Bobby Umar is Admit Master’s lead GMAT Instructor. Bobby has been teaching the GMAT since 1999 and in 2009-2010 was awarded a title of the Worldwide GMAT Instructor of the Year. He is also the lead author of the new Barron’s GMAT Guide, released in January 2014 and available in bookstores across North America.
I came up with this model after having taught thousands of different GMAT students over the past decade. In every case, students who have had trouble with the GMAT have done so due to one of the following issues. If you want to succeed on the GMAT, you need to make sure that you covered your bases with each of the elements in the model.
I have divided this model into a few separate segments. Each of them represent a different aspect of your GMAT journey. Let’s talk about them in detail!
1) THEORY
You have to learn all the theory. This is the most fundamental element of the GMAT. Many test takers are afraid of this, but remember that most of the theory is high school or earlier. So, if you learned it back then, you can learn it again. Some of you may say, “well, I don’t like geometry, so I’ll just skip it”. Bad idea! Geometry can be around 4-6 questions on the math section — that’s 4-6 questions you should be getting right! Again, the material is from high school and the only reason you are intimidated is because it was so long ago.
Secondly, the theory is finite, which means that there is an end in sight. It may seem daunting at first, but with time and effort, you can learn every section that is tested. No one said the GMAT would be easy–it’s work. So learn the theory 100%!
2) STRATEGIES
These are all the tips, tricks, shortcuts and philosophies you use on the test. Strategies are the perfect complement to theory if you want to get to the higher scores (600+). The key is to make sure you have enough DEPTH and BREADTH of knowledge here. By depth, I mean that you need to be very comfortable using the strategy for said problem. By breadth, I mean you need to have a wide range of strategies for the test. You need to be so comfortable with strategies that no matter what question shows up, you have more than one strategy up your sleeve.
3) METHODOLOGIES
The final piece of the big three is to have a process or method to answer most types of questions, whether they are sentence correction, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, data sufficiency, combinatorics, work/rate, mixture problems, or others. Follow a process and know how to approach each type. Having a system gives structure, focus, and confidence.
4) PRACTICE
Once you have started learning the theory, strategies and methodologies, you then work on solidifying your knowledge in those three areas. Practice is all about getting the theory in your head, identifying any gaps in your strategies, and reinforcing the methodologies. The idea here is to make sure that you not only learn, but retain the material. You practice by doing a combination of practice questions and practice tests. Just make sure that you do not ignore practice tests, as they are the most important way to simulate real testing conditions. Too often, students avoid doing the practice tests out of fear. The fact that you fear the tests suggests that it is even more important that you get used to writing them!
5) LEARN
Just because you have read the text, taken great notes, made some index cards, and done hundreds of problems, it does not necessarily mean you have LEARNED the material. Take the time to make sure you have learned it very well. In fact, you need to master the material. How do you know if you know it? You should know it well enough that you can easily explain it to someone else.
6) RETAIN
The best test takers do lots of problems and every time they see something new, they remember it for next time. Too often I tutor someone, and I show them the right strategy and methodology for doing a specific problem. Then, they show up three weeks later not remembering how to do a very similar problem. The more questions you do, the more you should build up your cumulative knowledge database for GMAT questions. If you cannot retain the information for next time, then you are wasting a lot of your time. Learn the material, but also retain it for next time!
7) RESOURCES
It’s important to know all the amazing resources that you have out there, including GMAT Courses from Admit Master! Aside from engaging us, you can search online for tests, questions, drills, info, forums, and other websites that all talk GMAT. You can buy books, DVDs, and downloadable materials. You can get extra tutoring or form a study group or join an existing one. The point is you need to leverage them all effectively and know what you need to get you to your goal. Know all your resources and use them effectively!
8) STUDY PLAN
I know it’s a cliché, but failing to plan is planning to fail! A study plan is your guide, your bible, your business plan to GMAT success. It provides focus, because you can see your plan on a page. It gives you direction, because you take the time to understand the path to the goal. It increases accountability, because if you write it down and plan it, you are more likely to do it. Lastly, it relieves stress because you can see what it takes to get there and that it is possible. In your study plan, set reasonable goals and targets, and be sure to monitor your progress.
9) MONITORING
I once got a call from a student who was about to write his GMAT test that very day. He said, “Bobby, I need your help. I am really worried!” I asked him why and he said that he had done a practice test the night before and only got a 510. I paused and asked him what his last three practice test scores were. He told me his test scores were 510, 530, and 500. I paused a bit longer and then asked what his GMAT goal was. He told me he wanted a 600. I paused for a pretty long time and then just said, “Are you crazy? Don’t write the test.” It makes no sense to write the test when you are not ready and especially if your practice test scores are way off. What would you expect to get? If anything, he may get somewhere between 470-570 depending on whether he has a terrible day or the most amazing day ever. He ignored my advice, wrote the test, and got 490. He never wrote it again. Monitor your progress and adjust your study plan!
10) TIME MANAGEMENT
Once you have gotten a solid grasp of the fundamentals of theory, strategies, and methodologies, you can start to focus on time management. Timing is a key issue on the GMAT and for many it is a big obstacle. However, if you learn your theory 100%, know your strategies with both depth and breadth, master methodologies for most question types, and you reinforce that learning and retaining with solid practice, then the issue of time management goes to zero.
11) STRESS MANAGEMENT
This is the last big piece of the puzzle, otherwise known as the psychological factor. There are some people who get incredible scores on their practice tests, only to choke on test day, some dropping over 100+ points. Unfortunately, stress does not go to zero, but you do have to manage it. The GMAT is a stressful test. You have a lot riding on your score, it’s you against the machine (or yourself), you don’t want to be seen as a failure, and you really want to change your career life with an MBA. I get it, and I remember what it was like. So how do you manage or minimize your stress?
First, you learn your THEORY 100%, know your STRATEGIES with both depth and breadth, master METHODOLOGIES for most question types, you reinforce that LEARNING and RETAINING with solid PRACTICE, and tackle the issue of TIME MANAGEMENT.
Second, leverage your RESOURCES, make a STUDY PLAN and stick with it while MONITORING your progress.
Third, you approach the test with CONFIDENCE, see it as a CHALLENGE to overcome, and have FUN with the journey. Then you can ace the GMAT!
Of the thousands of students I have met over the years, the ones who had most trouble with the GMAT have failed because of one of the issues above. The biggest issues were not knowing theory, strategies, or methodologies. The GMAT is a lot of work, but it is work that anyone can do. The GMAT is beatable, and anyone can beat it. So can you!
11a) CONFIDENCE: Having that swagger when you approach any question eliminates doubt, confusion, and second-guessing. You know what tools you need, so once you have them mastered, approach every GMAT question with the knowledge that you have everything you need to “crack” ANY question.
11b) CHALLENGE: Try to think of the GMAT as any school or work project that you may have had before. Then have the attitude that you are trying to “win” or exceed expectations on that project. Use your experience in other successful areas of your life and approach your “GMAT project” with the same drive for results and passion.
11c) FUN: The more you have fun with the GMAT project, the more motivated you will be. A negative attitude about any aspect of the GMAT will hinder your success. Don’t like reading passages about multi-cellular organisms? Well, you get in the mood! Try to have fun and find something interesting about it. Have fun doing problems–breaking things down. Most of all, have fun getting questions right!
As you start your GMAT studies with us, I wish you all the best in your MBA Admission journey. Remember, the GMAT, as any other challenge in life, is only scary if you are unprepared. The Admit Master GMAT program will provide you the structure, the guidance, and the best tools. Add your hard work, discipline and dedication – and you have a winning formula for Acing the GMAT!
Bobby.