How Often Should I Take Practice GMAT CATs?
Practice tests or mock exams are one of your most valuable tools as you get ready for your official GMAT. One of the most frequently asked questions when embarking on GMAT preparation is related to the frequency of practice tests. There's definitely a wrong way to use CAT. How often you should take them depends on how you use them. Here’s how to know when to take your CATs. When should I take a practice GMAT? Practice CATs (or mock GMATs) are very useful for three things: Figuring out your current scoring level, Practicing time management and stamina, Analyzing your strengths and weaknesses—so you can figure out how to lift your score.
The Importance of Practice Tests
The third item on the list is actually the most important. Practice tests simulate the real GMAT experience, providing valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses. You don’t get better while taking a practice test, in the same way that you don’t learn how to get better at running marathons while you’re running a marathon; you’re literally just trying to survive. 😅 Rather, you learn how to improve in between practice tests by analyzing your performance and using that data to determine your training activities until your next marathon. That data on your strengths and weaknesses is what’s going to help you figure out what you need to prioritize between now and your next practice test. They help you understand the exam format, question types, and time constraints. In general, you want to take enough practice exams (plan to take at least 5) but not too many…because, if you don’t give yourself adequate time to improve between mock exams, then you’re just wasting an exam. By mimicking the actual test environment, practice tests allow you to develop effective time management strategies and build the stamina required to maintain focus throughout the entire exam.
Three Main Study Phases
Finally, set up your studies in three main phases: Primary Study phase: In this phase, you’re learning everything for the first time. The question types…the math facts and rules…the strategies…the common traps…and so on. Review and Improve phase: You’ve learned everything once and now you’re going to prioritize the low hanging fruit—the items that your data analysis indicates are your best opportunities for improvement. Game Day phase: In the last 7-10 days, you’ll be focused on setting yourself up to have a Great Day on Game Day. This practice test schedule balances all of the above considerations:
Practice CAT 1: Take your first mock test early—within the first week or two of your studies. (I know you’re not ready yet. Take it anyway. I’ll tell you why in a minute. ) Practice CAT 2: Study for about 3-4 weeks before taking your second mock test. Cover maybe one-third to one-half of your primary study materials. Practice CAT 3 (and maybe 4): Continue your first pass through your primary study materials. Take 1 or 2 more exams in this time period, spaced about 3-4 weeks apart. Practice CATs 4-5+: After you have gotten through your primary study materials once, go into Review And Improve mode. Take tests approximately every 2 to 3 weeks in this phase. Some people might only do 1 test in this phase; others may take several. Practice CATs 6+: In your final 7-10 days, take one last mock exam to set yourself up for a great day on Game Day. Read on to find out more about each of the steps in this regimen.Starting Early and Recognizing Your Baseline
Step 1: DO take a CAT at the beginning of your studies. Many people put off taking their first CAT, usually because they haven’t studied yet so they know they won’t do well. But who cares what the score is at this stage? You just started. Your goal is simply to get an experience of the test and to see some data about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s true that you want to have a basic understanding of the question types before that first exam, just so that you understand how each one works, but don’t worry about all of the formulas and rules and strategies. Some you already know; others, you don’t. Your first practice test will tell you what you do and don’t know—and you’ll use that information to know where you need to spend more time during your studies. (Basic = super basic, like you just know what each type looks like and how it generally works. You do not need to have mastered the question types in any way. ) Taking a practice test at the beginning of your GMAT journey is essential for establishing a baseline score. One note: A lot of people put off their first CAT because they’re feeling significant anxiety about the test. But pushing off that first test will just make you feel more anxious—because you’ll be telling yourself that you’ve studied, so now you should get a better score. That thought process just makes it even harder to take the first test. Do yourself a favor and take that first test right away. You can honestly tell yourself that your score doesn’t matter because you haven’t even really started studying yet. This initial assessment will help you identify your starting point and understand the areas where you need the most improvement. Don't be discouraged by a low initial score; it's simply a starting point. One more thing: Always take practice exams under 100% official test conditions. It’s never a good idea to give yourself extra time, pause the test, take longer breaks than allowed, or anything else that won’t be allowed on test day. Don’t tell yourself that you’re just studying, so you’re going to break the rules. Train the way you have to play the game on Game Day.
GMAT Prep with Clever Academy
Embarking on your GMAT preparation journey can be daunting, but with the right guidance and resources, you can achieve your target score.
GMAT Prep with Clever Academy provides a comprehensive and personalized approach to GMAT preparation, helping students every step of the way. We provide expert guidance, customized study plans, and high-quality practice materials tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced instructors will help you develop a deep understanding of the GMAT content, hone your test-taking strategies, and maximize your practice test performance. We are committed to helping students unlock their full potential.Building a Solid Foundation
Step 2: During your primary study phase, take 3 to 4 weeks between CATs. Now that you have a handle on your baseline strengths and weaknesses from your first practice test, dive into your primary study materials—your books, videos, or whatever you’re using that will teach you about all of the different question types and content areas tested on the GMAT. Aim to get through between about 1/3 and 1/2 of that primary study material before you take your next practice test. You’re mostly still in the learn lots of info stage right now, so don’t do 8 million practice problems. Every time you learn something new, do a few practice problems to solidify the concepts, but then move on to another topic or question type. You’ll loop back around later to do more intensive practice under test conditions. Clever Academy's approach emphasizes building a strong foundation in the core concepts tested on the GMAT. We believe that a thorough understanding of the fundamentals is essential for achieving a high score. Our curriculum covers all sections of the GMAT, including quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing. Through a combination of interactive lessons, practice exercises, and personalized feedback, we help students master the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel on the exam.Targeted Practice and Skill Refinement
When you take your second practice test, still try not to care too much about your score. (I know that’s hard, even though you know you still have a lot to study). The goal for this second test is two-fold: (1) Get some practice with time management and (2) with the strategies you have learned so far and Update your data on your strengths and weaknesses. Dive into the data on this test a bit more deeply than you did on your first test. Once you have a solid foundation, Clever Academy focuses on targeted practice and skill refinement. We understand that each student has unique strengths and weaknesses, and our personalized approach ensures that you focus on the areas where you need the most improvement. Our instructors analyze your practice test performance and provide detailed feedback, helping you identify specific areas for improvement. We then guide you through targeted practice exercises and strategies to help you master those areas and improve your overall score. The key here is to focus on consistent, focused effort over an extended period. A typical study plan might involve meeting with a tutor for 2-3 hours per week, supplemented by 10-15 hours of independent study. During this time, you’ll be covering all the bases: learning the content, developing test-taking strategies, and honing your skills through practice problems. Don’t just focus on one part, you need to learn everything, how to deal with the test, when to guess, how to manage your time. All these are different skills. This phase of your prep should be structured and disciplined. Regular practice tests, spaced 3-4 weeks apart, are crucial. They not only serve as benchmarks for your progress but also as opportunities to practice time management and refine your test-taking strategies.Personalized Study Plans and Expert Guidance
Clever Academy recognizes that every student is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet your individual needs. We provide personalized study plans that take into account your strengths, weaknesses, learning style, and target score. Our experienced instructors work closely with you to develop a study plan that optimizes your preparation time and maximizes your score potential. We provide ongoing support and guidance throughout your GMAT journey, helping you stay motivated, focused, and on track to achieve your goals. Remember, the GMAT is not just about content knowledge; it's also about test-taking strategies and mental endurance. When you are doing practice tests, ensure that you're timing yourself and taking the test in one sitting to simulate real exam conditions. This approach will help you get used to the pressure and fatigue of the actual test day. It is very important to simulate the full exam experience so that you are prepared. After each practice test, take the time to review your performance thoroughly. Don't just focus on the score; analyze your mistakes, understand why you made them, and identify patterns. This analysis will guide your subsequent study sessions, allowing you to focus on your weakest areas and reinforce your strengths.