Mike MᶜGarry

3 Month GMAT Study Guide for Beginners

Calendar representing 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule - image by Magoosh

If you’re starting your GMAT preparation more or less from scratch, and have three months to prepare, this GMAT study guide will help you get organized. The Magoosh 3 month study plan covers the full range of Magoosh lessons on all topics, from the format of the GMAT to advanced concepts.

Getting Started

Choosing a Study Schedule

I designed four different versions of the GMAT study schedule for 3 months, and I need you to start with a little self-diagnosis. Which sounds most like you? 🙂

If it would help you decide, you can take the Magoosh GMAT Diagnostic Test. Then, come back to learn how to prepare for GMAT in 3 months.

  • 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule for Beginners: I’m in the right place. I’m going to learn all of the GMAT math and verbal I need to get a great score!
  • 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule (Math Focused): I have a natural affinity with the verbal, but the math is far less intuitive for me. I would like to focus more there.
  • 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule (Verbal Focused): Me a math nerd. Me think all math easy. Me have big verbal problems. One day, me will talk good.
  • 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule for Advanced Students): I actually feel reasonably comfortable with math & verbal; if I took the test today, I’d get around 600-650. I’m interested in refining my understanding, and getting into the upper 700s region in the next twelve weeks.

FAQ: This is a beginner’s plan: should I follow this plan if I want to get a 700+ score?

This plan covers the full range of Magoosh lessons on all topics, from the format of the GMAT to advanced concepts. If you follow this plan diligently, all the information you will need for an elite +700 score (and other high target scores) will pass before your eyes.

How well you do will depend on everything you bring:

  • How quickly you learn
  • How deeply you remember
  • How well you assimilate and integrate
  • How astutely you discern connections
  • How diligent you are
  • How conscientious you are
  • …and how dedicated you are.

See this blog for more about getting the most out of a study plan.

FAQ: Can I skip the rest days to finish this schedule in fewer than three months?

It can be really tempting to try to rush your GMAT prep—but this is a marathon, not a sprint! Yes, speed and endurance are important, but so is your ability to get rest and maintain your enthusiasm for reviewing GMAT materials. We’ve created a high-intensity schedule here, even with those rest days. So trust us: you’ll need them!

FAQ: I’m a working professional/English is not my first language/I think I may need more time to prepare!

If you need to slow this plan down, it’s definitely possible! First of all, check out Magoosh’s six month GMAT study plan to see if it’s right for you. However, if you need more time not because you need a huge score increase, but because you need to incorporate other activities (like, you know, having a job!), you definitely can.

If English isn’t your first language and you also have to take the TOEFL, we’d recommend studying for the TOEFL first, then taking it, rather than studying for both the TOEFL and the GMAT at the same time.

However, if this is absolutely not possible, you can combine TOEFL and GMAT prep. You can follow the half-pace GMAT study plan we recommend for working professionals, adding in a 3-month TOEFL study plan, also at half-pace (note that this will take you to six months of prep!).

For working professionals, doing this GMAT study plan at half-pace (dividing each day into two sessions so that the entire plan takes six months) is definitely feasible. The most important thing is to divide each individual task in half, rather than simply drawing a line halfway through each day.

In other words: if the 3-month study plan assigns 10 videos and 10 practice problems, don’t do the videos all on Monday and the practice all on Tuesday. Instead, watch 5 videos and do 5 practice problems on Monday, then the rest on Tuesday.

This leads to a GMAT study plan for 6 months (adapted from 3 months) that looks like this for the first week:

Day Working Professional Adaptation
1
  1. Go to https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/about-the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-structure, and read about the structure of the GMAT. Click on each subsection on that page, to read about the individual sections.
2
  1. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
3
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:

    • 8 Problem Solving (Official Guide)
    • 6 Reading Comprehension (Official Guide)

  3. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read

    • from the beginning of the book up to, but not including, the AWA section
    • from the beginning of the Quantitative section up to, but not including, the DS section
4
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:

    • 8 Problem Solving (Official Guide)
    • 6 Reading Comprehension (Official Guide)

  3. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read

    • from the beginning of the Verbal section up to, but not including, the CR section
  4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  5. Read the blog article Overcome GMAT Anxiety.

5
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:

    • 8 Data Sufficiency (Official Guide)
    • 8 Critical Reasoning (Official Guide)
  3. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read

    1. DS to the end of the Quantitative Section
  4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
6
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:

    • 8 Data Sufficiency (Official Guide)
    • 8 Critical Reasoning (Official Guide)
  3. Improve your GMAT score with Magoosh.
  4. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read

    1. CR section to the end of the eBook
  5. Read the blog article Beating GMAT Stress.
7 Rest

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

How to Use This GMAT Study Plan (3 Months)

Notice, this is a twelve-week plan—but you’ll use it to find out how to study for the GMAT in 3 months. Three calendar months are typically closer to 13 weeks, so if you actually have three calendar months to prepare, that’s great.

If you have a wedding or a camping trip or something in the middle, you could just skip a few days, and do them later. Alternately, it would leave you more time for the concentrated review I recommend at the end of the twelve weeks.

You can just dive into this plan! However, you’ll find it more effective if you use it methodically. To get the most out of the GMAT study plan (3 months), approach it with a plan:

  • Take a GMAT diagnostic test first to get a sense of your current skills and areas for improvement.
    • Review the GMAT diagnostic test, looking particularly at the instructions and directions to get a better sense of what you’ll encounter on test day.
  • Go over your calendar for the next three months and plan exactly which days correspond to which days in the plan. For example, if you’re going on vacation next week, that won’t be Week 2 for you—Week 2 will start when you come back
  • Make sure you have all necessary materials.
  • Dive into the study plan!
  • Maintain your motivation. Writing down why you want a particular score on the GMAT—and reviewing your reasons often—can be a powerful reminder to keep you going!
  • Maintain your physical health. Eat well and get physical activity as much as you can!
  • Sleep for eight hours! Get enough sleep during this three month period. REM sleep plays an important role in encoding long term memory!
    • In an eight hour period of sleep, the last hour has the most REM.
  • Avoid artificial crutches. Caffeine and energy drinks will keep you feeling awake if you don’t get enough sleep, but they don’t do bupkis to replace the lost opportunity to encode more information into long term memory.
  • Bring it all together for test day! Review Magoosh’s tips at the end of this post for how to make sure you do your best when it (officially) counts.

 
Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

Study Materials

Essential Materials


GMAC’s The Official Guide for GMAT Review Magoosh's Premium plan Magoosh GMAT eBook Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards Magoosh’s Complete GMAT Guide A guide to GMAT Practice Test Resources GMAC’s The Official Guide for GMAT Review (OG) Magoosh's Premium plan Magoosh GMAT eBook Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards Magoosh’s Complete GMAT Guide A guide to GMAT Practice Test Resources
  1. GMAC’s The Official Guide for GMAT Review (OG) – The newest edition is the OG2021. If you are going to buy a new guide, get that one.
     
    If you happen to own the OG2020, OG2019, OG2018, OG2017, or even the previous OG2016, then it would be no problem using either of those with this study guide.
  2.  

    • Don’t write in the official guide or any prep books.
    • Do all of your work on separate paper or on a computer. You will want to keep the books clean, so that later, if you need to look at a problem again, it is still fresh and unmarked.

     

    • Use the code in the back of the OG!
    • It will give you access to GMAC’s Integrated Reasoning website with 78 IR practice questions; you’ll also need these.

     

  3. Magoosh’s Premium plan
  4.  

  5. The Magoosh GMAT eBook
  6.  

  7. The Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards
  8.  

  9. The Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards
  10.  

  11. A journal or notebook (yes, a physical hard copy item)
  12.  

    • At the beginning of your journal, write down why you are studying for the GMAT.
  13. Refer to your reason often.
  1. Magoosh’s Complete GMAT Guide: This comprehensive web-based guide to the GMAT exam gives you the quick but useful overview you need to understand this test. You’ll see how the GMAT is designed and scored, what skills it tests, how to find and use the best GMAT prep, and how to study for each test section.
  2.  

  3. A guide to GMAT Practice Test Resources: This page includes instructions on where to find good full-length GMAT practice tests, and how to take practice tests and incorporate them into your studies.

 

Optional Materials

  1. Outside reading material: We recommend outside reading, over and above any GMAT-specific materials, because a habit of reading is one of the best ways to improve your GMAT verbal score across the board. For more on how to use outside reading to prepare you for the GMAT, see: How to Improve your GMAT Verbal Score. For more suggestions on what to read, see: GMAT Reading List.
  2.  

  3. The Magoosh mobile app for your iPhone or Android
  4.  

  5. Any Manhattan GMAT Product that will give you access to their online CATs.
     
    The Manhattan GMAT Self-Study Toolkit. These books are about the best material available in hard-copy print form. You get a lot of materials with this bundle, but you don’t have to use them all. Instead, you can also pick the volume you think would help you the most, whether it’s Foundations of Math, Foundations of Verbal, All the Quant, All the Verbal, or IR/AWA, and either use it as a reference book or work through it anywhere you can fit it into this plan—during extra time on various Day Sixes, for example.
     
    The primary reason you are getting this volume is to get the code in the inside back cover: that code will give you access to six MGMAT online GMAT CATs, one of which you will take later in this plan. (See the note below on “Practice Tests During This Plan.”)

    Because of this, you may also just want to purchase the “All the GMAT” set instead, if these books fit your needs better. The set includes just the three main volumes (Quant, Verbal, IR/AWA), for less than half the price. You also have the option of just purchasing the 6 MGMAT Practice GMAT CATs by themselves for $49.

  6.  

  7. The two online forums:

These are great places to ask questions about anything GMAT related, or simply to check out the discussions and see how others are preparing.

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

Links to reviews of required GMAT study guide books and resources

We understand you may want to “look before you leap” and learn more about these resources before you spend your time and money on them. So we’ve made a set of reviews of GMAT prep resources in this study guide.

If you don’t have all of the required resources above, we encourage you to order them ASAP. (Or find them on the Web for free ASAP, in the case of some of the items listed above.)

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

How to Use Practice Tests During This Plan

This study plan is designed to accommodate a large number of practice tests, for students who feel that the repeated experience will best prepare them for the GMAT. Most of these take place in the second half of the plan. You have a choice to make about how many practice GMATs you want to take:

  • If you don’t foresee yourself taking more than 2-3 practice tests, then get the MGMAT books for a single MGMAT practice test (or just purchase the the 6 MGMAT Practice GMAT CATs by themselves), and take this on any Day Six. Fill the other Day Sixes with any studying you think would most benefit you, and take the two GMAT Prep tests at the end.
  •  

  • If you want take the maximum number of practice GMATs that this GMAT 3 month study plan will accommodate—and many students feel this repeated practice experience helps them to acclimate to the conditions of the real GMAT—then there are two ways one can get all six of the MGMAT practice.
    • One would be to buy the whole set of MGMAT books: I would recommend this if you imagine that you will have a great deal of extra time and would like to devote that time to more high quality resources.
    • A quicker and cheaper way to get the six MGMAT practice tests would be to pay $50 to buy the 6 MGMAT Practice GMAT CATs by themselves.

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

Abbreviations

  • OG = the GMAC Official Guide
  • PS = Problem Solving, the multiple-choice math questions
  • DS = Data Sufficiency math questions
  • RC = Reading Comprehension verbal question
  • SC = Sentence Correction verbal question
  • CR = Critical Reasoning verbal question
  • IR = Integrated Reasoning question, a separate section unto itself
  • AWA = the Analytical Writing Assessment, the essay-writing section

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week One

 

* Tasks marked with an asterisk indicate that this resource is only available to Magoosh students—sign up here for a free trial!


 

Week One, Day One
  1. Go to https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/about-the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-structure, and read about the structure of the GMAT. Click on each subsection on that page to read about the individual sections.
  2. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.

 

Week One, Day Two
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 16 Problem Solving questions
    • 12 Reading Comprehension

    Whenever you do OG questions, always check your answers and explanations when you are done with the batch. Take notes in your journal on anything you need to remember from the solutions. Note that not all the OG explanations are of high quality, and some are not good at all. As an alternative, for all the questions in the OG, you can see much better explanations in our video solutions.

  3. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read
    • from the beginning of the book up to, but not including, the AWA section
    • from the beginning of the Quantitative section up to, but not including, the DS section
    • from the beginning of the Verbal section up to, but not including, the CR section
  4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  5. Read the blog article Overcome GMAT Anxiety.

 

Week One, Day Three
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 8 Data Sufficiency
    • 8 Critical Reasoning
  3. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read
    1. DS to the end of the Quantitative Section
    2. CR section to the end of the eBook
  4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  5. Read the blog article Beating GMAT Stress.

 

Week One, Day Four
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Magoosh product, do:

    Whenever you do Magoosh questions, if you get a question wrong, watch the video right then, and take notes in your journal about what concepts tripped you up.

    NOTE: In all Magoosh practice, from the “Start a Practice Session” page, in Section choose the question type; for subjects, clear all, so that no subject is checked; for difficulty, choose “Adaptive;” and, at least at the beginning, select “Unanswered” questions.

    NOTE: when you do Magoosh practice questions, do not select individual topics that are familiar. When you learn a particular lesson, resist the urge to practice that material right there and then.

    This plan is based on the philosophy that you should see a random mix of topics every time you practice as you move through the OG.

    Yes, this means you will make some mistakes in the beginning, especially with topics you haven’t learned thoroughly yet, but if you study those mistakes carefully, that will prime your mind for understanding these ideas more deeply when you get to them in the lessons.

    Getting questions wrong at the beginning may seem frustrating, but remember that you are playing a “longer game”: the point is not instant success at the beginning, but building deeper understanding over time. Also, it’s important to get accustomed as soon as possible to the random mix of topics you will see, one after the other, on test day.

  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Read the blog article The GMAT, Business School, and You: the Big Picture

 

Week One, Day Five
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 16 Problem Solving questions
    • 16 Sentence Correction
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the first deck, the Algebra deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Read the blog article Zen Boot Camp for the GMAT.
  5. Because there are dozens of different ways one might choose to implement the recommendations of these four “stress reduction” blogs, this schedule does not itemize any specific tasks along these lines. Nevertheless, insofar as you can practice some of these habits consistently over the twelve weeks, you will be very good shape to handle the anxiety of test day.

 

Week One, Day Six
  1. Read the following Magoosh articles:
  2. Now, you are going to write a practice essay. Read the AWA Argument prompts in the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition). While GMAC has removed their list of AWA prompts from the 2020 and 2021 OG, you can still find the GMAT essay prompts on this MBA.com PDF. Pick one at random (or have someone pick it for you), and take 30 minutes to write an essay on the computer. (If you can turn off spellcheck & autocorrect, do so, as you will not have that feature on test day.)
     
    Now that you have this essay, what do you do with it? If you have a friend or mentor who is a gifted writer, see whether they would read the essay for you and critique it. Some folks hire a writing tutor specifically for this. If they are willing, you can show them the assessment criteria in the OG, and ask them to follow it.

    Alternatively, you can upload your essay in the online forums and ask for feedback. See this blog for other options.

  3. In the Official Guide (pre-2020 editions) or this MBA.com PDF, do the following:
    • 1 AWA Essay
  4. In The Magoosh GMAT eBook, read the AWA section.
  5. In the Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards, study the cards in the first deck, Basic I.

Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.


 

3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Two

 

Week Two, Day One
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Magoosh product, do:
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the second deck, the Fractions, Ratios, and Percents deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice; once again, see this blog article for suggestions of what to read. Reading is the very best way to develop instincts for the way writers use language in the business world. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
  5. Mental Math Practice: This is more a general reminder than a thing to do specifically on this day. As is mentioned in the Intro to Math lesson videos, you should practice mental math every day.

    Practice adding & subtracting two (or three) digit number in your head every day. Practice all one-digit times one-digit products, and practice some one-digit times two-digit products in your head every day.

    In everyday life, look for opportunities to do mental math: compute tips at restaurants; figure out percents; calculate approximate gas mileage of your car; estimate distance, lengths, areas, and volumes.

    If a friend is willing, have your friend hold a calculator and quiz you on various calculations. All of this will be uncomfortable at first, but as with any athletic training, the more your practice, the easier it will become. We want you in championship mental math form by test day.

 

Week Two, Day Two
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 16 Problem Solving questions
    • 12 Reading Comprehension
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the second deck, the Fractions, Ratios, and Percents deck. Review cards from this and the previous deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

 

Week Two, Day Three
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Magoosh product, do:
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the second deck, the Fractions, Ratios, and Percents deck. Review cards from this and the previous deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

 

Week Two, Day Four
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 16 Data Sufficiency
    • 16 Critical Reasoning
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the second deck, the Fractions, Ratios, and Percents deck. Review cards from this and the previous deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

 

Week Two, Day Five
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Magoosh product, do:
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the second deck, the Fractions, Ratios, and Percents deck. Review cards from this and the previous deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

 

Week Two, Day Six
  1. Today, you are going to write another practice essay. Read the AWA Argument prompts in OG (pre-2020 editions) or this MBA.com PDF; pick another at random (or have someone pick it for you), and take 30 minutes to write an essay on the computer. (If you can turn off spellcheck & autocorrect, do so, as you will not have that feature on test day.)
     
    Now that you have this essay, what do you do with it? If you have a friend or mentor who is a gifted writer, see whether they would read the essay for you and critique it. Some folks hire a writing tutor specifically for this. If they are willing, you can show them the assessment criteria in the OG, and ask them to follow it. Alternately, you can upload your essay in the online forms and ask for feedback.
  2. In the Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards.

    Study the cards in the second deck, Basic II. As time allows, review cards from the earlier Idiom deck.

    1. Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

 

3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Three

 

Week Three, Day One
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Magoosh product, do:
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the third deck, the Geometry deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
  5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

 

Week Three, Day Two
  1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
  2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
    • 16 Problem Solving questions
    • 16 Sentence Correction
  3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the third deck, the Geometry deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Three, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the third deck, the Geometry deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Three, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Data Sufficiency
      • 12 Reading Comprehension
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the third deck, the Geometry deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Three, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the third deck, the Geometry deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Three, Day Six
    1. In the Magoosh product, do:
    2. In the Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards, study the cards in the third deck, Advanced I. As time allows, review cards from the earlier Idiom decks.

    back to top

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Four

     

    Week Four, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the fourth deck, the Number Properties I deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Four, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do the following:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fourth deck, the Number Properties I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Four, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fourth deck, the Number Properties I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Four, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Data Sufficiency Questions
      • 16 Sentence Correction Questions
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fourth deck, the Number Properties I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Four, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3.  

    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fourth deck, the Number Properties I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Four, Day Six
    1. Go back to GMAC’s official IR practice questions: Use the access code given in the back of the OG, logging in here. Once again, this site contains the online version of all the questions in the OG, in case you want to practice the identical questions online instead of on paper; in addition, the official IR practice questions live here.
       
      Uncheck everything else and do 38 IR questions, in three batches, with the following times: six Table Analysis (15 minutes); ten Graphics Interpretation (25 minutes); and sixteen Two-Part Analysis questions (40 minutes). When you are done, go back and read carefully the full explanation for each question. Take notes on anything you need to remember.
    2. In the Magoosh GMAT Idiom Flashcards

      Study the cards in the final deck, Advanced II. Do a thorough review of the cards from the earlier Idiom decks.

    3. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.


     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Five

     

    Week Five, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the fifth deck, the Number Properties II deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Five, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fifth deck, the Number Properties II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Five, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fifth deck, the Number Properties II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Five, Day Four

     

    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Critical Reasoning
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fifth deck, the Number Properties II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Five, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the fifth deck, the Number Properties II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Five, Day Six
    1. Using the code in the back of the MGMAT volume you bought, log into the MGMAT website and take the first online MGMAT CAT test.

      That software does not include an AWA question. To simulate a full GMAT, begin by selecting randomly a prompt from the back of the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition) or this MBA.com PDF, and then take 30 minutes to write the essay in a word processing program. Then, take the rest of the GMAT using that software.

      Go through the entire solution after you are done, reading carefully the solutions of anything you go wrong. If you have questions that are not clarified by these solutions, you will often find MGMAT questions posted on the GMAT Club forum. Take notes in your journal on anything you got wrong and anything you need to remember. The essay you will either share with a trusted friend or mentor, or post in the online forums asking for feedback.

      As much as possible, try to mimic the GMAT conditions. Give yourself relatively short breaks in between sections. Only eat the kinds of snacks that you are planning to bring to the real GMAT. Note how your sleep the night before affects your work. Note how what you had for dinner the previous night and what you had to eat earlier that day affects your energy level and concentration. Write any observations in your journal.

    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Six

     

    Week Six, Day One

    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the sixth deck, the Statistics and Probability deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Six, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Problem Solving Questions
      • 16 Sentence Correction Questions
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the sixth deck, the Statistics and Probability deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Six, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the sixth deck, the Statistics and Probability deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Six, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Data Sufficiency
      • 8 Reading Comprehension
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the sixth deck, the Statistics and Probability deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Six, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the sixth deck, the Statistics and Probability deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Six, Day Six
    1. Review the wrong answers from last week’s practice test.
    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Seven

     

    Week Seven, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the seventh deck, the Mixed Practice I deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Seven, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the seventh deck, the Mixed Practice I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Seven, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the seventh deck, the Mixed Practice I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Seven, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 12 Reading Comprehension
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the seventh deck, the Mixed Practice I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Seven, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the seventh deck, the Mixed Practice I deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Seven, Day Six
    1. Take the next online MGMAT CAT test.

      Once again, this software does not include an AWA question. To simulate a full GMAT, begin by selecting randomly a prompt from the back of the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition) or this MBA.com PDF, and then take 30 minutes to write the essay in a word processing program. Then, take the rest of the GMAT using that software.

      Go through the entire solution after you are done, reading carefully the solutions of anything you go wrong. If you have questions that are not clarified by these solutions, you will often find MGMAT questions posted on the GMAT Club forum. Take notes in your journal on anything you got wrong and anything you need to remember. The essay you will either share with a trusted friend or mentor, or post in the online forums asking for feedback.

      As much as possible, try to mimic the GMAT conditions. Give yourself relatively short breaks in between sections. Only eat the kinds of snacks that you are planning to bring to the real GMAT. Note how your sleep the night before affects your work. Note how what you had for dinner the previous night and what you had to eat earlier that day affects your energy level and concentration. Write any observations in your journal.

    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    Improve your GMAT score with Magoosh.

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Eight

     

    Week Eight, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the eighth deck, the Mixed Practice II deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Eight, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Critical Reasoning
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eighth deck, the Mixed Practice II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eight, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eighth deck, the Mixed Practice II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eight, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Data Sufficiency
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eighth deck, the Mixed Practice II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eight, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eighth deck, the Mixed Practice II deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eight, Day Six
    1. Review the wrong answers from last week’s practice test.

      NOTE: Look ahead at the upcoming Day Sixes and think about your test date. If Week 12, Day 6 is the day immediately before your real test, you don’t want to take a practice test then. I would recommend dropping the last MGMAT test, so you can fit two GMAT Prep tests in right before the end of the schedule. Just be thinking about all of this ahead of time, so you don’t have to make last-minute-panic changes.

    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Nine

     

    Week Nine, Day One

    NOTE: As you approach the end of the plan, the number of Magoosh questions remaining will be different for different folks, depending on how many quizzes you took. This could make a particular difference in math, if you took several quizzes multiple times.

    If you took each quiz only once, you should finish most of the Magoosh questions in the last week of the schedule, but if you took some quizzes multiple times you may run out of unanswered questions before the end of the schedule.

    If that’s the case, start answering questions you’ve seen before, especially ones that you already got wrong: that’s an excellent way to see whether you have learned from your mistakes.

    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 12 Reading Comprehension
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the ninth deck, the Mixed Practice III deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    6. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Nine, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the ninth deck, the Mixed Practice III deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Nine, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the ninth deck, the Mixed Practice III deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Nine, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Critical Reasoning
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the ninth deck, the Mixed Practice III deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Nine, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 16 Data Sufficiency
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the ninth deck, the Mixed Practice III deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Nine, Day Six
    1. Take the next online MGMAT CAT test.

      Once again, this software does not include an AWA question. To simulate a full GMAT, begin by selecting randomly a prompt from the back of the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition) or this MBA.com PDF, and then take 30 minutes to write the essay in a word processing program. Then, take the rest of the GMAT using that software.

      Go through the entire solution after you are done, reading carefully the solutions of anything you go wrong. If you have questions that are not clarified by these solutions, you will often find MGMAT questions posted on the GMAT Club forum. Take notes in your journal on anything you got wrong and anything you need to remember. The essay you will either share with a trusted friend or mentor, or post in the online forums asking for feedback.

      As much as possible, try to mimic the GMAT conditions. Give yourself relatively short breaks in between sections. Only eat the kinds of snacks that you are planning to bring to the real GMAT. Note how your sleep the night before affects your work. Note how what you had for dinner the previous night and what you had to eat earlier that day affects your energy level and concentration. Write any observations in your journal.

    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Ten

     

    Week Ten, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the tenth deck, the Mixed Practice IV deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    5. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Ten, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the tenth deck, the Mixed Practice IV deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Ten, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the tenth deck, the Mixed Practice IV deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Ten, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 12 Reading Comprehension
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the tenth deck, the Mixed Practice IV deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Ten, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the tenth deck, the Mixed Practice IV deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Ten, Day Six
    1. Review your wrong answers from last week’s practice test.
    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Eleven

     

    Week Eleven, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 13 Critical Reasoning
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the eleventh deck, the Mixed Practice V deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    6. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Eleven, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eleventh deck, the Mixed Practice V deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eleven, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 12 Data Sufficiency
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eleventh deck, the Mixed Practice V deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eleven, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eleventh deck, the Mixed Practice V deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eleven, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the eleventh deck, the Mixed Practice V deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Eleven, Day Six
    1. Download the free GMAT Prep software.
    2. Take the first full-length GMAT on the GMAC software.

      This software also does not include an AWA question. To simulate a full GMAT, begin by selecting randomly a prompt from the back of the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition) or this MBA.com PDF, and then take 30 minutes to write the essay in a word processing program. Then, take the rest of the GMAT using that software.

      Go through the entire solution after you are done, reading carefully the solutions of anything you go wrong. If you have questions that are not clarified by these solutions, you will often find GMAT Prep questions posted on the GMAT Club forum. Take notes in your journal on anything you got wrong and anything you need to remember. The essay you will either share with a trusted friend or mentor, or post in the online forums asking for feedback.

      As much as possible, try to mimic the GMAT conditions. Give yourself relatively short breaks in between sections. Only eat the kinds of snacks that you are planning to bring to the real GMAT. Note how your sleep the night before affects your work. Note how what you had for dinner the previous night and what you had to eat earlier that day affects your energy level and concentration. Write any observations in your journal.

    3. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

     

    3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Week Twelve

     

    Week Twelve, Day One
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:

    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Official Guide, do the following:
      • 10 Critical Reasoning
    4. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, start learning the cards in the last deck, the Mixed Practice VI deck. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    5. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.
    6. Remember this week to continue doing Mental Math Practice. See the description at Week Two, Day One.

     

    Week Twelve, Day Two
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the last deck, the Mixed Practice VI deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Twelve, Day Three
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the last deck, the Mixed Practice VI deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Twelve, Day Four
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the last deck, the Mixed Practice VI deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Twelve, Day Five
    1. Watch Magoosh lesson videos:
    2. In the Magoosh product, do:
    3. In the Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards, continue learning the cards in the last deck, the Mixed Practice VI deck. Review cards from this and the previous decks. Spend 10-15 minutes with these cards.
    4. Spend at least 30 minutes on the outside reading of your choice. Pay attention to sentence structures. Pay attention to arguments. Pay attention to main ideas & roles of paragraphs.

     

    Week Twelve, Day Six (if this is NOT the day before the real GMAT):
    1. Take the second full-length GMAT on the GMAC software.

      Once again, this software does not include an AWA question. To simulate a full GMAT, begin by selecting randomly a prompt from the back of the OG (if you have a pre-2020 edition) or this MBA.com PDF, and then take 30 minutes to write the essay in a word processing program. Then, take the rest of the GMAT using that software.

      Go through the entire solution after you are done, reading carefully the solutions of anything you go wrong. If you have questions that are not clarified by these solutions, you will often find GMAT Prep questions posted on the GMAT Club forum. Take notes in your journal on anything you got wrong and anything you need to remember. The essay you will either share with a trusted friend or mentor, or post in the online forums asking for feedback.

      As much as possible, try to mimic the GMAT conditions. Give yourself relatively short breaks in between sections. Only eat the kinds of snacks that you are planning to bring to the real GMAT. Note how your sleep the night before affects your work. Note how what you had for dinner the previous night and what you had to eat earlier that day affects your energy level and concentration. Write any observations in your journal.

    2. Take some time to review any Idiom flashcards and any Math flashcards that you haven’t mastered yet.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

     

    After Week 12: Concentrated Review

    At this point, if you have been following the schedule, you should have done just about every question in both Magoosh and in the OG at least once. For the days of this week, and remaining days of the test, keep up work on GMAT math and verbal. Some suggestions for what to do:

    1. Go back to OG questions you did a while ago, and do them again. (This is why it was important not to write in the book!)
    2. Through selecting question type & difficulty on the “Dashboard”, do Magoosh problems over again, and see how you do a second time.
    3. Keep watching for a second time five Magoosh lesson videos a day, on whatever topics you feel you need to review
    4. Continue reviewing all the Magoosh flashcards.
    5. Continue Mental Math Practice every day.
    6. Go to the online forums, looking for challenging questions that folks are asking.
    7. If you feel you need it, devote one more evening to writing two more practice essays, from the topics listed in the OG.
    8. If you have a weekend day that is more than a couple days for the real GMAT, then take one final practice GMAT from the GMAT software, as on Week Twelve, Day Six.
    9. Review guidelines from both Magoosh and the GMAC about guessing and skipping on the exam and how this can affect your overall pacing.

    Day before the test:

    1. No GMAT preparation all day
    2. Eat a large, healthy, leisurely dinner – no alcohol!
    3. Go to bed earlier than usual.

    Day of test:

    1. ABSOLUTELY NO LAST MINUTE GMAT PREPARATION!
    2. Follow Magoosh’s suggestions for ultimate test-day success!
    3. Eat a large breakfast, full of protein
    4. Do relaxing, fun activities to pass time until the test

    Bring to the test:

    1. A liter of water
    2. Healthy energy-packed snacks (nuts, protein bar, etc.)
    3. On breaks, make sure to get up, move & stretch – moving and stretching the large muscles of the body (legs and torso) will get oxygen flowing throughout, which will help keep you awake and keep you thinking clearly.

    Bonus: Review the Official Web Pages for GMAT Test Day

    Being relaxed and confident on test day is key to doing well on the GMAT. And the best way to know what to expect is to get information from the actual makers of the test. MBA.com (the official website for the GMAT) has a number of resources to help you know what to expect on test day, including what the test center will be like, identification requirements, and exam strategies. This is an optional end-of-study-plan activity. But you may find that some or all of the pages help you feel more prepared for the test than ever.

    Go back to the top of Magoosh's GMAT study plan 3 months for Beginners.

    Improve your GMAT scores with Magoosh GMAT, you can choose between a live cohorted class with an instructor (which includes all our lessons and practice questions) or access to the self-study option by itself.

    Author

    • Mike MᶜGarry

      Mike served as a GMAT Expert at Magoosh, helping create hundreds of lesson videos and practice questions to help guide GMAT students to success. He was also featured as “member of the month” for over two years at GMAT Club. Mike holds an A.B. in Physics (graduating magna cum laude) and an M.T.S. in Religions of the World, both from Harvard. Beyond standardized testing, Mike has over 20 years of both private and public high school teaching experience specializing in math and physics. In his free time, Mike likes smashing foosballs into orbit, and despite having no obvious cranial deficiency, he insists on rooting for the NY Mets. Learn more about the GMAT through Mike’s Youtube video explanations and resources like What is a Good GMAT Score? and the GMAT Diagnostic Test.

    More from Magoosh