Plan your MBA- When to take the GMAT - MBAkarma

Expanding on my previous post on Planning an MBA- The Steps to Success I will target the biggest hurdle first- When to take the GMAT.

If you went through the MBA applications calendar we discussed previously, you would remember that I suggested to start preparation for GMAT sometime between October to December prior to the year you wish to apply in. Refer the timeline below.

Let me expand on this further.

Prepare for GMAT

Start preparation between October to December

If you are planning to begin your MBA next year (say 2020), you should be done with GMAT ideally by April or latest May this year (2019).

That’s right. At least a year in advance.

That means your preparation for GMAT must start 3 to 6 months earlier- that is sometime between October 2018 to December 2019. That’s 12-18 months before the actual MBA begins.

The time required for preparation depends on each individual. Some people take just one month to get ready, some may require six months. The challenge is balancing your job along with GMAT preparation. Generally speaking, if you spend 2 uninterrupted hours every day and a little more on the weekends, then 15 weeks of preparation can land you a good score.

Personally speaking, I hail from a non-traditional graduation in Fashion Management, so basically had not studied any mathematics after high school. I would also not rate myself as a highly gifted student, being someone who scored 80% consistently through high school- not more not less. I took 4 months of preparation to crack the GMAT with a score of 750 in my first attempt. But my story will not be your story. Take a few practice tests and you will know how much preparation you need.

Ideally, the best time to get GMAT out of your way is early in your career, say at the age of 22-24.

Taking GMAT at this age would have the following advantages-

1. High Stamina– Endurance to study as you’d still be a recent graduate.
2. Lower Work Pressure– The pressure in your job would be relatively lower, since you would be in early stages of your career. You can therefore devote more time to studies.
3. Better Focus– since GMAT is out of your way, spend the next few years really excelling at your profession. By putting in this extra effort, you would grow faster and have better achievements, thereby increasing your chances of getting an MBA admit. Also excelling at your job will allow you to realize whether you truly need an MBA or not.
4. Improved Profile– Spend these years to strengthen your profile by doing extracurricular activities that you love- volunteering, learning music or photography, running marathons. Whatever excites you and makes you an all-rounder at the same time.
5. Freedom to Choose– Since GMAT is valid for 5 years you are free to apply to the college of your choice till the age of 27-29.

So take your first mock test in October to assess your level.

Better still, take the GMAT when you are 23 and forget it for a few years!

When to take the GMAT

Take the GMAT by April End

Once you feel you are about 80% ready with your GMAT preparation, fix a test date. This will bring a sense of urgency and will drive your focus better. You don’t want to reach a stage where you feel you are ready and then go lax.

In the week preceding the GMAT do not think about anything else. Just take 1 practice test every day, eat food that keeps you fresh and energetic, and build the temperament to sit for hours in an exam environment.

Taking the GMAT by April will allow you some time for a second attempt to improve your score if you weren’t satisfied the first time. GMAT requires some break between two attempts so this buffer of one month will help you reassess and prepare better. You do not want to be spending time on GMAT in the second half of the year when applications open. This can derail your essays, ruining the MBA application.

Come April you crush the GMAT!

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