Getting a high score on the GMAT is not easy: it involves high levels of discipline, sustained efforts, carefully chosen advisors, and high levels of physical fitness on Test Day. It is always interesting to know, therefore, what those who are successful do right: there is obviously no one recipe for achieving a 750+ score, but there are certain patterns that recur again and again in the habits of the best.

We have interacted with many of our own students who came very close to the magical 800 mark. We observed that they did these four things extremely well, and that these were their differentiators from the rest of the crowd:

1. They focus on their strengths as much as their weaknesses. It is often tempting to concentrate on the topics that you do not know as well as the others, to Spend time trying to understand concepts and work out problems that you have got wrong in the past. However, this is not the best thing, if you do not spend time on taking topics at which you are already good, and making sure that you will score 100% correct answers in those topics. The best candidates go topic by topic, and do their best to ensure perfection in each; it is better to be great at most topics than average at all.

2. They do not postpone. Some candidates make very ambitious Prep plans, and are not able to back those plans up with action. The top candidates make plans that are realistic – even if they are slower than some others – and hit every prep deadline that they have. This is the only way to maintain an orderly routine of preparation; there is no magic wand that can immediately help you out of a situation of postponed study targets.

3. They seek help from their coaches often. Even the best GMAT coach in the world will not be able to groom a completely passive subject; the best candidates are able to evaluate their own needs and work with their coaches, their experts, to make sure that they get answers that are customized to their requirements, and get to the next level of performance by constantly challenging both themselves and their environment.

4. They sleep well. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule but, by and large, those who do really well on the GMAT do not make physical sacrifices in their quest for perfect preparation. They are able to create a realistic plan, start prep early, and space their studies out over months. The GMAT is all about studying smart.

Top MBA candidates might prioritize certain areas of preparation, but that does not mean that you cannot be one of them. With the right preparation techniques, you can easily score well above 720 as well! To create a customized prep plan, we recommend that you get in touch with us; this is the road to a 750+ score.