GMAT scores are one of the most popular tools by which universities screen business school applicants. The score provides some guidance to the selection committee as to the applicant’s ability to withstand the academic rigor of a MBA program. It is also not uncommon to have academic scholarships awarded based on GMAT scores, although it may not be completely based on it. The GMAT scores could provide a very clear indication of an applicant’s commitment and intrinsic ability to successfully sail through the intense curriculum. GMAT is a good indication for applicants of what to expect when they begin classes. By studying for the GMAT, candidates are not only preparing themselves to do well on the test, they are also preparing themselves to do well in school. If a prospective student does not do well on the GMAT, it is probably an indication of the fact that he or she lacks the personal discipline to work towards achieving a goal, the same could be construed as a possible outcome of their endeavors in the real world.
The GMAT has four sections – analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, verbal and quantitative. These sections are included for a reason and the reason is that anyone who is able to achieve a certain score in these sections have a certain level of scholastic ability that is required to survive the day to day engagements of the program. A business school student will have at least two to three assignments to work on any day. These assignments will typically involve reading through tons of densely worded reports, poring over tons of data and writing curtly worded reports that summarize what you discerned from the readings and placing your take on the issue with proper arguments substantiated with thorough numerical analysis. To make it worse all this will have to be probably done on the same day working in collaboration with a team of people from diverse backgrounds with varied skillsets. So the GMAT’s importance is not only in getting you in to a great school. It also prepare you to face any academic challenge that the MBA program or your life in general throws at you.
Before you plan to schedule your GMAT check the respective program admission deadline as they vary with each program. Ensure to set up your GMAT exam ahead of time to facilitate your score being reported prior to application deadlines. One of the main advantages of GMAT over Common Admission Test or CAT when considering management studies in India is the ability to take the test on any day of the year. The other reason often mentioned by test takers is the relative simplicity of GMAT over CAT. In most cases the comparison is over the perceived difficulty of the quant section of CAT, which includes a lot more complex math concepts in comparison to GMAT. There is some truth to that claim, even though not entirely. CAT math needs thorough understanding of complex math concepts and more than 6 months of intense preparation. GMAT math is structured to reflect GMAT’s overall philosophy, which is a pragmatic exam that does not test you on advanced topics, lengthy calculations and complex formulae, rather it plays with very simple concepts to test whether the test taker really understands those concepts well enough to apply them in real situations.
The complexity of GMAT Quant is not in formulae or calculations, but in the application. A majority of GMAT Quant belongs to Data Sufficiency type, whereas these type of questions may or may not appear at all in CAT. Many who have experience with CAT tend to take GMAT Quant pretty lightly, only to be disappointed at the end in most cases. If you are one of those who think GMAT Quant is too simple, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that it is simple for most others as well. The GMAT being a relative grading exam, you do not really get incremental grades for something that most others would also do well. The dream score you so yearn for, would materialize only when you solve questions that most others don’t. GMAT as an exam that capitalizes on your strengths and builds up on your weaknesses. As a rule, in areas of weaknesses, one is more unlikely to score phenomenally; so in areas of strengths, one should try to maximize and make up for areas of weakness.
An unwritten rule for a 700+ score at GMAT, is that one embark on a journey of at least 3 months of intense preparation involving extreme self-discipline, personal management and thorough introspection – understanding your strengths and weaknesses. It is to be said at this point that it is highly likely that many of us have yet to master these qualities. In such a situation it is highly advisable that one do a certain amount of preparation in study groups. A group of test takers have the same goal and at the same time have very diverse perspectives at achieving the same goal; this exposure can help you multifold in achieving your own goal. Being in such a group will help you to establish as to how you compare against your peers and also learn from their strengths and follies. This is where a good coaching center like tathastuGMAT can help you the most. In addition to tathasthuGMAT’s systematic and methodical approach to tackle the challenges of GMAT, it will also provide the students a great opportunity to mingle and interact with other test takers and experienced instructors. The strict regime of classes, discussions and practice session will provide you with an all-encompassing view of the task ahead. tathastuGMAT will ensure that you make the right start to your journey towards a splendid GMAT score.
