Mar 01, 2017 08:21 AM EST By Chris Brandt, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) assesses the general aptitude of graduate students before they get admitted to an MBA program. The three and a half hour standardized test is made of four components which test your skills essay construction, pattern recognition, and other skills. If you are preparing for the GMAT, here are five practical steps to acing it.

Selective answering yields greater results

You cannot answer all questions so don't try answering all of them, much more answering them correctly. Instead, focus on the questions you confidently know the answer and answer them well. To make it more effective, practice selective answering during review and mock exams to condition yourself. Selective answering will benefit you more than when you try to answer all questions correctly.

Never hurry but be accurate

You might try to beat the clock and answer the questions quickly at the beginning. Heed the wise words of Ben Franklin that "haste makes waste." Time is important but accuracy will benefit you more since getting more correct answers not finishing early will get you a higher score.

Be clear-headed

Accuracy also has a role in being clear-headed during the exam. This means trusting your answers and never second guessing them. Doing so will waste your time, confuse you, and tire you out even before the exam is over.

Focus on the exam

This seems like a no-brainer but during exam time, you might be tempted to look at the time or to other test-takers. When you take your eyes off the test and focus on what's around you, chances are you will be distracted, especially when you mind the time too much.

Let an expert coach you

If you want to succeed and ace the GMAT, then you have to ask help from experts who have the experience to bring you to your goal. There are many GMAT coaching services that can help you overcome the challenges and difficulties of taking the teat. These experts can also help you identify what to focus on most importantly during the exam.

Wrapping it all up

The GMAT exam can be very stressful but it pays a lot if you remain cool during the exam. Anxiety might just bring confusion and affect your score. Finally, come to the test early so that you'll have the time to relax and assess the place - it helps with calming your nerves as well.

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