Over the years, the number of GMAT test takers has been on the increase but it’s very sad to see lots of them fail the GMAT. Well, the good news is, a good number still scale through with good score. I know you might be thinking how you could possibly be among those few or, you might properly be thinking about what an ideal GMAT Score could be? That will be a talk for another time. I will like also to remind you that the GMAT is one of the requirements for Top, if not all, Business schools around the world. So it’s worth the investment and dedication to get a good score too.
Let’s get back to business of why test takers fail the GMAT. I’m not going to sweet-talk you into believing the GMAT is simple to pass, but if you could prepare well enough for the GMAT, it’s surely a challenge you can overcome. However, if you do not prepare properly, then the GMAT may seem like a rocket science or lifting an elephant with one hand.
Why then do test takers fail the GMAT? Well you get to know some of the key factors why test takers fail the GMAT in a jiffy. Tighten your seat belt as I spell out the reasons to you. Happy ride!
1. Shallow Understanding of The Exam: Most test takers rush into taking the GMAT with little or no information about the exam itself. Understanding the exam and what is expected of you is a good point to start from as this will shake up your mind from the assumption that the GMAT is not different from every other exams you have written in time past. If you are planning to take the GMAT sometime soon, reading up what the exam entails is a good point to start from.
2. Lack of Proper Preparation: The lack of proper preparation will generally yield a poor result. Please don’t fool yourself thinking luck will help out. Don’t assume you understand a topic when you don’t, it may hit you very hard. Some even choose favorite topics to focus on. If you don’t know, you better take note now that EVERY topic is important on the GMAT. Sharpen your skills in all.
If your preparation is not so good, expect a poor result too. They have never been any two ways to good score, so to speak, on the GMAT than adequate preparations. You may be heading for a disaster if you do a surface preparation for the GMAT. However, if your preparation is good enough, you are on the road that leads to success. Ride on!
3. No Prep Test: If you are serious about getting a good score on the GMAT, then you should take a good number of prep tests (prep test is a simulated test for the exam) prior to the real exam day. You may be wondering, what’s the importance of this prep test? Prep test helps you the following ways: firstly, it helps you to keep track of your progress as you study.
Secondly, it puts you on the hot spot which is very similar to what you will face on the test day. Thirdly and lastly, it helps to build your mental strength since the GMAT is more of mental than physical. Never take the GMAT without taking a good number of prep tests.
4. Maths Foundation Problem: Rusty maths foundation problem should be attended to before taking the GMAT. You had better treat that “root” before it grows into a tree that might be difficult to deal with. There is a popular saying that “a stitch in time saves nine”. You had better tell yourself the truth that you are maths-rusty and seek for help where it could be found. In the course of preparing my test takers for the GMAT over the years, I have meet quite a few who had wonderful first degree grades, but due to the fact that they barely do anything as regards college maths they gradually become maths-rusty.
5. Verbal Foundation Problem: That you speak English is not, and I don’t think either, a guarantee for success on the GMAT verbal section as some special skills may be required. You may need to unlearn, learn and re-learn some of the GMAT verbal rules. If you will need to dust some of your English grammar books, please do as someone said “what is worth doing is worth doing well at all. To strengthen your verbal skills, lots of practice will help a lot.
Even if you think you are good with the verbal section of the GMAT, please do yourself a favor by taking prep test to check your accuracy level. Whichever way, the verbal section needs your attention as every other section does.
6. Procrastination: Procrastination is a monster that we all must fight and possibly kill. One major factor I have noticed over the years in preparing students for the GMAT is procrastination. I will read tomorrow, I will study it next week when you can actually study today. Someone said “Today’s work today, tomorrow’s work today”. Never leave for tomorrow, what you can possibly do today.
This issue of procrastination is mostly common for the busy test takers, but not necessarily true. The truth must be told, GMAT is like a “lover” that demands your attention always or at least for the preparation period. Don’t also forget that, the more you procrastinate the less coordinated your study pattern will be. I will talk more about study methods in the next but last reason.
7. Wrong Study Methods: Lastly on this post, the way and manner of your study methods is a pointer to your performance on the GMAT. A well-planned and thoroughly-followed study plan or method is very important for success in this race. Some test takers have access to too many materials and by so doing they themselves get confused while studying, hope I’m not speaking your mind?
Some break their study pattern. What do I mean by this? When you study, let’s say Geometry today but couldn’t finish it up and the next time you open it again is a week after, you probably must have forgotten a large junk of what you did study the last time.
Hope you did enjoy this piece? If you seem to have any question or you need further clarifications please do drop a comment below.
Written by Adewale Olisa,
Admin, NehemiahPrep Blog
Let’s get back to business of why test takers fail the GMAT. I’m not going to sweet-talk you into believing the GMAT is simple to pass, but if you could prepare well enough for the GMAT, it’s surely a challenge you can overcome. However, if you do not prepare properly, then the GMAT may seem like a rocket science or lifting an elephant with one hand.
Why then do test takers fail the GMAT? Well you get to know some of the key factors why test takers fail the GMAT in a jiffy. Tighten your seat belt as I spell out the reasons to you. Happy ride!
1. Shallow Understanding of The Exam: Most test takers rush into taking the GMAT with little or no information about the exam itself. Understanding the exam and what is expected of you is a good point to start from as this will shake up your mind from the assumption that the GMAT is not different from every other exams you have written in time past. If you are planning to take the GMAT sometime soon, reading up what the exam entails is a good point to start from.
2. Lack of Proper Preparation: The lack of proper preparation will generally yield a poor result. Please don’t fool yourself thinking luck will help out. Don’t assume you understand a topic when you don’t, it may hit you very hard. Some even choose favorite topics to focus on. If you don’t know, you better take note now that EVERY topic is important on the GMAT. Sharpen your skills in all.
If your preparation is not so good, expect a poor result too. They have never been any two ways to good score, so to speak, on the GMAT than adequate preparations. You may be heading for a disaster if you do a surface preparation for the GMAT. However, if your preparation is good enough, you are on the road that leads to success. Ride on!
3. No Prep Test: If you are serious about getting a good score on the GMAT, then you should take a good number of prep tests (prep test is a simulated test for the exam) prior to the real exam day. You may be wondering, what’s the importance of this prep test? Prep test helps you the following ways: firstly, it helps you to keep track of your progress as you study.
Secondly, it puts you on the hot spot which is very similar to what you will face on the test day. Thirdly and lastly, it helps to build your mental strength since the GMAT is more of mental than physical. Never take the GMAT without taking a good number of prep tests.
4. Maths Foundation Problem: Rusty maths foundation problem should be attended to before taking the GMAT. You had better treat that “root” before it grows into a tree that might be difficult to deal with. There is a popular saying that “a stitch in time saves nine”. You had better tell yourself the truth that you are maths-rusty and seek for help where it could be found. In the course of preparing my test takers for the GMAT over the years, I have meet quite a few who had wonderful first degree grades, but due to the fact that they barely do anything as regards college maths they gradually become maths-rusty.
5. Verbal Foundation Problem: That you speak English is not, and I don’t think either, a guarantee for success on the GMAT verbal section as some special skills may be required. You may need to unlearn, learn and re-learn some of the GMAT verbal rules. If you will need to dust some of your English grammar books, please do as someone said “what is worth doing is worth doing well at all. To strengthen your verbal skills, lots of practice will help a lot.
Even if you think you are good with the verbal section of the GMAT, please do yourself a favor by taking prep test to check your accuracy level. Whichever way, the verbal section needs your attention as every other section does.
6. Procrastination: Procrastination is a monster that we all must fight and possibly kill. One major factor I have noticed over the years in preparing students for the GMAT is procrastination. I will read tomorrow, I will study it next week when you can actually study today. Someone said “Today’s work today, tomorrow’s work today”. Never leave for tomorrow, what you can possibly do today.
This issue of procrastination is mostly common for the busy test takers, but not necessarily true. The truth must be told, GMAT is like a “lover” that demands your attention always or at least for the preparation period. Don’t also forget that, the more you procrastinate the less coordinated your study pattern will be. I will talk more about study methods in the next but last reason.
7. Wrong Study Methods: Lastly on this post, the way and manner of your study methods is a pointer to your performance on the GMAT. A well-planned and thoroughly-followed study plan or method is very important for success in this race. Some test takers have access to too many materials and by so doing they themselves get confused while studying, hope I’m not speaking your mind?
Some break their study pattern. What do I mean by this? When you study, let’s say Geometry today but couldn’t finish it up and the next time you open it again is a week after, you probably must have forgotten a large junk of what you did study the last time.
Hope you did enjoy this piece? If you seem to have any question or you need further clarifications please do drop a comment below.
Written by Adewale Olisa,
Admin, NehemiahPrep Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment