The GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admissions Test. It is a computer-based test that assesses the skills and abilities of students preparing to enter graduate management programs in business schools around the world. The GMAT is designed to evaluate candidates’ critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills, quantitative problem-solving ability, verbal reasoning ability, and written communication skills.
So, if you’re planning to pursue MBA abroad, there’s a good chance that the college you are applying to will ask for your GMAT score. But what if you have scored low in your GMAT? How will that affect your application? How much weight does the GMAT score carries whether or not you will get admission to the business school?
Different College, Different Rules
While almost every top business school demands a GMAT score from the applicant, how much they prioritize this score varies. Some may not even accept the application if the student has scored below a defined threshold, while others can consider the application even if the score is low. So, if you’re concerned about how big of a factor your GMAT score is to the business school you are applying to, looking at their website and engaging the alumni can help you get a clearer picture. Talking to overseas education consultants can help you as well.
The Basic Rule
The basic rule is simple: The higher the GMAT score, the better. A higher GMAT score speaks volumes of your skills and knowledge. It definitely hooks the attention of admission committees and may even push them to consider your application over others. So, ideally, you want to score more in your GMAT. Anything between 650 and 690 is good. But 700+ can get you admission to top business schools. Anything more than 750 can position you for admission to the top 20 business schools in the world.
Other Factors Business Schools Consider
Here are some of the other factors, in addition to GMAT scores, that business schools consider when deciding whether or not to give admission to an applicant.
- Academic background– The academic record is one of the most important factors that admission committees take into consideration while evaluating applications. They also look at the student’s performance in different subjects, as well as their GPA.
- Work experience– Work experience plays an important role in business school admissions. A candidate with good work experience can be more competitive than others with similar academic backgrounds because of the fact that they will have more knowledge about business operations and processes.
- Interview skills– Another important factor that business schools consider while evaluating applicants is their interview skills, which include their personality and communication skills as well as their ability to express themselves clearly during an interview session.
- Personal statement/application letter– Business schools also take personal statement/application letter into consideration when evaluating candidates for admissions, since this part requires students to present themselves in an interesting manner and convince the admission committee about how they would benefit from studying there.
Prepare to Ace GMAT
Even with a low GMAT score, you can apply to business schools. If selected, great! If not, consider taking the GMAT again. Or if you want admission to any of the top business schools in the world, sit for the test again. This time prepare better. Get help from experts. Sign up for GMAT classes. Be more proactive and smarter in GMAT preparation this time. With a little more hard work and perseverance, you would be able to score much better in your next GMAT.
