A structured study plan for the GMAT Focus Edition covering Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, with scoring strategies for business school admission.
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Diagnostic and Target Setting
Take an official GMAT practice exam to determine your baseline score
The GMAT Focus Edition scores range from 205 to 805 in 10-point increments. The mean score is approximately 555. Use the official practice exams from the test maker since third-party tests use different algorithms and produce unreliable score predictions.
Research the average GMAT scores of admitted students at your target MBA programs
Top-15 MBA programs typically report averages of 700-740. Mid-tier programs average 650-690. Check the class profile page for each school's most recent entering class. Aim for a score at or above the reported average to be in the competitive range.
Identify your stronger and weaker sections from the diagnostic breakdown
The GMAT Focus Edition has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is scored from 60-90. Your total score is derived from all three. Identify which section dragged down your overall score the most and plan to spend 50% of study time there.
Set a target score and calculate the study hours needed to reach it
A 50-point improvement typically requires 100-120 hours of focused study. A 100-point improvement requires 150-200+ hours. At 15 hours per week, expect 2-3 months for a 50-point gain. Gains beyond 150 points are uncommon and usually require 6+ months.
Build Your Study Framework
Choose between self-study materials, an online course, or private tutoring
Official prep materials are essential regardless of your study method. Supplement with one additional resource. Online courses range from $400-$2,000 and work well for students needing structure. Private tutoring costs $150-$400 per hour but is the most efficient for targeted score gains.
Create a week-by-week study schedule with clear daily tasks
Divide your prep into 3 phases: content review (weeks 1-4), practice and application (weeks 5-8), and timed test simulation (weeks 9-12). Study 5-6 days per week with one rest day. Each session should be 90-120 minutes. Short daily sessions beat long weekend marathons.
Gather all study materials including official question banks and prep books
The official question bank contains 1,000+ retired questions sorted by type and difficulty. This is the single most important resource because it uses real test questions. Buy one well-reviewed third-party book for strategy explanations. Avoid purchasing more than 3 total resources.
Schedule 6 official practice exams throughout your study timeline
Take your first practice test as a diagnostic, then schedule one every 2-3 weeks. Save the 2 newest official practice tests for the final 2 weeks of prep. Reviewing wrong answers from each practice test should take 2-3 hours and is more valuable than the test itself.
Section-by-Section Preparation
Quantitative: Master problem-solving and data sufficiency question types
Data sufficiency questions are unique to the GMAT and trip up many test-takers. You do not need to solve the problem, only determine whether the given data is sufficient to solve it. Practice the systematic approach: test each statement alone, then together. This format makes up half of the Quant section.
Quantitative: Review arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number properties
The GMAT does not test calculus or advanced math. Focus on prime factorization, divisibility rules, percentage-to-fraction conversions, and rate-time-distance problems. These four topic areas appear in roughly 40% of all Quant questions. Drill them until they are automatic.
Verbal: Practice Critical Reasoning argument structure analysis
Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to identify assumptions, strengthen or weaken arguments, and find logical flaws. Break every argument into its conclusion, premises, and unstated assumption before reading the answer choices. This structure saves time and increases accuracy by 25%.
Verbal: Study Reading Comprehension passage mapping and inference questions
GMAT passages are 200-350 words from business, science, and social science sources. Create a mental map as you read: first paragraph is the main idea, middle paragraphs provide evidence, last paragraph is the conclusion or counterpoint. Inference questions are the hardest type and require choosing the most supported answer.
Data Insights: Practice multi-source reasoning and graphics interpretation
The Data Insights section combines quantitative and verbal skills with data analysis. Practice reading complex tables with 5+ columns quickly. Multi-source reasoning gives you 2-3 tabs of information and asks you to synthesize across them. Speed comes from knowing where to look, not reading everything.
Build an error journal tracking every wrong answer with the reason you missed it
Categorize errors as conceptual (did not know the rule), strategic (used the wrong approach), or careless (knew how but made a mistake). If more than 30% of your errors are careless, slowing down by 15 seconds per question will gain more points than learning new content.
Adaptive Testing Strategy
Understand how the computer-adaptive algorithm affects your score
The GMAT adapts difficulty within each section based on your performance. Getting early questions right is important because the algorithm uses them to calibrate your ability level. However, every question counts, so do not rush through later questions even if they seem easy.
Practice strict time management: 2 minutes per Quant, 1.5 minutes per Verbal question
The GMAT gives 45 minutes per section with roughly 23 questions each. If you spend more than 3 minutes on any question, guess and move on. Running out of time and leaving questions unanswered is the biggest score killer because unanswered questions count as wrong.
Learn to make educated guesses when stuck rather than spending excessive time
Eliminate 1-2 clearly wrong answers, then guess from the remaining options. A 50% chance of getting the question right in 30 seconds is better than a 70% chance after 4 minutes because the lost time hurts you on 2-3 subsequent questions.
Registration and Test Day
Register for the GMAT and select your preferred test format
The GMAT costs $300 and can be taken at a test center or online. Test center appointments are available year-round with 3-4 weeks advance booking recommended. You can choose the order of your sections at the start of the exam. Most students prefer starting with their strongest section.
Take a final practice test one week before your exam date
Score within 30 points of your target on this final practice test to confirm readiness. If you score more than 50 points below your target, consider rescheduling. Reschedule fees are $50 with 15+ days notice. Do not take any practice tests in the final 3 days before the exam.
Prepare required identification and plan test center logistics
Bring a valid passport or government ID matching your registration name exactly. Arrive 30 minutes early. You receive a dry-erase notepad for scratch work at the center. No personal items are allowed in the testing room, including watches and jewelry in some centers.
Review your score immediately after and decide whether to accept or cancel
You see your unofficial score on screen immediately. You have 2 minutes to accept or cancel. Cancellation costs nothing, but reinstating a cancelled score costs $50. Most business schools see all your scores unless you cancel, so only report scores you would be comfortable with any school seeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GMAT score do I need for a top MBA program?
Top-10 MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton) have median GMAT scores of 730-740 on the 205-805 scale. Top-25 programs typically see medians of 700-720. Scoring above the median puts you in a stronger position, but admissions is holistic: a 710 with exceptional work experience and essays can beat a 760 with a thin profile. Most programs publish their class profile with the middle 80% GMAT range, which gives you a clearer target than the median alone.
How long does it take to prepare for the GMAT?
Most test-takers study for 2-3 months at 15-20 hours per week (roughly 100-200 total hours). Students aiming for 700+ who start below 600 on a diagnostic should plan for 200+ hours over 3-4 months. The GMAT rewards conceptual understanding over memorization, so shorter, more frequent study sessions (1-2 hours daily) work better than weekend marathons. Take a full practice test every 2-3 weeks to track progress and adjust your approach.
What is the difference between the GMAT and the GMAT Focus Edition?
The GMAT Focus Edition (launched November 2023) replaced the classic GMAT. It is shorter (2 hours 15 minutes vs. 3 hours 30 minutes), has 3 sections instead of 4 (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Data Insights), and scores on a 205-805 scale. The Sentence Correction and Analytical Writing sections were removed. Data Insights combines what was previously Integrated Reasoning with new data interpretation questions. All scores from 2024 onward are on the Focus Edition format.
Should I take the GMAT or the GRE for business school?
About 95% of MBA programs accept both the GMAT and GRE equally. The GMAT is still the default for business school applicants and is preferred by some admissions committees because it signals a specific interest in business. The GRE gives you more flexibility if you are also considering non-MBA graduate programs. Take a practice test of each and compare your scores using the official conversion tool. Students who struggle with the GMAT's Data Insights section sometimes score better on the GRE.
How many times can I retake the GMAT?
You can take the GMAT Focus Edition up to 5 times within a rolling 12-month period, with a minimum 16-day gap between attempts. You can choose which scores to send to schools, so programs only see the attempts you want them to. The retake fee is $275. Most candidates take the test 2-3 times. Score improvement from the first to second attempt averages 30-40 points when paired with targeted study. After the third attempt, gains typically plateau.