Planning for the GMAT is crucial: The more you prepare, the more likely you are to get a competitive score. The better your score, the more likely you are to get into a top online MBA program. Which in the end, a top online MBA program will help you to get a better job after you graduate. For many students, the GMAT is intimidating, but in order to have the most success you will need to tackle it head on and with confidence.  Here are some tips we've gathered from successful GMAT test takers.

Planning
Create a timeline for yourself by knowing the application deadlines for your targeted business schools.  Most likely each school will have different deadlines for applications. Work backwards to plan enough time to study, take the test, get your scores back, and complete your applications before the deadline. Also consider adding an extra time to complete your application essays and study time. Students applying for a top online MBA program will need to schedule plenty of time to perform well.

Review the class profiles of your target schools to determine the average score of admitted applicants. This information will give you a goal to aim for. The W. P. Carey School has class profiles on its website for: full-time MBA, evening MBA, executive MBA and its top online MBA program.

Take a practice or diagnostic test to get a sense of your current score range. This will help you set your goal and know how much study time you should plan for.  Students can also consider taking test prep courses to seek professional help in securing a reliable score.

Practice
Practice makes perfect, and it is important to do plenty of practice when applying to a top online MBA program. It has likely been a while since you took a standardized test, so it is best to invest time preparing. There are many ways to access and practice taking the GMAT:

• On mba.com you can download free software that will help you become familiar with the format of the actual exam. Look at sample questions for each of the three test sections: a qualitative multiple choice section, a verbal multiple choice section, and two 30-minute essays.
• Purchase an official guide, study book, or GMAT practice tests for extra review and practice.
• Review and memorize some of the commonly used mathematical formulas since it has likely been a while since you studied math. Revise and study one section of the test at a time.
• To study for the Analytical Writing Assessment section, practice writing an essay using the topics available on mba.com.

Other Helpful Hints:

• Start your preparation well in advance.
• If you need a formalized, guided approach, enroll in a GMAT preparation course or hire a certified tutor to help you prepare.
• Master the easiest and basic lessons first, so you will become more confident in your GMAT test taking ability.
• Identify your weak areas and put a lot of time into practice questions in those areas.
• Organize a study group and work together. It is less boring and you will learn from each other. You will also be able to compare which programs you are applying to.
• Practice reading so that your speed of reading will help you in the GMAT reading comprehension area.
• When solving the algebra questions where the answer is a formula, pick numbers and plug them into the answers to find the correct answer faster than working through the algebra.
• Do more practice questions!

When applying for a top online MBA program you want to have the best GMAT score possible.  Follow the above advice to plan, prepare and study for your GMAT to be successful.