Tackling the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) is probably the least “fun” part of the MBA application process. If you’re hoping to gain admission to a top MBA program, however, the admissions exam is an essential component that you’ll want to dedicate sufficient time, energy, and focus to. Many candidates wait too late and have to take their chosen admissions test under duress to be able to submit their score by the application deadline or retake the test in a short period of time – or worst case, postpone their application for another year or cycle. Don’t be that person! Give yourself the time you need to study, take practice tests, and even retake the exam, as needed.
Nevertheless, falling into the trap of test anxiety is a waste. Allowing yourself plenty of time (think months and years, not weeks!) to prep and plan ahead will be the best antidote to your test stress!
The score you achieve on your MBA admissions exam has often been regarded as a predictor of how you will perform on the first year of coursework in the MBA program, especially in quantitative courses. As a result, it plays a key role in the MBA application, along with your undergraduate academic performance.
Sometimes, prospective employers (consulting firms and investment banks, mostly) will use your GMAT/GRE/EA score in their pre- screening process for interviews, and several organizations that produce MBA rankings factor in students’ exam scores.
Don’t take these tests lightly, and if your intention is to apply to a top MBA program, you will need to obtain the highest score you possibly can. For guidance on the score you should target, look at the class profiles for the programs you intend to apply to; aiming for a score in the average range is a good plan.
To help you avoid surprises and unnecessary stress later on, we offer the following tips.
Start now.
If you have decided to apply to business school, now is the time to start preparing to take the GMAT or GRE. Your results will be valid for five years, so even if you are just finishing college and don’t plan to apply to an MBA program for another couple of years, start preparing now! You will be thankful that you took the test early and have it out of the way when the rush of the application season starts.
Get support with your test prep.
Consider taking a prep course online or working one-on-one with a test prep tutor. These more formal ways of preparing for the exam not only give you resources that can help with any questions you have along the way but will also teach you valuable test-taking strategies.
Set aside time each day to prepare.
These admissions tests are like a marathon. You don’t start training for a marathon the day before; you begin months in advance, particularly if you are not used to running long distances. Sustained practice over a longer period of time is much more effective than cramming for a few days before the test.
Always work with a timer.
One of the complaints I often hear from candidates who don’t do well on these tests is that they knew the answer(s) but ran out of time. If you always practice with a timer, you will get used to thinking and answering quickly and will not have a problem the day of the test. Give yourself the same amount of time to complete each section that you will have during the actual test.
Take practice tests as often as you can.
This will not only familiarize you with the format of the questions but also train you to answer questions correctly, even when you’re tired. Word problems get more difficult after you’ve already answered 20 or 30 questions! Also, taking practice tests will allow you to evaluate your progress and figure out which areas you need to work on and which areas you’re strong in.
After identifying your strengths and weaknesses, focus your time on the areas where you struggle.
It is a natural impulse to want to spend more time on the sections that feel easier and avoid the ones that are difficult, because this provides a feeling of security. Unfortunately, that feeling is false. Don’t make this mistake.
Preparing for the GMAT, GRE, or EA requires dedication, discipline, and lots of practice. Most people, unless they are used to taking standardized tests, can achieve a high score only after many hours of study and dedication, but the effort is worth it. A high score on your chosen admissions exam will mean another favorable point for your application, a higher probability of acceptance, and a greater chance of receiving a scholarship. The time and effort you spend preparing for the test will definitely be worth it.
Would you like a professional guide to help you with your MBA application? Schedule a free consultation with an Accepted expert to discuss anything MBA admissions related.
Kara Keenan Sweeney has more than 15 years of experience in MBA admissions, having worked for some of the world’s top business school programs, including Columbia Business School, INSEAD, and The Lauder Institute’s joint degree MA/MBA program with The Wharton School and the MA/JD program with Penn Law at the University of Pennsylvania. Kara has guided, coached, and counseled thousands of MBA and EMBA applicants, reviewed innumerable applications, sat on admissions committees, and interviewed countless applicants, including while running Wharton’s Team Based Discussions both virtually and in person. Want Kara to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
- MBA Action Plan: 6 Steps for the 6 Months Before You Apply, a free guide
- Retaking the GMAT with a 700 – Should You Consider It?
- MBA Selectivity Index, a free tool