GMAT is a test for admission to business schools, or specialised Master’s degree programmes. In both cases, at least two years of full-time work experience are required for you to be eligible for admission. That is why most prospective applicants combine their GMAT test preparation with a full-time job. Here are five suggestions from GMAT Tutor which will help you prepare effectively for the test.

Beating the GMAT while working at a demanding job at the same time is possible. Here are five tips to consider when studying for the GMAT:

1. Develop a study schedule early on in the process, and be consistent with it. Be realistic with what that schedule entails. Though, as our tutor Isaac often advises, try to balance what you can do (the time you set aside for studying) with what you must. What you must do is put in the hours that you absolutely need to in order to reach your goal, such as brushing up on math basics or grammar skills.

2. Apply lessons you learned to your daily life. Keep your GMAT skills sharp by applying what you’ve learned during preparation in your life and work. Grammar, argument structures and math can help you beyond the GMAT. In fact, this exercise helped Colin, an Economist GMAT Tutor student who prepped for the GMAT while working a full time job and raising three kids. He scored higher than 700 on the test!

3. Build a good studying environment. This may seem obvious, but it’s a lot harder than it sounds. It’s important that the hours you put aside for studying is devoted solely to the GMAT. So when you’re prepping, turn your work phone off and don’t check your email. Find a quiet spot at home where your family knows not to bother you. You want to eliminate all distractions as much as possible.

4. Find studying tools that work within your schedule. Maybe you travel a lot for work or you work outside the normal 9-5 hours and can’t attend the class you want. Whatever the case may be, find studying tools that can help you improve within your own time. The Economist GMAT Tutor, for example, is an online tool that you can access at anytime, anywhere.

5. Don’t be afraid to take time off. If you find that you need to spend more time improving on your weaknesses or overall score, take a few days (or weeks) off work. The GMAT is an important part of your career and future, so you should give yourself the best opportunity as possible to succeed.

With the right schedule, proper tools, a good studying environment and dedication, you can tackle the GMAT.

Read the original article on the blog of The Economist’s GMAT Tutor.

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