GMAT & MBA Admissions Blog

Four Common GMAT Myths

Posted by Mark Skoskiewicz on November 11, 2016 4:58:09 PM CST

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." – Mark Twain
 
There are many misconceptions about the GMAT. Some are harmless, but others can impact a student’s ability to score well and reach their graduate school goals. Here are five common myths with which you should dispense quickly as you begin to prepare for the GMAT (for more information on the format of the GMAT, visit Peterson's.com).
 
Myth #1: The GMAT is by far the most important admissions criteria
 
It’s stressful to imagine that your entire dream of business school rests on one test. And, unfortunately, that stress can increase the chances of you performing poorly on that critical exam. Luckily, this just isn’t true.
 
Don’t get me wrong. The GMAT is very important. It’s one of the top criteria admission committees consider, and if you want to go to a top ten school, you probably absolutely have to score in the upper 600s to have a shot, and most likely need to have a 700+ score to have a strong shot. But note, a) I’m only talking about top ten schools right now and b) I did not write that you must score 760 to have a strong shot at getting in.
 
In general, MBA programs really DO look at undergraduate grades and classes, leadership qualities, business experience, community service, and perhaps most importantly, your rationale for attending and the ways in which you’ll contribute to their class. For example, I scored a 710 on the GMAT and was accepted at Kellogg, while my boss (who obviously had more experience) scored a 760 and did NOT get in. I can only imagine it had something to do with the story he told about wanting to go to business school.
 
Myth #2: The higher you score, the better your chances
 
As with most things in business (and life), strategy matters a lot. Many schools use the GMAT as a threshold of sorts. Once you pass the threshold, you reach diminishing returns quickly, because after the committee sees a GMAT score beyond that threshold, they being to look at other factors mentioned above. 
 
I see too many students targeting top schools wasting their time trying with all their might to go from a 730 to a 760, and unfortunately they are almost certainly wasting their time and money. A top business school doesn’t view a 730 all that much different from a 760. Now, if you are targeting a top 100 business school, and you have a horrible GPA, a 730 GMAT score might get you accepted. And, if you are targeting a top 10 program, a 790 GMAT score might be high enough to stand out. But it is SO hard to get a 790. If you are currently at a 730, you are almost certainly better off focusing on writing excellent essays and pulling together a great application.
 
Myth #3: The GMAT is a grueling math aptitude test.
 
If you haven’t been in a math class in a long time, it’s easy to take a cursory view of the GMAT and, since many English speaking students are more comfortable with GMAT-verbal, view the whole test as a giant math test. In fact, the math skills tested on the GMAT are mostly from grades 9 and 10 (high school), though you are expected to apply those skills in creative and strategic ways.
 
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Tags: GMAT prep, GMAT

MBA Programs: The Best-Kept Secret Revealed

Posted by Jared Rand on September 12, 2016 9:00:00 AM CDT

 

You’ve done your research on MBA programs, and have resigned yourself to the fact that you’ll have to spend $50-$100k for your MBA. Right? Not so fast. Let me introduce you to the one top 20 business school, my alma mater, that pays you to attend through a working fellowship.

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Tags: GMAT, MBA programs, part-time MBA, full-time MBA, college tuition, MBA Admissions

Using Khan Academy for GMAT Prep

Posted by John Easter on August 6, 2016 12:00:00 PM CDT

 khan-academy1.jpgIf you don't know what Khan Academy is, watch this. When it comes to GMAT prep, using Khan Academy can be a very effective tool for refreshing basic skills, but there's a catch. KA content is aligned to the common core state standards for math. The GMAT is NOT aligned to the common core.

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Tags: GMAT prep, GMAT tips, GMAT, GMAT Blog

GMAT or GRE: 3 Key Questions

Posted by Mark Skoskiewicz on January 13, 2016 3:00:00 PM CST


8n0ilee34oyopiioukkywaadngvf_tfbzyoedh7x9si,but7diofctwmv4habnr6cw3-1on_9q-qbuex9pt2xmu.jpegI often get asked to help our students decide between taking the GMAT and the GRE. Here are the three most fundamental questions you should be asking as you make your decision.

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Tags: GRE Verbal, GRE vs. GMAT, GMAT reading comprehension, GMAT, Reading Comprehension

How Important is Work Experience When Applying to Business School?

Posted by Morgan Bisset on April 1, 2015 3:07:02 PM CDT

work-experience-gmat-mbaMany potential MBA applicants worry about their level of work experience. This is an important piece of your business school application, and it can play an important role in the admissions process.

While some prospective students have already been working for years by the time they choose to attend business school, others are either just out of college or only have 1-2 years of work experience. Business schools will almost certainly take into account your prior work history, considering both the amount and the type of experience you have.

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Tags: business school, work experience

Should You Get Your MBA Abroad?

Posted by Morgan Bisset on March 4, 2015 3:13:47 PM CST

mba-study-abroadAmerican business school applicants are increasingly opting to go abroad for their MBAs, and with good reason - there are many advantages to overseas MBA programs. However, there are also drawbacks, and there are numerous factors you will need to consider before making this choice.

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Tags: MBA programs, Studying Abroad

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