3 Ways To Increase Your GMAT Score

Having a high GMAT score can do wonders for your MBA candidacy.

In fact, according to Linda Abraham, founder of Accepted, the GMAT is one of the most critical components of the MBA application.

“If your GMAT is more than thirty points below your target school’s average GMAT, it could place you at a disadvantage and force the rest of your application to work overtime,” Abraham writes. “You would have to present something most compelling to overcome that kind of a GMAT deficit at a competitive top school. Indeed, if you come from a common applicant background or a group that tends to do well on the GMAT, a below average score could keep you out – even if the rest of your application is competitive.”

Scoring high on the exam is important, especially if you want to even have a chance at applying to top B-schools. Matt Symonds, of Fortuna Admissions, recently offered a few tips on how applicants can increase their GMAT score.

GRIT & GROWTH

Symonds says applicants need to embrace the “two G’s” – grit and growth mindset – if they want to master the GMAT.

“Too often, test-takers fail to reach their full potential on the GMAT because they give up too soon in the study process,” Symonds writes. “In fact, over the years, I’ve seen grit be the number one predictor of which students will earn top scores on the GMAT and which students will settle for scores far lower than what they had the potential to earn.”

When it comes to having a growth mindset, Symonds says, you’ll need to overcome obstacles by setting goals.

“With a growth mindset, every hurdle is another rung up the ladder of GMAT success, and you’re no less able to climb the first rung than you are to climb the hundredth,” Symonds writes. “If anything, you get stronger as you go.”

PRIORITIZE SLEEP

Too often looked over, sleep is essential to not only overall health, but productivity as well. This is especially true when it comes to something like GMAT prep.

“It doesn’t make much sense to spend countless hours cramming stuff into your brain if under too much stress you lose your mind,” Symonds writes. “So, make sleep as valued an input as your practice and preparation.”

REMEMBER TO TAKE BREAKS

Similar to prioritizing sleep, incorporating breaks into your study regimen can boost productivity.

“Go for a walk or run. Meditate. Have dinner. Get away from your computer and phone,” Symonds writes. “Reboot first, and you’ll get much more out of your hard work and greater confidence, to boot.”

Sources: Fortuna Admissions, Accepted, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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