7 Steps – How to Score 700+ on the GMAT

Introduction

Are you dreaming of scoring 700 or more on the GMAT? Achieving such a score is a significant milestone for many prospective business school students. It can open doors to top-tier programs and scholarships. In this guide, we will walk you through seven essential steps for effective GMAT preparation. Our aim is to make your journey towards a 700+ score as clear and straightforward as possible. From understanding the exam’s structure to personalized study plans and mock tests, we’ve got you covered. Let’s embark on this journey together, step by step, towards achieving your GMAT goals.

Step 1: Attend a GMAT Strategy Session and Decide Your Target Score

Learning About the GMAT and Setting Your Goals

The first step is like starting a journey. You need to know where you’re going and how to get there. Going to a GMAT strategy session is like looking at a map before you start. These sessions teach you about the GMAT exam—what kinds of questions it has, how it’s scored, and tips for doing well. They help you see the big picture.

Then, you need to pick a destination, which in this case is your target score. Think about what score you need to get into the schools you like. This score is like your guiding star, helping you stay on track during your study journey. It tells you how much you need to learn and grow.

Why Knowing Your Goal Score Helps

Having a goal score is very important. It’s like knowing exactly what you want for your birthday. It helps you focus on what to ask for and what to work towards. When you know the score you’re aiming for, you can make a plan to improve in the areas that need the most work. This makes your study time more effective.

Step 2: Set Up Your Baseline – Take a Diagnostic Test

Finding Out Where You Stand

Before you dive deep into studying, you need to take a test to see where you are starting from. This is called a diagnostic test. It’s like taking a quick picture before you start a workout plan, so you can see how much you change over time. This test shows your strong points and the areas where you need more practice.

How Your Starting Score Helps You

Your starting score, or baseline score, is very important. It’s like having a before picture. It shows you what you know and what you need to learn. This helps you make a study plan that’s just for you, focusing on the parts that need the most improvement. It’s a way to track your progress as you get ready for the GMAT.

Step 3: Decide on a Quant and a Verbal Score

Finding Balance Between Math and English

Doing well on the GMAT means doing well in both math (Quant) and English (Verbal). It’s like a scale that needs to be balanced. You need to know how the GMAT scores these sections and decide what scores you want to get in each one. This helps you balance your study time between math problems and reading and writing practice.

How to Improve in Both Areas

To get better in both Quant and Verbal, focus on your strong areas and the ones that need more work. It’s like training for a sport. If you’re good at running but not at jumping, you spend more time practicing jumps. Use special strategies for each section to help you improve.

Step 4: Estimate the Amount of Time You’ll Need

Making a Study Schedule That Fits Your Life

Think about how much time you have before your GMAT test and how much you need to study. This is like planning how much time you need to save money for something you want to buy. You look at what you need, see how much time you have, and make a plan. Make sure you have enough time to study every part of the GMAT without rushing.

Staying Flexible and Consistent

Your study schedule should fit into your life easily but also need to stick to it. It’s like making a new habit. You need to be flexible—if something unexpected happens, it’s okay to change your plan. But try to be consistent. Study regularly so you can remember what you learn and get better over time.

Step 5: Create a Sequence of Study and Allocate Hours

Making a Plan That Works for You

To do well on the GMAT, it’s very important to have a good plan for studying. This means deciding what you will study and when. Think of it like planning a big project. First, you need to know what parts it has (like the Quant and Verbal sections of the GMAT), and then you decide how much time you’ll spend on each part.

For example, if you find math challenging, you might decide to spend more hours on the Quant section than on the Verbal section. It’s like if you’re cooking a meal and you know one dish takes longer to prepare, you’ll start with that one first.

How to Allocate Hours

1. List the GMAT Sections: Write down the parts of the GMAT you need to study, such as Quant, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

2. Decide How Many Hours You Need: Think about how many hours you can study each week. Then, decide how many of those hours you will spend on each section based on what you need to improve the most.

Example Study Plan Schedule

Day	Study Focus	Hours	Notes
Monday	Quant – Algebra	2	Focus on practice problems
Tuesday	Verbal – Reading Comp	1	Read articles, practice questions
Wednesday	Quant – Geometry	2	Review formulas, do practice problems
Thursday	Verbal – Sentence Correction	1	Study grammar rules
Friday	Review Day	2	Go over notes, redo difficult problems
Saturday	Mock Test	3	Practice under timed conditions
Sunday	Break/Free Day	–	Relax and recharge

Why Reviews Are So Important

As part of your study plan, it’s very important to look back at what you’ve learned regularly. This is like checking your work in a big project to make sure everything is correct. Each week, pick a day to go over everything you’ve studied. This helps make sure you really understand the concepts and can remember them when you need to.

Reviews are also a good time to practice more on the topics you find hard. It’s like if you’re learning to play a song on the guitar, and there’s one part that’s tricky. You’d practice that part more until you get it right.

Making Your Study Plan Work for You

Remember, your study plan is for you. It should fit your schedule and your way of learning. If you find that you need to spend more time on one section, change your plan. It’s okay to adjust as you go. The most important thing is to keep practicing and reviewing regularly. This way, you’ll keep getting better and be ready to do your best on the GMAT.

Step 6: Track Your Improvement – A Study Plan

Why Keeping Track of Your Progress is Key

As you prepare for the GMAT, it’s very important to see how you’re doing over time. Think of it like tracking your progress when learning a new skill, like playing a guitar or cooking. You want to know if you’re getting better, right? The same goes for GMAT prep. By using practice tests and quizzes regularly, you can see which parts of the GMAT you’re doing well in and which parts you need to work on more. This is like having a map that shows you where you are and where you need to go.

How to Monitor Your Progress

Use a Simple Chart or Table: Create a simple chart or table in a notebook or on your computer. After each practice test or quiz, write down your scores. This way, you can easily see your scores over time.

Set Regular Check-ins: Decide on a day of the week when you’ll review your progress. This helps you stay on track and makes sure you’re always moving forward.

Here’s a simple table example to track your progress:

Date	Total Score	Quant Score	Verbal Score	Notes
01/02/2024	600	35	30	Need to improve in Quant.
15/02/2024	620	37	32	Better in Quant, but Verbal needs work.
01/03/2024	640	40	33	Improving, focus on timing.

Adjusting Your Study Plan Based on Progress

It’s not enough just to know your scores. The real magic happens when you use this information to make your study plan better. If you see that your Quant score is going up but your Verbal score is staying the same, you might decide to spend more time studying for Verbal. Or, if you notice that you’re doing well in both areas but your timing is off, you can practice more with timed quizzes. The key is to be flexible. If something isn’t working, be ready to try a new approach. Your study plan should grow and change with you as you get closer to your goal.

Why Changing Your Plan is a Good Thing

Changing your study plan isn’t a sign of failure. It’s the opposite! It shows you’re paying attention to your progress and are committed to doing your best. Think of it like adjusting your route on a road trip if you find a better path. It’s all about getting to your destination in the best way possible.

Step 7: Take Mock Tests

Practicing in a Real Test Setting

One of the most important steps in your GMAT preparation is taking mock tests. Why? Because they are just like the real GMAT exam. When you take these practice exams, you get to see what the actual test day will feel like. It’s like a rehearsal before the big show. This practice helps you learn how to manage your time. For example, you’ll get better at deciding how long to spend on each question. Also, taking mock tests can make you less nervous on the real test day. It’s because you’ve already seen what to expect, so there are fewer surprises.

Why Mock Tests Are So Important

Mock tests are not just about practicing questions. They are a complete package that helps you get ready for everything about the GMAT. They teach you how to sit for a long exam without losing focus. They show you how to use the break times wisely. And they help you get used to working on a computer for the entire test, just like in the real exam.

Learning From Your Mistakes

After you finish a mock test, the next step is to look at how you did. This part is very important. If you got some questions wrong, don’t worry. The goal is to learn from these mistakes. For each question you missed, try to understand why you got it wrong. Was it because you didn’t know the material? Or maybe you rushed and made a careless mistake? Or perhaps you didn’t understand what the question was asking? Once you know why you got questions wrong, you can work on those areas. This way, you won’t make the same mistakes when you take the real GMAT.

How to Review Your Mock Test Results

When you’re checking your answers, also look at the questions you got right. Make sure you know why the right answers are correct. This helps you confirm what you’re good at. It’s not just about fixing mistakes; it’s also about building on what you already know.

Making the Most of Mock Tests

To really benefit from mock tests, take them regularly while you’re studying for the GMAT. This will show you how you’re improving over time. Also, try to take these tests under conditions that are as close to the real exam as possible. Find a quiet place, follow the same time limits, and take breaks as you would on test day. This practice will make you more comfortable and confident when you finally take the GMAT.

Key Takeaways

1. Attend GMAT Strategy Sessions: These sessions are crucial for understanding the exam’s structure, scoring, and preparation strategies. They provide a solid foundation to start your GMAT journey.

2. Set a Target Score: Establishing a clear goal for your GMAT score is essential. It guides your study plan and helps you focus on achieving a score that aligns with your MBA aspirations.

3. Take a Diagnostic Test: Assessing your current level with a diagnostic test is vital. It helps identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to tailor your study plan effectively.

4. Create a Balanced Study Plan: Allocate study time to both Quant and Verbal sections based on your diagnostic test results. Focus on improving weaker areas while maintaining strengths.

5. Allocate Specific Study Hours: A structured study plan with designated hours for each topic ensures comprehensive coverage of the GMAT syllabus and keeps your preparation on track.

6. Include Regular Review Sessions: Regularly revisiting previously studied material is crucial for reinforcing concepts and strategies, making sure you retain what you’ve learned over time.

7. Track Your Progress: Use practice tests and quizzes to monitor your improvement. This helps in adjusting your study plan as needed, ensuring you are always moving towards your target score.

8. Adjust Your Study Plan When Necessary: Flexibility in your study schedule allows for adjustments based on progress. If certain areas require more attention, be prepared to shift your focus accordingly.

9. Practice Under Exam Conditions: Taking mock tests under conditions that simulate the actual GMAT experience is key. It helps with time management, reduces test-day anxiety, and prepares you for the real exam environment.

10. Learn From Mistakes: Analyzing errors in mock tests and practice questions is invaluable. Understanding why mistakes were made and learning from them ensures continuous improvement and increases your chances of achieving a high score.

FAQ

There are many places to find help, including online forums, study groups, and tutoring services. Look for resources that fit your learning style and needs.

To wrap up, we hope this guide made GMAT scores easier to understand. Knowing how the GMAT is scored and what a good score looks like is important for getting into business school.

If you found this guide helpful, please check out our other articles and tools. We have lots of helpful information whether you’re just starting to study for the GMAT or trying to get even better. Good luck with your GMAT study and reaching your goal of going to business school.