Ask a Kellogg MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ [Video]

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is well-known as one of the top business schools in the United States. But why do real MBA candidates choose Kellogg? What exactly does it take to get in? And how important is the GMAT in the admissions process?

In “Ask a Kellogg MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ”, we sit down with Yuan Geng, a Kellogg MBA and Director of GRE and TOEFL here at PrepScholar. She answers our questions about Kellogg MBA admissions and responds to some GMAT FAQ, including:

  1. Why Kellogg?
  2. What was the Kellogg MBA application process like when you applied?
  3. How important was your GMAT score as part of your Kellogg MBA admissions application?
  4. How did you study for the GMAT?
  5. Did you do anything to study for the GMAT that you wouldn’t recommend to students currently preparing for the test?
  6. What is your biggest piece of advice for students beginning the Kellogg MBA admissions process or applying to another business school?

Watch the video to hear her answers!

If you like the “Ask a ______ MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ” focus of this video, feel free to request an interview focused on a different business school in the YouTube comments! You can also check out our Ask a Wharton MBA video here.

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies!

GMAT Study Material: 20 Best Prep Resources to Raise Your Score

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With all of the options for GMAT prep, which ones are the most effective? Which GMAT study material will help you master the test and achieve your target score?

To help you prepare for this important exam, we’ve compiled all of the best GMAT study materials in one guide. You’ll find official and unofficial resources, prep books and online programs, free GMAT study materials and ones you can purchase.
Continue reading “GMAT Study Material: 20 Best Prep Resources to Raise Your Score”

How to Study With the GMAT Official Guide 2019: Full Review

There are dozens of GMAT prep options out there, but none as important as The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2019. After all, it does have the word “official” in it’s title.

But what’s the deal with the official GMAT guide? Should every test taker get one? Read on to find out what’s in the book, what it’s best and worst features are, and how to get the most out of it in your prep.

Continue reading “How to Study With the GMAT Official Guide 2019: Full Review”

GMAT Time Management Made Simple [Video]

Effective time management is something many GMAT test takers struggle with – with only two sections that contain many questions and multiple question types, the GMAT makes it easy to mismanage your time during a section and get behind schedule. So on the GMAT, how long should you spend on each question?

In “GMAT Time Management Made Simple”, we break down GMAT time management by the numbers.

In the first half of the video, we go over the length of GMAT Verbal and Quant. Using this information, we determine time per question for each section. We then discuss how on each section of the GMAT, time per question can vary, particularly if the question includes a passage. We use these differences to give guidance on approximate time spend per question type and per question element.

In the second half of the video, we delve into how to use this information on test day to improve your GMAT time management. Effectively managing your time on the GMAT comes down to setting checkpoints for how far you should be in the test based on how much work you have done — we walk through two tried-and-true methods for setting these checkpoints. If you’re behind schedule on one of your check-ins, your primary goal is to get back on track. As a final message, we close with a GMAT time management trick for making up for lost time quickly.

Watch the video to learn how to make the most of your time on the GMAT!

While it isn’t covered in the video, these same GMAT time management principles can also be applied to Integrated Reasoning and the Analytical Writing Assessment.

Test takers are given 30 minutes for 12 Integrated Reasoning questions. On the IR section of the GMAT, time per question should be about 2.5 minutes. However, it’s important to recognize that more complex question types, such as Multi-Source Reasoning, may be more time consuming than others. For AWA, test takers have 30 minutes to assess the given argument and write your essay. Dedicate a reasonable amount of time up top to understanding the argument and outlining your essay (directly on the screen!) before writing a single complete sentence.

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies, and good luck preparing for the most important 3 hours and 30 minutes of your GMAT career!

The Best GMAT Flashcards and How to Use Them

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GMAT questions are complex, testing a lot of concepts at once, so you need to really know fundamentals like math formulas, idioms, and grammar rules. But what’s the best way to learn them? GMAT flashcards! They can help you practice these key quant and verbal concepts until they become second nature.

In this article, I’ll talk about why flashcards are useful, how you should study with flashcards, whether or not you should make your own flashcards (spoiler alert: you should), and review some of the best GMAT flashcards available.

Continue reading “The Best GMAT Flashcards and How to Use Them”

Earn 20 Easy Points With these Last-Minute GMAT Test Day Tips [Video]

If your GMAT test day is coming up, you’re hopefully wrapping up your prep, taking your last practice exam, and resisting the urge to do any night-before cramming (trust me, it doesn’t work). But what about the test day itself? How can you make sure that you’re ready when you walk in the testing center so none of your hard work goes to waste? Is there anything else you can do to improve your score, even as late as the morning before the test?

In “GMAT Test Day Tips — Earn 20 Easy Points Last-Minute”, we walk through some last minute GMAT tips that will help you make the most of the morning before the test.

The first set of GMAT test day tips focus on waking up before the test. Getting out of bed isn’t enough to be alert for your test. We walk through specific steps you can take on your GMAT test day to wake up your body and your brain to ensure you’re doing your best work. For example, doing a practice test the morning of the GMAT will wear you out before you reach the testing center, but going into the test cold is a sure-fire way to work slowly and make mistakes. This video will tell you exactly how much practice to do on GMAT test day to get your brain in gear.

The second set of last minute GMAT tips revolve around reducing your GMAT test anxiety. Staying calm during the test is important, but being calm before you go into the testing center is even more critical. We explore actionable strategies you can use to reduce your stress the morning before the test and start your GMAT test day strong. For instance, everyone knows that a good night’s sleep before a big test is important, but sacrificing an hour of sleep to wake up early can actually be beneficial — watch the video to learn why!

Remember: while these last minute GMAT tips can easily earn you extra points, there’s no substitute for preparing adequately for the content on the test and for the testing experience. However, if you’ve put in the effort in your GMAT prep, these GMAT test day tips will ensure that nothing but the test questions are standing between you and your goal score!

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies, and good luck on your GMAT test day!

The Best GMAT Prep Books, Reviewed (2019)

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If you’ve started to prepare for the GMAT, you’ve probably noticed that there are dozens of different GMAT books on the market. As you’re deciding what to buy, it’s important to understand what makes a good GMAT prep book, so you’re not wasting your time and money on a tool that won’t help you.

In this guide, we’ll talk about what makes a good GMAT prep book and then give recommendations about the eight best GMAT prep books for a range of circumstances. We’ll also discuss other GMAT prep resources and talk about how to choose the right book for you.

Continue reading “The Best GMAT Prep Books, Reviewed (2019)”

Quick and Easy GMAT Scratch Paper Technique [Video]

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of GMAT strategy is using your GMAT scratch pad. Using your GMAT scratch paper to keep track of and work through information is a large part of your testing experience, so learning how to use it effectively is critical to your success on the exam. In “GMAT Scratch Paper Technique”, we discuss a quick strategy for making the most of your GMAT scratch paper.

First, we discuss why the GMAT scratch pad provided by your testing center is different than any scratch paper you’ve used before: GMAT scratch paper comes in a spiral-bound pad of 5 sheets; the pages are yellow, laminated, and covered in a grid pattern; you write on it with a marker than you can’t erase; and you can only get more paper if you request a new pad from your proctor.

However, this strange set up can be a blessing in disguise. We reveal the technique that will help you make the most of your GMAT scratch paper: using the grid to your advantage. We spend the remainder of the video digging into various applications of this GMAT strategy — from straightforward uses of the GMAT scratch paper grid, such as the creation of diagrams, to less obvious uses that lead to the reduction of simple mistakes and improved time management.

Watch the video to learn more!

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy GMAT studies!

2000+ GMAT Sample Questions: Practice Every Question Type

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Practice questions are an essential part of any GMAT prep. But how do you find the best GMAT sample questions?

In this article, I’ll address what to look for in GMAT practice questions, the pros and cons of both official and unofficial GMAT test questions, and tips on creating an effective GMAT study plan using these resources. Continue reading “2000+ GMAT Sample Questions: Practice Every Question Type”

28 GMAT Practice Tests to Help You Prepare for the Exam

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Taking practice tests is an essential part of any GMAT study plan. There are a number of free GMAT practice tests online, as well as several high-quality resources available for purchase.

This guide will give you a comprehensive overview of all of your GMAT practice test options, along with some tips for making the most of these materials. First, let’s go over the general GMAT practice test landscape. Continue reading “28 GMAT Practice Tests to Help You Prepare for the Exam”

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