Score 700+ on the New GMAT Focus in 2 Months
When it’s time to study abroad, many prospective business school applicants begin their preparation by setting a goal to achieve a high score on the GMAT. However, for those attempting to balance work or academic responsibilities, preparing for the GMAT can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, when you have a well-structured approach and put in consistent effort, you can score 700 or higher on the new GMAT Focus Edition in just two months. In this blog, we outline a step-by-step study plan designed to help you organize your preparation, optimize your study time, and maximize your chances of success on test day.
Why is the GMAT Important?
What's Different About the New GMAT Focus Edition?
| Features | Classic GMAT | GMAT Focus Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Test Duration | Approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes | Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Section | 4 sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative, Verbal | 3 sections: Quantitative, Verbal, Data Insights |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 1 essay in 30 minutes; analysis of an argument | Section Removed |
| Scoring Scale | 200 to 800 | 205 to 805 |
| Flexibililty | No review and no changes allowed. | You can bookmark and review as many questions as you'd like and change up to 3 answers per section. |
Steps to Score Well
Step 1: Book Your GMAT Test
Tip
We recommend scheduling the test for a Monday at the end of April or the beginning of May, as it will give you enough time to revise over the weekend.
Step 2: Take a Diagnostic Test
Mock tests can be a useful tool when preparing for the GMAT or any other test. They help you gauge your standing. The official GMAT website offers two free mock tests, which can help you familiarize yourself with the test format, structure, and your current skill level. Thus, taking these diagnostic tests will help you identify areas where you are weak, allowing you to tailor your study plan better to address them.
Step 3: Gather Study Materials
To succeed on the GMAT Focus Edition, you'll need the right study materials. Sign up on YMGrad's website, and we'll send over the right study materials, official GMAT books, and the Manhattan GMAT guide. The primary resources to focus on are:
Manhattan GMAT Quant & Data Insights Book - Focus on understanding formulas, strategies, and solving practice questions.
Verbal GMAT Book - Focus on mastering the Verbal Reasoning Section.
Official GMAT Guides - These are essential for additional practice and mock tests.
Step 4: The Prep Plan
Your three-phase GMAT preparation will stretch to at least six weeks, with each phase focusing on a different aspect of study. You will begin with foundational work in the first month, move on to thorough practice in the second, and finish with daily mock tests leading up to the exam day.
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Phase One: Foundation (31 Days)
Spend one full month building your core skills. Each day, complete one chapter from the latest Manhattan Prep GMAT Quantitative Strategies + Data Insights book. Make sure you understand every formula and strategic approach. Simultaneously, begin the Manhattan Prep GMAT Verbal Strategies book. Although the Verbal book has only 22 chapters, continue to cover it alongside your Quant study.
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Phase Two: Practice Guides (15 Days)
Spend five days each on the Quantitative Review, Verbal Review, and Data Insights sections. Work through each practice question, then revisit the explanations to perfect your approach.
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Phase Three: Daily Mok Tests (Ongoing Until Test Day)
Starting after your 46 days of books and guides, commit to a full-length mock test every day. Review your results immediately, then identify weak areas, and then return to the official guides to probe into those topics. Aim for at least 15 full GMAT-style mock exams before your real test.
You can get mock tests from the following resources:
Official GMAT mock tests (2 free tests, more available for purchase)
Manhattan GMAT Mock Tests
Princeton Review Mock Tests
Phase | Material | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| I - Preparation | - Manhattan Quant + DI - Manhattan Verbal | One chapter each per day; questions, review | 31 days |
| II - Practice | Official Quant Review | Questions, answers, review | 5 days per section |
| Official Verbal Review | Questions, answers, review | 5 days per section | |
| Official Data Insights Review | Questions, answers, review | 5 days per section | |
| III - Daily Mock Tests | Official GMAC Mocks | 6 tests (2 free) | 5 days |
| Manhattan Mocks | 6 mock tests | 5 days | |
| Princeton Mocks | 3 mock tests | 5 days |
Bonus Tip
One often overlooked, but highly effective strategy is to maintain a dictionary of words you encounter during your preparation. Every time you come across a word you don't understand, write it down, note its meaning, and create a sentence using the word. This will expand your vocabulary, especially for the verbal section.
Conclusion
If you follow our structured 2-month plan, you can significantly improve your GMAT score, regardless of whether you’re starting with limited experience and knowledge. As stated in the blog, we recommend that you remain consistent with your goal, dedicating at least three hours of preparatory time a day and, of course, sticking to the study schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions!
The GMAT Focus Edition is a shorter, more flexible version of the classic GMAT, with three sections instead of four, no essay, and features like the ability to bookmark and review questions.
Yes, a 700+ score on the GMAT Focus Edition is considered highly competitive and can significantly strengthen your application to top business schools.
With a structured study plan and consistent effort, it’s possible to prepare for and score 700+ in just two months.
The GMAT Focus Edition includes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and the new Data Insights section.
Yes, unlike the classic GMAT, the Focus Edition allows you to review and change up to 3 answers per section.
Top materials include the Manhattan GMAT series, official GMAT guides, and mock tests from reliable sources like Princeton Review and GMAT Official.
The GMAT test is taken on the mba.com, which is managed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
Yes, mock tests are crucial for understanding the test pattern, improving time management, and identifying weak areas.
Practice reading comprehension, sentence correction, and critical reasoning regularly, and maintain a vocabulary journal.
Book your GMAT test date early in your preparation—ideally at the end of April or beginning of May.
