Is there a specific date for the GMAT?

There is no set date (like there is for the SAT) that you must take the GMAT. So you have the liberty of scheduling a date and time for your testing at the nearest testing administration site.

Great. So when should I take the GMAT then?

Perhaps the best time to sit for your GMAT is while you are still in school, or shortly post-graduation. Remember, as you gain more real world experience, you lose the test-taking intuition that you used to have when you were in school. Taking an intensive test like the GMAT 5 years after your last rigorous exam can be quite challenging. Test-taking intricacies like operating in a time pressured environment, reading through answer choices, marking answers, and dealing with psychological issues are second nature to you when you are in school, but they become quite unfamiliar the longer you wait after college. You want to minimize this risk by taking the exam during the summer after graduation or the summer between your junior and senior year-this is the ideal time. Remember, the GMAT exam is valid for 5 years. If you have any intention of applying for business school sometime in the next 5 years, you should take it at your earliest convenience.

Well, what if I’ve been away from college for many years–did I miss the boat? What should I do?

Don’t worry. You didn’t miss the boat! Thousands of people are in your shoes. You might not be used to the pressures of test taking so will need to pay extra attention to doing several practice exams mimicking exam-like conditions.

How do I do a practice exam in exam-like conditions?

The best way to simulate an exam is to set aside an entire morning or afternoon to take a practice exam using the GMAT Prep software from www.mba.com. Since the exam is computerized, you want to practice using a computer adaptive test in order to simulate the conditions. In addition to simulating the environmental conditions of your practice exam, you should also simulate the psychological aspects as well. Go through your normal test routine the day before your scheduled practice exam–like going to bed extra early to get a really good night’s sleep and wake up early. Make sure you go to the bathroom before the practice exam because you don’t want to have a break during your exam.

Is there anything else I should consider?

Since you have a busy life with work, extracurriculars, and socializing you want to get the GMAT out of the way ASAP before you start applying to business school. Why? Because later on you’re going to be even more busy. You’ll need to dedicate time to your job, but also any community groups you are a part of. Member of an organization that holds ambitious yearly events? Put in the effort and participate on the board in a leadership position. Trying to get a salary raise so you can mention it on your Bschool application? Do what you need to do to get there. And of course when you apply, you’re going to need to budget time to research each school you apply to and get a sense of which ones are right for you. The list of things to do will get really hectic once you start applying, so take my advice. Take the GMAT now and get it out of the way before you start your bschool applications.

Should I study first and then schedule the exam or schedule the exam and then study?

It really depends on you. I would say you should register for the exam at least several in advance of when you actually to take it. Go ahead and pay the fees for the GMAT (it’s not cheap!it’s pretty expensive!) so that you get emotionally invested in the exam process. That’ll kickstart you into doing something for the exam. Then research your GMAT prep options to see which study method is best for you.

This article was authored by GMAT tutor and expert, Zeke Lee. Zeke is the founder of The GMAT Pill Study Method and has aided numerous students ace the GMAT exam in as little time as possible. Although his secret techniques were limited to privileged students who could afford $200/hour a few years ago, Zeke has now opened the door to his special strategies to the average student. Online GMAT Prep