Most aspiring MBAs aren’t eager to spend 50+ hours pouring over practice problems and drilling themselves on basic grammar. But such is the reality when you’re studying for the GMAT. Many applicants are studying for the GMAT while working full time, and when you combine long work hours and a busy personal life, GMAT study sessions can be few and far between. When you do sit down with your GMAT study materials, you need to make sure you’re using your time as efficiently as possible.

1. Find out the right time and place. After years of schooling, you’ve probably figured out that you can’t text and study at the same time. If you’re trying to have a marathon study session, turn off the distractions, choose a time when you’re at your best, and find a place where you can be comfortable.
2. Keep track of errors. One of the biggest time-wasters in GMAT prep is when you make the same mistake over and over again. If you keep a careful record of your errors, you’ll be able to zero in on the issue and move on.
3. Set small goals. Don’t just prep until you get bored. Set specific goals, like “this week I’m going to master probability” or “by the end of tonight, I will have completed 20 SC questions.”
4. Don’t study blind. Assess your progress with practice tests on a regular basis. Carefully analyze your results and categorize mistakes.
5. Make the most of small blocks of time. Most applicants don’t have the time to block out 2 hours every evening, but you can use that thirty minutes on the subway and twenty minutes at the doctor’s office to get in a few extra questions.

If you can do all of the above, you might find that you’re able to move through material much faster. There’s no law that says studying for the GMAT must involve staring at a 500-page test prep book for 50 hours.  In fact, the Prep4GMAT app places 1000 questions and flashcards at your fingertips, making it easier for you to study more efficiently.