Today’s GMAT preparation tips come from Soojin Kwon Koh, Direction of Admission at the Ross School of Business. Koh likens preparing for the the GMAT to competing in a marathon. “Everyone’s training;” she says “if you want to be competitive, you should too.” Here are her top GMAT Prep tips:

1. Set a goal. To determine your target score, use the GMAT averages and ranges of the schools to which you are applying as a guide. Scoring in a school’s middle 80-percent range puts you in the running.
2. Set a schedule. If you choose to prepare on your own, carve out regular study time on your calendar. Mark down the day or days you plan to take an entire practice test to assess your progress. As in most situations, thorough and disciplined preparation is a key to success.
3. Simulate the test day scenario. Around the same time of day that you will be taking the actual test, close your door, turn off your phone, set a timer, and take a practice test. Endurance often is the key, and it’s important to remain focused throughout the duration of the exam. Continue these “training runs” and your preparation regimen until you score in your target range and feel you can go into the actual test with confidence.
4. Go for your personal best. You may hit your goal on your first try, or you may not. It’s okay if you don’t. If you think you can do better, and can muster up the stamina to give it another shot, you should. Schools look favourably upon applicants who retake the GMAT rather than submitting only one low score.

Bonus tip: The GMAT won’t make or break you. Keep in mind that the GMAT is only one aspect of your application. Schools evaluate applications holistically; no single element of your application will guarantee admission or denial. So for those who ace the GMAT, don’t rest on the laurels of your strong score – go for a personal best on every application component.