{"id":25240,"date":"2022-07-19T21:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T15:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=25240"},"modified":"2022-11-17T18:04:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T12:34:21","slug":"what-causes-success-on-gmat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/what-causes-success-on-gmat\/","title":{"rendered":"GMAT exam expert advice – What causes success on the GMAT?"},"content":{"rendered":"A <\/span> 16<\/span> min read <\/span><\/span>\n

Read the statements below.  And if you agree with at least 1 statement, then spend the next 10 minutes reading this article.  If you do not agree with any of the statements, then also read this article till this section so that you solidify your belief further.  Positive reinforcement of one\u2019s beliefs is always welcome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. To ace the GMAT, I need to practice as many questions as I can. After all, practice makes the man (or the woman) perfect.<\/li>
  2. To ace the GMAT, I need to find the quickest ways to solve questions. After all, it is a timed test.  So, it is important to look for shortcuts so that I can shave off time to solve questions.<\/li>
  3. To ace the GMAT, I need to be able to solve a certain specific number of questions correctly.<\/li>
  4. Once I prepare, one of the most effective ways (or maybe even \u201cthe only way\u201d) to determine my improved level is through mock tests.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Before I go further, let me make this statement –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI do not agree with any of the statements above\u201d.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    After analyzing the attempts of 600 students (300 successful, and 300 unsuccessful)<\/strong>, we concluded, the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Students who are successful (i.e. score 730+) solve spend just as much time preparing for the GMAT as students who fail (i.e. score 650 or lower). Note, in most cases, their starting points are also similar.<\/li>
    2.  In general, students who fail, solve more questions than those who are successful.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      In this article, we will look to answer the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. What do successful students do differently from unsuccessful ones?<\/li>
      2. Where do unsuccessful students falter?<\/li>
      3. How data and insights, when used properly, drive success or predict failure?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        So, let\u2019s proceed.  Here are the chapters in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Chapter 1 \u2013 What does the GMAT test?<\/a><\/li>
        2. Chapter 2 \u2013 What are the three stages of learning to ace the GMAT?<\/a><\/li>
        3. Chapter 3 \u2013 What does data tell us about the strategies used by successful GMAT test-takers through stages 1 and 2 of their preparation?<\/a><\/li>
        4. Chapter 4 \u2013 What does data tell us about the strategies used by GMAT test takers who failed?<\/a><\/li>
        5. Chapter 5 \u2013 What are the three takeaways from this article?<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          What does the GMAT test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Since all the questions above pertain to how to ace the GMAT, it is important to first set the context of what GMAT tests you on.  GMAT is the test of your ability. And for the benefit of the test takers, \u2018ability\u2019 in the context of the GMAT is a quantifiable measure that is reported in the ESR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          To demonstrate the same, let\u2019s take two ESRs.  For the sake of simplicity, we will focus only on SC ability information provided in these ESRs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          • 730-scorer got 94th<\/sup> percentile in SC<\/li>
          • 640-scorer got only 46th<\/sup> percentile in SC.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Now, what does this percentile mean?  Essentially, GMAT rates students based on two aspects \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. knowledge of concepts<\/li>
            2. ability to apply the concepts<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Translating the ability information in plain English by utilizing this rating definition used by the GMAT, we get the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The GMAT ranks test takers in terms of their knowledge and application of concepts in the five sub-sections.  Higher the rank in the sub-sections, higher the overall GMAT score.  <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

              • In terms of his knowledge of SC concepts and his ability to apply these SC concepts, the 730-scorer is better than 94 percent of test-takers.<\/li>
              • Likewise, in terms of her knowledge of SC concepts and her ability to apply these SC concepts, the 640-scorer is better than only 46 percent of test-takers.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                So, GMAT ranks test-takers in terms of their knowledge and application of concepts in the five sub-sections.  Higher the rank in the sub-sections, the higher the overall GMAT score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Thus, in order to score higher 730+ on the GMAT, one needs to build not only one\u2019s knowledge of concepts but also the skill set of applying these concepts to solve questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                In the next chapter, I will explain to you the three stages of learning to ace the GMAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                What are the three stages of learning to ace the GMAT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                If you want to score better than 94% of test-takers, i.e. 730+ score, then you need to prepare for the test in a methodical manner that builds your ability to solve difficult questions \u2013 the basis of your GMAT score.  For this purpose, (starting at the appropriate stage) a student MUST go through these 3 stages of learning and excelling for each sub-section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. Stage 1 \u2013 Learn concepts and methods<\/li>
                2. Stage 2 \u2013 Cement methods<\/li>
                3. Stage 3 \u2013 Do test readiness<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n