There’s no doubt that GMAT questions can be tricky. One of the foundational aspects of the best GMAT prep is getting rid of your assumptions and figuring out what these unique questions are really asking. But sometimes, you just don’t know the answer. Your time is short, so you need to choose and move on. And this is when the question arises: Should you guess on the GMAT?

What the GMAT Does and Doesn’t Measure

It’s important to remember that the GMAT is just a test. It doesn’t measure your value, your intelligence, or even your worthiness to be at business school. In some ways, the GMAT measures your ability to take the GMAT. In other words, you are being tested to see how you fare against the test itself.

Business schools are not foolish enough to think that a student with a low GMAT score would be doomed at business school. Really, the GMAT is designed to test how well you can learn and use basic skills that will greatly benefit you in business school (and life). Yes, there are tips and tricks to help you figure out the right answer more quickly. But even in these cases, the tricks themselves are life skills. The test isn’t out to get you. Instead, it’s finding out how well you prepare and how you fare under tough conditions.

Why Guessing Is a Gamble

Because the GMAT is computer adaptive, it has a very different scoring algorithm than straightforward standardized tests. Depending on the questions you get, guessing could make very little difference or it could be significant. As a rule of thumb, you should get through as many questions as you can. Of course, as with everything, there are exceptions to the rule.

When Guessing Is the Best Strategy

There are a few times when guessing is the best option. For instance, if you have no idea how to answer a question, don’t take 10 precious minutes trying to figure it out. Take the best guess you can and move on. Additionally, according to the test’s algorithm, the middle of the test is the least important for determining your score. For this reason, try not to guess on anything at the beginning or end.

What GMAC Has to Say

The GMAC has weighed in on this issue, with research to back up its recommendations. According to a study based on thousands of GMAT exams, if you have 1 or 2 questions left in Quant, it won’t make a difference if you leave them blank or guess. Any more than that and it’s better to make educated guesses than not answer the question. Conversely, in the Verbal section, it’s better to leave up to 5 questions blank than to guess blindly. The GMAC post also suggests that you’re better off leaving questions blank in your weaker subjects and making educated guesses in your areas of strength. You can read more about their take here.

The Best GMAT Prep to Avoid Needing to Guess

In reality, the best option to avoid guessing is to complete the exam in time. This may sound like a no-brainer, but the most likely guessing scenario is running short on time at the end of a section. The best GMAT prep will prepare you to manage your time well.

While guessing is the last resort, excellent test prep is your first step to success. In the end, the best GMAT test prep is the one that makes you confident. With timed practice tests, video instruction, and a 70 point guarantee, EMPOWERgmat is your best option for an online GMAT course.