Who Should Take the GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test is a type of upper level standardized test. Better known as the GMAT, it is similar in design to other standardized tests like the GRE. The General Records Examination, or GRE, is a test that many students will need to take before applying to graduate school. The GMAT focuses more heavily on math concepts, which is why many business schools now require that students take the test and submit their scores when applying. Knowing the basics of the test and when to take it is just as important as knowing who should take it.

Who Should Take the Test

The GMAT features four separate sections that test your reasoning skills, math knowledge and other general knowledge. While you can enter a psychology, sociology or even teaching graduate program after taking the GRE, you will need to take the GMAT before applying to business school. Most business schools use your score as a way of determining whether you are a good fit for the program. Though business schools may use your grade point average, work experience and other factors, most place a high level of importance on your GMAT score.

When to Take it

When to take the GMAT depends on a few things. If you plan to immediately enroll in business school after college, you’ll want to take the test during your junior or senior year. If you decide to take a few years off to work, you can wait until the year of or the year before you enroll in business school. Your test scores will remain valid for five years.

Brian Burnsed of U.S. News & World Report found that it’s often best to take the GMAT while still in school because your skills and knowledge are still fresh. The longer you wait to take the test after college, the lower you may score.

Basics of the Test

The GMAT consists of an analytical writing section that asks you a question and gives you 30 minutes to write a response to that question. It also features 90 total multiple choice questions. The reasoning section includes 12 questions, the quantitative section includes 37 questions and the verbal portion of the examination features 41 questions. Though the testing center will give you up to 3.5 hours to finish the test, some complete the exam in just two hours.

Studying for the Exam

Studying and preparing for the Graduate Management Admission Test is sometimes hard because you don’t know what to expect. GMAT test prep books and software will go over each section of the test, show you some sample questions, explain how to figure out the answer and then give you the correct answer. Some of the computer programs you can now buy will include sample tests that feature questions found on older tests and require that you complete each section within the required amount of time. Colleges that offer business degree programs sometimes offer test prep courses for upper level students too.

If you want acceptance into one of the top business schools in the country today, you must take the GMAT before you apply and submit your score to the school. The Graduate Management Admission Test is a test you can take in college or after you graduate to show business schools that you are ready for graduate level studies.

See also: What is the Best Undergraduate Degree to Have Before Getting a Master’s in Human Resources?