This UP MBA GPAT Article was published on March 11, 2015, and updated on March 24, 2020.
Last 2012, I took the UP MBA GPAT exam.
Three years after, I took the UP MBA comprehensive exam.
The dreaded UP MBA Graduate Program Admission Test or simply UP MBA GPAT may seem intimidating, but it’s really just a test of how much an MBA aspirant learned over the years spent on high school and college.
Looking back, I had apprehensions as to whether I could pass it or not. Luckily, I passed and now I am about to have MBA attached to my name.
UP MBA aspirants may have heard endless tips about studying for UP MBA GPAT all across the internet. Countless MBA aspirants have sought tried and tested tips on studying for the UP MBA GPAT.
Me too, I also scoured the net on what to do in order to ace the dreaded exam. However, I had to develop my own process since I didn’t find relevant study GPAT tips.
Ever since I posted the articles on UP MBA, a lot of people have been asking for tips and reviewers I used. I’ve forwarded numerous reviewers to different people seeking help. I even conducted a special review session for one aspirant.
The process I used worked for me and I hope MBA aspirants can take a page on how I successfully prepared for the UP MBA GPAT exam.
Research
Research first everything about the UP MBA GPAT. A lot of good articles have been written about the exam. Take a look at my previous articles MBA Application Experience and Sample MBA Proficiency Exam Questions. JuanaBe also has a comprehensive description of the UP MBA GPAT exam. Pinoyexchange also has a forum thread specifically for UP MBA GPAT.
Get GPAT Study Materials
GPAT is similar to GMAT – the US standardized test for MBA aspirants.
I strongly suggest grabbing any GMAT reviewer.
A lot of free resources are available on the internet. I also bought the cheapest GMAT reviewer in National Bookstore similar to the one used by JuanaBe. But talking to MBA aspirants over the year, the cheap GMAT reviewed isn’t available on National Bookstore anymore.
An MBA aspirant needs to have these two types of reviewers: One set for test questions and another for concept reviewers.
When I reviewed I had 3 types of test questions and 2 concept reviewers.
I made a reviewer out of the reviewers I used back in 2012.
You may download it by clicking the button below:
Take a Diagnostic Test
The first thing you need is to take the GMAT test questions without any review.
This can gauge your baseline knowledge if you still remember it. You’ll have a quantitative measure of how rusty your brain cells are.
The grade you’ll get will tell you how much time you need to prepare for GPAT. Prepare a sheet of paper or a journal to tabulate your grade.
Don’t worry if you scored low.
You’ll see your progress later.
Review Concepts
Read on the concept reviewers from cover to cover. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand everything. The tricks for just reading is for your brain to relearn the concept taught in your college and even high school programs.
The best approach is to just read the reviewers quickly and store as much as you can. An MBA aspirant should not take too much time on reviewing concepts.
These concepts were taught in high school and college.
The reading exercise is just a matter of remembering the knowledge lost by doing repetitive corporate work.
Retake the Same Test (2nd)
After your quick review, take the same test.
On this test, you’ll definitely score better since you have re-learned the knowledge you’ve lost. Tabulate your score on your learning plan.
Assess your progress by looking at the difference between your first and second tests.
Spend Time on Your Weakness
I bet there will still be mistakes even after test retake.
List the topic of the questions flanked. These topics are your weaknesses that need extensive studying. By this time you’ll have an idea of what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Spend more time reviewing your weaknesses on the same concept reviewers you have. You may visit websites for in-depth articles on the subjects.
Retake the Same Test (Final)
Take the same test for the last time. This time try to get a perfect grade.
If you haven’t aced the practice test, go back on your weaknesses and review on it.
At this point, you can say you are ready to take the GPAT!
List your 100% score on your learning plan and enjoy your moment of perfection.
Repeat steps 3-8 on a different test
Looking back on your progress, you are actually ready to take the GPAT.
However, the practice test questions are, in nature, limited and may have blind spots that could spell doom on the real GPAT.
Because of this, you need to repeat steps 3-8 on a different practice test. Expect to have a fairly satisfactory grade on this test.
You’ll still vulnerable to exam mistakes. This is a good thing because, not just knowing your weakness, you can practice having an educated guess.