{"id":741,"date":"2021-01-10T15:33:29","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T20:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/?p=741"},"modified":"2021-01-25T08:33:45","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T13:33:45","slug":"seven-common-gmat-prep-mistakes-you-must-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/seven-common-gmat-prep-mistakes-you-must-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven common GMAT Prep Mistakes you must avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#cfebf8\">So you are starting your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCkC-Xqxt9dW5py8YKl9lWEQ?sub_confirmation=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GMAT Prep<\/a> and you are excited to dive in. However, if you make any of these GMAT Prep Mistakes, your prep will not only take longer time, it may also result in a sub-optimal GMAT score for you. So here is a list of mistakes you must carefully avoid during your GMAT Study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/toa-heftiba-ip9R11FMbV8-unsplash-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-742 lazyload\" width=\"176\" height=\"261\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 176px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 176\/261;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/toa-heftiba-ip9R11FMbV8-unsplash-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-742\" width=\"176\" height=\"261\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>GMAT Prep Mistakes #1: Collecting a lot of material<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting to collect all the material you can is disastrous. Do you think that the rules of even and odd change from one book to another? How about rules of grammar? Collecting every book out there, every tutorial, every video is not healthy and it only serves as a distraction. Having so much material also overwhelms you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-pale-ocean-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistakes #2: <strong>Studying without a plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jumping directly into questions without having a focus area or without having the right fundamentals is going to be ineffective. Follow a study plan that provides a healthy dose of fundamentals and a focus on weak areas. Checkout GMAT By Example&#8217;s GMAT Study Plan [Coming soon]. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jumpong_200x300.png\" alt=\"Jumping to Practice Questions\" class=\"wp-image-753 lazyload\" width=\"171\" height=\"258\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 171px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 171\/258;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jumpong_200x300.png\" alt=\"Jumping to Practice Questions\" class=\"wp-image-753\" width=\"171\" height=\"258\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus.png\" alt=\"Focus on GMAT Fundamentals\" class=\"wp-image-763 lazyload\" width=\"179\" height=\"276\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus.png 200w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus-194x300.png 194w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 179px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 179\/276;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus.png\" alt=\"Focus on GMAT Fundamentals\" class=\"wp-image-763\" width=\"179\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus.png 200w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Focus-194x300.png 194w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistakes #3: <strong>Not focusing on fundamentals first<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a mistake to assume that you are already familiar with the GMAT topics because you did them in high school. At least a small brush-up of concepts is likely to get you back in the grove.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-12 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistakes #4: <strong><strong>Trying to improve speed<\/strong><\/strong> before accuracy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is just no point to trying to increase speed if your accuracy is bad. Increase accuracy first! However, many GMAT Test takers make the mistake of jumping into speed and further compromise their accuracy. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-765 lazyload\" width=\"165\" height=\"252\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash.png 200w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash-197x300.png 197w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 165px) 100vw, 165px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 165px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 165\/252;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-765\" width=\"165\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash.png 200w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/speed_crash-197x300.png 197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 165px) 100vw, 165px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list is-grid columns-4 aligncenter wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/18-gmat-acronyms-you-must-know-to-start-an-outstanding-gmat-prep\/\">18 GMAT Acronyms you must know to start an outstanding GMAT Prep<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/most-important-and-basic-things-you-must-know-about-gmat-exam\/\">Most important and basic things you must know about GMAT Exam<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/gmat-inequalities-one-mistake-to-avoid-to-improve-your-gmat-score\/\">GMAT Inequalities &#8211; One mistake to avoid to improve your GMAT score<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/gmat-online-test-vs-gmat-in-center-test-differences\/\">GMAT online test Vs GMAT in-center test differences<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-15 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772 lazyload\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 169px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 169\/251;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772 lazyload\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 169px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 169\/251;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/><\/noscript><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistakes #5: Not having a log to track your mistakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not having an &#8220;error log&#8221; while preparing for GMAT is like missing out on a huge part of due diligence while buying a new company. It is a strict no-no. Logs serve a dual purpose: a) They help you track and analyze your weaknesses b) They also provide a great revision technique during the last few days before your actual GMAT Test. Need a <a href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/sign-up-to-our-newsletter-to-get-a-free-error-log-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FREE GMAT Error Log template<\/a>? Please <a href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/sign-up-to-our-newsletter-to-get-a-free-error-log-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sign up<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-pale-ocean-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-18 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistake #6: Cramming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>GMAT is a test of &#8220;application of fundamentals&#8221;. Cramming of questions, answer choices or any such material will never be effective.  Focus on understanding and the art of problem solving. However, it is ok to remember formulas well. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-775 lazyload\" width=\"173\" height=\"255\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram.png 407w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram-203x300.png 203w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 173px) 100vw, 173px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 173px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 173\/255;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-775\" width=\"173\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram.png 407w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/cram-203x300.png 203w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 173px) 100vw, 173px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-21 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772 lazyload\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 169px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 169\/251;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772 lazyload\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 169px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 169\/251;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-772\" width=\"169\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake.png 404w, https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/mistake-202x300.png 202w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/><\/noscript><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GMAT Prep Mistakes #7: Getting bogged down by one topic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Topics like Probability &amp; Permutations\/Combinations are really hard to master. Hence, getting bogged down and spending too much time trying to master these topics may be folly. Instead, it may be best to cut your losses and move on to other topics that you can actually make some progress on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t say we didn&#8217;t warn you! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">*If you are new to GMAT, please see: <a href=\"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/most-important-and-basic-things-you-must-know-about-gmat-exam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Introduction to GMAT Test<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Six GMAT Prep Mistakes you must avoid at all cost for the most effective GMAT Preparation. Did you know how important it is to have a &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,5,3],"tags":[74,75,78,77,76,79],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=741"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":831,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741\/revisions\/831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatbyexample.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}