How do you find motivation to study for the GMAT???

For those who’ve recently studied for or taken their GMAT, how did you find the motivation to study for this exam?? 
 

Historically been satisfactory at math and scored well on exams in general, but can’t find myself reading more than a few pages of quant review material without getting super bored. While the material is mostly stuff I’ve learned over 15 years ago, it’s all very dense and uninteresting. 
 

I signed up for an online prep course but each video is quite long, maybe 1 hr+ to explain a few concepts, and I don’t know if I want to listen to those either. 
 

How did you guys trudge through these?? 

14 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Yes I experience the same thing. One thing that helps is to alternate studying between Quant and Verbal. So let's say you start your day with studying quant. Study it until you really get bored, then switch to verbal. Or if you can't concentrate reading endless quant chapters anymore, switch to another form of studying, e.g., flashcards or doing OG questions. These are the best ways to prevent study fatigue.

But remember, in the end the stuff must be done. There are enough equally ambitious people that are eager to take your spot at the BSchool you want to break in - so stay ahead and put in the work.

 

I decided to apply for a test waiver instead of taking the GMAT/GRE. I submitted my application for a T20 FT MBA yesterday for the class of 2027. I find out in 15 days if I get the test waiver. I've gotten a test waiver before because I have good marks on business / STEM classes in college.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Interesting, if you get the waiver, would this apply for all schools you apply to, or only certain ones? 
 

Asking as I am also studying for exams but I think I likely would need a decent score to make up for other areas where I may not be as strong as other applicants with a similar background 

 
gradprogram

Interesting, if you get the waiver, would this apply for all schools you apply to, or only certain ones? 
 

Asking as I am also studying for exams but I think I likely would need a decent score to make up for other areas where I may not be as strong as other applicants with a similar background 

You have to get a waiver for each school. I only applied to one school though.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
gradprogram

Interesting, if you get the waiver, would this apply for all schools you apply to, or only certain ones? 
 

Asking as I am also studying for exams but I think I likely would need a decent score to make up for other areas where I may not be as strong as other applicants with a similar background 

Overall though, a test waiver is probably neutral to your application. This is in contrast to attaining a high GMAT/GRE score which will make your application stand out. I am confident I'll get the waiver and just didn't enjoy studying for the GRE. I'm taking a bit of a chance not taking the test, but feel I have a 75% chance of getting admitted for a 23% acceptance rate if I get the waiver.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

FYI folks, as someone who went through the MBA rat race (specifically for 2+2/deferred MBA programs) and used former adcoms people as consultants, getting a test waiver is a perfectly valid option for T20 IF your undergrad GPA is strong (3.7 or above, some wiggle room if you were an engineering major).

If you try to get a test waiver with a weak GPA, your app has no chance of standing out, especially when you cross into T15 territory, unless you have something insane on your resume like you're an Olympic gold medalist or your dad is the CEO of a F500 company. 

 
thewageslave

FYI folks, as someone who went through the MBA rat race and used former adcoms people as consultants, getting a test waiver is a perfectly valid option for T20 IF your undergrad GPA is strong (3.7 or above, some wiggle room if you were an engineering major).

If you try to get a test waiver with a weak GPA, your app has no chance of standing out, especially when you cross into T15 territory, unless you have something insane on your resume like you're an Olympic gold medalist or your dad is the CEO of a F500 company. 

Yeah exactly

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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