![\"Calendar](\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gmat\/files\/2020\/01\/image-gmat-header-3monthStudySchedule.jpg\")
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This post was updated in 2024 for the new GMAT.<\/strong><\/p>\n \nIf you\u2019re 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. Your GMAT score is one of the most important factors in MBA admissions. Be sure to give yourself sufficient time to study.\n<\/p>\n \nYou should dedicate 1.5\u20132.5 hours a day, 5-6 days a week to study over the next three months. Not feeling like 3 months is the right fit for your timeline? Check out Magoosh\u2019s other GMAT study schedule options<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nThis plan contains a tremendous amount of instructional material and hundreds of high quality practice questions! As you follow the schedule, you will be working through a large portion of the questions available to you in the Magoosh product. However, this schedule is not designed for you to complete all<\/em> the questions in the Magoosh GMAT pool. Here\u2019s why:\n<\/p>\n \nBut what if you want to do more practice in Magoosh than is assigned each week? That\u2019s definitely doable! Just be aware that the fewer “new” questions remaining in the Magoosh pool, the higher the chance of getting a repeat question on a practice test. And if you exhaust the entire Magoosh pool, then only repeat questions will be available even in Custom Practice. The upside though is that working through questions more than once is a highly effective study strategy.\n<\/p>\n \nIf you follow this schedule to the letter, after you reach the end of 3-months, you will have the option to continue working through the remaining Magoosh questions.\n<\/p>\n \nIf you\u2019re really keen to do extra work, but don\u2019t want to exhaust Magoosh practice questions before you reach the end of the schedule, we recommend using the O.G. question bank for practice beyond each week\u2019s assignments.\n<\/p>\n Advanced Students<\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n \nNotice, this is a twelve-week plan\u2014but you\u2019ll 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\u2019s great. If you have a wedding or a camping trip or something in the middle, you could just skip a week, and do it later. Alternately, following the plan straight through would leave you more time for review at the end.\n<\/p>\n \nKnow that you are empowered to rearrange this schedule as best suits your needs. Even though the plan is laid out for you week-by-week, with suggestions for how to break up your days of study. These are just suggestions!<\/em> You can move more work to the weekends to free up some weeknight evenings! You can squeeze everything into a few long days of work during the week! Feel free to rearrange the week\u2019s work in whatever way makes the most sense for you.\n<\/p>\n \nNow, you can just dive into this plan! However, you\u2019ll find it more effective if you use it methodically. To get the most out of this GMAT study plan, approach it with as follows:\n<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \nHere are our recommendations for resources that will provide you with test-like practice:\n<\/p>\n \nA Premium subscription to Magoosh<\/a><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nMagoosh\u2019s Complete GMAT Guide<\/a>: This comprehensive web-based guide gives you a quick and useful overview. You\u2019ll 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.\n<\/p>\n \nGMAC\u2019s\u00a0GMAT Official Guide\u00a0<\/em>(OG)\u2013The newest edition of the e-book and online question bank is here:\u00a0OG 2023-2024<\/a>. If you are going to buy a new guide, get that one. Want a paper copy? Check out this link<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Word to the wise: Don\u2019t write in the official guide or any prep books<\/strong>. Do all 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.\n<\/p>\n \nThe OG Verbal Review 2023-2024<\/a>, the OG Quantitative Review 2023-2024<\/a>, and the OG Data Insights Review 2023-2024<\/a>. These links will take you to the e-book and online question banks available from the Exam Prep<\/a> section of mba.com. You cannot go wrong if you use materials produced by the folks who write the exam.\n<\/p>\n \nGMAT\u2019s additional official practice exams<\/a>, which are now entirely digital.\n<\/p>\n \nThe\u00a0Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards<\/a>. If you happen to see a deck for plane geometry concepts, remember to skip those since those concepts are no longer tested on the GMAT.\n<\/p>\n \nIf you\u2019ve exhausted the OG and Magoosh materials, another credible option is\u00a0Manhattan’s All the GMAT book set<\/a>. It is an excellent prep source. (Don\u2019t write in these books either!)\n<\/p>\n \nAn Error Log<\/a>. Not sure what\u2019s up with an error log. The link at the beginning of this sentence will walk you through the benefits and provide you with access to a Free template<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nNote:<\/strong> The GMAT underwent major changes in 2023. So, you might be wondering what to do if you have prep materials that were produced for older versions of the GMAT. Good news! You can absolutely keep and use those older materials; however, there are a few topics and subject areas that you should skip if you do choose to use older materials. Here\u2019s what you should leave out:\n<\/p>\n \nThe Magoosh mobile app for your iPhone or Android<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nThe two online forums:\n<\/p>\n GMAT Club<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Beat the GMAT<\/a>\n<\/p>\n These are great places to ask questions about anything GMAT related, or simply to check out the discussions and see how others are preparing.\n<\/p>\n \nOutside reading material: You may already have a habit of reading. But if you do not, it would be good to make it a regular practice. While you don\u2019t need to be an expert in all <\/em>world affairs, it\u2019s important for the GMAT to have a\u00a0general sense\u00a0of the business world.\u00a0If you are a non-native English speaker, it is absolutely crucial that you develop a habit of reading<\/strong>. For a non-native speaker struggling with the Verbal section, we strongly recommend reading for at least an hour a day every day, an hour over and above any GMAT-specific preparation.\n<\/p>\n \nRead the\u00a0Wall Street Journal\u00a0<\/em>and\/or the business section of respected newspapers such as the\u00a0New York Times<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Washington Post<\/em>. Force yourself to read articles discussing topics with which you are unfamiliar. Read periodicals, such as the\u00a0Economist<\/em> and\u00a0Bloomberg Businessweek<\/em>; the\u00a0Economist<\/em> is a particularly sophisticated source and it would be good to read this at least a few times a week.\n<\/p>\n \nThese business sources are often also a good place to practice reading graphs.\n<\/p>\n \nOf course, if you already are in the habit of doing challenging reading on your own, then by all means, continue reading what you want.\n<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \nOG<\/strong>\u00a0= the GMAC Official Guide\n<\/p>\n \nQR<\/strong>\u00a0= Quantitative Reasoning, the multiple-choice math questions\n<\/p>\n \nVR <\/strong>= Verbal Reasoning, which is broken down into the following two question types:\n<\/p>\n \nRC<\/strong>\u00a0= Reading Comprehension verbal question\n<\/p>\n \nCR<\/strong>\u00a0= Critical Reasoning verbal question\n<\/p>\n \nDI<\/strong>\u00a0= Data Insights questions\n<\/p>\n \nDS<\/strong> = Data Sufficiency, which is a type of DI<\/strong> question\n<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n*Most of the lessons included in this schedule are only available to Magoosh students\u2014sign up here for a free trial<\/a>!\n<\/p>\n \nGo to\u00a0the test-maker\u2019s website<\/a>, and read all about the GMAT. Click on each of the Quick Links on the sidebar of that page to explore the exam structure, content, and to check out a few sample questions.\n<\/p>\n \nIn Magoosh, watch the following videos:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nGMAT Focus Introduction: all seven videos in this section\n<\/p>\n GMAT Focus Intro: Quantitative Section<\/a>\n<\/p>\n GMAT Focus Intro: Verbal Section<\/a>\n<\/p>\n GMAT Focus Intro: Data Insights Section<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Computer Adaptive Testing<\/a>\n<\/p>\n GMAT Focus Scores<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Pacing, Skipping, and Guessing<\/a>\n<\/p>\n GMAT Focus Intro: Test Day<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nNOTE<\/strong>: The content in Magoosh videos may feel super easy or very challenging. Some folks will find the verbal information obvious and the math hard-going; other folks will have the reverse experience. If the material is relatively easy for you, feel free to click to the end and simply read the summary. If the material is new to you, take notes on what you are learning, and if possible, watch that video a second time.\n<\/p>\n \nWatch the following videos:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIn Quantitative Reasoning (QR), watch the following General Math Strategies videos and complete any associated practice quizzes:\n<\/p>\n Intro to GMAT Math<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Mental Math: GMAT Estimation<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Mental Math Estimation<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Mental Math: Dividing by 5<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Mental Math: Doubling and Halving<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Mental Math: Squaring Shortcuts <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Number Sense<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Number Sense<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n The use and Abuse of Formulas<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nNOTE:<\/strong> Whenever a video contains sample questions, make sure to pause and complete the questions thoroughly as the videos instruct.\n<\/p>\n \nNOTE II:<\/strong> After most Magoosh questions is a text and\/or video explanation. If you got the question right, just skim the text summary of the video to verify you understand it. If you got the question wrong, watch the video explanation right away. If you don\u2019t understand a question after reviewing the text and video explanations, email us at Magoosh.com. Due to a high volume of questions, please allow up to 48-hours for a response.\n<\/p>\n \nGetting questions wrong at the beginning may be frustrating, but remember that you are playing a \u201clonger game\u201d: the point is not instant success at the beginning, but building deeper\u00a0understanding overtime. Remember to add all incorrect questions to your error log!\n<\/p>\n \nIn QR, watch the following videos under Arithmetic and Fractions and complete any associated practice quizzes:\n<\/p>\n Properties of Real Numbers<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Positive and Negative Numbers<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Positive and Negative Numbers<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Mental Math: Addition and Subtraction <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Positive and Negative Numbers II<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Order of Operations<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Order of Operations <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIn VR, watch the following four videos under Critical Reasoning:\n<\/p>\n Intro to Critical Reasoning <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Dissecting an Argument <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Common Argument Types <\/a>\n<\/p>\n General CR Strategy<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nMagoosh Custom Practice:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nReview<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIf you have not done so as you worked through the questions, be sure you review all the practice questions you\u2019ve attempted this week.\n<\/p>\n \nRemember to add any that you missed to your error log, and be sure that for each question you do the following:\n<\/p>\n \nIn\u00a0Magoosh GMAT Math Flashcards<\/a>:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nReview the cards in the Algebra deck. Spend about 5-10 minutes a day each day with these cards.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nIn QR, watch the following videos under Arithmetic and Fractions and complete any associated practice quizzes:\n<\/p>\n Intro to Decimals<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Intro to Decimals<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Multiples of 10<\/a>\n<\/p>\n More on Scientific Notation <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: More on Scientific Notation<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIn Verbal Reasoning (VR), watch the following videos under Reading Comprehension:\n<\/p>\n Intro to Reading Comprehension <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Approaching the Passage<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Understanding Structure<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Dissecting the Passage<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Approaching the Questions<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Answer Choice Traps<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nMagoosh Custom Practice: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIn QR, watch the following nine videos under Arithmetic and Fractions and complete the associated quizzes:\n<\/p>\n Intro to Fractions<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Conversions with Fractions and Decimals<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Fraction Properties I<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Fraction Properties I<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Comparing Fractions I<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Operations with Fractions<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Fraction Properties II<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Fraction Properties II<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nIn QR, watch the following videos under Arithmetic and Fractions and complete the associated quizzes:\n<\/p>\n Word Problems with Fractions <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Arithmetic and Fractions<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Working with Percents<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Quiz: Working with Percents<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Error Log Review of the above Quiz<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n![\"3](\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gmat\/files\/2012\/02\/cta-gmat-button-3month.png\")
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What you can do if you find that this schedule is too much or not enough for your individual study needs:<\/h3>\n
\nIf you are already feeling pretty confident in your knowledge of the format, concepts, and question types that you will encounter on the GMAT exam and feel that you will not need a lot of the foundational lessons and practice built into this schedule, check out our advice on Modifying a Schedule for Advanced Students.<\/a>
\nNon-Native English Speakers<\/strong>
\nThe GMAT is a tough exam even for those who grew up immersed in an English-speaking environment. For many non-native speakers or ELL students, the level of vocabulary and sentence complexity of the GMAT poses an even greater challenge. For advice on how to alter or supplement this schedule, especially if you are struggling with the Verbal Section, check out our post, GMAT for Non-Native English Speakers.<\/a><\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/h2>\n
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Getting Started<\/h2>\n
How to Use This 3 Month GMAT Study Plan<\/h3>\n
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Essential Study Materials<\/h3>\n
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Optional Materials<\/h4>\n
Abbreviations<\/h3>\n
The 3-Month GMAT Study schedule<\/h2>\n
Week One<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Day 1: Diagnostic Test and Review
\n<\/h4>\n\n
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\nDay 2: GMAT Basics
\n<\/h4>\n\nDay 3: Quantitative Reasoning Basics
\n<\/h4>\n\nDay 4: Quantitative Reasoning
\n<\/h4>\n\nDay 5: Verbal Reasoning
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\nDay 6: Review
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3 month GMAT Study Plan: Week Two
\n<\/h2>\nWeek Two<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\nDay 1: Quantitative Reasoning
\n<\/h4>\n\nDay 2: Verbal Reasoning
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\nDay 3: Quantitative Reasoning
\n<\/h4>\n\nDay 4: Quantitative Reasoning
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