White belt gmat beaters

[sicologus]

Hi! This is my first post here in the forum. I'm starting to study the GMAT, the only thing I have done by the moment is to take an exam, just for a glance. I got 580 without knowing anything about the exam.... is it a good beginning? Is it fine to start studying just by taking exams or should I study in any other way? Do you have any good advice for new test takers? How should I face it at first?

Thank youuu!

[VP_Jim]

580 is a good starting point; the average GMAT score is 540.

I'd recommend picking up the Official Guide - it's a big orange book with lots of actual old GMAT problems - and a prep guide from the company of your choice. The main goal in studying is to apply the things you learn in your prep guide to the questions in the OG. This implies that the explanations in the OG aren't the greatest - don't rely on that book alone!

Come back when you have more specific questions, and good luck!