In the year 2021, nearly 27,000 students took the GMAT exam in India with hopes to secure admission to top business schools such as the London Business School, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management and various others. GMAT is an extremely necessary test to qualify for an MBA degree since the majority of universities offering an MBA degree accept GMAT scores.
To cover the exam syllabus completely and achieve a competitive score, students should start their preparation well in advance. Reserve at least 6 to 9 months for a thorough preparation if you are planning to take the GMAT without coaching. Along with the preparation time, you will also require a personalised study plan and lots of practice. So, to know in detail about how to prepare for GMAT without coaching, we have entailed all the necessary information about the same in this article.
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Table Of Content |
Is It Possible To Crack GMAT Without Coaching?
GMAT is an MCQ-type of exam which helps students to secure admission for their masters or MBA program. And for that one should start practising before the time, students should follow a well planned routine for GMAT preparation without coaching. Here are some of the important things to keep in mind while booking a GMAT slot.
1. Check Application Deadlines
Do not rush while selecting your test date. Every business school has different application deadlines. Book your GMAT slot in accordance with the application deadlines of the colleges/universities of your choice. Select a test date and time slot with respect to availability.
2. Select GMAT Exam Mode
The GMAT is available in both online and offline modes. The exam and scoring patterns are similar in both formats. If you are taking GMAT online exam at home, make sure you meet all the technical requirements. If you are planning to take the test offline, do review what you can and cannot bring to a test centre.
3. Mode Of Payment
As an Indian student enrolling for GMAT, you need to pay USD 250 (approx INR 19780) as a registration fee. You can pay this fee through credit cards, debit cards, cashier’s checks, personal checks and money orders. And if you want to cancel or reschedule your GMAT exam, you need to pay additional charges.
Suggested: Find Benefits of GMAT Exam in 2022
Tips On How To Prepare For GMAT Without Coaching
International students who are thinking that can we prepare for GMAT without coaching need not get worried. Here are some simple steps that they can follow to clear the exam efficiently.
1. Research About Exam Pattern
In order to excel in the exam, you must be aware of the GMAT exam pattern & syllabus. The total number of questions is 80 and the time allotted to answer all the questions is approximately 3 hours 7 minutes excluding the breaks. Here is a detailed breakdown of sections & no. of questions below.
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Sections |
No. of Questions |
Time Allotted |
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Analytical Writing Assessment |
1 |
30 |
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Integrated Reasoning |
12 |
30 |
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
31 |
62 |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
36 |
65 |
2. Set Target Score
Each section of GMAT exam is scored separately but your aggregate score is calculated between 200 to 800 on the basis of the quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning sections. Due to its standardised nature, different business schools have their GMAT score cut-offs. We have listed below some of the best business schools and their accepted average GMAT scores in recent years.
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Business Schools |
GMAT Score Acceptance |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
720 |
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Stanford University |
733 |
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University of California, Berkeley |
725 |
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Harvard University |
729 |
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Wharton, University of Pennsylvania |
722 |
3. Use GRE Preparation Books
Studying from GMAT preparation books which are informative and comprehensive in nature will help you understand the fundamental concepts clearly. The books are packed with test taking strategies that will help you solve the sample questions easily.
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Books |
Features |
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GMAT Official Guide 2022 Bundle |
Contains more than 1900 sample GMAT questions |
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Manhattan Prep's All The GMAT Bundle |
Consists of different test-taking strategies, interactive video lessons |
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Kaplan's GMAT Prep Plus 2022-2023 |
Provides more than 350 practice questions compiled by experts |
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Mometrix's GMAT Prep Book 2022-2023 |
Helps understand the GMAT vocabulary, gives detailed explanation to practise questions |
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GMAT Official Advanced Questions |
Gives 300 difficult GMAT questions to practise along with detailed answer explanation |
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PowerScore's GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible |
Best for Verbal Reasoning section |
4. Take GMAT Practice Tests
Instead of thinking about how to prepare for GMAT without coaching, make a study plan that resolves all your shortcomings. To identify your strengths and weaknesses, you must start your preparation with a GMAT Diagnostic Test. As you make progress with your study plan, solve practice tests routinely to improve your performance.
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Practice Test |
Features |
Paid/Free |
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Kaplan GMAT Practice Tests |
Almost similar to the actual GMAT test in respect to question types and difficulty level |
8 full-length practice tests for $150 |
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Manhattan Prep GMAT Practice Tests |
Contains 1200+ GMAT sample questions |
6 full-length practice tests for $49 |
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Veritas Prep GMAT Practice Tests |
Variety of realistic GMAT questions |
1 practice test free, 6 full-length practice set at $49 |
5. Use GMAT Preparation Apps
Along with the conventional method of learning from books, a lot of GMAT preparation apps are available. These mobile applications will help you study at your own pace in your own time.
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Applications |
Features |
Paid/Free |
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Manhattan Prep GMAT |
1000+ questions on Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning section |
Paid, $29.99 |
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Ready4 GMAT |
1000+ practice questions, 500 flashcards |
Paid, $19.99 |
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Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards and GMAT Idiom Flashcards |
Builds fundamental maths and verbal skills |
Free |
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Economist GMAT Tutor |
In-depth lessons, doubt clearance by tutors |
Free |
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Pocket Prep Inc. GMAT Exam Prep |
Provides practice questions, flashcards and progress tracker |
Basic version ($4.99) & Premium version ($9.99) |
Suggested: Guide on How To Send GMAT Scores To Colleges in 2022
The GMAT is a challenging examination that tests your critical thinking and analysing skills. Self-paced learning along with consistent efforts and a disciplined study routine will help you get admission in one of the top business schools in the world. And if you want to know which business schools will be the best for you according to your profile? Connect with Yocket Professionals and get a complete analysis.