Do Flashcards Help for GMAT Preparation?
Many GMAT students are unsure whether they should devote time to creating flashcards to use as study aids during their test preparation. In this article, we’ll look at the top 6 reasons why I recommend to all of my GMAT students that they create and regularly use flashcards. I will also provide some examples of how to most effectively use your GMAT flashcards.
Reason #1: Flashcards are beneficial for both verbal and quantitative study.
You likely have heard that GMAT flashcards are an important tool for memorizing key GMAT quant concepts. As we know, many formulas must be memorized to achieve a high GMAT quant score. Flashcards isolate key formulas, allowing us to concentrate on them and form a mental picture of them. Take a look at our GMAT equation guide, and you’ll see that it is beneficial to memorize hundreds of quant concepts and formulas.
For example, in Geometry, you’ll need to memorize formulas such as:
- Area of square = side^2
- Sum of interior angles of a polygon = 180(number of sides – 2)
In Exponents, you’ll need to memorize formulas such as:
- The multiplication rule of equal bases: (x^a)(x^b) = x^(a+b)
- The division rule of equal bases: (x^a)/(x^b) = x^(a-b)
- The list goes on, but I think you get the point.
Just as flashcards are an excellent tool for improving quant skills, so too are they a simple and effective way to drill important verbal concepts. This is especially true for Sentence Correction. If this is news to you, just take a look at our GMAT idioms guide. By having many of the common idioms memorized, you’ll be that much more prepared for Sentence Correction on test day. For example, you might create flashcards for these idioms:
- Not only X but also Y
- Just as X, so (too) Y
- Mistake X for Y
Again, these are just a few examples, but I think you get the point. Flashcards make memorizing key formulas and concepts much easier.
Next, let’s discuss how flashcards are a versatile learning tool.
Reason #2: Flashcards are a versatile learning tool.
Flashcards are one of the most adaptable study tools available to GMAT students because they can be customized to meet the specific needs of each student. For example, some students prefer to use handwritten paper flashcards or paper cards of different colors to track the difficulty level of GMAT grammar rules they’ve learned. In contrast, others prefer to print out computer-generated paper flashcards. Finally, other students appreciate the portability and convenience of digital flashcards.
I prefer handmade flashcards that I create using index cards. Sure, that method may be old school, but writing concepts and formulas in your own words helps ensure that you truly understand the concepts you’re learning. You think about the concepts as you write them down, thus reinforcing them even more.
Additionally, the use of flashcards allows you to change up your study routine. Not only are they a great way to study on your own, but also you can get your family or friends involved. Back when I was preparing for the GMAT, my girlfriend (now wife) would quiz me, using my stack of flashcards. Studying for the GMAT can be isolating, so finding a way to study for the GMAT while interacting with your loved ones is a definite win-win, and will keep you motivated to work towards your GMAT score goal.
Next, let’s discuss how flashcards make it easier to study.
Reason #3: Flashcards make it easier to squeeze in study time.
Studying with GMAT flashcards allows you to study while on the go and fit in “quick-hit” sessions whenever and wherever you want. Yes, your regular GMAT studying will generally be done while using your computer or iPad during the time that you have carved out of your daily schedule. However, we all live hectic lives, so any time that we can study for an extra 10 minutes here or 5 minutes there helps, right?
You can study during your commute, during your lunch break, or even while in line at the supermarket. Imagine fitting in an extra 20 minutes of studying every day by using your flashcards. That’s the equivalent of 20 x 7 = 140 minutes a week, or 140 x 4 = 980 minutes a month, which is around 16 hours of extra studying!
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