And maybe you’re working full-time. Or you’re in school. Or you have a life that refuses to slow down just because the GMAT decided to exist.

But here’s the good news: with a smart plan, the right materials, and a little self-control, two months is enough time to see a big score jump. Not by doing everything, but by doing the right things.

So let’s break down what an actual human being (busy, stressed, maybe slightly panicked) can do to crush GMAT prep in just eight weeks.

Step 1: Before Embracing the Chaos, Learn What the GMAT Is Asking of You

You can’t study for a test you don’t understand. The GMAT isn’t just a “take this formula and plug it in” kind of exam. It’s more like: “Here’s a puzzle. You have two minutes. Don’t freak out.”

The test has three sections:

• Quantitative Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Data Insights

Each section has its own pace and question types. Spend an hour getting familiar with the structure. It makes everything feel much less threatening.

Step 2: Take a Diagnostic Test 

Before you plan anything, you need to know where you’re starting. Your diagnostic test score will help you gauge your baseline.

Use an official GMAT practice test if you can. It’s the closest you’ll get to the real experience, including the timer anxiety and the “why is this so hard?” moments.

Once you see your breakdown, you’ll quickly figure out your problem areas. Maybe it’s geometry. Maybe it’s assumption questions. Maybe it’s everything. Whatever it is, knowing early will save you weeks of wasted time.

Step 3: Build a Realistic 2-Month Plan

A lot of people create study plans that look beautiful on paper but absolutely unachievable in real life. So let’s be real.

Here’s the simple rule: In the first month, learn. In the second month, practice. Let’s break that down.

Weeks 1–2: Foundation Mode

Focus on getting your basics down:

• Algebra
• Number properties
• Geometry
• Grammar fundamentals
• Reading strategies
• The basics of Data Insights

This is the time to actually understand concepts, not rush through practice questions hoping they stick.

Weeks 3–4: Skill-Building + Light Timed Practice

Start mixing in timed sets a few days a week. At this stage you also want to get comfortable with:

• Data Sufficiency
• Critical Reasoning patterns
• Word problems involving rates, mixtures, work, etc.

Weeks 5–6: Practice. Review. Fix. Repeat.

This part is all about practice tests and targeted drills.

Take one full-length practice test every week (two if you’re a superhero). But the magic isn’t in the test itself, it’s in reviewing your mistakes.

Ask yourself:

• “Why did I get this wrong?”
• “Was it a content issue or a timing issue?”
• “Did I miss a trick in the question?”

Your mistakes will do more to get you to your target score than you may realize.

Weeks 7–8: Full Test Simulation + Pacing Mastery

Now it’s crunch time. Take at least 3 full-length, timed, no-pausing, no-checking-your-phone GMAT practice tests in these two weeks. Treat each one like the real deal. By the time you hit week 8, you want to feel like: “Ugh, another GMAT practice test? Fine. Let’s do it.”

That level of familiarity removes much of the test-day anxiety.

Step 4: Be Selective About What You Study

Two months isn’t long enough to master every obscure topic. And here’s the secret: You don’t need to.

Focus on the topics that appear frequently:

For Quant:

• Algebra
• Word problems
• Number properties
• Geometry
• Statistics basics

For Verbal:

• Critical Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Grammar patterns (parallelism, modifiers, subject-verb agreement)

For Data Insights:

• Multi-source reasoning
• Table analysis
• Graphic interpretation

Don’t waste time obsessing over the rare stuff. Your score moves the most when you focus on the big-ticket concepts.

Step 5: Use Quality Materials

Your core resources should be:

• GMAT Official Guide
• GMAT Prep software/GMAT practice tests

After that, feel free to enlist the help of study material from trusted institutions, like Jamboree’s GMAT prep program.

Step 6: Timing Is Everything

Here’s something most people underestimate:
You can know all the content and still bomb the test if you can’t manage time.

General pacing rule:

• About 2 minutes per Quant question
• About 1.8 minutes per Verbal question
• Varies slightly in Data Insights, but pacing still matters

If a question is dragging you down, move on. The GMAT rewards efficiency.

Step 7: Build Stamina

Most people don’t realize how mentally exhausting the GMAT is until they’re halfway through Verbal and their brain starts clocking out.

The only way to build endurance is to practice consistently with full-length GMAT practice tests. You want your brain to get used to the grind.

Step 8: Prepare for Test Day Like It’s a Mini Ritual

In the last week:

• Practice at the same time your actual exam is scheduled
• Plan what you’ll eat and drink during breaks
• Pack your ID and anything else you need
• Know exactly how long it takes to get to the test center

Test day should feel predictable, not chaotic.

Step 9: Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health

Two months of intense studying can burn anyone out. Make room for:

• Walks
• Music
• Sleep
• Breaks
• Breathing room

A tired brain makes silly mistakes. A calm brain scores higher.

Final Thoughts

Is prepping for the GMAT in two months hard? Absolutely. Is it doable? 100%.

The key is staying focused, being honest about your weak areas, and practicing in a way that actually trains you for the whole test and not just for random questions.

If you stay consistent for 60 days, you’ll be shocked at how much progress you make.

Now take a deep breath. You’ve got this!