Scoring in the mid-600s on the GMAT and not moving forward? You’re not the only one. Many test-takers reach a plateau after a few full-length practice tests. The prep drags on, the tests keep coming, but the score won’t budge.

It’s time to stop adding more practice tests if that sounds familiar. The issue may not be how many you take, but how you use them.

Why Does Taking More Tests Not Always Help?

It’s a common belief that more tests equal more progress. But simply taking test after test won’t guarantee improvement. Often, the real problem is in how those tests are reviewed. Many test-takers spend hours simulating exam day, but only minutes analyzing their results.

This is where progress stalls.

A recent survey found that most candidates spend more time taking tests than reviewing them. But it’s the review process that often holds the key to improvement. Skipping this step is like practicing a sport without reviewing game footage. You keep playing, but you don’t correct mistakes.

The Strategy That Works: Reverse Engineer Your Errors

To move your score up, shift focus from quantity to analysis. Here’s a proven approach that turns each GMAT prep test into a tool for growth.

Step 1: Categorize Your Mistakes

After each test, log your incorrect answers. Divide them into categories:

• Content gaps: You didn’t know the topic well enough (e.g., rate problems or sentence correction rules)
• Process issues: You misread the question or used the wrong strategy
• Timing problems: You took too long or rushed through

Track your patterns using a spreadsheet. Over time, this builds a clear picture of where you lose points. Often, it reveals issues you didn’t expect. For example, you might think math is your weak area, but your logs could show consistent grammar-related errors instead.

Step 2: Identify the Role of Each Question

Not all GMAT questions serve the same purpose. Some test logic, others test grammar or math fundamentals. Sorting them by function helps you sharpen your test-taking strategies.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

• Critical Reasoning: Tests logical thinking. Focus on argument structure.
• Sentence Correction: Focuses on grammar and clarity. Use an error checklist.
• Problem Solving: Involves math and inference. Practice visualizing problems.
• Data Sufficiency: Requires logical reasoning. Learn to identify sufficiency without full calculation.

When you review with these goals in mind, your approach becomes more targeted and more effective. 

Rebalance Your Study Time

Another common mistake is spending too much time on testing and not enough on review. High scorers typically divide their GMAT prep test time like this:

• 30% on taking tests
• 70% on reviewing results and mastering topics

Mid-level scorers tend to flip this ratio, which leads to stagnation. Fixing this alone can often jump-start progress.

Smart Timing Tips for Better Pacing

Beyond basic advice like “use a timer,” top scorers use smarter timing tricks:

• Pacing checks: Every 10 questions, take 30 seconds to check your average time
• Speed sets: Practice solving 15 questions in 15 minutes to build speed under pressure
• Time banking: Move quickly through the first 10 questions to create a time buffer for tougher ones at the end

These strategies help manage pacing without rushing.

Make Weekly Reviews a Habit

Instead of using practice tests as performance checkpoints, use them for analysis. Build a weekly review routine:

• Focus on one section per week
• Analyze every incorrect and flagged question
• Re-attempt the section two days later with a different time constraint

This reinforces concepts and builds confidence.

Expect Score Fluctuations

Scores can swing between attempts. One week you might hit 690, and the next drop to 630. That’s normal. Randomness in question sets and mental fatigue play a role. What matters more is the trend in your mistakes and your approach to fixing them.

Instead of stressing over each test score, treat it like feedback. The goal is steady improvement in your process, not perfection every time.

Final Thoughts

GMAT prep tests don’t boost your score just by being completed. Their real power lies in what you learn from them. Every test contains valuable insights if you know how to look for them.

So if you’re still stuck in the 600s, don’t double down on quantity. Focus on quality. Review your mistakes, adjust your approach, and make reflection part of your weekly study plan.

Scores often get stuck because strategies do. Change your strategy, and the score will follow.