way to analyze your performance and prepare for the exam day. You can also go ahead and practice the previous year’s questions and use the actual GMAT scoring algorithm.
GMAT is not only a test of your intelligence but is also a test of your efficiency. It analyzes how well you can work under pressure in a limited time. Therefore, all mock tests must be given in a time-bound manner. While refining your skills in different segments, make sure you finish questions in time or best before it.
Follow the GMAT preparation strategy on how to prepare for GMAT given by previous top scorers. Strategies like the elimination technique have worked for applicants to make the most out of questions they know little about. While performing the test, do not try to answer every question correctly. While giving your best attempt, do not overdo some tough questions. You can invest a maximum of two and a half minutes on each question.
Try practicing GMAT official advanced questions after your bases are thorough. Once you have developed good comprehension and analytical skills, moving to the advanced level and improving your skills is best.
You might need to save time while practicing quantitative ability questions. This can be done by improving mental math. By keeping a calculator at bay, you can minimize the time it would take to solve math problems.
Feeling anxious about the GMAT is completely normal, especially since your score significantly impacts your career path and future earnings. While you prepare for the exam, it’s equally important to prepare yourself to manage stress and test-day nerves mentally. This will help you stay calm and focused, ensuring you’re not overwhelmed when it matters most.
There is no dearth of resources to help boost your GMAT preparation or improve your skills. Today, there are a plethora of platforms that provide GMAT preparation material to candidates for free. Some of the useful and popular GMAT prep courses are mentioned below.
Getting into top B-schools requires a strong GMAT score. While it’s essential to set realistic goals, aiming for a 700+ score can keep you motivated and consistent. Managing your time wisely, both in and out of the exam hall, is crucial.
1. Regular Practice:
Understanding the GMAT exam structure through regular practice tests is key. These tests help you identify strong areas to boost your score and weak areas to improve on.
2. Time-Bound Plan:
Start with a realistic, time-bound study plan and stick to it. This approach ensures steady progress and keeps you on track.
3. Learn from Toppers:
Study the strategies of past GMAT toppers and find what works best for you. Use GMAT-specific timers, prep books, and full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
4. Master Mental Math:
Reduce time on the quant section by practicing and mastering mental math.
5. Leverage Free Resources:
Take advantage of the free resources available online to enhance your preparation. However, remember that your success ultimately depends on the effort you put in.
By using the best GMAT prep books and dedicating yourself to consistent practice, you can achieve your dream of scoring 700+ on the GMAT.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Preparing for the GMAT usually takes 2 to 6 months, depending on your starting level and target score. A steady study plan is crucial. It should cover all sections, include practice tests, and allow time for review. This approach helps you get ready effectively within that timeframe.
Scoring 750 on the GMAT is tough since it puts you in the 98th percentile. This score demands strong skills in math, language, and reasoning. You also need focused preparation, practice tests, and smart time management over several months.
To prepare for the GMAT at home, create a structured study plan. Use official GMAT guides. Take online practice tests. Review concepts in quantitative and verbal reasoning. Track your progress regularly. Consistency and discipline are key to success.
Yes, you can score 700 or above on the GMAT without coaching. With disciplined self-study, trustworthy resources, practice tests, and a solid plan, many candidates reach this score on their own. Consistency, focus, and time management are crucial.
No, starting from the April 2025 intake, ISB will not accept online or home-based GMAT or GRE test scores. Only scores from physical test centers are accepted for PGP and Young Leaders Program applicants.
Yes, IIMs accept GMAT scores for one-year MBA or executive programs like PGPX, EPGP, and IPMX. However, Indian applicants must take the CAT exam for the regular two-year MBA (PGP).
Authored by, Mansi Rawat
Career Guidance Expert
Mansi crafts content that makes learning engaging and accessible. For her, writing is more than just a profession—it’s a way to transform complex ideas into meaningful, relatable stories. She has written extensively on topics such as education, online teaching tools, and productivity. Whether she’s reading, observing, or striking up a conversation while waiting in line, she’s constantly discovering new narratives hidden in everyday moments.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
