Ultimate Guide to GMAT Mock Tests: Strategies & FAQs
Preparing for the GMAT can be challenging which is why the GMAT mock tests are valuable. It gives candidates a glimpse of the study approach and familiarises them with the exam’s difficulty level. The websites providing mock tests have not catered to the needs of the students, with a wide range of differences in quality and efficiency among these resources. Not all GMAT mock tests are the same; selecting the correct one can significantly impact your overall grade.
In this blog, you will learn about the importance of mocks and the valuable resources available to prepare GMAT Focus Edition.
What is the GMAT Focus Edition Exam?
The GMAT focus edition exam, introduced by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), is an entrance exam for admission into over 7000 programs offered by 2400 universities globally. The technology and business environments in the world are constantly evolving and being modernized. Due to these changing trends, the GMAT exam has been enhanced to focus on measuring your skill set and knowledge.
The new GMAT Focus Edition addresses the requirements of B-schools by emphasising the evaluation of advanced critical reasoning and data literacy abilities. The GMAT Focus edition speeds up your future success in business schools. The GMAT exam’s updated format is efficiently redesigned with flexibility and insight to meet the needs of top business schools and their diverse range of offerings globally.
How to Create a GMAT Study Plan?
Once you understand the main characteristics of the exam, it is crucial to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the details of the GMAT Focus to ensure you are well-prepared before starting your preparation. These details include how to create a study plan for GMAT Focus Editon. Below are 5 steps to follow to succeed in your preparation:
Step 1: Read about all the sections thoroughly: There are three sections in the GMAT Focus Edition, each with sub-sections, so all of them are equally important. It provides an extensive overview of the ideas and abilities necessary to excel in your education. Next, it prepares you for the next stage in the study process, which is to take your first practice test.
Step 2: Try Giving Practice Tests: GMAT Practice questions allow you to know the type of questions you will be asked in the exam, and then you can decide if you want to continue with the preparation. Solving some basic questions will help you know where you stand.
Step 3: Get A Baseline Score: GMAC offers 6 official GMAT mock tests, of which 2 are free. Use the exam tutorial feature to familiarize yourself with the test interface and navigation and review each section’s directions. Next, complete the free test. The results will provide a solid understanding of the GMAT exam syllabus and demonstrate the distance between you and your desired score.
Step 4: Select the Right Study Material: The right study material is important for preparation as it will provide you with the right direction, and you will not juggle between the various resources available on the internet. The right study material includes all the sections and questions asked in the exam, aligning with your preparation.
Step 5: Maintain Consistency: Making a study plan is easy, but following that daily is daunting, and the one who maintains consistency gets the desired results. You might think you will follow the plan religiously, but you don’t feel like studying some days. Consistent means studying daily, even if you devote 1 hour on those days.
How Do Mock Tests Help in a GMAT Study Plan?
Success in GMAT requires more than preparation; it calls for precise, insightful, and reflective practice. A strong mock test is more than just copying the GMAT exam pattern; it is a thorough, trustworthy, and analytical resource that enhances your readiness and strategy. Read further to know how GMAT mock tests help in your success in the exam:
- Predicts Your Potential: GMAT mock tests provide a reliable estimate of your future GMAT score, typically within a 30-point range. This lets you know if you’re on track or need to adjust your study plan. For example, a 705 on a good practice test suggests your actual score could be between 685 and 715.
- Pinpoints Weaknesses: GMAT mock tests go beyond just measuring your score. They act as a diagnostic tool, pinpointing your exact weaknesses in both the Quant (math) and Verbal sections. This allows you to target your studying more effectively and focus on areas that need the most improvement.
Improves Test-Taking Strategies: GMAT Mock tests analyze your performance beyond just knowledge. They identify not only the mistakes you make but also the reasons behind them. Even strong knowledge can be overshadowed by poor testing strategies, such as time management issues or difficulty with specific question formats. An excellent mock test will reveal these issues, allowing you to develop better strategies and become a more innovative, not just more complicated, student.
Also read – How to Find the Perfect Study Abroad Program
Comparison of Popular GMAT Mock Test Providers
Selecting the most suitable provider for GMAT mock tests is crucial to gaining a clear picture of your GMAT skills and test preparedness. This analysis will delve into the distinctive features, strengths, and potential drawbacks of three prominent providers: MBA.com, e-GMAT, and GMAT Club.
MBA.com Mocks
The GMAT Focus Edition mocks on MBA.com are an important resource for every GMAT applicant who is serious about the test. They merge high-quality questions with exceptional algorithmic complexity. This sets them apart as a key tool for those seeking an authentic experience.
- It provides six GMAT practice tests.
- Two are available for free, and the other four are priced at USD 107.99 / INR 9,020, offering a special glimpse into the actual GMAT exam environment.
e-GMAT Mocks
Taking an e-GMAT mock test is more than just answering practice questions. It’s like taking the actual GMAT but with an added benefit. While the test closely mirrors the official GMAT’s question selection process, e-GMAT utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze your performance in greater depth in just $199 . This analysis goes beyond simply identifying your mistakes; it explains their reasons. This valuable feedback lets you understand your errors clearly and guides you toward improvement. With five mock tests available, e-GMAT transforms from a study tool into a comprehensive learning resource.
GMAT Club Mocks
Compared to e-GMAT or MBA.com, the feedback and insights provided by GMAT Club mocks may need to be more thorough, especially in giving precise subsectional scores and analytical insights. This platform will provide at least five comprehensive, adaptive assessments, allowing users ample opportunities to practice with a start price of $99.95.
The GMAT Club mocks are renowned for their Quantitative Reasoning section. These challenging and insightful questions are highly regarded within the GMAT preparation community for their effectiveness in sharpening your quantitative skills and ensuring they are up to par with the demands of the actual GMAT exam paper.
Target Test Prep
This GMAT test prep provider offers a comprehensive program designed to maximize your score. They provide over 4,000 practice questions to hone your skills, along with expert-led video instruction to deliver in-depth concept understanding. They create a personalized study plan that tailors the program to your strengths and weaknesses. Powerful analytics track your progress and pinpoint areas for improvement, while their 130-point score improvement guarantee ensures you’ll see results for just $229.
Experts Global
Experts Global provides GMAT mock tests, which are similar to real GMAT focus edition questions. They draw parallels between the exam and practice by giving new context to the questions so that students get extra knowledge and be prepared for new patterns. The questions are marked as easy, moderate and difficult based on the data of the students who appeared for the mocks. They use an adaptive-penalty approach rather than an adaptive ordering scoring model. You can access their mocks for 2 months in just $50.
| Features | MBA.com | e-GMAT | GMAT Club | Target Test Prep | Experts Global |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question Quality | High-quality questions | High-quality questions set by experts | High quality in Quant questions | Realistic questions set by experts | Quality questions with extra insights |
| Price | $107.99 for 4 tests | $199 | $99.95 | $229 | $50 |
| No. of Mocks | 6 (2 free, 4 paid) | 5 (1 free, 4 paid) | At least 5 expected | 4000+ practice questions | 15 (1 free) |
| Strategy Analysis | Detailed analysis of the score | Provided with AI assistance | Not provided | Intelligent analytics and error | Analysis with graphs and tabular data |
| Expertise providers | GMAC experts | 4 top-rated experts | Community members and moderators | TTP GMAT Experts | Experts from experts global |
Also read – Masters Abroad Top Courses Universities
Conclusion
While several companies offer GMAT mock tests for both the regular GMAT and the Focus Edition, there are fewer choices specifically for the Focus Edition. This means making the most of each practice test you take is even more critical. Carefully analyze your results and focus on learning from your mistakes throughout your GMAT preparation.
FAQs
Is there any specific order to attempt the GMAT Focus Edition Test?
No, after the changes in the GMAT exam, there is no specific order in which you have to attempt the exam. You can choose any section of your choice to attempt first.
What are the key changes in GMAT?
GMAT has undergone many changes and has launched its enhanced version. Here are the key changes in GMAT:
- Shorter Test: 2 hours 15 minutes total, 3 sections of 45 minutes each.
- No Essay: Analytical Writing Assessment removed.
- Review & Edit: Ability to review and change answers within sections.
- Section Order Choice: Students can choose the order in which they take sections.
- Revised Content: Sentence Correction was removed and replaced by Data Insights.
- Detailed Score Report: More information about individual performance.
- Timed Questions: 2 minutes allocated per question.
- Faster Results: Scores delivered in 5 days.
Does GMAT Focus Editon have a negative marking?
No, the GMAT focus edition has no negative marking. However, the GMAT focus edition prioritizes completing all sections within the given timeframe. Leaving questions unanswered incurs a penalty on your final score. To get the most accurate reflection of your abilities, ensure you attempt all questions during the test.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
