Do Not Try to Learn Too Much at Once

A big driver of GMAT stress is cramming in too much information or too many different things at once. If, for whatever reason, you’ve decided that you must be ready to take the GMAT in 2 months, or 10 weeks, or whatever arbitrary timeline, and you’re trying to cram in hundreds of GMAT concepts in that time, then your high stress level can’t be very surprising.

If you’re working a full-time job and studying for the GMAT for 5 hours a day just so you can “get it done” as fast as possible, then it’s no wonder the situation feels overwhelming.

Moreover, if you’re bouncing around from topic to topic, trying to learn a lot of different GMAT material at once because you think doing so is more “efficient,” I’ve got news for you. Your GMAT prep is probably less efficient than a more measured approach. Furthermore, you’re almost certainly creating unnecessary stress by constantly switching gears.

You have to be realistic about the amount of time it takes to properly prepare for the GMAT. You also have to be realistic about how many different concepts you can master simultaneously.

Many of us remember how stressful it was to try to write a paper the night before it was due or “catch up” on nearly a semester’s-worth of reading for a midterm in a matter of days. When you try to learn too much GMAT material at once, you create that situation again and again for yourself.

So, have a realistic study timeline and a well-thought-out plan for learning all the GMAT topics you’ll need to cover. That way, your studying won’t feel random or rushed.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep