There is no sense in spending weeks studying for a diagnostic exam. Since the objective of this practice test is to help you better understand your starting level of GMAT preparedness, only minimal preparation is necessary. The results of your initial practice exam will give you a baseline score, which will tell you how far you are from your score goal, thus helping you determine how much time you’ll need to prepare before you’re ready to sit for your actual GMAT. So, before you dive into your GMAT studies, take an official, full-length GMAT practice exam from mba.com, the website of GMAC, the makers of the GMAT. After all, if you don’t know where you’re starting from, how can you possibly determine how long it will take to reach your destination? However, many students don’t realize that taking an official GMAT practice exam before they start their GMAT prep is a crucial aspect of planning a smart strategy for GMAT success. There is no question that taking practice tests is an essential component of GMAT prep. Do your research and set your goals before you lock in a test date.ĭetermine your score goal before you decide when to take GMAT exams, so you can create a realistic study timeline for earning a competitive score for your desired programs. Just don’t make the mistake of arbitrarily setting a GMAT score goal based on what other test-takers are doing - or even worse, choosing a test date without determining your target score. Most programs note on their websites the average GMAT scores of accepted students, but if you have any trouble finding the information you need online, give the folks in admissions a call. Knowing whether your desired programs emphasize certain sections of the GMAT will help you determine how much time you’ll need to study for your exam. Some of the top MBA programs are unapologetically quant-driven, so if you plan to apply to a top-ranked school, you should probably plan to earn a top Quant score. In addition to having a target for your GMAT Total Score, you’ll want to set score goals for the individual GMAT test sections: Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning. Why is it important to know this information before you decide on an exam date and dive into your prep? Well, a student shooting for a 720 score may need significantly more time to prep for her exam than a student shooting for 660 needs. Every school has its own standard for what is considered a good (or great) GMAT score, so you have to do a little research to determine what your score goal should be. Students starting their GMAT prep often ask what a “good” GMAT score is, but the truth is, “good” is relative.
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Once you’ve decided in which round you want to apply, it’s time to strategize how to give yourself the best possible shot at being accepted to your desired programs.
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So, the first step in determining when to take GMAT exams is determining your application deadlines.
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Ideally, you’ll be able to plan your timeline so that you’re not studying for the GMAT and, for instance, writing application essays at the same time.Īs soon as you have a list of programs to which you plan to apply, look on the program websites for their application deadlines and decide which round you’re shooting for. Remember also to factor in any time you’ll want to devote to other aspects of your applications. Keep in mind that these dates are rough guidelines, so you shouldn’t assume that just because your friend’s applications were due in September, yours will be too. Luckily, business schools tend to adhere to similar schedules for their application deadlines: Round 1 In general, applying to business school during Round 3 is not recommended because your chances of being accepted to the program or receiving any scholarship funds greatly decrease after Round 2. So, as soon as you have a list of programs to which you plan to apply, look on the program websites for their application deadlines and decide which round you’re shooting for. MBA programs typically accept applications in three rounds, although some schools have four or more rounds for applications, and others - Harvard Business School, for instance - may have only two. By the time we finish step 5, you’ll know exactly how to pick the GMAT test date that is right for you! Step 1: Know your deadlines. So, let’s take a closer look at each of these 5 steps.