Choosing Your GMAT Test Dates
The GMAT test dates are published by the Law School Admission Council. Each year they publish the test dates in late January or early February. This information is essential because it will allow you to book your test or study groups ahead of time. It will also allow you to reserve your accommodations, transportation, lodging, meals, and get a head start on your budget for the exam.
You should also schedule your GMAT study time at the same time. A good rule of thumb is to plan your schedule two weeks ahead of time. This will give you enough time to review all of the topics that were covered during the previous exam and familiarize yourself with the types of questions that you will be faced with on the day of the exam. The best way to learn everything you need for the exam is to take practice tests. Taking practice tests in advance will prepare you for each section of the test and give you the confidence you need to ace the exam.
The last thing you should do before taking the GMAT is to clear your schedule for taking the test. You should have a set time where you will focus solely on taking the GMAT test and nothing else. Make sure to follow this schedule and dedicate your entire day or night to studying for the exam. If you end up staying up late studying, you will only be wasting time and possibly being late for the test.
One way to keep yourself from getting too worked up is to set a limit to how many times you will take the GMAT test each day. Set the limit to at least 10 times but preferably just a little more. The more times you take, the more chances you have to feel overwhelmed. If you have a hard time sticking to these set daily limits, you might want to consider adding an extra day to your GMAT test schedule. Taking multiple GMAT test days can be helpful when preparing for the test; however, if you feel like you are already too accustomed to the format, it can backfire on you.
The last step you will want to take before choosing your test dates is to find out what times GMAT test days are scheduled when you live in the city of Johannesburg. Johannesburg’s local time is fifteen hours ahead of America, making it very unlikely that you will have enough free time on those days to actually study and prepare properly. The time zone also plays a factor in this as well, so try to find out where your local time is before setting a schedule for your GMAT practice test days. It is also wise to check your test dates with any colleges you are applying to and find out their test schedule as well. Some colleges are notorious for having very odd test times. You can never be sure as to whether or not you will have enough time to prepare for the GMAT test date you are most interested in taking.
After doing all of this, you should have a better idea of which test dates will be best for you to take. You will know which test dates are offering the best chances for you to get the score you need to increase your chances for admission. There are a number of different websites that will help you determine the best GMAT test dates for you to take. Most of them will give you mock tests to help you prepare. These will give you the ability to see what areas you need to focus on in order to get the best score possible. It may seem like an unnecessary investment but these mock exams can really help prepare you for each and every test you will take.
When it comes to choosing a time zone for your GMAT test dates, it is best to make sure that you understand each time zone and how it affects your chances for success. For example, when a time zone east is used, the only difference will be that you will end up getting up at night in some areas and going to sleep during the day in others. This is why it is best to consult a professional if you are unsure which time zone is best for you. They will be able to explain all of the different factors involved and help you decide which time zone will work best for you.