How to Prepare for GMAT: Tips for Non-Native English Speakers

For some non-native English speakers whose English is weak, Preparation for GMAT exam may appear tough nut to crack. GMAT exam is conducted only in English and English has to be good enough. If your ultimate goal is to study at a prestigious MBA school in an English speaking country, you’ve to make certain efforts to improve your English. This blog post “How to Crack GMAT: Tips for Non-Native English Speakers” discusses all tips to help you excel as a non-native English speaker in the GMAT exam. Let’s dive in!

Prepare for GMAT Online Coaching

An effective score is necessary to secure admission in top MBA schools. Hence, you need to prepare well. Thanks to Wi-Fi, now anyone can prepare well for GMAT from anywhere in the world with the help of GMAT Online Coaching. Basically, there are three ways to study by GMAT Online Coaching:

1. Live Classes
2. Online Tutoring (One-on-One)
3. Self-Study Course

What way you’ll choose depends on your budget, schedule, learning style, & goals. Let’s analyze each one of them.

1. Live Classes- Online GMAT Live classes introduce GMAT exam. They are affordable & widely available.
   1. Pros:- Online live GMAT classes provide a traditional learning experience to students same as in-person classes. They always start at a predetermined time and students get a chance to interact with each other & the faculty. One of the main benefits of online live classes is that students become friends with classmates from all over the world since they take classes together. In this way they can relate collectively to the challenges they face in GMAT.
   2. Cons:- One of the disadvantages of online live classes is the lack of personalized instructions & teaching. GMAT has many topics and each student has different requirements on subject topics. Sometimes you may feel that you’re wasting time in covering topics along with the class you already know. There is also a chance that you may fall behind on some topic. If the class is ready to move on to the next topic, but you have not got a grasp of the topic, you’ve to still move on along with the class.
2. GMAT Online Tutor- GMAT Online Tutor is a widely popular choice for test preparation for GMAT. Although it is more expensive than GMAT Live classes or Self-study courses, it offers many advantages for students to choose Online Tutors.
   1. Pros:- The biggest advantage of GMAT Online Tutor is the personalized attention and help you get from them. They provide tutoring on one-on-one lessons. You get personalized feedback on each lesson thus saving you precious time. Online GMAT Tutors make you comfortable in test preparation by making a personalized study plan for you, clear doubts on any specific GMAT questions, and identify your trouble areas. Just compare it to Online GMAT live classes, where the teachers have to give attention to the entire class. This situation doesn’t give time to questions, answers , doubts or individual support. Online Tutors are also subject matter experts and have a good understanding of GMAT test preparation. They also provide valuable study habit tips and test preparation motivation whenever you’re feeling low. An online tutor also provides flexibility in scheduling. If you have a lot of topics to cover and time is short, an online tutor is ready to be available multiple times in a week. An online class doesn’t provide such a facility.
   2. Cons:- For many aspiring MBA students, GMAT Online Tutor is not an affordable option since it is slightly more expensive than the Online classes or Self-Study mode. Also, many students are not comfortable with one-to-one tutoring & understand best in a traditional classroom environment only. If Budget is your top priority, go for other cheaper options.
3. Self-Study Courses- Self-Study Courses are one of the most popular test preparations for GMAT. These Courses are the best form of GMAT online coaching since they can provide any kind of help they need. They can be personalized according to the score you want, and the level you are.
   1. Pros:- Online Self-Study courses are comprehensive and cover every topic on GMAT. They also provide you practice in each topic you learn. Based on your desired score, they also let you know which skills you need to focus on the most and you can work on those areas. You have also the choice in scheduling your study time, worrying about missing a class and to study at a specific time. It is also one of the most affordable & effective options.
   2. Cons:- The only disadvantage is that it gives you freedom to study at your own pace, hence you have to keep yourself accountable to stay on track. You’ve to remain responsible & motivated while studying for GMAT.

Test Preparation for GMAT – Tips for Non-Native English Speakers

Let’s see some of the tips for Test preparation for GMAT:

1. Answer all the questions- To achieve a higher score, attempt and answer all the questions. Aspirants lose penalty points if any of the questions is missed out. By attempting the whole GMAT paper, there is a good chance to score more.
2. Plan the GMAT paper-pattern of your preference- Test takers have the option to choose their own GMAT paper-pattern. Choose the sections to start with in which you’re comfortable. This will help you in keeping your confidence and not losing valuable test time. Practice the GMAT test papers in the same fashion as your preference of GMAT paper-patterns.
3. Practice using the Online answer system- GMAT is an online format exam. While preparing for the GMAT exam, try to use the tools that will be available during the exam. In this way, you’ll get a real time experience of the exam. Also practice typing essays on the computer for the GMAT exam. Candidates lose valuable marks due to lack of practice. Make sure to speed-practice typing tests before the final GMAT exam.
4. Remain focused- Avoid getting distracted from lengthy passages during the exam. Don’t waste unnecessary time. Priority should be to solve the paper in least amount of time.
5. Learn Time Management- Maintain time management while solving paper per question, per section, and all through the paper during practice tests. Make it a regular habit since time management is the key to success.
6. Brush up your basics- Brush up again your basics of English & Maths. GMAT examines your real-life clarity and application of these Subject skills. This will help you to crack the test.
7. Start from scratch- Start the GMAT preparation from scratch. Include reading, assessing, & understanding textual passages, graphs, charts, numerical & logical reasoning in your study plan. Develop expertise on passages & charts.
8. Practice Speed Reading- Start developing the habit of speed reading. The faster you start reading the passage and understanding them in verbal reasoning, the sooner it’s better.
9. Master Logical Reasoning- Practice solving the logical reasoning section of GMAT. Read & understand different types of charts, graphs, etc.

Conclusion!

People whose second language is English actually have an advantage over non-native English speakers. Native English speakers are well-versed in English grammar rules since they’ve learned English by ear, in childhood. On the other hand, non-native English speakers learn English by rehearsing grammar rules and become well-versed in it. For a Non-native speaker, if your English is already good and well-versed in grammar, test preparation for GMAT will be cakewalk. Hope you liked this blog! Please share & like it!

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