# Admissions Test Plan: [Your name, target intake and programme type]

> A planning workbook for the admissions test of a full-time, part-time or executive MBA: choosing between the GMAT
> Focus Edition, the GRE General Test and the Executive Assessment (or a test waiver), understanding structure,
> scoring, score validity, retakes, cancellations and score preview, choosing a test centre or online delivery,
> running a diagnostic, building a study plan by weeks, keeping an error log and scheduling mock exams. It is for
> applicants to leading international programmes who want one place to plan the test around their application
> rounds.
> Source basis: the public test information of GMAC (mba.com, gmac.com) and ETS (ets.org), checked in October 2026
> and summarised in our own words, and the learning research of Dunlosky et al. (2013). Test rules change: every
> dated fact below carries the date it was checked and the official page to re-check.
> Replace every [bracketed] value and every row marked *Example*. All practice items are original; no official test
> question is reproduced. This is a planning aid, not admissions, legal or financial advice.

<!--
Guidance: How to use this template
- Work top to bottom once: decide which test (section 2), learn the rules that affect your calendar (section 3), take a diagnostic (section 5), then build the week-by-week plan (section 6).
- Fill the school requirements table first. The test choice depends on what your target programmes accept, not on forum opinion.
- Re-check every dated fact on the official page on the day you register. Policies on retakes, cancellations and delivery have changed several times since 2023.
- Keep the error log and mock schedule live: update them after every practice session, not at the end of the week.
- Related templates: mba/mba-english-test-plan, mba/mba-readiness-self-assessment, mba/mba-application-tracker, mba/mba-school-list-strategy, mba/mba-program-comparison, mba/mba-international-applicant-plan, mba/mba-error-log, mba/pre-mba-quant-refresher, mba/mba-journey-roadmap, mba/emba-sponsorship-proposal, academic/stats-error-log, academic/study-guide
-->

## Document control

<!-- Guidance: Record the intake you are aiming at and the round deadline that sets your latest useful test date. Everything else works backwards from that date. -->

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | TEST-PLAN-[YYYY]-[01] |
| Applicant | [Your name] |
| Target intake | [Autumn YYYY full-time MBA / January YYYY EMBA] |
| First application round you aim at | [Round 1, deadline YYYY-MM-DD from each school's official page] |
| Test chosen | [GMAT Focus Edition / GRE General Test / Executive Assessment / waiver requested] |
| Planned first sitting | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Latest useful sitting | YYYY-MM-DD (official score must reach schools before the deadline) |
| Weekly study budget | [12] hours |
| Reviewed by | [Mentor, coach or study partner] |
| Version | [0.1] |
| Last updated | YYYY-MM-DD |

## Contents

- [1. Purpose and the process at a glance](#1-purpose-and-the-process-at-a-glance)
- [2. Choosing the test: GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, Executive Assessment or a waiver](#2-choosing-the-test-gmat-focus-edition-gre-executive-assessment-or-a-waiver)
- [3. Rules that shape your calendar](#3-rules-that-shape-your-calendar)
- [4. Test centre or online](#4-test-centre-or-online)
- [5. Diagnostic and target setting](#5-diagnostic-and-target-setting)
- [6. Study plan by weeks](#6-study-plan-by-weeks)
- [7. Error log](#7-error-log)
- [8. Mock exam schedule and score tracking](#8-mock-exam-schedule-and-score-tracking)
- [9. Original practice items](#9-original-practice-items)
- [10. Test week and test day](#10-test-week-and-test-day)
- [11. After the test: keep, cancel, retake or move on](#11-after-the-test-keep-cancel-retake-or-move-on)
- [12. Quality checklist](#12-quality-checklist)
- [13. Common mistakes](#13-common-mistakes)
- [14. Self-test](#14-self-test)
- [15. My notes and next steps](#15-my-notes-and-next-steps)

## 1. Purpose and the process at a glance

<!-- Guidance: Read this section to see the whole path before you commit to dates. The most common failure is starting preparation without a deadline, so the plan never converges. -->

Admissions committees use a standardised test for one main reason: it is a common yardstick for the quantitative and
verbal reasoning that the first-year core demands, across applicants from very different education systems and
careers. The score is one input among several (work experience, essays, recommendations, interview), but at the most
selective programmes a score well below the class profile has to be offset elsewhere, and a strong score removes a
doubt the committee would otherwise have about your readiness for finance, statistics and accounting.

A good test plan does three things. It picks the test that your target programmes accept and that suits your
strengths. It fixes a first test date early enough to leave room for one retake before your first application
deadline. It turns the gap between your diagnostic and your target into a weekly plan with practice, review and full
mock exams, and it keeps an honest record of your errors so that practice time goes where it raises the score.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A["Collect test requirements of target schools"] --> B{"Experienced professional or EMBA track?"}
    B -- "Yes" --> C["Check Executive Assessment acceptance and waiver options"]
    B -- "No" --> D["Compare GMAT Focus Edition and GRE"]
    C --> E["Take one diagnostic per candidate test"]
    D --> E
    E --> F["Choose the test and set section targets"]
    F --> G["Book first sitting at T-16 to T-12 weeks before the round deadline"]
    G --> H["Weekly plan: learn, practise, review the error log"]
    H --> I["Full mock exams every 2 to 3 weeks"]
    I --> J{"Mock scores at target for two mocks in a row?"}
    J -- "No" --> H
    J -- "Yes" --> K["Sit the test"]
    K --> L{"Score meets target?"}
    L -- "Yes" --> M["Send scores and move to essays"]
    L -- "No" --> N["Analyse the score report and plan one retake"]
    N --> H
```

## 2. Choosing the test: GMAT Focus Edition, GRE, Executive Assessment or a waiver

<!-- Guidance: Decide on evidence: what each target school accepts, your diagnostic results on each test and your calendar. Pitfall: choosing the GRE "because it is easier" without checking that every school on your list accepts it equally for your programme. -->

### 2.1 What each test is (checked October 2026)

The facts below were checked on the official pages in October 2026. Check them again on the day you register:
[GMAT Focus Edition overview on gmac.com](https://www.gmac.com/gmat-other-assessments/about-the-gmat-focus-edition/exam-overview),
[GMAT scores on mba.com](https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/scores),
[GRE General Test structure on ets.org](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/test-structure.html),
[Executive Assessment on mba.com](https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment).

| Feature | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE General Test | Executive Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | GMAC | ETS | GMAC |
| Typical use | MBA and business master's | Graduate programmes in general, accepted by most leading MBA programmes | Executive MBA and some programmes for experienced professionals |
| Sections | Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (23), Data Insights (20) | Analytical Writing (one Issue essay, first), two Verbal Reasoning sections (12 and 15 questions), two Quantitative Reasoning sections (12 and 15 questions); no unscored section since the shorter test of September 2023 | Integrated Reasoning (12 questions), Verbal Reasoning (14), Quantitative Reasoning (14) |
| Timing | 45 minutes per section, 2 hours 15 minutes in total, optional 10-minute break | About 1 hour 58 minutes | 90 minutes, 30 minutes per section |
| Section order | You choose the order | Writing first, then the Verbal and Quant sections in any order | Check the current EA rules on mba.com |
| Adaptivity | Computer adaptive by question | The second section of each measure depends on your performance in the first | Adaptive (GMAC describes the design on mba.com) |
| Review and edit | Bookmark and review any question; change up to three answers per section | Move back and change answers within a section | Check the current EA rules on mba.com |
| Scores | Total 205 to 805 (every total ends in 5), each section 60 to 90 | Verbal and Quant 130 to 170 each, Writing 0 to 6 in half points | Total 100 to 200, each section 0 to 20 |
| Essay | None | One Issue essay | None |
| Score validity | 5 years | Reportable for 5 years after the test date | Check mba.com |
| Delivery | Test centre or online | Test centre or at home | Test centre or online |

Two points matter more than they seem. First, GMAT Focus Edition scores are on a different scale from the older GMAT
(200 to 800) and GMAC says they should not be compared directly; class profiles from before 2024 may still show old
scores. Second, a GRE score cannot be converted exactly to a GMAT score: schools that compare them use comparison
tools from the test owners or their own data. Do not plan around a converted number found on a forum.

### 2.2 Decision worksheet

<!-- Guidance: Fill one row per target programme from its official admissions page, with the date you checked. Then score the three options. -->

| Programme | Accepts GMAT Focus | Accepts GRE | Accepts EA | Waiver or test-optional route | Notes on preference | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School A full-time MBA *(Example)* | Yes | Yes, no stated preference | Only for some applicants with long experience | No | Class profile reports both tests | YYYY-MM-DD |
| School B EMBA *(Example)* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Waiver on request with evidence of quantitative work | Waiver decision before application | YYYY-MM-DD |
| [Programme] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |

Score each criterion from 1 (poor fit) to 5 (strong fit) for each test you could take.

| Criterion | Weight | GMAT Focus | GRE | EA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted by every programme on my list | [30%] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| My diagnostic result relative to the programme profile | [30%] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Fit with my strengths (data interpretation, vocabulary, essay writing) | [20%] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Fit with my calendar (preparation time, test dates, retake rules) | [20%] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Weighted total | 100% | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |

### 2.3 How the tests differ for preparation

- **GMAT Focus Edition** rewards data literacy and reasoning under time pressure. Data Insights combines tables,
  graphics, multi-source reasoning, two-part analysis and data sufficiency. Verbal is critical reasoning and reading
  comprehension; there is no grammar-only question type. There is no geometry-heavy content in Quant, but number
  properties, rates, ratios and algebra appear often.
- **GRE General Test** has more vocabulary-dependent Verbal questions (text completion and sentence equivalence), a
  wider Quant content range that includes geometry, an on-screen calculator, and an essay. Applicants who also
  consider non-MBA graduate programmes can use one score for both.
- **Executive Assessment** is shorter and designed for experienced professionals. It is offered for programmes that
  want evidence of readiness without a long preparation period. GMAC states that EA scores cannot be cancelled and
  that the number of attempts is limited; check the current limit before your first sitting.

### 2.4 Waivers and test-optional routes

Some programmes, more often executive and part-time ones, waive the test for applicants who show quantitative
readiness in another way: an advanced degree, a professional qualification such as a finance or accounting
charter, strong grades in quantitative university courses, or years of quantitative work. Rules differ by programme
and change from year to year, and a waiver is a request, not a right. Before you rely on one:

1. Read the waiver criteria on the programme's official admissions page and record the date.
2. Ask whether a waiver affects scholarship consideration or the committee's view of your quantitative readiness.
3. Ask when the decision is made; some programmes decide before you submit, others at review.
4. Keep a test plan as a fallback with a date that still meets the round deadline if the waiver is refused.

## 3. Rules that shape your calendar

<!-- Guidance: These are the rules that decide how many attempts you can fit before a deadline. Pitfall: booking the only sitting a week before the deadline and finding that official scores take longer to arrive. -->

### 3.1 Retakes, validity and score delivery (checked October 2026)

| Rule | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE General Test |
|---|---|---|
| Attempts | Up to 5 in a rolling 12-month period; GMAC removed the former 8-attempt lifetime limit (announced October 2024) | Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period |
| Waiting period | A minimum gap between attempts applies (16 days per the mba.com support pages in October 2026) | 21 days |
| Unofficial score | Shown at the end of the test | Verbal and Quant shown at the end if you choose to report; Writing comes later |
| Official score | Typically within 3 to 5 business days | Typically 8 to 10 days after the test |
| Validity | 5 years | Reportable for 5 years |
| Choosing which scores schools see | Schools see the scores you send and keep; self-cancelled scores are not shown on reports. Since its roll-out (announced for August 2026) reports also show a GMAT Superscore (see 3.2) | ScoreSelect: send the most recent, all, or the scores you choose from the last 5 years; some programmes ask for all scores |

Sources to re-check: [GMAT scores](https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/scores),
[GMAT FAQs](https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/faqs),
[GMAC announcement removing the lifetime limit](https://www.gmac.com/resources/learners/how-to-apply/exams-preparation/gmat-offers-unlimited-potential),
[GRE registration and retake rules](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register.html),
[Sending GRE scores](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/scores/send-scores.html).

### 3.2 Score preview, cancellation and reinstatement

Both owners let you see an unofficial result before you decide what schools will see. For the GMAT Focus Edition,
as of October 2026 GMAC lets you keep or cancel a score and later reinstate a cancelled score for a fee within a
window set by GMAC; self-cancelled scores are not shown to schools. The windows and fees have changed several times,
so read the current [mba.com score pages](https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/scores) before test day and write the
numbers in the table below. GMAC announced the **GMAT Superscore** on 16 June 2026, with roll-out announced for August 2026:
it combines your highest Quantitative, Verbal and Data Insights section scores across valid Focus Edition attempts
(test centre or online) into one total, shown in your mba.com account and added as an extra data point on official
score reports; it does not replace the score of each attempt. Each programme decides whether and how it uses the
Superscore, so record that in the worksheet in section 2.2 and check the
[GMAC announcement](https://www.gmac.com/why-gmac/gmac-news/gmac-press-releases/gmac-introduces-gmat-superscore)
and the current mba.com score pages. For the GRE, ScoreSelect controls which test dates you send. For the Executive
Assessment, GMAC states that scores cannot be cancelled.

| My rule to check on the official page | Value on the day I checked | Date checked |
|---|---|---|
| Window to cancel a score after the test | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Fee to cancel after leaving the test | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Window and fee to reinstate | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Does a cancelled attempt count toward the attempt limit? | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Do my target schools ask for all scores? | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Do my target schools use the GMAT Superscore? | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD |

### 3.3 Working back from the deadline

Use relative dates first (T is the first round deadline), then replace them with real dates once you have the round deadline from each school. A 12-week plan for a well-prepared applicant is shown; start earlier if your diagnostic gap is large.

| Milestone | Relative date | Example (Round 1 deadline 2027-09-15) | My date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect test requirements, choose the test | About T-28 weeks | 2027-03-06 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Diagnostic, start the 12-week plan | About T-25 weeks | 2027-03-27 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD |
| First full mock exam (Mock 1) | About T-19 weeks | 2027-05-08 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD |
| First official sitting | T-16 to T-12 weeks | 2027-06-19 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Retake window if needed | T-8 to T-6 weeks | Late July to early August | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Last sitting with a safe margin for official scores | T-3 weeks | Late August | YYYY-MM-DD |

In the example the first sitting is 88 days (about 12.6 weeks) before the deadline: enough for the official result, a review of the score
report and one retake after the minimum waiting period, with a margin for official scores to reach the schools.

## 4. Test centre or online

<!-- Guidance: Choose the setting in which you perform best and in which the rules are easiest for you to meet. Pitfall: choosing online for convenience without testing your room, internet and camera set-up in advance. -->

As of October 2026 the GMAT Focus Edition and the Executive Assessment are offered at test centres and online, and
the GRE General Test at test centres and at home, with the same structure and score scale in each setting. The
practical differences are in the environment and the rules: identification, room checks, permitted note-taking
materials (a physical or an online whiteboard), breaks, and what happens if the connection fails. Check the current
policies for your test on [mba.com](https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/faqs) or
[ets.org](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/test-day/at-home-test-day.html) before you book.

| Factor | Test centre | Online or at home | My answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet, private room available for the full test | Provided | You must provide it | [ ] |
| Note-taking | Materials provided by the centre | Whiteboard or tool permitted by the owner's online rules; practise with the same tool | [ ] |
| Technical risk | Low, handled by staff | Your internet, computer and camera must pass the system check | [ ] |
| Travel and timing | Travel time, fixed slots | No travel, often more slots | [ ] |
| Stress | Unfamiliar place | Familiar place, but proctor checks and room rules | [ ] |
| Decision | | | [Test centre / online] |

## 5. Diagnostic and target setting

<!-- Guidance: Take one full, timed diagnostic before any study, using the official practice materials for the test. Set targets per section, not only a total. -->

Take the diagnostic under real conditions: timed, in one sitting, with the same note-taking tool you will use on the
day. Use the official practice exams published by the test owner, because third-party scores can be biased. Record
section scores, timing per section and the topics of every miss.

Set a target from evidence: the median or middle range in the class profile of each target programme (from its
official class profile page, with the date), plus a margin if your other application elements are weaker. Treat the
middle 80% range as the zone where the score stops being a concern, and the median as a target, not a minimum.

| Item | Quantitative | Verbal | Data Insights | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic score *(Example)* | 76 | 81 | 74 | [from the official practice exam] |
| Target score *(Example)* | 83 | 84 | 81 | [your total target] |
| Gap *(Example)* | 7 | 3 | 7 | Sum of section gaps 17 |
| My diagnostic | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| My target | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| My gap | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |

Do not compute a GMAT total from section scores yourself: GMAC reports the total from its own scaling. Use the total
from the practice exam report.

**Allocating hours by gap.** A simple starting rule is to split your hours in proportion to each section's gap. In the
example, 150 hours over 12 weeks (12.5 hours a week) with gaps of 7, 3 and 7 give Quant 41.2% (61.8 hours, rounded to
62), Verbal 17.6% (26.5 hours, rounded down to 26 so that the total stays at 150) and Data Insights 41.2% (61.8 hours, rounded to 62), 150 hours in total.
In Excel: `=total_hours*gap/SUM(gaps)`, for example `=150*7/17` gives 61.8. Adjust after every mock: the rule is a
starting point, not a law.

## 6. Study plan by weeks

<!-- Guidance: A plan is a set of weekly commitments you can keep. Each week has new learning, mixed practice, review of old errors and one timed set. Pitfall: weeks of content review without timed practice. -->

The plan builds in three practices with strong evidence from learning research (Dunlosky et al. 2013): practice
testing (retrieval), distributed practice (spacing) and interleaving problem types once the basics are learned. Every
week mixes new material with review of earlier errors.

| Week | Focus | New learning | Mixed and timed practice | Review | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 *(Example)* | Diagnostic and set-up | Test format, timing rules, review of the diagnostic | None | None | Diagnostic analysed, error log started |
| 2 *(Example)* | Quant foundations | Arithmetic, fractions, percentages, ratios | 20 questions, untimed then timed | Week 1 misses | 20 error-log entries |
| 3 *(Example)* | Verbal: critical reasoning | Argument structure, assumption, strengthen, weaken | 15 questions timed | Week 2 misses | Argument map for 5 questions |
| 4 *(Example)* | Data Insights 1 | Data sufficiency logic, table analysis | 20 mixed questions | Weeks 2 and 3 | Timed set at section pace |
| 5 *(Example)* | Quant 2 | Algebra, inequalities, rates and work | 25 mixed questions | Weeks 3 and 4 | First half-length timed section |
| 6 *(Example)* | Reading comprehension | Passage mapping, inference questions | 3 passages timed | Weeks 4 and 5 | Timed Verbal section |
| 7 *(Example)* | Data Insights 2 | Two-part analysis, multi-source reasoning, graphics | 20 mixed questions | Weeks 5 and 6 | **Mock 1 (full, official practice exam)**, pacing plan per section |
| 8 *(Example)* | Quant 3 | Number properties, statistics, probability, counting | 25 mixed questions | Mock 1 errors, week 7 | Error categories ranked |
| 9 *(Example)* | Mixed weak areas | Two weakest topics from the error log | 2 timed sections | Weeks 6 to 8 | **Mock 2** |
| 10 *(Example)* | Strategy | Guessing and skipping rules, answer-edit strategy | 2 timed sections | Mock 2 errors | Personal timing rules written down |
| 11 *(Example)* | Full simulation | None | Full mock at the test time of day | Whole error log | **Mock 3** |
| 12 *(Example)* | Taper | Light review | 1 timed section, 2 days before the test | Top 20 error-log entries | **Test day on the Saturday after week 12** |
| [Week] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |

In the example, weeks run Saturday to Friday from the diagnostic on Saturday 2027-03-27. Mocks 1, 2 and 3 fall on the
first Saturday of weeks 7, 9 and 11 (2027-05-08, 2027-05-22 and 2027-06-05), and test day is Saturday 2027-06-19.

A typical study week of 12.5 hours:

| Day | Session | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday *(Example)* | New topic, worked examples | 2 hours |
| Tuesday *(Example)* | Practice set on the new topic | 1.5 hours |
| Wednesday *(Example)* | Error-log review of earlier weeks | 1.5 hours |
| Thursday *(Example)* | Mixed timed set across sections | 2 hours |
| Friday *(Example)* | Rest or light flashcards | 0.5 hours |
| Saturday *(Example)* | Long block: timed section or full mock | 3.5 hours |
| Sunday *(Example)* | Review of the long block, plan next week | 1.5 hours |

## 7. Error log

<!-- Guidance: Log every miss and every lucky guess, with the reason. The log, not the number of questions done, is what raises the score. Pitfall: writing the correct answer without the reason you missed it. -->

The error log turns mistakes into a study plan. Record each missed or guessed question with its type, the reason for
the miss and the rule that would have prevented it. Re-attempt each entry after one week and again after three weeks
without looking at the solution. For a full error-log method with spacing, see mba/mba-error-log and
academic/stats-error-log.

| ID | Date | Section and type | Topic | Result | Reason category | Rule I will apply next time | Re-test 1 | Re-test 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERR-001 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD | Quant, problem solving | Rates and work | Wrong | Added times instead of rates | Add rates (jobs per hour), then invert | Correct | Correct |
| ERR-002 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD | Data Insights, data sufficiency | Number properties | Wrong | Tested only positive values | Test a negative and zero before deciding | Correct | Pending |
| ERR-003 *(Example)* | YYYY-MM-DD | Verbal, critical reasoning | Assumption | Guessed right | Could not name the gap | Negate each answer and check if the argument fails | Pending | Pending |
| [ERR-NNN] | YYYY-MM-DD | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [Content, process, reading, timing, careless] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |

Every two weeks, summarise accuracy by topic and move hours to the weakest topics.

| Topic | Attempted | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rates and work *(Example)* | 14 | 9 | 64% | Add one session |
| Data sufficiency, number properties *(Example)* | 18 | 11 | 61% | Add one session |
| Critical reasoning, assumption *(Example)* | 20 | 16 | 80% | Maintain |
| Reading comprehension, inference *(Example)* | 16 | 13 | 81% | Maintain |
| Two-part analysis *(Example)* | 12 | 6 | 50% | Highest priority |
| Table analysis *(Example)* | 15 | 12 | 80% | Maintain |
| Total *(Example)* | 95 | 67 | 70.5% | |

In Excel, with attempted in column B and correct in column C: `=C2/B2` for accuracy and `=SUM(C2:C7)/SUM(B2:B7)`
for the total (67/95 = 70.5%).

## 8. Mock exam schedule and score tracking

<!-- Guidance: Full mocks measure progress and train stamina. Space them two to three weeks apart and review each one for longer than it took to sit. -->

| Mock | Relative date | Example date (test day 2027-06-19) | Source | Conditions | Review time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | Test day minus 12 weeks | 2027-03-27 | Official practice exam 1 | Full, timed | 3 hours |
| Mock 1 | Test day minus 6 weeks | 2027-05-08 | Official practice exam 2 | Full, timed, test time of day | 4 hours |
| Mock 2 | Test day minus 4 weeks | 2027-05-22 | Official practice exam 3 | Full, timed | 4 hours |
| Mock 3 | Test day minus 2 weeks | 2027-06-05 | Official practice exam 4 | Full simulation with the break | 4 hours |
| Last timed section | Test day minus 2 days | 2027-06-17 | Mixed set | One section only | 1 hour |

Official practice exams are limited in number, so save at least two for the final four weeks. Third-party tests are
useful for practice volume but are not reliable score predictors.

Track the totals your practice exams report. The chart below uses the *Example* totals from the official practice
exam reports of a fictional applicant, Daniela Fuentes, against her target of 685.

```vega-lite
{
  "$schema": "https://vega.github.io/schema/vega-lite/v5.json",
  "description": "Example practice exam totals against target",
  "width": "container",
  "height": 220,
  "data": {
    "values": [
      {"mock": "Diagnostic", "order": 1, "total": 595, "target": 685},
      {"mock": "Mock 1", "order": 2, "total": 625, "target": 685},
      {"mock": "Mock 2", "order": 3, "total": 655, "target": 685},
      {"mock": "Mock 3", "order": 4, "total": 675, "target": 685}
    ]
  },
  "encoding": {
    "x": {"field": "mock", "type": "ordinal", "sort": {"field": "order"}, "title": "Practice exam"}
  },
  "layer": [
    {
      "mark": {"type": "line", "point": true},
      "encoding": {"y": {"field": "total", "type": "quantitative", "scale": {"domain": [555, 725]}, "title": "Total score (Example)"}}
    },
    {
      "mark": {"type": "rule", "strokeDash": [4, 4]},
      "encoding": {"y": {"field": "target", "type": "quantitative"}}
    }
  ]
}
```

| Mock | Total | Quant | Verbal | Data Insights | Timing problems | Top 3 error types | Change for next block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic *(Example)* | 595 | 76 | 81 | 74 | Ran out of time in Data Insights | Two-part analysis, rates, data sufficiency | Pacing checkpoints every 15 minutes |
| [Mock] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |

## 9. Original practice items

<!-- Guidance: These items show the kinds of reasoning each test rewards. They are original and are not official questions. Use official materials for real practice. Answers are in the Answer key. -->

The items below are written for this template in the style of common question types. They are not taken from, and
do not reproduce, any official GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment question.

**P1 (problem solving).** Northfield Outdoor Co. sells a jacket for USD 80 after a 20% discount. What was the price
before the discount?

**P2 (ratio).** A study group of 40 applicants has applicants targeting full-time and executive programmes in the
ratio 3 to 5. How many target executive programmes?

**P3 (rates and work).** One analyst can clean a data set in 6 hours; a second analyst can clean it in 3 hours.
Working together at these rates, how long do they take?

**P4 (data sufficiency).** Is $x > 0$?
(1) $x^2 = 9$. (2) $x^3 = 27$.
Options: A, statement (1) alone is sufficient but (2) is not; B, statement (2) alone is sufficient but (1) is not;
C, both together are sufficient but neither alone is; D, each alone is sufficient; E, the statements together are
not sufficient.

**P5 (probability).** Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. What is the probability that the sum is 7?

**P6 (critical reasoning, assumption).** "Corvane Robotics installed its new warehouse robots at three customer
sites, and picking errors at those sites fell by a quarter in the following quarter. Therefore the robots reduce
picking errors." Which assumption does the argument depend on?
(A) The robots cost less than the staff they replaced. (B) Nothing else that would reduce picking errors changed at
those sites in that quarter. (C) Picking errors are the main cost in a warehouse. (D) Other customers will buy the
robots. (E) The sites were the largest Corvane customers.

**P7 (table analysis).** Corvane shipped 1,200 units in Q1 and 1,380 units in Q2. By what percentage did shipments
grow, and what share of first-half shipments came in Q2 (to the nearest 0.1%)?

**P8 (quantitative comparison, GRE style).** Quantity A: $0.5^3$. Quantity B: $0.5^2$. Which is greater, or are they
equal, or can it not be determined?

**P9 (averages).** Four practice section scores are 72, 78, 81 and 85. What fifth score gives a mean of 80?

**P10 (interest).** USD 2,000 is invested for 2 years at 5% a year. How much more does annual compounding pay than
simple interest?

## 10. Test week and test day

<!-- Guidance: The last week is for confidence and logistics, not new content. Pitfall: a full mock two days before the test, which tires you and shakes confidence. -->

- Confirm the appointment, the identification rules and the name match between your ID and your registration.
- For online delivery, run the official system check on the computer and network you will use, in the room you will
  use, at the same time of day.
- Decide your section order (GMAT Focus Edition) in advance, based on your mocks.
- Write down your pacing checkpoints, for example minutes left after every fifth question, and your rule for when to
  guess and move on.
- Decide in advance how you will use answer edits if your test allows them.
- Sleep, food and travel time: plan them like a business meeting.
- On the day, decide on the score with the rule you wrote before the test (section 11), not on emotion.

## 11. After the test: keep, cancel, retake or move on

<!-- Guidance: Write your decision rule before test day. After the test you will be tired and the result will feel bigger than it is. -->

| Situation | Default decision | My rule |
|---|---|---|
| Score at or above target | Keep, send, move to essays | [ ] |
| Score within a small margin of target, strong rest of profile | Keep and move on, unless a retake fits the calendar without hurting essays | [ ] |
| Score clearly below target, mocks were at target | Keep or cancel per current rules, analyse the score report, plan one retake | [ ] |
| Score far below mocks because of illness or a technical incident | Contact the test owner about the incident procedure, then plan a retake | [ ] |

Before a retake, buy or download the detailed performance report if available, compare it with your error log, and
change the plan: a retake with the same preparation usually gives a similar score. Each retake costs time that your
essays and school research also need.

## 12. Quality checklist

<!-- Guidance: Tick each line before you book and again before test week. -->

- [ ] Every target programme's test policy recorded with the date checked
- [ ] Waiver criteria read on the official page, with a fallback test date if relevant
- [ ] Diagnostic taken under real conditions with an official practice exam
- [ ] Section targets set from official class profile pages, with dates
- [ ] First sitting booked at least 12 weeks before the first deadline
- [ ] Retake, cancellation and reinstatement rules recorded from the official page
- [ ] Weekly plan includes new learning, mixed practice, review and a timed set
- [ ] Error log updated after every session, with re-tests scheduled
- [ ] At least two official practice exams saved for the last four weeks
- [ ] Delivery mode chosen and, for online, system check passed
- [ ] Decision rule for the score written before test day

## 13. Common mistakes

<!-- Guidance: Read these before you start and again at the halfway point. -->

1. Starting without a fixed test date, so preparation drifts for months.
2. Choosing a test before checking what every target programme accepts.
3. Comparing GMAT Focus Edition scores with old GMAT scores in older class profiles.
4. Treating a forum GRE to GMAT conversion as exact.
5. Doing large volumes of questions without an error log, so the same mistakes repeat.
6. Studying only strengths because it feels productive.
7. Using third-party mock scores as predictions of the official score.
8. Spending all official practice exams in the first month.
9. Leaving the first sitting so late that no retake fits before the deadline.
10. Choosing online delivery without testing the room, network and note-taking tool.
11. Ignoring the waiting period and attempt limits when planning a retake.
12. Letting test preparation take over the time needed for essays, recommenders and school research.

## 14. Self-test

<!-- Guidance: Answer without looking back, then check the Answer key. -->

1. What are the three sections of the GMAT Focus Edition and how long is each?
2. On what scale is the GMAT Focus Edition total reported, and why should it not be compared with an old GMAT score?
3. How often, and how many times in 12 months, can you take the GRE General Test (as of October 2026)?
4. What does ScoreSelect let you do?
5. Which test is designed mainly for executive MBA applicants, and what is its score range?
6. Why save official practice exams for the last weeks?
7. What should an error-log entry contain beyond the correct answer?
8. In the example, how many hours go to Verbal and why?
9. Why book the first sitting 12 to 16 weeks before the first deadline?
10. Name two questions to ask a programme before relying on a test waiver.

## 15. My notes and next steps

<!-- Guidance: Write the three actions for the coming week and the date you will review this plan. -->

| Next action | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|
| [Collect test policies of all target programmes] | [Me] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| [Take the diagnostic] | [Me] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| [Book the first sitting] | [Me] | YYYY-MM-DD |

Notes: [What surprised me in the diagnostic, what I will change after the first mock]

## Sources and further reading

<!-- Guidance: Use the official pages for every rule. Re-check them on the day you register and on the day before the test. -->

- GMAC. GMAT Focus Edition exam overview: https://www.gmac.com/gmat-other-assessments/about-the-gmat-focus-edition/exam-overview (checked 2026-10-28).
- GMAC. GMAT scores and score reports: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/scores (checked 2026-10-28).
- GMAC (2026). GMAC introduces GMAT Superscore (press release, 16 June 2026): https://www.gmac.com/why-gmac/gmac-news/gmac-press-releases/gmac-introduces-gmat-superscore (checked 2026-10-28).
- GMAC (2024). The GMAT offers unlimited potential, on the removal of the lifetime attempt limit: https://www.gmac.com/resources/learners/how-to-apply/exams-preparation/gmat-offers-unlimited-potential (checked 2026-10-28).
- GMAC. Executive Assessment: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment and assessment structure: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/about/assessment-structure (checked 2026-10-28).
- ETS. GRE General Test structure: https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/test-structure.html; registration and retake rules: https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register.html; at-home testing: https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/test-day/at-home-test-day.html (checked 2026-10-28).
- Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J. and Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. *Psychological Science in the Public Interest*, 14(1), 4-58.
- Official preparation materials published by GMAC and ETS (official guides and practice exams), named here as further reading only.

## Answer key

**Practice items** (computed in calc/mba-admissions-test-plan.py).

- P1. USD 100. The sale price is 80% of the original: $80 / 0.8 = 100$. Excel: `=80/(1-20%)`.
- P2. 25. Executive share is $5/8$ of 40. Excel: `=40*5/8`.
- P3. 2 hours. Rates add: $1/6 + 1/3 = 1/2$ of the job per hour, so 2 hours. Excel: `=1/(1/6+1/3)`.
- P4. B. Statement (1) allows $x = 3$ or $x = -3$, so it is not sufficient; statement (2) gives only $x = 3$.
- P5. $1/6$. Six of the 36 equally likely outcomes sum to 7.
- P6. (B). The argument assumes no other cause explains the fall; (A), (C), (D) and (E) are not needed for the conclusion.
- P7. Growth 15.0% (`=(1380-1200)/1200`); Q2 share 53.5% (`=1380/(1200+1380)`).
- P8. Quantity B is greater: $0.125 < 0.25$.
- P9. 84, because the five scores must sum to $5 \times 80 = 400$ and the four sum to 316. Excel: `=80*5-SUM(72,78,81,85)`.
- P10. USD 5. Compound: USD 2,205 (`=FV(5%,2,0,-2000)`); simple: USD 2,200 (`=2000*(1+5%*2)`).

**Self-test.**

1. Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, 45 minutes each (2 hours 15 minutes in total).
2. 205 to 805. The scale and the score distribution changed, so GMAC says Focus Edition and older GMAT scores are not
   directly comparable.
3. Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period.
4. It lets you choose which GRE test dates from the last 5 years you send to a programme (unless the programme asks
   for all scores).
5. The Executive Assessment, total 100 to 200.
6. They are the best predictors of the official score; using them early leaves no reliable measure for the final
   weeks.
7. The question type and topic, the reason for the miss, the rule to apply next time and the re-test results.
8. 26 hours (17.6% of 150), because Verbal has the smallest gap (3 of 17 points).
9. To leave time for official scores, a review of the score report and one retake after the waiting period before
   the deadline.
10. Any two of: what evidence the waiver needs; whether it affects scholarship consideration; when the decision is
    made; whether the committee views a waived application differently.

## Revision history

<!-- Guidance: Add a row after each mock or policy re-check that changes the plan. -->

| Version | Date | Author | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | YYYY-MM-DD | [Name] | First version from template |
| [0.2] | YYYY-MM-DD | [Name] | [Re-planned after Mock 1] |

## Standard and licence note

Based on the public test information published by GMAC (GMAT Focus Edition, Executive Assessment) and ETS (GRE
General Test), checked in October 2026 and summarised in original wording, and on published learning research.
GMAT, Executive Assessment and GMAC are trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council; GRE and ETS are
trademarks of ETS. They are named only to identify the tests; this template is not affiliated with or endorsed by
them, and no official question, score table or preparation material is reproduced. All practice items, people and
companies are fictional and original. Test rules, fees and acceptance policies change: check the current official
pages and each programme's admissions page before you rely on any fact here. This template is original text written
for this collection. Template licence: MIT.