GMAT Test Tips

GMAT Test Tips: After months of careful and focused preparation, it's finally time for test day. Here are some useful tips to help students optimize their scores when taking the GMAT:

• Rest Up - The more relaxed you are on test day, the better the chances of you getting a higher score. There's no better way to reduce stress than to get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
• Dress Comfortably - Wear clothes that are loose, comfortable, and breathable. Bring a sweater or jacket in case you get cold during the test. And wear a watch.
• Do a Test-Drive - Sometime during the week before the test, drive the route to the test center so you are familiar with it. The last thing you need is to be lost five minutes before your test starts.
• Know the Format - By the time you're actually taking the GMAT, you should be intimately familiar with the types of questions on the test, as well as the length of each section and the time limits.
• Know the Directions - You should also review the directions beforehand; there's no worse way to spend your test time than reading directions.
• Start Strong - Remember, the questions at the beginning of the test determine the difficulty level of the rest of the questions. The better you do on the first few questions, the better the chances of getting a higher score. So go slowly at the beginning.
• Pace Yourself - Don't rush it, and don't fall behind either. It is crucial that you answer every question in each section, because failure to do so results in severe penalties.
• Be Certain - Make sure you have the correct answer before going on to the next question. You will not be able to go back and check any of your answers.
• Use Process of Elimination - If you come to the point where you need to guess in order to answer a question, try to eliminate as many choices as possible so you improve your chances of getting the question correct.
• Be Aggressive - Keep your level of concentration high and don't lose focus or become casual.
• Don't Be a Perfectionist - the goal of the GMAT is optimization, not perfection.
• Watch for Easy Answers - Many incorrect answers for multiple-choice questions reflect common miscalculations. Make sure you check your calculations before answering. Watch out for answers that are plausible but incorrect.
• Use Scratch Paper - Write down all your calculations on the scratch paper provided by the test center. Don't do any but the simplest of calculations in your head.
• Don't Panic - No matter what happens, stay calm during the test and don't lose your cool. If you start to get overly tense, take a short break and calm down.