All by Myself: Using Self-Study to Ace the GMAT

When I talk with pre-MBA candidates about GMAT preparation I always suggest that they take a test prep course instead of studying for the GMAT on their own. Generally, candidates that I’ve worked with over the last ten years had greater success more quickly with a test prep course then using a self-study method. This morning I was thinking about my own GMAT preparation – I used the self-study method! While I will continue to recommend taking a course, I just can’t let you think that is the only way to excel on the GMAT.

Back in the day when I took the GMAT…and yes, I can say” back in the day” because I took the GMAT more than 17 years ago. That’s ridiculous! In 1995, there was no computer-adaptive testing or GMAT tests given daily. The test was offered on a random Saturday in November. I took the LSAT in October, for which I did take a prep course, so I only had three weeks to study for the GMAT. This is NOT a strategy I recommend at all – I only had enough time to go through one book, GMAT for Dummies (nice!), then I took the paper test in a dreary UConn classroom in a random Humanities building. I missed my brother’s football game (though I did catch the last five minutes of a thrilling victory on UConn radio! Huskies!) I scored in the mid-600s. Huge Caveat: I was a math and statistics tutor for the football team so I had a bit of an advantage on the quant section!

Self-study works for many people and it might be your only option. You may not have the money to invest in a GMAT test prep course (though if that’s the case, do some quick financial calculations to make sure you can afford the rest of the application expenses as well as b-school itself). Or you may have a travel or work schedule that makes its impractical to attend a test prep course. Or sitting in a test prep lecture might not be the best way for you to learn. If you go the self-study route, build in the same support that you would get from a course – accountability, advice when you get stuck on a concept and encouragement. Here are a few other tips on developing a winning self-study process:

Get the Official Guide for GMAT Review

Start the Official Guide to the GMAT. You can get it used or buy it from mba.com for $40. GMAC developed the test so having their book about the test is a must. The official guide will help you understand the test and if you are going to put together a successful self-study plan, you have to know the ins and outs of the test now. Don’t expect that you will figure it out along the way. Don’t start plowing through the books sample questions – just get clear on the test format, the sections, and the questions.

Research Self-Study Options

I did a quick web search and was shocked by the number of self-study “courses” and resources offered by test prep companies. At a very basic level, you can buy the books that are used in their courses. From there, you have all types of options from monthly subscriptions as low as $30 for access to practice questions and limited coaching to programs that are basically courses that are self-paced. I even saw one site that didn’t sell GMAT test prep materials, but for $29 you could get their advice on how to mix and match the various self-study tools. I’m not knocking the hustle, but really?

Scour the Web for Reviews

I’m impulsive and a bit impatient. When I find something that I like or that I think will work, I buy it and get moving. If that’s you, I’m sending you a sisterly “easy sparky”. Before you purchase any self-study materials, check references. Find out about other people’s experiences with the tools before you invest. You are going down the self-study route for a reason and you need to be as efficient as possible to minimize time and/ or money spent.

With reviews, don’t get stuck on the “thumbs up, thumbs down” oversimplified reviews. Dig in to find out what reviewers did and didn’t value in the materials. For example, you might find a review that rates a test prep book poorly because the content was too basic. If you are starting from zero on this stuff, then that might be exactly the book you need to lay a strong foundation.

Make a Plan

What is your timeline for mastering the GMAT content? What are you going to study and when? How will you develop your test-taking skills, such as test timing and strategy? When are you planning to take the official GMAT? How will you know you are on track? How and when are you going to assess your progress? What is your plan?

I am sure that most materials have a suggested plan, but you have to adapt that you fit your goals and your timeline. Don’t just jump into your self-study but take the time to map out how you will ace the GMAT!