Understanding a concept is only the first step. Making it stick is the real challenge. To lock in what you’ve learned, you need consistent, focused practice. Every time you finish a new topic, follow it up by answering practice questions that test only that concept—keep going until you’re fully comfortable with it.

Simply reading explanations and doing a handful of problems won’t get you very far. True mastery comes from working through a broad range of questions on the same topic. Hitting your target score requires more than surface-level familiarity; you need a deep, dependable understanding. Whether you’re tackling Quant, Critical Reasoning, or Table Analysis, confidence only comes when you know you can handle different twists on the same idea.

A productive study routine works in a loop: learn, practice, evaluate, and strengthen. As soon as you study a concept, put it to use with real questions. Missed questions aren’t failures—they’re clues. They show you exactly what needs more attention. Review those gaps, revisit the concept if needed, and then practice again with new problems. The goal isn’t rote learning, but adaptable understanding.

For example, if you’ve just studied Assumption questions in Critical Reasoning, don’t stop once you get a few correct. Practice until you can spot the core assumption across different argument styles and recognize how it’s being tested. The same principle applies to Quant. After reviewing weighted averages, solve problems where you’re given the average, where you must find it, and where it’s hidden inside a longer word problem.

Over time, each topic should start to feel instinctive. When a question appears, you should quickly know what it’s testing and which approach to use—without second-guessing yourself. That level of ease only develops through repeated, varied practice.

If you have questions about your GMAT prep, feel free to reach out. Happy studying.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep