PMA Entrance Exam study plan

PMA Entrance Exam · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Mathematics & English

Diagnose current skill level by completing a timed 40-item arithmetic and algebra set and a 40-item English grammar and vocabulary set, then tabulate error types
Build a one-page formula sheet covering fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion, and laws of exponents
Drill 60 fraction, decimal, and percentage conversion items to at least 90% accuracy without a calculator
Memorize 50 high-frequency PMA-level vocabulary words and write one original sentence for each

A diagnostic error log listing every missed item by topic plus a completed formula sheet and a 50-word vocabulary log

Week 2

Solve 50 linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including word problems, showing each step
Apply ratio, proportion, and percentage to 30 discount, interest, and mixture word problems
Complete 40 order-of-operations and integer-arithmetic items under a 25-minute timer
Re-derive and re-test every item missed in week 1's arithmetic set

A timed 30-item arithmetic and algebra quiz scored at 80% or higher, with worked corrections for every miss

Week 3

Solve 40 geometry problems on perimeter, area, volume, angles, and the Pythagorean theorem
Compute mean, median, mode, and simple probability across 25 data-interpretation items
Review subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and pronoun reference, then correct 40 flawed sentences
Answer 30 sentence-completion items using context clues and record the reasoning for each choice

Two scored practice sets (30 math items and 30 English items) with a written correction note for each wrong answer

Week 4

Complete a full-length timed mathematics section under exam conditions and record the raw score
Complete a full-length timed English section under exam conditions and record the raw score
Rank remaining weak subtopics from both sections and build a targeted repair list of no more than 10 items
Re-teach the three weakest math subtopics using worked examples, then solve 10 fresh items in each

A mid-point score report comparing week 4 raw scores against the week 1 diagnostic, with a prioritized repair list

Week 5

Summarize the core concepts of earth science, general biology, and basic physics in a 2-page outline covering matter, energy, cells, and the solar system
Answer 40 science recall and application items and log each miss with the underlying concept
Practice 6 reading passages by identifying the main idea, supporting details, and author's purpose for each
Annotate unfamiliar science and reading vocabulary and define 40 terms in your own words

A science concept outline plus a reading log of 6 passages with main-idea and purpose statements for each

Week 6

Complete 8 timed reading passages, holding inference and vocabulary-in-context accuracy at 80% or higher
Solve 40 verbal analogy and logical-relationship items, stating the relationship type for each pair
Complete 30 syllogism and deduction items and diagram the reasoning for any item missed
Identify and correct 5 of your own recurring reading errors by re-answering missed questions without a time limit

A timed reading and verbal reasoning set of 60 items scored at 80% or higher, with relationship types written out for every analogy

Week 7

Solve 60 pattern-series, figure-analogy, and matrix-reasoning items, writing the rule you detected for each
Practice 20 spatial-rotation and paper-folding items within a 15-minute limit
Re-run 20 previously missed math items from weeks 1 to 4 to confirm retention
Complete one full mixed mock exam of all six domains under strict timing

A full mock exam score report by domain plus a written rule list for the nonverbal pattern types you encountered

Week 8

Take two full-length timed mock exams on separate days and record per-domain scores
Review every missed item from both mocks and classify each as a knowledge gap, a careless error, or a timing issue
Re-drill the 20 highest-frequency error types until each is answered correctly twice in a row
Finalize a one-page exam-day strategy sheet covering time allocation per section and a guessing rule
Confirm logistics: test permit, valid ID, allowed calculator policy, and reporting time

A final readiness report showing mock scores at or above your target, an error classification tally, and a completed exam-day strategy sheet

Week 2: Score at least 80% on the timed 30-item arithmetic and algebra quiz without a calculator

Week 4: Full-length math and English section scores each improve by at least 10 percentage points over the week 1 diagnostic

Week 6: Reading comprehension and verbal reasoning combined accuracy reaches 80% or higher on a timed 60-item set

Week 7: Full mixed mock exam completed within time limits with no domain below 60% and an overall score at or above your target band

Week 8: Two final mock exams both meet or exceed your target overall score, and every missed item is classified and corrected