Don’t face the GMAT unprepared.
The GMAT is a tough test. Success requires quick analysis and mental stamina. However, because it’s standardized, it’s predictable, and because it’s predictable, it’s beatable with the right kind of dedicated practice and error analysis. Lonestar Education seeks to guide students towards the right kind of practice and analysis to help them improve their GMAT scores and succeed on the GMAT.
We are offering live-online, synchronous 6-week GMAT preparation courses in conjunction with the UTSA Department of Professional and Continuing Education, UTSA PaCE. Adam Johnson will teach the workshops. Sign up at the UTSA PaCE website. Contact us if you have any questions.
What it takes to improve your score
The GMAT is a difficult test—the better you do, the harder it gets. However, because it’s standardized, it’s predictable and because it’s predictable, it’s beatable—if you can learn to recognize and master its patterns and tricks. Unfortunately, mastering the GMAT is no easy task. Just coming to class and listening is not enough. In order to master the GMAT, you have to take an active role in your preparation and devote significant time to practice and question analysis. Each of the following steps is necessary for strong improvements.
- Learn the content. The GMAT tests logic, reading, grammar, and math. Before you can improve your score, you must become fully comfortable with these content areas. We’ll review some of the content in class but we’ll spend more time applying the content to test questions. You are responsible for reviewing content areas you’re having trouble with on your own. Once you master the content, you can focus your energy on question analysis and problem solving.
- Change the way you take the test. In order to improve on the GMAT, you must become a more active test-taker. In class, you’ll learn techniques for analyzing question prompts, anticipating right answers, and eliminating wrong answers. Some of these techniques are difficult to master and may initially slow you down. But you must persevere! Change is hard, but if you learn to apply the techniques taught in class consistently, your GMAT score will go up.
- Do the assignments using the techniques. Internalize the techniques and make them automatic through consistent and focused practice. Continue to practice each question type until you have it down. Think of yourself as an athlete training for the Olympics or as a musician attempting to master an instrument. Set aside at least an hour a day for practicing GMAT questions and analyzing your answers.
- Analyze what you missed and why. Spend as much time going over the practice assignments as you spend doing them. Try to figure out exactly why you chose each wrong answer and how you can approach similar problems differently to get them right. Every missed question is a lesson. If you learn those lessons from your assignments, you’ll be able to apply them on the day of the test. Look for patterns in your wrong answers in order to identify your own strengths and weakness. Once you’ve found a weakness, keep working on it until it becomes one of your strengths.
- Master pacing. Although your pacing should improve naturally as you master the relevant skills, pacing and stamina are essential to success. The GMAT is a long, grueling test and the time pressure is brutal. In order to score well, you have to balance accuracy and pacing, remaining focused for the essay, the Integrated Reasoning section, and two 60-65-minute CATs. In the final weeks of this class, you should be averaging about 2 minutes per question and working for at least 65 minutes at a time.