Why Comparing Your GMAT Journey to Others Can Hurt Your Progress
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It can also weaken your GMAT performance. In an age where people constantly share their results and stories online, it is easy to feel as though you are falling behind or not doing enough. Maybe your friend scored a 735. Maybe a former colleague says they prepared for just one month. These details might seem important, but they are not. They have no bearing on your personal preparation or outcome.
Everyone’s path is different. Some people begin with a strong foundation. Others face more challenges with certain skills. Some may have the time and space to study intensely. Others may be balancing work, family, and countless other responsibilities. You do not know what someone else’s situation truly looked like, and their story is not your story.
You will also hear about people who claimed to score above 715 after studying for just a few days. Whether those stories are true or not is beside the point. They are outliers. Measuring yourself against these examples is like comparing your game to a professional athlete while learning a new sport. It only leads to frustration and self-doubt, no matter how far you have come.
Comparison also fuels anxiety. It pulls your attention away from your actual progress and makes you question whether you are doing enough, even when you are. This mindset is unproductive. Instead of focusing on what you need to improve, you begin to chase what others have done. That is neither efficient nor healthy.
Focus on your goals. Stay grounded in your process. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Learn from each practice test, refine your strategy, and move forward. Your only measure of success is whether you are making progress toward the score you need for the schools you care about.
At the same time, have a backup plan. Even if you prepare well, test day may not go as expected. Consider when you might retake the exam, how much time you would need to prepare again, and how that fits into your application schedule. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and gives you options.
In the end, what matters is steady, consistent progress. The GMAT is not a competition. It is a personal milestone that requires focus, discipline, and clear thinking. The more you tune out the noise and stay committed to your own path, the better your chances of success.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
