Can you answer big_bal1er’s question about MBA?:

I’m considering applying to business school next year after I sit for the GMAT exam. What score do I need to get into the top 10 US schools? Is it worth going to a business school outside of the top 10 if I don’t score high enough on the GMAT? I have about 3 years of work experience now, so I’ll have 5 years by the time I actually enroll in 2008. Is this enough experience to add value to the classroom? Thank you!

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Can you answer Troy’s question about MBA?:

I’m planning to take the GMAT this fall for business school in nyc. Any tips, what to study/prepare, or pitfalls to avoid would be appreciated.

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The Graduate Management Admission Council had developed a standardize test to assess the overall skills of students who want to pursue an MBA degree from some accredited institute. The GMAT measures a variety of skills that are thought to predict the success of a student in business school. The GMAT test measures your basic skills that you have acquired over the high school and college years. The GMAT is an aptitude test because it is meant to measure your possibility to succeed in business school.

The Graduate Management Admission Test measures your general verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. The GMAT is a computer-based test that is offered at several test centers all over the world and throughout the year. More than 1,000 graduate management programs and 850 institutes worldwide use GMAT scores as part of the admission process in their respective institutes. Most of the graduate schools of business in the United States require you to sit in the GMAT test as part of the admission process. There are no set test dates or schedules for the GMAT test. The GMAT is offered on different dates at different centers. You can check availability of seats for different test centers and dates on the GMAT website. You may register for the GMAT test online at the GMAT website.

The GMAT contains sections that measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The basic structure of the GMAT test consists of three parts:

1. Verbal Section: This part contains 42 questions and you have to complete this section in 75 minutes. The verbal section tests your ability to read and understand written material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material so that it conforms to standard written English.

2. Quantitative Section: You are allotted 75 minutes to complete the section that carries 37 questions. These questions test your ability to express your ideas correctly in standard written English and to improve incorrect or ineffective expressions.

3. Analytical Writing Section: You have to manage this part in 60 minutes. The Analytical Writing Assessment tests your ability to analyze and evaluate issues and arguments. This portion of the exam consists of two 30-minute writing tasks.

The GMAT is a high quality test so it needs deep and extensive preparation to ensure that you get the highest score possible. You can buy a GMAT test review book or download some sample tests through internet. You must try a practice test under conditions similar to the actual GMAT test, as it will surely help to improve your verbal, quantitative, and writing skills. You can always retake the GMAT test, but remember that you are allowed to take it only once in a month. Because all previous scores are sent to the institutions, to which you are applying for your management program. You should never take the GMAT test as practice.

Your admission in a good management institute mainly rests on your performance in GMAT test. Your score depends on the number of questions that you have correctly answered in the test. Therefore, put your best possible efforts if you really want to join the best management institutes.



Thanks to Anupam Agnihotri for contributing this article to our MBA blog:

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Can you answer Prachi M’s question about MBA?:

I am planning to go for Executive MBA, so was worried which school to choose from. I came to know about the City University of Seattle from one of my friends. So wanted to know more about it in detail and whether this is a appropriate school to opt for?

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Having an MBA degree is an advantage for anyone who works or plans on being an entrepreneur.  Before you get a degree though, you’ll have to apply and get admitted to a business school that offers MBA degrees.  You may think it’s hard to get into MBA school if you have some failing marks on your transcripts, but you may get admitted if you make good use of your MBA essays by explaining the failing grades.  Read on to learn more about how to write successful MBA essays based on past failures.

Including a simple but logical failure analysis in your MBA essays

The first thing that you should recognize is that everybody goes through difficult times and the admissions committee understands that.  What matters is that you actually recognize such shortcomings and realize their worth in spurring you on to greater heights.  When explaining failing marks or any other negative factor, it is important to be honest, subtle, and reflective.  Be honest enough to admit to your mistakes, but keep it simple by being subtle.   Reflect on the failures and try to focus on what you have learned from your failures and how they have made you a better person.

Stating what you’ve learned from this failure

It is important to realize that failures are not completely negative.  In fact, if you try to concentrate on the good side, you’ll realize that it is only through failures that you can learn from your mistakes and become a better person.  When writing your MBA essays, try to keep the mention of your failures brief, while expounding on what you have learned from the failures.  For example, you may have learned to study more diligently or manage your time more effectively.  Keep your focus on who you have become as a result of overcoming such setbacks in your academics.

When writing about what you have learned from past failures, you should try to avoid being cliché in your explanation.  Cliché phrases, ideas, or descriptions easily kill the uniqueness and personality of your essay, which is one of the worst mistakes you can make in your MBA essays.  Try to be natural when explaining what you have learned and how you have grown through the experiences that you’ve had.  Use the failures as a means to describe how far you have come and why you have what it takes to succeed in MBA school.

Knowing the difference between a failure and a challenge

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your MBA essays is that your failures are already in the past.  The failing marks that you received during your undergraduate studies cannot be changed, but you can triumph over past hardships by challenging yourself to new heights.  Think of past failures as stepping stones that will allow you to rise up to the challenges you have before you, such as earning an MBA degree.  The sooner you realize how important failures are to your success in future challenges, the sooner you will be able to succeed.



Thanks to Nancy Haverford for contributing this article to our MBA blog:

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