GMAT Prep for Non-Native English Speakers

GMAT aspirants who are non-native English speakers, often fear the complexity of the English language used in the verbal reasoning section of the exam. A globally acclaimed exam for MBA courses, GMAT exam not only has its medium as English but also has a separate verbal section. With most of the GMAT test-takers having English as their second or even third language, acing the test can be an arduous task. But by making sure that you have the right resources and preparation strategy, GMAT prep for Non-native English speakers can be made simpler. Read this blog to know about the best expert tips and advice you can follow to ace your GMAT exam as a non-native English speaker.

The Upside of the GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Native and foremost, the fact that English is not your first language is not an impediment to performing well on the verbal component of the test. The vast majority of students can achieve huge increases in performance with the correct kind of practice, which can be obtained from a decent book and/or GMAT course.

Another piece of good news is that because of the structure of the business school application process—specifically, the unofficial quota system controlling place allocation—you will not be competing with native English speakers for a spot on your desired programme. Instead, your performance is generally compared to others in your geographic location. This means that even minor improvements in your linguistic abilities can help you stand out from the crowd, considerably increasing your chances of acceptance.

Unfortunately, all too frequently, these potential gains are unmet. The reason for this is due to a common misperception among both native and non-native exam takers.

Speak, Read and Think in English 

While consistent practice is the success mantra for every skill especially learning a language, you must also ensure that you work essentially on your English speaking and reading skills. It is important to incorporate English at almost all the levels that one can through which you will be surrounded by the language in more than one way. Read the daily newspaper and understand the formal tone of writing. As part of the GMAT prep for non-native English speakers, you must learn new difficult words every day and keep a journal of all the new words that you learn and try to inculcate them while writing answers.

Must Read: 5 Tips to Fit GMAT Studying into your Busy Schedule

Practice English Writing 

To get into the groove of fluent English writing, try practising more and more essay questions. Refer to the sample papers as well as mock tests and get a hold of the type of questions that are asked in the exam. GMAT prep for non-native English speakers can become less complicated once you have grasped the basics of English writing.

Also Read: GMAT Online vs Test Centre: Which One is Better?

Know What to Expect

You are aware that the GMAT exam is all on brain capacity; no calculators or translation assistance are permitted. However, there is one area of the GMAT for which not everyone is prepared: the testing centre setting. Be aware of the rules and procedures so that security measures like taking off your watch, emptying your pockets, or being observed by a room monitor and cameras do not catch you off guard. If any of these scenarios cause you to worry, it is critical that you find a technique to control it so that it does not have a negative impact on your performance.

Take GMAT Classes 

English is a universally spoken language. Despite having a predetermined set of grammar rules, the language is rich with different accents used across the world.

Thus, to master your English speaking and writing skills for GMAT, taking professional GMAT classes is quintessential.

Stay Focused

When you take the GMAT exam, you will most likely be in a room with other test-takers, and the countdown clock on the screen can be distracting if you are worried about finishing a section on time. Stopping to perform the arithmetic and determine how many seconds you can spend on each question, on the other hand, will not help you complete it faster. Make good use of your time and concentrate solely on the subject at hand.

FAQs

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