GMAT Self Preparation: Success Guide of GMAT Self Preparation Plan
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GMAT Self Preparation: Study Plan, Books and Practice Papers

Shubhankar Das logo

Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jul 18, 2024

Highlights:

  • Use Official GMAT Resources: Familiarize yourself with GMAT format and scoring pattern using official materials from Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
  • Take a Diagnostic Test: Identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking a GMAT diagnostic test.
  • Strategic Study Plan: Develop a proper GMAT self study plan that allocates time effectively for verbal, quantitative, and data insights sections.
  • High-quality Study Materials: Invest in GMAT prep books, online resources, or practice question banks from reputable sources.

GMAT self preparation requires dedicated study and following a proper study plan. By doing GMAT self prep you can effectively prepare for the exam without making any big investments. The most important part of making GMAT self study plan is analyzing own strengths and weaknesses. Take practice tests to understand the exam format and find your weak areas. Whether you are a regular student or a working professional, maintaining your schedule is very important. On average, most candidates require 3 to 4 months of preparation time depending on their academic skills and knowledge. You can buy some of the best GMAT preparation books, and utilize the free resources like demo classes and social media communities.

gmat_self_preparation

GMAT Self Study Plan

In the process of GMAT self preparation, you should make a proper study plan first. This will help you to cover the full GMAT Exam pattern strategically. An effective GMAT self preparation guide helps you to do focused study.

Initial steps Importance
SWOT Analysis
  • SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
  • Analyzing their SWOT, students will be able to know where they have to work on.
  • Finally, they can identify their opportunities.
GMAT syllabus
  • Students have to have a clear idea of GMAT syllabus and
  • GMAT score division
Identifying goals
  • Here, students have to set a target score.
  • It will apply to GMAT quant questions, verbal parts, and other topics.
GMAT Timeframe
  • Everyone has to make an individual schedule at their convenience.
  • In GMAT preparation self study method, It is important to read regularly.
GMAT self motivation plan
  • It is difficult to stay motivated every day. So, students have to pick their favorite activities to stay focused.

Section Wise GMAT Self Preparation Weekly Plan

Papers Days
Quantitative Reasoning:
2
Verbal Reasoning:
  • GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Reasoning
2
Data Insights:
  • Data Sufficiency:
  • Multi-Source Reasoning:
  • Table Analysis
  • Graphics Interpretation
  • Two-Part Analysis
2
Sample Paper Presentation
1

GMAT Self Study Materials

Books are very essential in GMAT preparation self study process. GMAT books helps you to understand the exam strategies along and also includes practice papers with sample answers. You can refer to the list below to check and download GMAT self study materials PDFs:

Best Resources for GMAT Practice Tests

Practice tests are one of the best helpful GMAT self preparation guides. You can examine your GMAT preparation level by taking regular practice tests. There are so many free and paid practice tests available that you can include in your GMAT self prep plan.

Kaplan:

  • GMAT Practice Test (free)
  • Kaplan GMAT PRACTICE EXAMS (INR 4,079.47 for 6-months)
  • GMAT PRACTICE EXAMS
  • PLUS QBANKS (INR6,244.39)

MBA.com

  • GMAT Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2(free)
  • GMAT Official Practice Exams 3 & 4 (INR 4,994.90 )
  • GMAT Official 3-6 (INR 8,991.79)
  • GMAT Official 5 & 6 (INR 4,995.07 )

Magoosh: Magoosh GMAT Practice Test (free)

Manhattan Review: GMAT Free Practice Test (free)

The Princeton Review: GMAT Practice Test Online (free)

GMAT Sample Papers for Effective Practice

Other than studies, there are sample papers to evaluate GMAT self preparation levels. Practicing those papers will help you to get a good GMAT score. Solving GMAT sample papers regularly makes you familiar with the exam pattern and boosts your confidence.

Best Self Paced GMAT Prep Websites

many GMAT websites and apps offers comprehensive and customized prep courses. Few GMAT websites provide various courses to prepare for the exam at home. They also offer the best GMAT self study course for effective preparation.

Websites Best Self-Paced GMAT Prep Courses
Magoosh Self-Study Math+IR
The Princeton Review Self -Paced
Kaplan Self -Paced
PrepScholar Self-Guided Online GMAT Prep
Veritas Prep Self Study

Avoid Problems During GMAT Self Prep

Preparing for GMAT is a hectic process for the aspirants who are taking coaching supports. So, it will be more difficult for them who follow GMAT self study plan. Staying motivated is very essential for them during the preparation phase. Few problems they face academically and a few mentally.

  • Students do a lot of mistakes in verbal portions.
  • Avoid very silly mistake on quant.
  • GMAT aspirant faces test anxiety and lack of confidence sometimes.
  • Without following GMAT strategies, they try to memorize too much.
  • Sometimes students can’t be able to identify their weaknesses.
  • They follow wrong GMAT time management techniques.

GMAT self preparation is not very hard for the focused students. A proper GMAT self study plan and continuous routine based study can help you to achieve your targeted score. In this process, 10–12 hours of weekly study is very important to score good in the exam.

FAQs

Ques: How do I create an effective self-study plan for the GMAT?

Ans: The most important part of making the self - study plan is identifying the own strengths and weaknesses. The students should prepare a plan as per their timing, proficiency level.

Ques: Can I prepare for GMAT by self study?

Ans: You can effectively prepare for GMAT by self study, you need to make and follow a proper study plan and taking practice tests. You can utilize free online resources like demo classes and social media groups.

Ques: Is self-preparation sufficient to get a good GMAT score?

Ans: Getting good GMAT score by self-preparation depends on your academic skills and knowledge. You need to allocate your preparation time according to your schedule and take regular practice tests to identify and work on your weaknesses.

Ques: Do I need to purchase GMAT books for self preparation?

Ans: It is not necessary for everyone to purchase GMAT books for self preparation. But books are one of the best source for the GMAT self prep process as it covers the full syllabus and provide structured learning experience.

Ques: How much time should I devote each day to GMAT self-preparation?

Ans: It depends on each individual. Few students do study 5–6 hours on each day. Whereas, some aspirants prefer to study 10–12 hours in a week, and achieve a good score.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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