Preparing for the GMAT can be overwhelming. With so much advice floating around – from online forums to well-meaning friends – it’s easy to fall into study myths that slow your progress and sabotage your results.
At 700 Plus Club, we’ve worked with thousands of GMAT students, and we’ve seen firsthand how certain study myths can derail even the most determined candidates. In this blog, we’re debunking the most common misconceptions so you can stop wasting time and start climbing towards the 90th percentile and above.
- Study Myth #1: “You Need to Study 4+ Hours a Day to See Results”
- Myth #2: “You Have to Be a Maths Genius to Ace GMAT Quant”
- Myth #3: “The More Practice Tests, the Better”
- Myth #4: “Focus Only on Your Weak Areas”
- Myth #5: “GMAT Verbal Is Easier – Don’t Worry About It”
- Myth #6: “If I Don’t Reach the 90th Percentile on the First Try, I’ve Failed”
- Break Free from the Study Myths – And Start Scoring Higher
Study Myth #1: “You Need to Study 4+ Hours a Day to See Results”
Truth: It’s not about how long you study – it’s about how smart you study.
Many students believe that grinding for hours on end is the only way to succeed. But in reality, most people can’t maintain deep focus for more than 60–90 minutes at a stretch. Without structure and intention, long study sessions often lead to fatigue and frustration – not progress.
✅ What to do instead: Set specific objectives for each session. Focus on active recall, error analysis, and time management drills. A well-structured 90-minute session will take you much further than a four-hour slog.
Myth #2: “You Have to Be a Maths Genius to Ace GMAT Quant”
Truth: You don’t need advanced maths – you need the right techniques.
We hear this all the time from students who haven’t touched a maths textbook in years. The Quant section feels daunting, but the GMAT is not testing high-level mathematics – it’s testing how you think.
✅ What to do instead: Build core skills in number properties, algebra, and data interpretation. Learn how to spot traps and apply logic efficiently. With the right approach, anyone can excel in Quant – even if it wasn’t your strongest subject at school.
Myth #3: “The More Practice Tests, the Better”
Truth: Taking test after test without reviewing your errors is a waste of time.
Practice tests are important – but only when used strategically. Many students burn out doing multiple mocks a week, yet see little to no score improvement. Why? Because they’re not fixing the mistakes that keep costing them marks.
✅ What to do instead: Space your practice tests out – one every 10 to 14 days is ideal. Spend more time analysing your results than taking the test itself. What types of questions tripped you up? Were you running out of time? Identifying and correcting patterns is where the real growth happens.
Myth #4: “Focus Only on Your Weak Areas”
Truth: Ignoring your strengths could be a dangerous move.
It’s tempting to pour all your energy into weak spots – but this can backfire. We’ve seen students neglect areas they were once strong in, only to find their performance slipping across the board.
✅ What to do instead: Strike a balance. Prioritise your weaker areas, yes – but keep your strengths sharp with regular practice. A well-rounded performance is key to reaching the top percentile.
Myth #5: “GMAT Verbal Is Easier – Don’t Worry About It”
Truth: Verbal is often harder to master – especially without the right strategy.
Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning each demand different skill sets. Many candidates underestimate how tricky Verbal can be – particularly if English isn’t their first language.
✅ What to do instead: Treat Verbal prep as seriously as Quant. Learn the grammar rules that matter. Practice reading dense, unfamiliar material. Focus on understanding argument structures and spotting logical flaws.
Myth #6: “If I Don’t Reach the 90th Percentile on the First Try, I’ve Failed”
Truth: Many high scorers don’t get there on the first attempt.
The GMAT is a learnable test – and improvement takes time. A single disappointing score isn’t the end of the road. In fact, we often see admissions officers appreciate candidates who show growth and resilience through multiple test attempts.
✅ What to do instead: Review your performance with a clear head. Where did things go wrong? Were nerves a factor? Did you manage time well? Use what you’ve learned to develop a sharper, smarter study plan.
Break Free from the Study Myths – And Start Scoring Higher
Believing the wrong things about the GMAT won’t just hold you back – it can actively stop you from reaching your goals.
If you’re aiming for a score in the 90th percentile or higher, it’s time to ditch the study myths and approach your prep with precision, structure, and strategy. At 700 Plus Club, we specialise in guiding students towards elite performance by focusing on what actually works.
Ready to break through the study myths and level up your GMAT prep?
Join our proven coaching programme and start your journey to the 90th percentile with expert guidance every step of the way. Book your first consultation today.
