1. Thinking that GMAT Quant is Easy
Most of the students feel that quant section is easier. So they do not spend adequate time on the preparation and as a result, their overall score decreases.
You can score high in GMAT Quant, so work well. GMAT quant is easy but a little trickier. Avoiding silly mistakes can make you score high in GMAT.
Pacing and budgeting your time for each question is crucial.
You will encounter questions on the GMAT that include incorrect answer choices that were deliberately designed to exploit likely misinterpretations of what the question is really asking. With practice, you will begin to learn how to recognize answer choices that are deliberately deceptive - and wrong. Problem solving questions generally involves an erroneous answer choice giving a value that would result from following a common computational error. You can learn to avoid these deceptive choices by regular practice.
2. Ignoring Data Sufficiency Questions
Most test takers make the mistake of not arming themselves with a systematic approach for answering these questions. Ignoring even one step in the process outlined below can make a big difference in the final quantitative score.
- Read the question carefully.
- Analyze what information is needed to arrive at the answer.
- Look at each of the two statements independently of each other.
- If the two statement independently do not give the answer, combine the two statements.
Tips to answer Data Sufficiency Questions:
- Do not assume anything on your own. Use only the information given in the questions.
- Do not get bogged down with complicated or lengthy calculations.
- Both the statements may tell the same information but in different way. When the 2 statements convey the same exact information, the correct answer choice will be either D or E.
- Practice, practice, practice. The more time you spend practicing data sufficiency questions, the better able you will be to use the strategies given above. You will also become very comfortable with the type of questions from this portion of the test, and will quickly realize if there are any math areas, such as geometry or algebra where you need to brush up your skills.
3. Taking the AWA Section Lightly
The test writers at ETS have published a list of the essay questions asked in the exam. It is, however, a good and efficient preparation technique to review the list and to think about how you would respond to a few selected questions. You should also spend some time reading sample essays to get an idea about how to structure an essay.
4. Not preparing yourself to sit for 4 Hours with full concentration
The main way to develop GMAT time management skills is to practice taking the test.
At least 15 days before the exam, you should take a few mock GMAT exams, in the computer-adaptive format and try to simulate the actual testing environment. (That means refraining from taking food breaks, engaging in telephone conversations, etc. until you have completed a section.) These practice tests will help you in building the stamina needed to sit through a 3.5-hour test.
There is a huge scoring penalty for leaving questions unanswered in any section of GMAT. For example, say you're in line to get a score that will put you in the 90 percentile of test takers, based on your test performance so far - but then you run out of time and fail to answer the last four questions in the section. This will lower your score to about the 75 percentile.
5. Scheduling the exam on odd hours
The GMAT exam is conducted twice a day. Most of the students feel more comfortable giving test in the morning session. Few feel that their energy level is more in the afternoon. So, you should opt for the test during the time when you are more focused and your energy level is high.
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