GMAT Strategy

Don’t Take Practice Tests in the Days Right Before Your GMAT

Practice tests are a valuable tool in your GMAT prep. However, taking full-length GMAT practice tests right before your official test is not a wise move.

Remember that practice tests are barometers of your skill at a certain point in time. In other words, a primary function of a practice test is to see how you are scoring at a particular point in your prep.

However, much of the learning that comes from practice tests has little to do with taking the test itself. The core learning comes from reviewing what you did well and not so well, then designing a plan to address your weaknesses. With just a few days before the exam, you probably won’t have time to effectively study these weak areas.

In addition, it takes a lot of energy to take a full-length practice test. As we’ve mentioned, you don’t want to wear yourself out in the days leading up to your GMAT.

If you’ve studied properly and strategically, these last few days provide little value in terms of learning new information. Instead of trying to cram new knowledge in the days before your exam, do some light studying and review. Reinforce what you already know. Give your brain and body a break; you’ll need them to be well-rested come test day.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep