GMAT Prep: One Week Out Checklist
I recently helped a student gearing up for the GMAT next week, sharing some crucial final prep tips. Since it was quite a bit of information, I recorded it as a voice message and then used AI to help structure it. Now, I want to share that complete pre-exam checklist with all of you who are about to take the plunge!
The Final Weekend: One Last Full Practice Test and In-Depth Review
For the last weekend before your exam, taking a full-length practice test is essential. Then, dedicate Sunday to thoroughly reviewing every single question you encountered, whether you got it right or wrong, across all sections.
Beyond just checking answers, really focus on your time management. If you need a reminder on how much time to allocate before, during, and after the exam, the GMAT Decoded series on YouTube breaks this down in detail.
Time Management Blueprint: A Three-Stage Pacing Strategy for Each Question Type
Here are the recommended times for each question type. Use these as benchmarks during your practice tests and drills:
不確定自己現在幾分？
12 題免費測出分數區間 →
- PS/DS and CR Questions:
- Beginning Stage: Aim for about 2.5 minutes.
- Middle Stage: Keep it around 2 minutes.
- End Stage: You can afford to be under 2 minutes. If you encounter a difficult question, abandon it decisively.
- GT and TPA Questions:
- Beginning Stage: About 3 to 3.5 minutes.
- Middle Stage: Target 3 minutes.
- End Stage: Aim to finish under 3 minutes. If you find it difficult, abandon it decisively.
- RC and MSR Question Sets:
- A 3-question set usually takes around 6 minutes, and a 4-question set about 8 minutes.
- Beginning Stage: You can give yourself a little more time here; try for about 7 minutes for a 3-question set and 9 minutes for a 4-question set.
The Last Five Days: Final Sprint and Adjusting Exam Order
- Keep Your Routine Going: In the five days leading up to your exam, stick to your usual practice schedule. This keeps your skills sharp.
- Final Practice Tests: Take two more full practice tests two days before your exam. The main goal here is to experiment with different exam orders (like Q-V-DI versus V-Q-DI) to see which flow feels most comfortable and causes the least fatigue.
- Review Smart: For these last practice tests, focus your review on questions you got wrong, ones you were unsure about, and your time management. Don’t stress about the scores; they’re not meant to shake your confidence. Your sole focus should be on ensuring you’ve thoroughly reviewed, managed your time effectively, and completed all questions consistently. When faced with difficult questions, practice immediate loss-cutting.
How to Effectively Use GMAT JJ? An Integrated Strategy for the Week Before the Exam
(If you have purchased related services)
- Reading Comprehension Question Banks (RC JJ): These English question sets can directly substitute some of your regular reading practice.
- Quantitative Question Banks (Q JJ): These can directly replace your usual math practice volume.
- Data Insights Question Banks (DI JJ): A heads-up here! The DI JJ available in the week before the exam (often in Chinese, with only summaries) should not replace any regular practice. Because the content is incomplete, it’s best to use it only during spare moments just to get familiar with it.
Immediate Action After the Exam: Leave Behind “Exam Memories” for Future Analysis
Right after your exam finishes, take a moment to jot down your “exam memories” on your phone or a notepad as soon as you leave the testing center.
This isn’t about perfectly recalling every question. Instead, capture your genuine feelings during the exam: What felt difficult? Which logical points gave you pause? Or what specific skill gaps did you notice (like struggling with vocabulary or finding Weaken questions tough)?
Wishing you the very best on your exam!
