After years in undergrad, you’re used to the drill. You stay up late, you read, you review your notes. When exam time comes, you take a deep breath and do your best. The number of exams you’ve taken in the past four years number in the dozens at least. Are you expecting your GMAT prep to be the same? Let’s take a look at some ways that studying for the GMAT is the same and different from the test taking you’ve mastered at your university.

Study Buddy or Study Course

You should study with a buddy, or better yet use a study course. While college study groups may have involved a lot more pizza than your life includes now, it’s still a great idea to study with a partner or class. Accountability is the best way to find your blind spots and improve in the areas where you struggle. The GMAT is a broad exam, and your preparation for the test is no time to go it alone.

Choose Your Study Materials Wisely

It doesn’t make sense to use every GMAT book and resource on the market. Just as you learned in your college courses, study the material that will be on the test. Nothing more, nothing less. Finding a trustworthy source for your GMAT prep is essential. All you need is one solid prep course to get you where you need to be. Learn more about choosing a prep course here.

Never Procrastinate and Cram

Unlike those late-night study sessions in your dorm room, GMAT study requires a lot of forethought and planning. While college exams often feel like a sprint to the finish line, your GMAT prep is far more like training for a marathon. Waiting too long to begin your studies could easily prevent you from scoring your personal best. A low score will put you in a tight spot for application deadlines and could even cost you the attention you’re hoping for at your top choice schools.

Because GMAT scores are good for five years, there’s also no reason to wait until you have a looming deadline to take the exam. A year or two before you expect to submit applications is a great time to carve out space in your schedule for solid study time. Getting a good score under your belt in advance can ease your path to your best possible application.

Plan Time to Study

You shouldn’t just study whenever you can find the time. While you may have snuck in study time between intramural sports in college, your GMAT prep is going to require more focused attention. Setting aside a specific time for study each day will allow you to build on the material and absorb more each session. At the same time, be careful not to exhaust yourself by studying too long at once. Structure your GMAT prep so that you study in the same place most of the time. It should be a quiet space with few distractions. Schedule in an hour or so at a time, and don’t forget to take regular practice tests to allow you to track your progress and areas of weakness.

There are plenty of ways of that studying for college exams has equipped you for your GMAT prep. It’s important, though, not to expect the exact same techniques to apply. Find out more about successful study schedules and exam prep by exploring our EMPOWERgmat course here.