Introduction: Graduate Management Admission Test
The
GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) is created and
administered
by the Graduate Management Admission Council
(GMAC). It is used by many
business schools all over the world to help assess whether you possess
the foundation to build a successful business career. The GMAT has
become one of the essential requirements to start a career in
management. Student's performance on the GMAT plays a major role about
his entry in the field of business and management. In many countries
like Pakistan and India, Business schools commonly use the test as one
of many selection criteria for admission into an MBA program. GMAT is
administered only via computer. In those international locations where
an extensive network of computers has not yet been established, the GMAT
is offered either at temporary computer-based testing centers on a
limited schedule or as a paper-based test (given once or twice a year)
at local testing centers. The exam measures basic verbal, mathematical
and analytical writing skills that the examinee has developed over a
long period of time in his/her education and work. Test takers are given
3.5 hours to answer questions in each of the three tested areas, and
there are also two 10-minute breaks; in general, the test takes about
four hours to complete. It does not measure specific knowledge of
business, job skills, or subjective qualities such as motivation,
creativity, and interpersonal skills. If a test taker's first language
is not English, he or she may still perform well on the exam; however,
the GMAT exam may not accurately reflect the abilities of someone whose
first language is not English. Business Schools with a high proportion
of non-native English speaking students tend to have a lower average
GMAT score.
Required Scores
Most schools do not publish a minimum acceptable score or detailed
statistics about the scores achieved by applicants. However, schools do
generally publish the average and median score of their latest intake,
which can be used as a guide.
At
nearly all of the top business schools that are commonly listed in
popular magazines and ranking services, the scores will average in the
upper 600s or low 700s.
It
may be possible to overcome a low test score with impressive real world
accomplishments, good undergraduate performance, outstanding references
and/or connections, particularly strong application essays, or coming
from an underrepresented group.
Registration and preparation
The
test taker can register in either of the following two ways:
Online at
www.mba.com test registration by credit card
By
calling one of the test centers listed on
www.mba.com
To
schedule a test, an appointment must be made at one of the designated
test centers. While it is possible to make the appointment even just a
few days before you would like to take the test, it is better to
schedule a few weeks in advance to ensure an appointment that is
convenient for the student.
Companies such as Kaplan Inc., Princeton Review, Bell Curves,
TestMasters, Veritas Prep, and Manhattan GMAT have different test
preparation options available, which may include self-study using GMAT
books, classroom GMAT preparation courses (live or online), online
preparation courses, or private tutoring.
Useful links
www.gmat.com.pk
www.mba.com
Graduate
Management Admission Council
GMATix
