What’s the best way to practice GMAT questions from previous years?

Question

S Raghav · Accepted Answer

The best way to practice GMAT questions from past years is by using the official materials made by GMAC. Their "Official Guide for GMAT Review" has real questions from previous exams. It&rsquo;s better to stick with these because they match the real difficulty, wording, and style you&rsquo;ll see on test day.
You can also try the GMAT Official Practice Exams from mba.com. These practice tests use real retired questions and give you a feel for the timing and pressure. It&rsquo;s important to solve questions slowly at first, making sure you really understand every mistake, instead of rushing through lots of tests.
Some students like to mix in third-party material, but honestly, nothing is better than the official ones when you want a 700+ score. They are the closest thing to the real test, and they teach you how GMAT writers think, which matters a lot for tougher questions.
Read this blog to know what kind of question you can face in the GMAT exam.

Sudheer R · Answer

The best way to practice GMAT questions from previous years is to work with official materials in a smart, structured way. Start by using the Official Guide for GMAT Review and GMATPrep Question Packs, since they include real retired questions and maintain the original difficulty level.
Second, practice questions by topic, not randomly. If you&rsquo;re weak in Sentence Correction or Data Sufficiency, target those sections separately first. Mastery improves faster when you focus skill-by-skill.
Third, always time yourself. Even if you&rsquo;re practicing just 10&ndash;15 questions a day, sticking to strict timing  (about 2 minutes per question) builds pacing habits early, which is critical on test day.

Sushovan biswas · Answer

If you want to practice GMAT questions from past years, it&rsquo;s best to use the Official Guide by GMAC. They made the GMAT, so their material is the most accurate. You&rsquo;ll find real questions that were used before, and practicing with them helps you get used to the real exam style.
Another good way is by taking the GMAT Official Practice Exams from mba.com. These tests use real retired questions and show you how the timing and difficulty feel. They help you check where you stand and what areas you need to work on more.
Some students use extra material from other sites, but nothing beats official questions when you are aiming for a strong score. Practicing with real past questions helps you understand how the test makers think, which can really make a big difference in your score.

Supriya J · Answer

Yes, GMAT past papers can be a great resource for scoring 700+ when used the right way. They help you understand question patterns, difficulty levels, and how to manage time effectively&mdash;skills that are critical for a high score.
By practicing with past papers, you&rsquo;ll get a feel for the actual exam format and identify areas where you need improvement. They also teach you how to spot common traps and avoid mistakes under pressure, which is essential for tackling tough questions confidently.
That said, relying solely on past papers may not be enough for a 700+ score. It&rsquo;s important to pair them with focused preparation, like studying advanced concepts, working on weak areas, and using official GMAT materials. Focus on higher-level questions, especially in Quant and Critical Reasoning, as these can make a big difference.
The key is consistency use past papers to measure your progress and fine-tune your approach. If you struggle with specific question types, spend extra time mastering the underlying concepts and strategies.
In summary, past papers are a valuable part of your preparation. When combined with a well-rounded study plan, they can help sharpen your skills and boost your confidence to achieve a 700+ score.

K S Saini · Answer

Practicing real GMAT questions from previous years is one of the best ways to get familiar with how the test actually thinks. It helps you recognize patterns and avoid common traps.
Start with official GMAT resources like the GMAT Official Guide, Quantitative Review, and Verbal Review books, which are built from retired questions.
After every set you practice, spend extra time reviewing mistakes. Understand why wrong answers are wrong, not just why the right one is right. That&rsquo;s where real improvement happens.
Also, try to practice full sections under timed conditions once a week. Getting used to working under real exam pressure is key for improving both speed and accuracy.
For more details book a free session with GMAT experts.