How to Score 700+ on the GMAT Exam: Expert Tips & Strategies
You dream of attending a top global university to pursue an MBA, but your GMAT score is holding you back. Some of the biggest business schools in the world, like Wharton, Stanford, Harvard, and MIT Sloan, have high GMAT cutoff scores, ranging from 720 to 750. Scoring 700+ on the GMAT is not impossible, but it requires strategic planning and practice. If you are wondering how to score 700+ on the GMAT, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we will discuss how you can maximise your GMAT score and how we can get you one step closer to your chosen B-school.
About GMAT
GMAT stands for the Graduate Management Admission Test. For over 50 years, it has been the leading standardised test for global business schools. In 2024, the exam received an upgrade with the GMAT Focus Edition to include parameters more relevant to modern-day needs.
Your GMAT score is one of the few things that a college admissions committee considers, apart from essays, leadership experience, work experience and academic record, in deciding whether to offer you a seat in their program.
While GMAT itself doesn’t test your business knowledge, it gauges whether you have the intellectual potential to grasp and excel in the competitive business programs of top colleges.
If you want to crack the 700+ mark, here are some time-tested GMAT preparation tips step-by-step.
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Understand the GMAT Exam Structure
Before you prepare for the GMAT, you should familiarise yourself with the structure of the exam. The new Focus Edition of the test comprises three multiple-choice sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning – 21 Questions
- Verbal Reasoning – 23 Questions
- Data Insights – 20 Questions
Each section takes 45 minutes to complete. The new GMAT scores range from 205 to 805 on the scale.
According to the new GMAT Focus Edition, you get three chances to revise your answers before submitting your final ones. You also get to bookmark the questions and return to them later for editing.
Take a GMAT Diagnostic Test
Before you start your preparations, you should know where you stand currently regarding your baseline score. It gives you an objective picture of your strengths and weaknesses before starting your preps.
The GMAT diagnostic test also gives you an insight into the test format, the types of questions, and the time required to complete each section. It gives you a clear picture of the areas you need to work on.
Your “cold mock” score and your final GMAT score will be a big difference, provided that you put in the work. Most students who consistently work hard notice that there is a at least a 200+ score difference between their diagnostic score and final GMAT score.
Once you have taken the GMAT diagnostic test, you can plan the next steps of your GMAT strategy to score 700+.
Prepare a GMAT Study Schedule
Before you start your prep, put a GMAT study schedule into place depending on when you need to take the exam. Ideally, you have to start 3-6 months before the exam date and put in at least 10-20 hours of study time on a weekly basis. This means, you need to dedicate 1.5 hours to 3 hours of study time in a day.
Distribute the three sections across the week and set weekly goals to track your progress. Joining a test prep course by IMS Manya will help you get your basics in place.
Create a Study Strategy for Each GMAT Section
All sections of the GMAT test different aptitudes, so they each require a different strategy. Your diagnostic test’s sectional percentiles will clearly show where you score well and where you need to improve. Accordingly, you can focus more on your weaknesses during your GMAT study strategy.
For instance, for Quantitative Reasoning, focus on strengthening your basics in algebra and data sufficiency. Move to practising under time constraints to train your brain to think calmly during exam pressure.
For Verbal Reasoning, sharpen your reading comprehension skills by dedicating some reading time to yourself apart from your regular preparations. Read articles by The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Hindu, and The Indian Express to expose yourself to high-quality written material. After you have finished reading, try to summarise the gist of the articles in 4-5 lines. This will improve your reading and comprehension skills.
Data Insights (DI) combines your Quant and Verbal skills for Graphics Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Table Analysis, Two-Part Analysis, and Multi-Source Reasoning. DI presents a unique challenge to the test taker by offering more information than needed. While preparing for DI, you should train yourself to understand what data is important and what isn’t.
To prepare, make full use of official GMAT material like the GMAT Official Guide, GMATPrep software.
Take Mocks Regularly to Score 700+ in GMAT
Most students who breached the 700+ score in GMAT regularly took mocks. Taking mock tests weekly in exam-like environments builds your stamina for GMAT and increases your confidence. GMAT is also a highly time-sensitive exam so be mindful of what’s taking too much of your time.
It also gives you an objective view of your progress as your scores grow. More importantly, they familiarise you with GMAT’s adaptive format. Mocks also helps you refine your test-taking skills and develop strategies independently.
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You should take a mock test more frequently as your GMAT exam date draws closer.
Every time you take a GMAT mock test, compare your overall scores and section scores to your targeted score and see how far or near it is to your ideal 700+ score. Note the type of questions you struggle the most with. Focus on your preparations accordingly.
