How to Start Studying for the GMAT

Start smart. Plan your GMAT prep before you begin with our free comprehensive Starter Kit: https://www.gmatninja.com/starter-kit/ ________________________________________________________________________________________ New to the GMAT? Or are you stuck and not improving? In this video, Charles lays out a clear, efficient way to start your GMAT studies the right way. You’ll learn when to take your first official practice test; how to interpret your results; set the right GMAT score target; choose between self-study, courses, or tutoring; and avoid burnout and test anxiety. You’ll learn: ➡️ Why your first practice test should be official and nearly “cold” ➡️ How to calculate distance to your target using school medians ➡️ Typical score improvement (~30 points) and what bigger jumps really take ➡️ When to consider GRE or Executive Assessment instead of GMAT ➡️ How to pick a study method: self-study vs on-demand course vs live course vs tutoring ➡️ Why you should prioritize official questions over third-party questions ➡️ The no-binge rule: high-quality hours beat marathon sessions ➡️ Smart use of limited official practice tests (don’t waste them!) ➡️ Spotting red flags (plateaus, careless errors, anxiety) and when to get help Who this helps: ➡️ Absolute beginners plotting a path forward for the first time ➡️ Self-studers who feel stuck or overwhelmed ➡️ Re-starters who need a focused plan that saves time If you need tailored guidance or help diagnosing a plateau, get in touch at gmatninja.com. Good luck, and study smart! __________________________________________________________________________________________ We’ve created a companion Starter Kit to this video that contains everything you need to know to begin your prep with clear structure. Learn more at https://www.gmatninja.com/starter-kit/ Here at GMAT Ninja, we do test prep differently. Our tutoring is built on the same careful analysis and strategic thinking you see in our videos, tailored directly to each student. Learn more about our approach at www.gmatninja.com/gmat/ Good luck, and study smart! For more on Charles Bibilos and his love of international food and contributions to ornithology textbooks: https://www.gmatninja.com/charles-bib... __________________________________________________________________________________________ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:27 Take an official practice test at MBA.com 03:05 What score do you REALLY need? 04:11 How screwed are you? 06:00 Should you try the GRE or EA? 06:44 Choosing between self-study, a course, or tutoring 09:16 Prioritize official questions...and don't binge on them 11:21 Use practice tests wisely 12:51 Avoiding pain and stress on the GMAT