The score you achieve on your MBA admissions exam – whether that’s the GMAT, the GRE, or even the Executive Assessment (EA) – has traditionally been regarded as a predictor of how you will perform on the first year of the MBA coursework. As a result, it, along with your undergraduate academic performance, plays a key role in the MBA application.
Your GMAT or GRE score is sometimes also used by prospective employers (consulting firms and investment banks mostly) in the prescreening process for interviews, as well as by several organizations that produce MBA rankings. You cannot take these tests lightly, and if your intention is to apply to a top MBA program, you will need to obtain the highest possible score. This is not the type of test for which you can prepare in a few days. In fact, most of my clients spend several months preparing for their chosen exam, and many of them take it more than once.
To avoid surprises later on, here are a few 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 you took the test early and have it out of the way when the rush of the application season starts.
Set aside some time each day to prepare.
These tests are like a marathon. You don’t start training the day before a marathon, but months in advance, particularly if you are not used to running long distances. Sustained practice over a longer period is much more effective than cramming for a few days before the test.
Always work with a timer.
One of the complaints I hear a lot from candidates who don’t do well on these tests is that they knew the answer 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 you’d get for a given section 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 ones are your strong ones.
Once you have identified your strengths and weaknesses, make sure to spend more 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 abandon the ones where you struggle, because this provides a false feeling of security. Don’t make that 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 the GMAT or the GRE 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.
Do you want a professional guide to help you with your MBA application? Check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages for general counseling, essay editing, interview prep, resume review, and other valuable assistance. We have a package for every aspect of your application!
Esmeralda Cardenal is a former associate director of admissions at Yale SOM, director of MBA admissions at Michigan State University Broad, and consultant at Cardiff Business School in the United Kingdom. Since 2014, she has guided Accepted clients to acceptance in various graduate programs, including MBA and master’s in finance, business analytics, data science, sustainability, and public policy. Want Esmeralda to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
- Academic Performance in Your MBA Admissions Profile
- MBA Action Plan: 6 Steps for the 6 Months Before You Apply, a free guide
- Should You Take the GMAT, the GRE, or Seek a Test-Optional Program?