Studying too much for the GMAT: is there such a thing?

Students often ask me whether they should be concerned about studying too much for the GMAT. The short answer is that in almost all cases, the more you study for the exam, the better your performance will be. 

Gauge your progress with practice tests

A common-sense approach is needed to know when you are ready to take the exam. The good thing is that there are tools that can you help you to assess when you are ready. The main tool you can use is practice tests.

Practice tests can give you a good guide as to your current level of preparedness for specific topics, as well as provide you with the best possible practice for the test itself. Taking one practice exam at the beginning of your studies can give you a sense of what is to come, while strategically timed practice tests later in your studies—generally starting at the halfway mark or later—will allow you to consolidate your knowledge, practice timing strategy and start getting comfortable with the exam.

As long as you are adding new tools to your metaphorical GMAT toolbox, you are undoubtedly using your time well. Over the course of your studies, you will develop a sense of whether or not you are still making progress. When you finally feel like your skills can’t progress further, test this feeling with a practice exam: if everything is in order, proceed to register for the test.

Too much study can lead to diminishing returns

In some rare cases, it is indeed possible to study too much. GMAT preparation and the GMAT itself are mentally demanding. Approximately 10-20 hours per week of studies are what our tutors advise, though on any given day, once you are feeling too tired to concentrate properly, it is time to put your study materials aside and take a rest. In the long term, between two and four months of GMAT studies (sometimes a bit less or more depending on special circumstances) ought to suffice. Much more than that—sometimes we hear of individuals drawing their preparation out for years—can negatively affect knowledge retention and motivation.

GMAT Study Tips for International and ESL Students

1. Aim for total English immersion between now and GMAT Test Day.

Immersion means only English movies, English music, English radio, English-speaking friends, and English newspapers. You can absorb grammar and get a better ear for the language even in the short time between now and GMAT Test Day if you immerse yourself. Free resources abound on the internet: nytimes.com for reading, npr.org for radio (Fresh Air, Diane Rehm, and This American Life are great picks), free podcasts on iTunes, English music on pandora.com. The New York Times is especially important, since you need to be comfortable with high-level writing in the reading comprehension section. Nytimes.com is particularly helpful because double clicking on a word you don’t know calls up a definition. Any improvements you make in vocabulary and reading comprehension will also help you once you get to business school.

2.  Use your first language to help with vocabulary.

Particularly if you speak a Romance language, like French, Spanish, or Italian, you can use your knowledge of that language to guess on unfamiliar English vocabulary. My Spanish-speaking students had no problems guessing that lachrymose means tearful, because it sounds just like lágrimas, which is Spanish for “tears”. Word roots will also come naturally to you, since they are often forms of words you already know.

3. Recognize that math vocabulary is as important as English vocabulary

You could be very strong in math, but if you studied it in a different language, you will need help with some terms. Many of my students in Puerto Rico knew odds and evens as pares and impares. The GMAT made more sense to them when they learned the English translations for unfamiliar math terms. When you encounter math terms you are unsure of, look them up. Also, practice accurately translating from English to Math on Algebra word problems – this is an extremely important skill to master for the exam.

4. Be extra-familiar with the Atlei essay templates.

Simplicity and clarity are the keys to writing an essay in 30 minutes in a foreign language. First, make sure you understand the prompt. If you are enrolled in a Atlei course, use the Atlei Template for the essay and know that you will probably have to make use of all the time valves in order to finish. When writing, it is better to write something simple in English, as opposed to translating something complex from your own language into English. This is definitely something you will want to practice repeatedly under test-like conditions.

5. Know how to pace appropriately.

When reading questions and passages takes longer than average, pacing becomes more challenging. Make sure you input an answer for every question, even if you have to guess, since you don’t lose points for wrong answers. Pacing on reading comprehension may be particularly tricky. Atlei’s elimination strategies for wrong answer traps on reading comprehension will really help you answer more quickly. Also, using the approaches for each reading comprehension question type will save you time. Put special emphasis on these facets of your study to make the most of the time you have.

The fact that English is not your first language may cause you anxiety when facing the GMAT, but ultimately it’s something that you must make the best of. Following these strategies will allow you to do just that. Many speakers of English as a Foreign Language are accepted into MBA Programs every year and you should be among them!

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AEI Affiliations / Memberships

In an effort to provide a more excellent and up-to-date learning experience, the Atlanta English Institute is proud to be a member of both TESOL, GaTESOL and SETESOL.

 

TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

TESOL, an association of English language educators, is a national, independent professional organization established in 1966. The organization was created to bring together teachers and administrators at all educational levels with an interest in teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). TESOL provides a coordinated, knowledgeable response at the international, national, and local levels to issues affecting institutions that foster the development of effective human communications.

TESOL's mission is to ensure excellence in English language teaching to speakers of other languages.

For further information: www.tesol.org

GaTESOL (Georgia Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

GaTESOL is a state-wide association of educators of English language educators.

For further information: www.gatesol.org

SETESOL (Southeast Region Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

SETESOL is an affiliation of seven southern state TESOL organizations and sponsors an annual SETESOL conference. AEI regularly participates in, and has presented at, the SETESOL annual conferences.

English USA (AAIEP)

EnglishUSA is the largest professional association of intensive English programs in the United States with over 350 accredited member programs. It offers a wealth of resources for students who are interested in studying English in the United States, as well as IEP professionals looking for the most-up-to-date information about the field. All EnglishUSA member programs meet the highest standards for quality education and professional integrity.

For further information: http://www.englishusa.org/

Education USA

EducationUSA is a network of hundreds of advising centers in 170 countries, where millions of international students each year find accurate, comprehensive, and current information about how to apply to accredited U.S. colleges and universities. The EducationUSA network is supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs(ECA), which strives to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

For further information: http://www.educationusa.info/

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