How to 'Own' your GMAT in 6 months

Everyone hates the GMAT. It is a nail biter. It is long nights with coffee binges. It is a cold, dark place of studying, with consequential dark, puffy eyes. It is stress and anxiety eating purges. It is almost as if you are preparing to end a long term relationship. In a nutshell, it is discomfort, pain, and unecessary drama in your life.

So, what can we propose you besides GMAT therapy ? Well, believe it or not, ESSEC Business School has developed a 6 month plan to get you on track to own your GMAT and pass it with flying colors. If you follow our secrets to success, the GMAT will become nothing but a light breeze – a romantic summer fling that is nightmare free.

"ESSEC Business School has developed a 6 month plan to get you on track to own your GMAT and pass it with flying colors."

Here is a therapeudic timeline of what should be done for your GMAT preparation :

6 months ahead  - Double your chances in the race

It is always a great idea to book your exam 6 months ahead – that way, you can develop a schedule for studying, suit for your attention span. Allow for 2 months between the exam and ESSEC’s application deadline. If ever you relapse and fail your GMAT exam, no worries – you can retake it once per month. You can always regain your studying sobriety chips and redeem your score.

4 months ahead – Build your strategy

In order to claim ‘checkmate’, your strategy for dominating the GMAT needs to be set in stone before taking the exam. Gather up your chess pieces and ask yourself : How many hours of studying do I need ? What days of the week can I set aside to study ? Do I have enough coffee and snacks to get through a study sesh ?

Create a studying google calendar to accomodate your personal needs. Use colors, emojis and GIFs when planning – always incorporate fun into the process, otherwise it will always be monotnous when hitting the books. This will allow you to personalize your goals and set objectives with realistic planning, defining a concrete project that has an expiration date.

"...always incorporate fun into the process, otherwise it will always be monotnous when hitting the books. This will allow you to personalize your goals and set objectives"

3 months ahead – Put your money where your mouth is

Train, train, train. Do as many practice exercises as you can. Exploit the GMAT website to your advantage and immerse yourself in the retired GMAT questions. This way, you know what you are going to be working with when you confront the GMAT monster.

P.S : Non-native English speakers unfortunately might have to start 4-5 months earlier. But no fear ! The best way to overcome a language barrier, especially if you are battling the secrets of the English language, is to go to a burger joint,  have a Starbucks coffee, and sit down during your GMAT studying breaks and watch the ‘House of Cards’. Never fails.

 2 weeks ahead – Ask around for some advice

You should never be ashamed when asking for some external help. The GMAT is a nervewracking experience that may result in PTSD for some, so it is always reassuring when you ask someone who has taken it before.

"...be harsh with yourself and understand where your weaknesses lay."

Before taking a GMAT class however, be harsh with yourself and understand where your weaknesses lay. After this discovery, attend a class - however, we suggest the option to opt for an individual tutor. Sure, it may be expensive, but hey, you will be sure to get all the individual lovin’ and attention you need.

6 weeks ahead – Intensity is key

NO MORE EXCUSES. Even if you forgot to buy the coffee for your studying sessions. Intensify your personalized studying schedule and do as many exercises as you can.  Be your own motivational speaker. Pump up the colors, highlighters, emojis and GIFs – you’re gonna need ‘em.

3 weeks aheead – Mimic confrontation

During this time frame, really try to play out how to finally break up and ‘own’ the GMAT. Stimulate the test setting itself. Practice with the GMAT mock exams online with the time limit provided.

"Familiarizing yourself with how the exam will be will not only calm the butterflies in your stomach but will eiliminate nausea" 

Pick an environment that resembles what the exam setting will look like, and pour it all out. Familiarizing yourself with how the exam will be will not only calm the butterflies in your stomach but will eiliminate nausea and help you get over the exam better than Taylor Swift songs can.

3 days ahead – Calm before the Storm

Rest. Take a bath. Go to a spa. Drink organic tea. Have a dance party. Sing ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees with Saturday Night Fever on repeat. Do whatever it takes to relax before your exam sneaks up on you.

These couple of days are meant for no more stress, with good sleep each night – sleep reduces stress and helps your brain buddy to remember everything your coffee binges taught you over the past 6 months in preparation for the exam. Be nice to the most complicated organ in your body – it is your only ally in this battle between human and mathematics.

"Show the GMAT that you are ready for battle, and take out your light saber. Dominate."

 D-DAY

As said so famously in Star Wars, “Now, witness the power of this fully operational battle station !” Show the GMAT that you are ready for battle, and take out your light saber. Dominate. Show that test who is boss. Strut in with confidence, and leave with victory.

Throughout the whole process, ESSEC will be there, rooting you on. We will be shouting, “I never doubted you! Wonderful!”, just like when the good guys win in the Star Wars saga.

You got this. Go get ‘em, tiger.

Read more on how to destroy the GMAT & what the requirements are for ESSEC at :

http://www.essec.edu/en/program/business-school/msc-management-grande-ecole/faq

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