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What you need to know about the GMAT Official Guide 2021
Are you planning on attending business school next year but lack confidence when it comes to taking the GMAT? In case you missed it, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) launched the GMAT Official Guide 2021 e-book earlier this year, which has everything a test taker will need to prepare for the GMAT exam.
GMAC notes that the guide is a comprehensive study resource with over 1,150 practice questions from past GMAT exams. This prep resource also provides an overview of the GMAT exam structure, timing, and format to better prepare candidates on test day.
| Dec 25 | 2 mins readThe GMAT is an important entrance exam for many business schools, more so for MBA hopefuls who harbour hopes of attending a top business school in the US where entry is highly competitive. A good GMAT score can strengthen your application and improve your chances of getting accepted into your desired programme.
These exams are held in high regard as your GMAT score demonstrates your potential for academic success in your MBA programme, so it’s worth putting in the effort to obtain a high score.
GMAC notes that the GMAT Official Guide 2021 e-book prepares test takers to:
- Learn about the GMAT exam format and content, in addition to test-taking strategies.
- Prepare with their practice questions which include Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections.
- Learn the methods behind the answers with detailed explanations.
- Practice with questions organised from easiest to hardest.
It can be purchased at US$39.99.
Preparing for the GMAT exam
Manhattan Prep content and curriculum lead Stacey Koprince previously told U2B: “The best practice materials are the official guide materials from the test-makers – they’re the real questions.”
She explained that students may study anywhere from two to six months for the GMAT, but this also depends on the score increase they hope to achieve.
“Students gunning for a 700 or above score but currently stand around 500 or 550 will indubitably have to put in much more time compared to a student who already has a benchmark score of 650,” she said.
She likens studying for the GMAT akin to taking a university-level course – students might spend several hours per week in the classroom, but will likely need to spend some 10 to 15 hours per week outside the class in preparation for an exam.
What score you should strive for largely depends on the school you wish to apply to. Many business schools list their average scores online, which gives students a benchmark of what they need to achieve to improve their chances of securing a spot in the school’s programme.
There are many ways to practice for the GMAT, be it via practice books to free practice tests offered by some GMAT test prep companies. Don’t leave it till the last minute – give yourself several months to study and choose wisely if you think you’ll do better by studying on your own or by enrolling in a class. If you fail to achieve your desired score, you can always retake the GMAT.
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