Though most institutions are not very keen on your GMAT score, you can improve your score a great deal by following a few simple steps.  Keep in mind that the GMAT is a game, and just like chess, football or tennis those who know how the game is played have a huge advantage over others who are ignorant of the game’s rules.

As a test taker you should know

• The computer adaptive structure of the GMAT

• The types of questions asked

• How to manage your time wisely

The Computer Adaptive Structure of the GMAT

The Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) version of the GMAT is designed to get a more accurate assessment of your skills while asking you fewer questions than its paper-based predecessor asks.  Here’s how the test works.

The first question you will see in a given section will be of average difficulty.  If you get the answer right, your next question will be slightly more difficult. Conversely, if you get it wrong your next question will be slightly easier. This also means that the software will ask you different types of questions in a rather unpredictable order as determined by its algorithm.

You cannot skip a question or go back to an earlier question. Unlike the paper version, once you click the answer confirm box, your answer cannot be changed.

Managing your time wisely

Spend adequate time on the first 5 questions. The more difficult questions are weighted more heavily than the easier ones. After you have answered the first 5 questions, the testing software will give you questions to fine tune your score within a rather narrowly predetermined range.  Thus, your answers to the first 5 questions will make a huge difference in your final section score.

For this reason it is imperative that you answer these pivotal questions with extra care. Always double check your answers to these questions and verify that the incorrect choices are indeed incorrect.  If you are unsure of one of these first questions, at the very least make an educated guess using the process of elimination.

Read the Questions Carefully

As silly as this may seem, the undisciplined test taker will feel the stress of the clock during the timed sections and will try to cut corners to save time however and whenever possible.  As a result, questions are often misinterpreted.  You will encounter questions with incorrect choices, deliberately designed to exploit a misinterpretation of what the question is really asking.

Avoid Random Guessing

You must select an answer before the computer will allow you to move on to the next question.  Even if you don’t know the answer, it is advisable to take an educated guess rather than random guessing.  One way to do this is identify at least one choice that is clearly wrong.  Eliminating even one incorrect choice will improve your odds.

Eliminate the Deliberately Wrong Choices

With practise you will be able to eliminate the deliberately wrong choices.  By now you will be able to spot a few common patterns that will begin to become apparent as you proceed through your preparation.  You can avoid deceptive choices by using scrap paper, checking your answers and using estimation to at least judge the general size of the correct choice.

Practise, Practise, Practise

As stated previously there are tips and techniques to taking this test that will raise your overall score significantly.  As a result, this is a test you can prepare for.  You should practise using actual questions from previous exams.  Spend most of your time studying and practicing questions in your weakest subject area.  This will help you with the most efficient use of your test prep time.

Mock GMAT

You can master your GMAT time management skills through practice.  You should take at least a few mock exams in the computer adaptive format.  Refraining from taking food breaks, engaging in telephone conversations etc, halfway through a section.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Take the GMAT

Should you need to retake the exam, you will want to have the time to register for the test again and have the new score submitted to the school in time.  Waiting a long time into the admissions season to take the exam is also bound to cause undue stress.

With some proper planning and insight, you can eliminate most of these negative energies and become much more focused on maximizing your GMAT score.

GMAT Test Day Tips and Advice

Make Sure You are Comfortable with the Computer Tutorial

Tutorial provides and excellent way for most test-takers to calm their nerves before delving into the actual GMAT test questions.  Do not rush through this tutorial.  You do not want to rush through this and risk panic when the timed test begins and you are not sure how to scroll through the long passages in the verbal section, for example.

Familiarize yourself with the Testing Facility

It may sound unnecessary but you should know where the nearest bathroom and water fountain is located before you begin the test.  You only have 2 allotted 5-minute breaks and you don’t want to waste precious time.  It is also not a bad idea to know the easiest route to get to the test center.  Arrive well before your scheduled time.

Request Scrap Paper and Use it Freely

The scrap paper will come in handy and it is a good idea to use it for the verbal as well as the quantitative sections.  There is no need to feel self-conscious if you happen to have a few more sheets of scrap paper than the other test takers.  Additionally, you do not want to waste valuable test-taking time requesting additional paper should you run out during the middle of a section.

Speak Up if Your Working Conditions are less than Optimal

If your mouse is too sticky, or if some of the keys on the keyboard aren’t working do, not hesitate to speak up.  While these instances seem to be rather rare, they are usually quite easily remedied.  

Pace Yourself

You want to spend a considerable amount of time on the first 5 questions of every section.  However, after these first 5 questions, you may need to pick up the pace a bit to stay on track.  The computer will provide the time left in each section.  With some simulated practise tests in the computer-adaptive format, you should become proficient at learning how much time you can spend on each section.

Think Very Carefully before Doing Any of These

Before you cancel your score or quit the exam, make sure this is what you really want to do.

Most test takers who cancel their scores or quit the exam do so irrationally.  You probably know from previous test experiences that you have don better on exams than you initially thought you did.

It is human psychology that the questions you believed you answered incorrectly are dwelled on more heavily than the more numerous questions that were answered correctly.  Try to keep this in perspective when the computer asks you to cancel your scores or see them immediately.

Unless you felt deathly ill during the exam, you should not cancel your scores.

Try to Relax

Yes this is easier said than done.  Nonetheless, worrying and stressing over the GMAT will not do anything to boost your confidence or make you answer the questions more correctly.

Keep in mind that the GMAT exam is only one component of your total application package.

Even if your score falls somewhat below the median of those applicants your top-choice schools have accepted, you still have many other ways to impress the admissions authorities.

Get Adequate Sleep the Night Before

You must have spent a significant amount of time preparing for the GMAT.  Your score will improve drastically from some extra sleep, than it will from a few last minute cram preparations.