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GMAT Mock Test Strategy – Dos & Don’ts of Taking Mocks

Written by CB Community

Are you planning on taking the GMAT soon? It is a highly competitive exam with over 200,000 candidates fighting for limited spots. Therefore, it is important that you give your very best when preparing to take this test.

A good score will land you in a better program and school, opening a world of opportunities. The syllabus is not very difficult for a graduate, but what makes it challenging is the time constraint and overall pressure of the situation.

This is where mock tests come to use. They prepare you for what to expect, teach you to make smarter strategies, and manage your time effectively. Make use of every free GMAT practice test you can find. Here are some basic do’s and don’ts to help you make the best out of your mock tests.

Do’s

1. Take the test with utmost sincerity and be brutally honest in your assessment of the test. The main purpose of the test is to assess your strengths and weaknesses so that you can work out on strategies to improve. Don’t cheat in the mock test under any circumstances because that false score will mislead you into overconfidence.

2. Try to take your practice tests around the same time slot that you have or plan to schedule your GMAT exam in. Plan your test days in advance so that you can clear up that particular slot beforehand. It is seen that sticking to a schedule like this helps your mind remember and perform better.

3. You need to figure out the best pattern of solving the test. Assess your preferences and determine in which order would you answer the sections in your GMAT. While practicing stick to that format and make it a habit.

Don’ts

1. Don’t beat yourself up if you do not score as per your expectations. It is absolutely okay to score terribly in your initial efforts. Don’t stress over mistakes. Instead, use them as a learning experience so that these mistakes don’t happen on the test day. With better understanding, time and practice you will improve with every test.

2. Don’t pause the exam except for the designated optional breaks of eight minutes. It is a time-bound test and pausing does not allow you to work on your time management skills. When you sit down for your practice test, make sure every other work is handled and you do not have any predictable reason to pause. If needed switch off your phone to avoid distractions.

3. Don’t take long on questions that you would get on the final exam. If you are unable to answer in the given time, move to the next. It is difficult to make time in your early practice, but you should consciously work to reduce your timing to the allotted GMAT time.

Practice tests are a preview of what you can expect during your GMAT. They help you in figuring out your study plans, making strategies to improve your weak points and manage your time more efficiently so that you can give your best during the main exam.

For more great college tips, check out the other blogs on College Basics.

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CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.