Things you should know before taking the GMAT

1. What if I take the test more than once? Twice. 

 Will schools average my scores?  

No. I'm not aware of a single school that still averages GMAT scores. They just take your higher score into consideration 

 2. Do schools use sub-scores? 

Yes.  In fact, your math sub-score is critically important.  Admissions officers are terrified of admitting candidates who will bomb out because they can't handle the math-intensive courses. So getting an acceptable math score is important. The verbal sub-score isn't quite as critical, and applicants who speak English as a second language are often given extra leeway for low verbal scores.

3. What about the AWA score—the essay?  Do schools use it?  

Almost never.  Adding the essay to the GMAT has been a total failure.

4. If the essays are so unimportant, is it okay to skip them? 

 Definitely not.  It's true that schools place virtually no weight on your AWA score when making the admissions decision, but ignoring the essays completely—as some unwise test takers have done—makes the applicant look lazy.  Write the essays.  If nothing else, it's a good way to warm up for the two parts of the exam that matter dearly.

5. Is it easier to improve in math or verbal?  

Most GMAT prep students who take a class improve more in math than they do in verbal. The concepts in math are more concrete and the answer choices are less ambiguous. I though I was better in verbal and (Surprise, surprise) did better in math. 

6. What is an acceptable GMAT score? 

It varies from school to school and candidate to candidate. Applicants from overrepresented work backgrounds—such as banking or consulting—need higher GMAT scores, while candidates from underrepresented work backgrounds can be admitted with significantly lower numbers. Regardless of a candidate's work background, however, being admitted to a top-tier program with a score below 600 is almost impossible.

7. How much can I improve on the GMAT? 

The GMAT curriculum can be mastered completely. The people who write the exam aren't robots with superhuman brain power. They're ordinary worker bees who follow prescribed formulas to write predictable test questions. If I can master it, you can master it.

8. What do you score on the GMAT? 710

9. What is your personal favourite section and least favourite section of the GMAT?

Reading comprehension.

11. When should I take the test? 

At least 31 days before your first application deadline. There is now a 30-day waiting period between test administrations for people who want to take the test more than once. Schedule your test early enough to take it multiple times and still make your deadline. I would strongly recommend two months before the deadline. 

12. Any suggestions for test day? 

 Arrive super early.  Sneak Skittles in your pants pocket.  

13. Should I use GMASS, the Graduate Management Admissions Search Service?
  Yes, checking the GMASS box at MBA.com or on your computer on test day will allow schools to recruit you based on your GMAT score and self-reported GPA.

14. Should I elect to send my scores every time I take the test?

 Yes. The fee you pay to take the exam includes sending your scores to five schools. Beyond that, you can send scores to more programs at a cost of $25 per school. (Outrageous.)  There is no advantage in holding off on sending your GMAT transcript until you get the score you wants. Schools will use only your highest score anyway, so don't wait until you've taken the test many times and then be forced to pay $25 per school. Send your scores with every test.

15. Does the GMAT 'measure' anything?  

Apparently not.  No one claims that the GMAT is an intelligence test or that it measures any kind of aptitude or potential.  In fact, the Graduate Management Admissions Counsel is so lawyered up on this issue that it invests more energy clarifying what the test doesn't do than explaining what it does.  The only justification ever given for administering the test is that there is a slight correlation (median correlation = 0.51) between GMAT scores and first-year grades in business school.  (Shockingly, the study conducted to find that modest correlation was paid for and conducted by the very people who write the test.) There is apparently no correlation whatsoever between a student's GMAT score and his or her second-year grades.  Go figure.

16. They take my picture at the test center as part of the security process. Is it true that schools can pull up that picture on the Internet?  

Yep, and they often do.  That "security" picture is made available to schools (for some stupid reason), so don't be caught wearing your "Legalize It!" T-shirt and flipping off the camera.

How to prepare for Business School

Where should I apply? And to how many programmes? 

DO apply to your dream school, even if it is a stretch. This is your only chance, don't leave yourself with any regrets. 

DO apply to at least four schools of varying levels of competitiveness to maximise chances of success. 

DON'T apply to more than six schools. This is an intense and time-consuming process. Applying to too many schools leads to burn-out and diminishing returns. 

DON'T rely on rumour and others' opinions when deciding where to apply (including rankings such as The Economist's). Engage in first-hand research by visiting schools, and speaking with current students and alumni. Only you can decide which school is the right fit for your personality and goals.

GMAT 

It is important to take the GMAT exam seriously as this is one aspect of the application that is very much within your control. In a sea of highly qualified candidates, the GMAT is an important screening tool  

DO take a class in order to prepare rigorously, with an established study schedule and practice exams in a realistic environment. One basic key to success is familiarity— with question type and the computer-adapted format. 

DO plan to take the exam more than once. Fewer nerves and more experience often lead to a higher score the second time around. 

DON'T cancel a score, no matter how badly you think you have done. Immediately afterwards you are given the option of not submitting the test. But schools will evaluate your highest score, so don't worry about a low score weighing you down. In any case, it will provide valuable information about your testing strengths and weaknesses. And you may be surprised that a score is not as low as you expected. 

DON'T wait until the last minute to take your GMAT. Take care of it early in the year, before you have to juggle the other aspects of the application. Leave time for two rounds of studying and testing. 

DO consider the alternative GRE test. Because the GRE isn't reported in class profiles and isn't a factor in b-school rankings, if you struggle with the GMAT but have good grades and other strong credentials, submitting a GRE may make it easier for a school to “take a chance” on you. If you do well on GMAT, submit it. But if you are a poor test-taker, the GRE may be the way to go.

References (letters of recommendation) 

DO try your best to secure professional references. An academic reference will not be able to answer the most common recommendation questions. Schools are really looking for insight into your professional performance. 

DO  use references from your current and most recent jobs. The most recent insights help create a picture of you as you currently are. The admissions committee is not as concerned with how you behaved eight years ago. 

DON'T secure a reference from a bigwig who hardly knows you. Make sure your referee can comment on you in a meaningful way.

DO prepare your referees and manage them closely. The references are a small test of your management abilities. If you cannot ensure that your referee submits on time, or follows other directions, what does this say about your skills as a manager?

Essays

-- to be updated.

The interviews 

As with all aspects of this process, it is important to prep for the interviews. The subject matter of the interview will be you, and you will be expected to be the polished expert. 

DO  practise out loud, rather than just mentally preparing answers. You can have mock interviews with a friend or even speak to yourself in the mirror. 

DON'T opt to interview on campus if you will perform better off campus. Set yourself up for success, by choosing the environment where you will be most relaxed. 

DO  follow up with a thank-you note, via e-mail or post. 

Re-applying 

Many schools are friendly towards re-applicants; if you approach the process correctly, a re-applicant can feel cautiously optimistic. 

DO be sure to highlight how you have progressed since your previous application. Demonstrate professional and personal advancements. Help the admissions committee to understand how you have evolved and become a better applicant since your last attempt. 

DON'T completely overhaul your application. Some schools ask you to submit an entirely new application, but too much change can signal that you are not being honest. 

DO apply to new schools in addition to the old ones. If you were unsuccessful the first time, it may be because you applied to the wrong set of schools. 

 Ps. Practice makes perfect!

Don't forget to comment about your experience on the road to grad school! 

http://www.economist.com/whichmba/application-dos-and-donts