GMAT Strategy

I have heard the question "what is the best way to start preparing for the GMAT" probably well over 100 times. It is a great question and I will offer a few things to keep in mind to help you structure your studies.

1) Understand what the GMAT is. Before diving into your studies, you want to know what you are studying for! Therefore, it doesn't make any sense to just start studying for the GMAT. You will need a strategic approach. I recommend that everyone read a guide similar to Princeton Review's Guide to Cracking the GMAT. This guide gives you an overview of what exactly the GMAT is (gives you an understanding of AWA, quant and verbal sections, timing, costs, registration, etc) and also the exact subject areas of the GMAT (like the more specific quant and verbal types of questions). This guide will give you a much better understanding of the exact types of questions you will be faced with and how to tackle them. After you understand these subject areas, the key to getting a good score is just to practice literally hundreds of questions...

2) Once you know what you will be facing, the rest of your prep should involve doing lots of practice questions. You will soon see that the GMAT is just a bunch of questions that quiz the same topics over and over and in different forms. To become a master of all these different types of questions, I suggest getting the Official Guide for GMAT Review (aka the OG), which is published by the test writers themselves. This guide has hundreds of quant, verbal and AWA questions for you to practice. There are several editions of this guide, so you can get a couple of them for more practice.

3) Once you have done a lot of the OG questions, you are probably ready to take a few practice tests. These will help you identify your weakest areas so that you can improve these areas. There are plenty of practice tests on the web (just google them), as well as two free ones (I think two, maybe one) when you sign up for the GMAT, and also Manhattan GMAT is a good source for tests. Once you figure out your weaker areas, spend some time improving these areas and keep practicing these types of questions.

This overall approach should do you well for your GMAT preparations. Enjoy the process, have confidence, and good luck!!
Believe in yourself!