One of the most valuable preparation techniques you have to carry out before any test is to practise. So after spending weeks or even months practising for a test, a excellent score should already be in the bag, right? Not necessarily. Being mentally set for a test is really as valuable, if not more valuable than being well-practised. You will be surprised by how much simpler you can score if you have the right mentality to take a test. This is no exception to a GMAT test. Read on to find out how to mentally prepare for a GMAT test:

1) Don’t reckon that GMAT Quant is a piece of cake

Many students generally reckon that the quant is an simple section to score, so they choose to spend less time preparing for it, thus leading to a decrease in their overall score. In reality, while GMAT quant is simpler, it is also slightly trickier. You need to focus hard to dodge making silly mistakes in this section.

Generally, throughout the whole test, you will encounter GMAT questions that include incorrect answer choices that were deliberately included to exploit possible misinterpretations of what the question is asking. Although with regular practice you will be able to dodge these deceptive choices, if you don’t mentally prepare yourself for the trickiness of the test, you may not bother to take enough time out to carry out practice questions.

2) Arm yourself with a systematic approach to data sufficiency questions

Don’t show up to your GMAT test venue choosing to ignore data sufficiency questions. Arm yourself with a systematic approach to data sufficiency questions.

• Read the data sufficiency question carefully

• Analyse the information needed to arrive at the right answer

• Look at each of the two statements non-centrally of the additional

• If looking at the two statements non-centrally does not give you the answer, combine the two statements

Do remember not to assume anything that’s not written in the question. Take note also that when the 2 statements convey the same exact information, the right answer choice will be either D or E.

3) Take the Analytical Writing Assessment seriously

Don’t assume that you can just breeze through the Analytical Writing Assessment section. Take the time to review the list of essay questions to be questioned in the exam and reckon about how you would respond to some of the selected questions. You should also then spend some time going through sample essays to get an thought on structuring the essay.

4) Prepare yourself to concentrate for 4 full hours

Don’t reckon that after enough practise, you can simply show up for your GMAT test and expect a excellent score. You have to be set to concentrate for 4 hours straight. This means that choosing the time of your GMAT test is also valuable. If you are a morning self, choose the morning slot as that’s when your mental alertness is at its peak. On the additional hand, if you are not a morning self, you should choose an afternoon slot instead to ensure that you will be able to do your best for your GMAT.