Experts'  

 

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is an almost four hour long standardized exam designed to predict how test-takers will perform academically in MBA (Masters in Business Administration) programs. GMAT scores are used by graduate business schools all over the world to assist in making admission decisions.

GMAT tests a variety of your skill sets.

First of all, you would encounter the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section. You would need to write two 30 minute essays - argument and issue.

You get an optional break of 5 Minutes (always avail it)

Then, you would face the Quant section. You will find 37 questions in total. It would be a mix of Data Sufficiency (DS) and Problem Solving (PS) questions.

You get an optional break of 10 Minutes (always avail it).

Finally, you get the verbal section. 41 question overall, a mix of Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehensions. 

 

Is GMAT difficult?

It depends on the current skill set of the individual. For few it's easy, for others it's not.

However, one good thing about GMAT is that its pattern is more or less fixed. Same set of concepts are checked and the scope of syllabus is limited. So, if you put efforts in the right direction and refer to the right material, you can easily do well at it.

Caution: Please do not be distracted by plethora of free/paid material available on the net. You can score well by doing only 1% of it and you may jeopardize your chances at GMAT by solving even 50% of it. What's important is not the number of books/study material you finish...what's important is referring to the right material at right stage in your preparation and gaining from every page that you read. Expert’s Study material will make you do just that!

 

Is a high GMAT score necessary?

Answer is 'NO'. Universities look for an impressive overall personality, formed by the amalgam of one's academics, work experience and extra-curricular activities. You need to convince the admission committee that you are in the right shape to make optimum use of their MBA curriculum and go on to be a good alumnus.

In your application essays, there should be a clear link between things you have done in life, things that you intend to do and how would an MBA help you at this point in time, from this particular institute. Once this link is ready, it becomes very easy to write application essays and face the interviews.

Just as a high GMAT score does not guarantee you a place, a low GMAT score does not defy you a place. Other important factors like your application essays, letter of recommendations, university grades, quality and length of work experience, extra-curricular ventures etc also play a vital role in selection.

Remember, end of the day, you need to be liked by the admission committee. If so, you will be through!!

 

When to take GMAT?

At what point in calendar should GMAT be taken?

Well...anytime! You can take the test at any point you think you are ready with preparation. There are certain myths that the GMAC s/w keeps on getting easy and difficult...even if there is any truth attached to it, you can do nothing about it. Hence, give no heed and take the test when you think that you are at the peak of your preparation :).

There are two approaches...

• Gain sufficient experience and when you see that you have gained enough professional maturity, plan your MBA and take GMAT at least one year before commencement of the very course. This is a good strategy when you intend to have substantial work-experience before starting your MBA.

• Take the GMAT soon after you finish your college. This is a good strategy when you wish to start your MBA with just 2-3 years of experience. This would create a good back-up plan for you and you can plan your career ahead.

Although the score is technically valid for 5 years, please be advised to apply with a score not more than three years old.

How well in advance should one take the GMAT appointment?

We very often see individuals worried about getting an appointment. It's something very trivial. We say in Army, take one thing at a time! Hence, first prepare for GMAT, small issues like these would take care of themselves and should not be given undue consideration.

There are two ways to take an appointment:
On the website : mba.com
Over phone, search on google, it's easily available.

There are two strategies that can be followed:

• Take an appointment well in advance. Say 45-90 days before your GMAT and use the deadline as a motivation to prepare for GMAT.

• Keep on preparing for GMAT and when you think that you have reached the peak, take an appointment of just 2-3 days later. Since one needs a gap of 7 days to re-schedule an appointment, many slots are cancelled just 7 days before. Hence, if you look for an appointment just 2-3 days ahead, you will almost always find one. If your luck is really against you, look for a less popular testing centre in your vicinity and you will definitely find a slot there. E.g. If you stay in north India and are not getting a slot in Delhi, look for Allahabad.

Do not study anything much during last 2 days, prior to your test.

 

Taking GMAT appointment:

GMAT is a computer based test that is conducted many times a day at various centers authorized by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), the governing body for GMAT. You need to create an account on the official GMAT site, mba.com, and take an appointment online.

Please be precise in filling your details as the same are used by GMASS (Graduate Management Admission Student Search) engine to shortlist relevant students for universities. Good universities give their criterion to GMASS and the very search engine finds the matching profiles and sends application requests to GMAT takers. Such individuals, without doubt, have very bright chances of converting the calls.