Many full-time working professionals struggle to manage their time for preparing for the GMAT exam along with doing their jobs. Appearing for the GMAT exam while working, is quite a challenging task as it needs both your time and effort. Along with studying hard to score good marks on the test, you need to continue with your demanding job as well. To make it easier for working professionals, we are discussing some of the best practices and methodologies that can help full-time employees manage their study plans and effectively execute the same.
Prepare a study schedule early and stick to it
Develop a more realistic approach for learning while preparing for the exam, and try to balance what you can do with much ease. You need to utilize the hours effectively so that you can reach your target goals. Brushing up your math basics or grammar skills regularly will help you do well in your exams, especially in case you prepare a study plan and stick to it throughout your preparations.
Set a target GMAT score
You must look for the MBA programs and the median GMAT scores of these programs in the business schools you are applying to. This way you will have an idea about the kind of scores you need to get admission to the desired colleges or universities and you can start preparing accordingly for the test.
Apply what you have learned in your daily life
You need to keep your GMAT skills sharp which can be possible if you start applying things you have learned at earlier stages in your life such as preparing for an exam or an interview. Paying attention to detail is the key, and remembering things that you have learnt in high school, college, and work will give you a better chance of cracking the GMAT.
Grammar, argument structures and math which you have learned while preparing for GMAT will help you further in your life as well.
Build a comfortable studying environment
The working professionals might assume that this is something very obvious, which they all will follow, but creating a comfortable studying environment is not as simple as it sounds. It’s important that while working you put aside some hours for studying that is devoted solely for the GMAT, with no distractions at all. While preparing for your studies, you can turn your work phone off and refrain from checking your email, so that you don’t get disturbed by the outside world. Study at a quiet place in your home where you don’t get disturbed by your family members and try to eliminate all distractions as much as possible.
Find studying tools that can work within your busy schedule
It is quite possible that you have a job that involves extensive travel, or unconventional timings, which might seem to be a barrier in your GMAT preparation. Irrespective of the situation you find yourself in, with the internet and free access to basic information, you can learn anything at any time you prefer. Whether you are on an aeroplane or a train, by signing up for an online GMAT preparatory class, you can learn on the go. What matters is staying consistent and regularly putting time into the preparation. Balancing your work and GMAT preparation is not a herculean task if you have access to the right tools and a study schedule that works for both- your job and your higher study aspirations.
Determine when you will study
Most working professionals need to spend at least 40+ hours per week in their job and they can take out up to two hours per day on weekdays (working days) and up to 4-6 hours per day on weekends, totalling 20-22 hours per week. Though many working professionals believe that they can easily put in 4 hours per day while working full time, this is hardly the case because:
- Apart from the regular hours you put in the office, you also spend time travelling and preparing for the office, which is at least 2 hours every day.
- Even if someone manages to take out 4 hours every day, after a long day at work our brain and body need an ample amount of rest, compromising on which may give rise to health issues.
No matter how many hours you can take out for the studies each day, you mustn’t compromise on the quality of education. Also, rather than studying after coming from work, you can get involved in early morning preparations which give you a chance to start with a fresh mind.
Don’t be afraid to take time off
Taking off time from your job is a good idea if you feel the work-load is getting too hard to handle. If you believe that you need some extra time for improving your weaknesses or overall score, then you can take a few days off work and can prepare for the exams in a stress-free way. Since GMAT is an important part of your career and future, you should explore the best opportunity that can help you in doing well in your test.
While preparing for the GMAT and simultaneously working full time is not an easy task, it is not impossible as well. More than ninety percent of the people who score 700 or higher are full- time professionals who are experts in managing their time in a more productive way. By planning your preparation strategy, creating a study strategy, and sticking to it throughout, you can easily manage your time and score high in the GMAT.
