“The way you learn math at school is systematic which, on the GMAT, will work against you,” says Mr. Hanneson. “You’re better off estimating because chances are, there will only one answer choice on the GMAT that’s close to your estimate.”
Some GMAT prep schools, such as the one at UBC, offer courses that cover only one area of study.
“We had people asking us to just focus on math, so we started a 21-hour quantitative course and also a basic math refresher for people who have been away from math for a long time,” says Deena Boeck, senior program leader at the University of British Columbia’s school of continuing studies. “We also recently started a writing course to help people practice the writing portion of the test.”
Two years ago, UBC began offering prep courses for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which has long been required for most non-business school graduate programs but is now being accepted by a growing number of MBA schools in Canada and the United States.
“We started with 24 students in 2008 and most recently had 52, so the numbers are definitely increasing,” says Ms. Boeck.
So how many hours of studying does it take to get ready for the GMAT?
There's no neat formula for success, say the GMAT experts. Research by the Graduate Management Admission Council found candidates who scored well on the GMAT tended to spend more time studying. But interestingly, those in the top group – with a score of 700 or higher – studied seven hours less than test takers with the second highest scores.
What's more important for GMAT candidates, says Ms. Boeck, is to find the style of prepping that suits them best. For example, if they learn better on their own, then an autonomous online course is probably best for them. If they like face-to-face group interactions, then a class setting would be more suitable.
For Ms. Martin, wanting to be part of a group was one of the reasons why she chose to sign up for UBC’s on-campus GMAT prep course.
“I’m very motivated studying in a group and I found that taking the in-class course was the perfect combination of getting knowledge in a condensed version and sharing it with others,” she says.
Whether they choose an online or class course, students should try to learn a few things about the course instructor, says Ms. Boeck.
“Everybody looks for instructors who have a good GMAT score, but that’s just one part of it,” she says. “Find out what type of teaching experience the instructor has had and how good he is with explaining information to adult learners.
“Talk to other students who have taken the course. It’s a bit of work upfront, but, after all, this is something that could well have a big impact on your future.”
Top 10 GMAT prep tips
Dr. Ian Rakita, associate professor and director of the Goodman Institute of Investment Management at Concordia University in Montreal, shares some tips to help you prepare for exam day.
1. Review the test structure and understand the proportionate weighting of each section.
2. Know your schedule and set aside enough time to prepare for the test.
3. Take practice tests regularly and don’t get discouraged. Incorporate GMAT prep into your regular routine.
4. Join a study group. It will create a network of support and ease the stress of preparing for your test.
5. Know your strengths and weaknesses so you can spend more time and effort on building your weak areas.
6. Track your progress. This will quantify your results and encourage you to keep going.
7. Manage your time wisely. Proper pacing on test day will help maintain your stamina and likely lead to better results.
8. Don’t be a victim of information overload. Think about the question being asked and only answer what is being asked.
9. Avoid random guesses. Eliminate the obvious wrong choices immediately to increase your odds of choosing the correct answer.
10. Don’t give up. Stay focused and aim to finish your test.
Special to The Globe and Mail
For examples of GMAT questions and the chance to test yourself, check out the ‘Practise the GMAT Test’ link ont our Business Education hub at WWW.TGAM.CA/BUSINESS-EDUCATION
