A 12-week GMAT study plan for people with a full-time job

Weeks 1 to 4 — Foundation

This phase is about diagnosis and rebuilding method. No full mocks beyond the initial diagnostic.

• Week 1: official diagnostic mock plus setting up the error log.
• Weeks 2 to 4: topic blocks of Quant and Verbal, 20 questions per session, no total time pressure but with a per-question timer.
• Introduction to Data Insights: one dedicated session per week.
• Daily spaced repetition of method flashcards (15 minutes).

Weeks 5 to 8 — Application under pressure

Now timing enters the equation. Every block becomes timed against Focus Edition targets.

• Two timed blocks per week in each section.
• One sectional mock every weekend (45 minutes, full section).
• Weekly error-log review, prioritizing recurring causes rather than isolated topics.
• Explicit strategic-guess training: bookmark, skip, come back.

Weeks 9 to 11 — Simulation

• One full mock per week, at the same time of day as the real exam.
• A 90-minute post-mock analysis: the cause of each mistake, not just the correct solution.
• Fine-tuning pacing per section based on checkpoints.
• Less new content: 80% of the time in review and practice.

Week 12 — Final stretch

The last week is consolidation, not new learning. Volume drops by half and focus shifts to the error log, decision frameworks and test-day routine: sleep, food, timing and a materials checklist.

How to know the plan is working

• Accuracy per error cause improving week over week in the error log.
• Average time per question converging toward each section's target.
• Fewer questions abandoned due to time overrun in the last blocks.

Keep reading

• Data Insights on the GMAT Focus: the 5 question types explained
• Verbal Reasoning on the GMAT Focus: how to improve in 30 days
• Quantitative Reasoning on the GMAT Focus: a beginner's guide