Hey everyone,
Today, let’s talk about some habits that can quietly, but powerfully, upgrade your prep.
Of course you’d understand, it’s not just about the hours we put in, rather it’s about how we use them. I’ll talk about two habits and one mindset that could help you navigate the arduous GMAT prep journey with a bit more ease.
Part 1: The daily shutdown routine
Ever feel like you waste precious time at the start of the day just figuring out what to do?
We’ve all been there. That’s where a shutdown routine helps.
At the end of each prep day, take just 5 minutes to wrap things up.
- Review what you did today
- Write down what you plan to do tomorrow
Not a mental note. Actually write it down. It could be in a notebook, it could be an entry in a Google sheet. Your call. But keep a dedicated place for this purpose.
Example:
- Practice easy CR Assumptions questions – 6 – 8 PM
- Focus on clarity at each step – what the passage is about, what exactly is the question asking, what does each answer choice mean
- For each answer choice, figure out independent reasons for picking or rejecting each option
- Doesn’t matter how many questions you do. Focus on learning from each question.
When you sit down the next day, there’s no ambiguity. You’re not spending time in just figuring things out. More importantly, you are taking away an excuse our brain could use to procrastinate in the situation.
Note: In the above example, the last three bullets are quite qualitative. I find it helps if I clarify for myself not just the task, but the key things I’d like to keep in mind while doing the task. Otherwise it is very easy to go back to my current default mode of doing things.
Part 2: The weekly audit day
Just like your daily routine helps reset each day, a weekly audit gives you the bigger picture.
Pick a day – Sunday works well – and spend 30 minutes answering:
- What went well?
- What didn’t?
- Did I put in the hours I planned?
- Did I cover what I meant to?
Then, based on that, sketch a rough plan for the coming week.
Example:
- Mon & Tue: 2 hrs → CR Assumptions
- Wed & Thu: 2 hrs → Remainders
- Fri: Break
- Sat: 3 hrs → Data Sufficiency
- Sun: 2 hrs RC + 30 min audit
The goal? Make it realistic. Slightly ambitious is good. Overambitious isn’t. You should end the week feeling like you accomplished what you set out to do—not like you’re constantly catching up.
Part 3: How to restart after a break
Sometimes life happens. Work, family, travel, burn-out – whatever the reason, your prep gets interrupted. I know people who have been preparing for the GMAT (on and off) for over 4 years. This becomes a dilemma. You’re not starting from scratch, at the same time, to expect that everything thing would be the same as when you last left things is not right either.
So… what now?
Do you restart everything? Or continue from where you left off as though there never was a break?
There’s no one right answer. But one thing to remember in this situation is: your choice isn’t final. The decision isn’t really binding. You can always take a step back and change your path in case you find your path isn’t working out. Let me elaborate.
Let’s say you pick up from where you left off.
If, after a couple of days, you’re struggling with stuff you thought you knew – take that as a sign. Step back. Revise that topic.
Still struggling with the next one? Step back again.
If a topic feels solid, keep going. You can blend revision and forward movement. If topic after topic you find that things are confusing, and if you have been away from preparation for many months, maybe just start afresh.
Flip side: say you decide to start from scratch.
If, while going through the early topics, you’re genuinely learning or recalling stuff you’d forgotten – great.
But if everything feels too familiar, and you’re not learning anything new, then pivot. Jump ahead. You’re allowed to change course.
Even if it feels a little messy at first, that’s fine. That’s expected.
Think of this phase as a warm-up. You’re getting back into rhythm. The goal here is to start moving, not to do everything perfectly from Day 1.
It is very common to feel guilty after a break. Be more lenient with yourself. Life happens. It is natural. Guilt doesn’t help prep. What matters is what you do now—not what you didn’t do then.
👇 Quick FAQs
Q1. How detailed should my shutdown plan be?
Keep it actionable but not overwhelming. Note what you’ll do and how long you’ll spend on it. Do not put targets on number of questions.
e.g.: “Practice CR Assumptions questions – 1 hour – 7 AM.”
Do not put targets on number of questions. “I will do 10 CR questions in 1 hour tomorrow” assumes that average of 6 minutes is all you need to learn all there is to learn from a question. That’s a big assumption. I recommend focus on time, and do as much as you can while not trying to maximise how many questions you do, but how much you learn from each question you do.
Q2. What if my day didn’t go as planned?
That’s okay. Use shutdown time to reflect and adjust. What could you have done differently? Were you expecting too much of yourself? Adjust the plan for next day accordingly.
Q3. How do I know if my weekly plan is realistic?
Simple test: Look at last week. If you hit 80 – 90% of your plan, you’re on the right track.
If not, scale back a bit. Hit goals → feel good → stay consistent.
Q4. I’m restarting after a break. Where should I begin?
Anywhere. Pick a topic and start. Once you’re in motion, you’ll know what needs revision and what doesn’t. Remember, the decision isn’t set in stone.
Q5. How long should the ‘warm-up’ phase last?
I’d say at least 30-40 hours. As the fog lifts you should yourself start getting more clarity about the next steps.
Preparation isn’t just about what you cover. It’s about how you carry yourself through the process – day after day, week after week, even after a break. These small routines help create a rhythm. One that makes it easier to stay consistent and keep moving forward.