How to Prepare for the GMAT in 6 Months?

The GMAT exam is an important admission test that enhances your chances of getting selected for a reputed university for your business studies post-graduate degree. Not only will the selection process become a little easier, but a good score on the GMAT exam will help you attain scholarships at many universities. However, the scholarships vary from university to university. To get all these benefits, students are often recommended to begin their GMAT exam preparation well in advance. GMAT Exam preparation in 6 months is a recommended GMAT Exam preparation tip so that students can attempt the exam confidently and secure their seats in the universities.

This Story also Contains

1. Are 6 Months Enough to Study for the GMAT Exam?
2. How to Prepare for the GMAT Exam in 6 Months?
3. GMAT Exam Preparation Timetable for 6 Months
4. External Resources for GMAT Exam Preparation
5. Top 5 GMAT Exam Test Tips for Enhancing Preparation in 6 Months
6. Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid During GMAT Preparation
7. Essential GMAT Preparation Books

Are 6 Months Enough to Study for the GMAT Exam?

As far as the GMAT examination is concerned, the level of preparation matters more than the duration. Hence, a period of 6 months is more than sufficient for a candidate to excel in the GMAT examination, given that they prepare with focus and dedication for the test.

Understanding the Importance of GMAT Exam Preparation Time Investment

GMAT exam preparation in 6 months helps the students grasp all the important topics excellently, and they are successfully able to achieve high scores in the GMAT exam. You have to note that GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, and careful GMAT Exam preparation in 6 months will help the candidate analyse the difficulty level of the exam and the way the challenge increases with each correct answer. The computer-adaptive format of the GMAT exam raises the difficulty level after each correct answer and decreases the same after every wrong attempt. Hence, GMAT exam preparation in 6 months will help the candidates prepare well in advance and be confident about it.

Setting Realistic Goals to Execute GMAT Exam Success

Setting a real goal is one of the most critical parts of the exam, there are so many factors that you need to consider and decide on it.

• Set a target score to achieve

• Set a timeline for your successful GMAT score achievement.

• Crafting a study plan that you can follow diligently.

How to Prepare for the GMAT Exam in 6 Months?

The aspiring students often worry about the results and strain themselves with extra burdens, leading to anxiety and fear, However, we have experienced that students who follow a strategic approach never feel demotivated. So let us analyse the reason for the GMAT exam 6-month study plan

Assessing your Starting Point

GMAT exam preparation in 6 months helps students understand the GMAT exam preparation tips in the right manner, as they get enough time for their GMAT exam preparation. At the initial stage, the students need to know the GMAT exam score required to get selected for the university they aspire to attend. Post this, start with the GMAT exam preparation in 6 months and cover all the parts in a dedicated manner.

Evaluating Your Current Skills and Knowledge

To check your current knowledge and the score you are at, you should attempt the free test available at the authenticated website of the GMAT exam. Time yourself and attempt the GMAT exam test paper so that you know the level you are at and how much and what you need to emphasise in your journey of GMAT exam preparation in 6 months.

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses in GMAT Exam Sections

In your GMAT exam preparation in 6 months, it's ideal for you to analyse your strengths and weaknesses so that you are moderately preparing for the already clear sections and dedicatedly focusing on the weak areas.

Creating a Customised GMAT Exam Study Plan

GMAT exam preparation in 6 months will help you prepare a customised study plan that helps you cover all your weaker sections and yet be able to manage your personal life as well.

Setting a Clear Timeline for Preparation

Setting a clear timeline to cover each section of the GMAT exam will help you excel in the strategies that you follow in the exam.

Allocating Time for each GMAT Exam Section: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights

GMAT exam preparation in 6 months will help you prepare a balanced and comprehensive study plan to give time to all three sections effectively.

• Prepare a weekly study plan highlighting the total number of hours you can devote.

• Divide the weekly hours decided into the three sections, initially giving all three sections equal importance.

• By the weekend, there should be a dedicated time for you to attempt a GMAT exam practice test.

• In the initial week-by-week breakdown, emphasis on foundation building for all the sections.

• Quantitative reasoning focuses on basic math concepts (arithmetic, algebra, geometry)

• For verbal reasoning, focus on English grammar rules and basic reading comprehension strategies

• For data insights, focus on Integrated Reasoning question types.

Also Read:

• GMAT Preparation Tips 2025: Section Wise Preparation Plan, Study Material & Best Books
  
• GMAT Books 2025: Best Books for GMAT Preparation

GMAT Exam Preparation Timetable for 6 Months

With a longer study period, you have the time to cover all sections of the GMAT (Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing) in depth. This allows you to thoroughly understand the content, practice extensively, and gradually build your skills and confidence. Here, we have designed an overview of how you must structure your GMAT Exam preparation to bring the best out of your preparation.

External Resources for GMAT Exam Preparation

Preferring external resources will add value to your preparation. Check out our list so that you can have the authenticated materials.

Exploring GMAT Exam Study Materials: Books, Online Courses, and Tutoring Services

Some of the best resources for the GMAT Exam preparation are

• Target Test Prep

• GMAT club

• mba.com

Utilising Official GMAT Exam Prep Resources and Practice Tests

The GMAT Exam authenticated website (mba.com) offers 6 practice sets that can be utilised wisely for the entire preparation. Apart from this, you should refer:

• GMAT Exam Official Guide- includes the latest prepared questions

• Official GMAT Podcast (newly launched)- highlights detailed information about the exam.

Leveraging Online Forums and Study Groups for Support and Advice

While you do your GMAT exam preparation in 6 months, be careful that you use only authenticated material for the GMAT exam. Do not just pick up any random resource and end up wasting time at this crucial stage. Social media applications such as Telegram and Facebook have many study clubs and groups wherein you will find many students preparing for the GMAT exam and helping each other with the preparation. Be smart enough to be part of such groups and seek help from like-minded people.

Also Read:

• GMAT Syllabus 2025
• Top 10 Expert Tips to Increase Your GMAT Quant Score in 2025

Top 5 GMAT Exam Test Tips for Enhancing Preparation in 6 Months

Now, let us discuss a few GMAT Exam preparation tips that can enhance the candidate’s GMAT exam preparation to ensure a really high GMAT score.

Tip 1: Strategies for Tackling Quantitative Section Topics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Sufficiency

• Master the basic arithmetic operations and number properties

• For complex calculations, use the estimation method.

• Understand ratios, proportions, decimals, and the application of percentages.

• For systems of equations, practice using both substitution and elimination methods

• Know all the essential geometry formulas for area, perimeter, volume, and surface area.

• Stick to the information provided. Do not make unnecessary assumptions or infer beyond what is given in the statements.

Tip 2: Enhancing verbal skills: critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction

• Focus on key grammar rules tested on the GMAT, including subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tenses, modifiers, parallelism, and idioms.

• Familiarise yourself with common error types and practice identifying and correcting them.

• Use the process of elimination to narrow down answer choices.

• Work on pacing to ensure you can complete all questions within the time limit.

• A strong vocabulary helps in quickly understanding reading passages and identifying errors in sentence correction. Read widely and review new words regularly.

Tip 3: Tracking Progress and Adjusting Strategies

We understand that each student will have a different approach towards the preparation for the GMAT exam, so we recommend you try the above-given timetable and customise the same according to your strengths and weaknesses of the GMAT exam.

Tip 4: Regularly Assess Your Performance Through Practice Tests and Quizzes

Maintaining regularity in the practice tests will help you gain confidence in the content and will showcase higher accuracy. The day-by-day change in your score will keep you motivated for the preparation of the GMAT exam.

Tip 5: Analysing Mistakes and Areas for Improvement

Do not forget to analyse even the slightest mistake made by you; any ignorance in this may lead to a bigger mistake. Preparation and practice are the key to success.

Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid During GMAT Preparation

To get a great score on the GMAT, you need to prepare wisely as well as put in effort. Sadly, a lot of competitors miss the mark because of errors that can easily be avoided. There are five main errors you should avoid as you prepare for the GMAT:

1. Skipping the Initial Diagnostic Test

Just diving into studying is a mistake that many GMAT takers make. The diagnostic helps find out your score in each section as well as your strengths and weaknesses in the Quant, Verbal, IR and AWA parts. If you do not see the bigger picture, your studies may be directionless and not very helpful.

You should start your GMAT prep by trying out a full-length mock test. Create a study plan that suits your own requirements using the outcomes of the analysis.

2. Not focusing on Time Management Skills

You have to focus on being both precise and speedy on the GMAT. Most students learn the learning material, but do not focus enough on perfecting their performance under time constraints. Because of this, individuals may panic, answer too quickly or leave some parts of the test uncompleted.

Make sure to practice for a certain time and regularly take full mock exams to improve in both areas. If you feel stuck, find a solution and use timing techniques to play better.

3. Having Too Much Study Content

Making use of many prep books, online sources, and coaching guides may not benefit your studies. Many times, it results in misunderstandings, repeated steps in lessons, and not mastering the main subjects.

Be sure to rely on just 2–3 resources, including the GMAT Official Guide, etc. Concentrate more on how much you know rather than how much you collect.

4. Not Reviewing Mistakes Thoroughly

The main reason to practice is to analyse and understand what you failed in each question. This step is necessary because not doing it will make you repeat the same errors.

Keep a record of everything you do wrong, why it happened and the proper answer. Come back and review the log from time to time to solidify what you have learned.

5. Neglecting AWA and Integrated Reasoning

The majority of people interested in exam preparation just focus on Quant and Verbal questions, and many neglect AWA and IR. Though these sections have a major effect on your grades and are evaluated by business schools.

Make sure to study AWA essays and IR questions as part of your weekly schedule. Make an effort to create well-structured arguments and figure out the messages stated in data charts.

Essential GMAT Preparation Books

Remember that referring to expertly written GMAT exam preparation books is also essential for GMAT exam success. Hence, the candidates are advised to go through the GMAT exam 2025 Preparation Tips eBook given below.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalised instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.