This post was updated in 2024 for the new GMAT.
Good GMAT study is planned GMAT study. It really is important to plan ahead for what you’ll need to study and how you’ll study for the GMAT. So whether you have one month or six months to study, one of the plans we’ve outlined below can help you study more effectively for the GMAT. Keep reading to learn how to start your GMAT prep and which GMAT study schedule may be right for you!
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How do I create a GMAT study plan?
1. Know Your Goals
First of all, it’s time to set your target score for the exam. This doesn’t have to be the precise number of verbal questions you want to get right, your exact verbal score, or an exact score on problem-solving quant problems. But it’s important to know what you’re aiming for, in terms of your overall score range for the test itself.
Wondering what your aim should be? Check out what a good GMAT score is, as well as our video on average scores by school.
2. Plan to Keep Yourself Motivated.
Part of this is practical, part of it is inspirational! In terms of practicality, plan on scheduling your studying around your life–not the other way around. In other words, before you plan your study schedule, first look at your calendar between now and the test day. Mark off any dates that you have plans–whether this is work, school, vacation, or just a day when you know you won’t study! Now, count what’s left. That’s how much study time you actually have!
Remember: if you stop letting yourself meet your work and family commitments–and also to relax and have fun–you won’t be able to maintain momentum, as GMAT study will feel like a slog.
In the meantime, check out these tips for keeping yourself positive throughout your GMAT study from Magoosh’s expert, Kevin!
3. Test Your (Current) Skills
Before you choose (or start building!) your GMAT study schedule, you’ll need to get squared away with a couple initial steps. Namely, you’ll need to get a baseline read of your current skills. diagnostic tests. If you haven’t had all that fun yet, take about an hour and complete both the quantitative and verbal diagnostic tests.
Next, download the GMAT Cheat Sheet (AKA the Free GMAT Study Guide How-To) to get a primer for the test! This guide will give you an overview of everything you need to know for test-day success.
4. Map Out Your Timeframe!
Now that you know your goal score, your current knowledge base, and your other commitments, you’re ready to pick out (or create!) your own GMAT schedule. Count up how many “months” (28-day groupings) you have before your test, and navigate to our 1-, 2-, or 3-month schedules below!
Have more or less time to study? Need to focus on one section in particular? Keep scrolling for more GMAT schedule options, including the opportunity to build your own study plan!
GMAT Study Guides
Whether you’re attempting to cram or are taking your time to study leisurely for the GMAT, it always helps to have a more structured GMAT study guide to keep you on track and help you attain a good GMAT score. Whatever your timeline, we have a GMAT study guide for you.
Below are our regularly-updated, expert-designed GMAT study schedules that include lists of suggested resources and checklists of specific tasks and goals for every day.
1 Month Daily Schedule
You’re a test taker — perhaps a business school hopeful — starting from Square One. Or perhaps you just registered for next month’s GMAT exam. You haven’t studied for this test before, and you want a step-by-step GMAT study guide to help you plan out the next few weeks. It’s not very much time, but you want to make the most of what you have, with a guide for GMAT prep to match. Then this 1-Month GMAT Study Schedule is for you!
Sample Week 1 from the 1 Month GMAT Study Schedule
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic Test, Review, and GMAT Basics: Introduction to Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights |
| 2 | Quant Basics : Mental math, number sense, properties of real numbers, word problems |
| 3 | Verbal: Intro to Critical Reasoning, start learning concepts |
| 5 | Quant: Number sense, ratios, multiples, integer properties |
| 4 | Data Insights: Intro to Data Sufficiency, start learning concepts |
| 6 | OG Diagnostic Practice Tests |
| 7 | OFF |
2 Month Daily Schedule
Your test is coming up soon. You haven’t started prepping yet, and you need to know how to maximize your available time. Not to worry! Two months can be long enough to prepare for the GMAT–if you know how to allocate your study hours and get the right resources. If you’re looking for a guide that will help you get the most out of two months of GMAT prep, then the 2 Month GMAT Study Schedule is for you!
Sample Week 1 from the 2 Month GMAT Study Schedule
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic Test |
| 2 | Review diagnostic results |
| 3 | GMAT Basics: Introduction to Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights |
| 4 | Quant Basics : Mental math, number sense, properties of real numbers, word problems |
| 5 | OG Diagnostic Practice Tests |
| 6 | Review diagnostic test results |
| 7 | OFF |
3 Month Daily Schedule
You have more time to prep than the above GMAT study schedules. You’re ready to dedicate 3 months to GMAT test prep. However, you’re still starting from scratch and want to feel organized about this endeavor. (After all, this is your MBA or graduate management future we’re talking about!) If the test intimidates you, or you just want to start fresh, then this 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule will be your best friend.
Sample Week 1 from the 3 Month GMAT Study Schedule
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic test and review |
| 2 | GMAT Basics: Introduction to Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights |
| 3 | Quant Basics : Mental math, number sense |
| 4 | Quant: Properties of real numbers, mental math, order of operations |
| 5 | Verbal: Intro to Critical Reasoning, start learning concepts |
| 6 | Review day |
| 7 | OFF |
6-Month GMAT Study Schedule
You have more time than that allotted in the 1- and 3-month study guides. You’re starting early and giving yourself ample time to prepare for the GMAT. But you still want to work hard and diligently each week to score high on everything from the analytical writing section to the quantitative section. The 6-Month GMAT Study Schedule is the right GMAT review for you, then! If you’re determined to stay organized over the next 6 months, but need a little help doing so, then use this study guide as your rubric and guide.
Modifying Your Study Schedule
As you can see, there are a lot of GMAT study plans. But remember, every plan should have some individual “twists.” Feel free to modify our study guide, adding and changing activities as needed.
Whether it’s making your study schedule more advanced, boosting Verbal skills as a non-native English speaker, or building out your holistic MBA application timeline, we have the guide for you! Learn more about modifying your GMAT study plan here:
- Modifying study schedules for advanced students
- GMAT for non-native English speakers
- MBA application timeline template (with GMAT included!)
A Final Word on How to Study for the GMAT
The study schedules we offered really show you how to study for the GMAT, both in terms of what to study and the best ways to schedule your study. Above all, discipline is key. Daily GMAT preparation is needed for the Verbal Section and the Quant section, and you should prep for IR and AWA on at least a weekly basis. Be sure to study official GMAT materials and reliable third-party materials,
In order to use these study guides, you’ll need a subscription to Magoosh GMAT. We offer over 800 practice questions and 200 video lessons to cover everything you need to know for the GMAT. Try us for free with a 1-week trial!
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