How To Use GMAT HACKS

As this site has grown, it's gotten a bit more unwieldy for the newcomer. This article, combined with the Table of Contents, is designed to make it easier for you to get started on your GMAT preparation with less stress.

First of all, don't try to take everything in at once. This site was designed to be read over the course of several weeks or more; I don't mean to be immodest, but there's a ton of very important information here. Just because you could skim through it in an afternoon doesn't mean you should. If you're in a rush, you may want to read three or four articles in a sitting, but it's best to read one per day. That's how I wrote it, that's how I designed it, and that's what'll be most effective for you.

The single most valuable article I've written is: How to Do Practice Problems. Read it. Internalize it. Live it. The students I work with who wholeheartedly adopt this approach invariably succeed. Those who don't usually don't.

Second, take full advantage of my math tips. You'll find mental math tips here, here, and here. These are particularly crucial, and not the sort of thing you can get read and immediately implement in their entirety. It'll take practice and effort to apply those techniques, and you should plan on rereading those articles multiple times in conjunction with your other efforts. Also, you'll find lists of important math facts here and here. Print those out and keep them handy. Some of my students have even saved them on their Blackberries for easy review.

Of course, your GMAT preparation will not begin and end at this site. You can find out more about useful GMAT books here and here. You can also read about some of your test-prep options, including GMAT classes and personal tutors.

As I mentioned above, I have assembled a Table of Contents for this site. Not every article will be especially useful for you, but I can't predict which will be most and least helpful. Every test-taker is different, and you're no exception.

I have a lengthy backlog of article topics that I'd like to write about for this site, but if you have other ideas for me, they are always welcome. I can't promise an immediate response, but I will certainly read and consider it. Thanks for your input, and best of luck on the GMAT!

About the author: Jeff Sackmann has written many GMAT preparation books, including the popular Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, and GMAT 111. He has also created explanations for problems in The Official Guide, as well as 1,800 practice GMAT math questions.

• All articles at GMAT Hacks
• Search GMAT Hacks

Total GMAT Math The comprehensive guide to the GMAT Quant section. It's "far and away the best study material available," including over 300 realistic practice questions and more than 500 exercises! Click to read more.