Doing well on the GMAT is an important part of applying to business school. This guide to how to study for the GMAT will show you what you need to do to prepare for the exam.

• Doing well on the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is an important part of the business school application process. Preparation involves understanding the test itself, taking practice exams, and reviewing both the analytical, quantitative, and verbal skills that will be tested.

The GMAT is a computer based test (Creative Commons photo by Connie.Corso)

The GMAT, formally known as the Graduate Management Admission Test, is designed to measure the test taker's aptitude to succeed in post-graduate business education.

1. The GMAT consists of 4 sections
2. Three topics are covered:
   1. Analytical writing
   2. Quantitative skills
   3. Verbal ability
3. It is a computer-adaptive test.
   1. One question is presented to the test taker by the computer at a time.
   2. If it is answered correctly, the next question will be harder. If it is answered incorrectly, the next question is easier.
   3. As with the SAT, wrong answers will lower your score, so don't guess randomly

• You should allow at least four weeks of studying to prepare for the examination.

1. Download the free GMATPrep® Software from the GMAC website to familiarize yourself with computer-based testing.
   1. The software also includes two practice GMAT exams.
   2. Take the practice tests under test conditions.
2. Review and study one section of the test at a time.
3. The GMAC website lists practice writing topics that you can use to hone your skills for the analytical writing section of the test.
4. Review basic math skills to prepare for the quantitative section