Graduate Management Admission Test, is one of the most sought after examinations that is taken by nearly 2.5 lakh candidates each year. The goal is clear, to study MBA in one of the top universities of the world. Naturally so, the number of Indian universities accepting GMAT score today is gradually increasing.

We will see few tips on how to ace the GMAT:

• Take the first test without any preparation: to see where you stand. This step is very crucial and somehow many candidates miss it. When you register for GMAT, take an official test with absolutely no preparation to see where your base is. This is extremely useful in developing a study strategy and identifying how much time you need for GMAT preparation
• Understand the GMAT: Even though GMAT is an entrance exam for MBA admissions, it is fairly different from the other MBA entrance exams. Hence, interested candidates should understand what the GMAT entails and what the GMAT is testing. The detailed information can be found at the GMAT official website - www.MBA.com
• Refer the official guide as the Bible: There are many books for GMAT prep. Many websites giving tons of information to score better, but it is essential to keep the GMAT official guide handy as the paper pattern appears from the official guide. It should be referred as the core book in addition to the myriad of information available all over today.

• Keep ample time between preparation and test taking: Experts say anywhere between 3 months to 6 months is sufficient to crack the GMAT. Provided the candidate is regular in practicing the questions. The duration of test preparation should be decided based on the score obtained in the diagnostic test of GMAT. Book the test accordingly, before starting the preparation. This gives a clear timeline to prepare and revise.
• Be familiar with concepts: Be absolutely clear with the concepts in both Math and Verbal sections. In situations where you forget the tricks and short cut methods, relying back to basics is your best bet.
• Study in a group: If you are someone who gets demotivated with few wrong answers or a low practice score, then it is recommended to study in a group. Be it by joining a practice coaching center or an online GMAT forum, studying with a bunch of people to motivate you always goes a long way in scoring better.
• Read all you can see: This is true for any entrance exam but specially holds good for GMAT. Read different topics - success stories of GMAT takers to politics, science to arts & history, read anything that you can lay your hands and eyes on. This helps in many ways. It improves your reading speed for the exam and gives you tons of knowledge and motivation to score better.
• Take scheduled mock tests, not randomly: Take mock tests at strategic points of your prep time. Official GMAT website provides very few practice tests; take these at important junctures of your test preparation. The other mock tests provided by various forums can be taken at regular intervals. Official GMAT prep score is usually close to your actual GMAT score. Also, sit through the entire duration of each mock test. GMAT exams are long, hence, it also tests stamina apart from Math and Verbal.

• Analyze the wrong and right answers: Proper analysis of why a particular answer was right or wrong is very important during practice session. Especially in verbal section it is important to identify if your understanding of the passage/sentence is same as that in the case of right answer. It is not sufficient to just get a right answer. It is necessary to see if the reasoning is right as well. This marks a huge difference while aiming at high score.
• Distribute time well: Identify your strong topics and do not spend much time in answering those but accurately at that. This gives you some more time to analyze the harder topics. Utilize this time well to get an overall good score. This strategy should be mastered during practice sessions.