I’m scheduled to take the Next Generation GMAT exam in June 2012, how do I prepare for this exam?
Test takers often wonder how best to prepare for the GMAT exam. This is especially true with the launch with the Next Generation GMAT exam on June 5, 2012. Our earlier blog posts have discussed the relevance of Integrated Reasoning, provided student perspectives, and even provided tips from our Chief Psychometrician on how to tackle Integrated Reasoning on the exam. This post will discuss some of the test preparation products that we have developed to help you prepare for the Next Generation GMAT. While there is no single preparation method that is best for everyone, GMAC offers several study products to help you no matter what your approach.
Get Started With the Basics
Being familiar with the question formats and pacing required is important, so GMAC provides free GMATPrep® software that includes two full-length computer adaptive practice tests with answers, and 90 practice questions (30 Quantitative, 45 Verbal, and 15 Integrated Reasoning questions) with detailed answer explanations. You can download the program, compatible with Windows and Macintosh, at www.mba.com/gmatprep. Recently updated, the software now lets you customize your own practice question sets, and view accurately computed GMAT Total, Verbal, Quantitative, and Integrated Reasoning scores from practice exams. New reporting features display how you answered questions by difficulty and question type, how you managed your time by question type, and how your practice scores have progressed over time.
This is a comprehensive tool that lets you study for every section of the exam. Beginning this month, you can extend your software by purchasing the GMATPrep® Question Pack 1 for US$24.99. It contains more than 400 questions and answer explanations never before seen in any other GMAT study product. The Question Pack works only with GMATPrep software, so be sure to download that first.
For Advanced Study
For a textbook approach, try The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition. The 13th edition Official Guide is a comprehensive guide to help you practice all exam question types containing more than 900 real questions retired from past GMAT exams and their answer explanations. This edition contains more than 200 questions never before published and an online component dedicated solely to Integrated Reasoning practice. The 100-question diagnostic exam helps focus your test preparation efforts, and the comprehensive grammar and math review sections cover concepts tested on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the exam. To activate the Integrated Reasoning online section, use the access code, web address and instructions found in the back of your book. The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition is available for US$42.95 at the mba.com store and at bookstores worldwide.
The Integrated Reasoning Online Section of The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition
The Specialized Approach
Both GMATPrep and the Official Guide will help you identify areas of weakness. If you know of specific areas where you want to concentrate your study, GMAC offers several more resources.
GMAT Write® is a web-based essay writing practice tool that lets you respond to real GMAT writing prompts that are scored in real time with the same automated essay-scoring engine used in the Analytical Writing Assessment section of the official GMAT® exam. This tool includes two unique Analysis of an Argument essay prompts for a total of four response opportunities. After completing the practice essays, you will receive instant results that show how you would likely score on the GMAT writing exams and detailed feedback on how you could improve your scores. The price is US$29.99.
Finally, The Official Guide for GMAT® Review Verbal Supplement, 2nd Edition and The Official Guide for GMAT® Review Quantitative Supplement, 2nd Edition are perfect options for test takers who want to hone their Verbal or Quantitative Skills using real questions from retired GMAT exams. Each supplement contains 300 questions, answers and answer explanations. The Verbal Supplement focuses on Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction, and the Quantitative Supplement offers on Problem Solving, and Data Sufficiency. The price is US$17.95 each.
No matter your approach, mba.com/store is your official source for comprehensive GMAT® practice tools.
The Integrated Reasoning was developed at the request of business schools and faculty who identified an emerging set of skills that needed to be measured on the GMAT exam. We believe that our updated portfolio of preparation products will help you best prepare for the Next Generation GMAT exam.
Please join us from April 17-19 to learn more about the new Integrated Reasoning section of the GMAT exam, our updated preparation products, and participate daily in our online scavenger hunt for a chance to win GMAT study prizes and even a GMAT exam voucher!
