Can you use scratch paper on the GMAT? What does it look like, and how do you use it? Questions about the GMAT scratch pad are common for students preparing for the exam.

In this article, I’ll go over the details of the GMAT scratch paper, how to use your GMAT noteboard effectively, and how to simulate the official notepad at home as you prepare to take the test.

GMAT Scratch Paper: The Logistics

First off, the good news: Yes, you are given a notepad and marker to take notes on during the GMAT. It’s specifically created for use by GMAT test takers.

The GMAT scratch paper is a laminated scratch pad with five yellow grid double-sided pages. The pages are about the size of those on a legal pad (that is, significantly bigger than a typical sheet of paper). It looks like a cross between a dry erase board and a flip pad or sketchbook.

Here’s what it looks like:

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The surface of the GMAT scratch pad is plastic, which will feel different from writing with pen on paper:

The GMAT notepad is accompanied by a non-permanent wet erase marker, not a pen. The marker is around the size and shape of a regular Sharpie or a thin dry erase marker. While the GMAT noteboard looks a lot like a dry erase board, you cannot erase anything on it. So use your space wisely.

However, if you do start running out of room, that’s ok. If you need more scratch paper during the test, raise your hand and a proctor will replace it for you. There are no limitations on how much scratch paper you can use during the GMAT. Taking notes can take up precious time, however, so make sure that what you do write is directly useful to you.

Try to plan ahead so you don’t run out of room on the scratch pad before a section of the GMAT ends. The best time to ask the proctor for a new scratch pad is between sections, so you don’t have to interrupt your thought process or waste time during a section.

How to Use Your GMAT Noteboard Effectively

Remember, you can’t bring your own scratch paper or writing utensils to the GMAT. In fact, no personal items are allowed in the room except for pre-approved ‘comfort items’ like cough drops or a jacket. So you’ll want to learn how to use this specific tool comfortably so you won’t feel blindsided by it on exam day. Let’s go over some ways that you can make the GMAT scratch paper work most effectively for you.

General Tips for Using the GMAT Scratch Paper

Here are some general tips to help you use your GMAT notepad to your best advantage:

• Divide each page up into sections. Before you start each section, some students find it helpful to divide a scratch pad page (or two, or three) into squares corresponding to the number of questions. For example, the Integrated Reasoning section consists of 12 questions, so you’d divide a notepad page into 12 squares and label them 1-12. You’d write your notes or calculations for each question in its corresponding square. This can help you stay organized and focused during the test, or go back to a previous difficult question.

• If you have it, use extra time in another section to set up the next set of scratch pad pages. If you finish your Analytical Writing Assessment early, for example, you can use that extra time to set up your squares for the Integrated Reasoning section. You can also use a few minutes of your break time or a few minutes at the beginning of the allotted section time to ‘customize’ your scratch paper.

• Some students also find it helpful to keep track of their time using the scratch pad, especially if they struggle with timing. In each square, you can write the approximate time you should use for that question in a ‘countdown’ format. For example, you have around two minutes for each question in the Quant section and 62 minutes to finish the section. So your first question square would read “:62” at the top, and the second would read “:60,” and so on. This helps some students stay on top of things and confuses others, so don’t worry about it if this wouldn’t work for you.

• Don’t overuse your GMAT scratch paper. As much as you can, practice doing calculations and picking out main ideas from readings in your head at home. Using the GMAT scratch pad can be very helpful, but it can also take up time and energy that you’ll need for the test.

• Practice writing small at home when you take notes. Taking up too much space for each problem will make things more difficult and visually confusing.

• Some students prefer using the GMAT scratch pad horizontally rather than vertically. Try it at home and see what works for you. Experiment with various ways of setting up the pages. Remember, this is your space!

Quant Section Tips

• The GMAT scratch pad is especially important for the Quant section because the Quant section doesn’t have an onscreen calculator. Any calculations you do will have to be by hand on the laminated scratch pad.

• It can be helpful to jot down the ‘given’ information for each problem and clearly mark it as ‘given’ (with a line next to it or a circle around it, for example) before you start your calculations for that problem.

• For the Data Sufficiency questions, using the process of elimination and physically crossing out incorrect answers on your scratch pad can be especially helpful.

Analytical Writing Assessment Tips

Since you’ll write your essay for the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) in an onscreen text editor, you can keep your notes there if you want to save your GMAT scratch pad for other sections.

However, I recommend using the scratch pad to create an outline before actually writing your essay. Having a plan will make writing go faster, and it will be much easier to refer back to on your notepad.

Verbal Section Tips

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to take notes on for the Verbal section. Your scratch pad can be used in two ways here:

• You can pull out major points, such as main ideas, evidence, and counterarguments, from each reading and jot them down for each reading. This is especially helpful for the longer Reading Comprehension passages, which are accompanied by several questions each. If you don’t find taking notes helpful, though, don’t feel like you have to.

• For all Verbal GMAT questions, you can use the notepad for process of elimination. You can write down “ABCDE” in each question square and cross out the answer choices you know are incorrect as you read.

Integrated Reasoning (IR) Tips

You’ll have a calculator onscreen for the IR section, but you can use your GMAT notepad and marker to keep track of your calculations or to eliminate answer choices. For example, many IR questions have several parts (I, II, and III, for example) and ask you to determine whether I is “True,” II is “False,” III cannot be determined, or any combination thereof. You can also use this space to create a visual diagram of those choices and keep track of them as you go along.

How to Simulate the GMAT Noteboard

In preparation for the GMAT, it’s helpful to simulate as many aspects of the test as possible. This will help you feel confident, do your best, and avoid wasting time and energy on exam day. There are two ways you can simulate the experience of using the GMAT scratch paper at home in preparation for the test:

Manhattan Prep has created a GMAT test simulation booklet that is nearly identical to the one you’ll receive at the GMAT. It also includes a corresponding marker. You can purchase the simulation booklet here. This will give you the most realistic experience and writing feel.

To create a DIY version of the GMAT notepad, just purchase a yellow grid legal pad and a slender Sharpie-sized marker. It won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll get the feel for the size and shape of the scratch paper.

It will be most effective to use your simulated GMAT scratch pad alongside the free GMAT prep software at MBA.com. This will help you simulate as many aspects of test day as possible.

What’s Next?

For a more detailed breakdown of each GMAT question type, check out our article on the GMAT format.

For practice questions to use alongside your simulated test booklet, check out our complete collection of GMAT sample questions.

If you’re ready to register for the GMAT,  our guide to GMAT registration will walk you through the process.

The post GMAT Scratch Paper: 13 Expert Tips to Use It Effectively appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

What’s the lowest GMAT score possible, and how many test-takers get it? Will a low GMAT score ruin your chances of MBA admission? In this article, I’ll go over the lowest GMAT score you can get on the exam, how common it is, and the minimum GMAT score you’ll need to get into your MBA program of choice.

What Is the Lowest GMAT Score Possible?

So, how low can you go when it comes to a GMAT score? The lowest GMAT score possible is a 200. The range of possible GMAT scores is 200-800. This range applies to the total score, which combines the Verbal and Quantitative scores.

Below are the score ranges for the GMAT total score, as well as each individual section:

It’s somewhat uncommon for students to get either very low or very high scores on the GMAT. Relatively few students receive below a 400 or above a 600; according to the GMAC, two-thirds of test-takers receive a score between 400 and 600.

If you fit in this group and are struggling to improve your score, check our PrepScholar GMAT’s comprehensive online course. It’s an affordable option that is so effective it comes with a 60 point score improvement guarantee!

Percentile Rankings and the Lowest GMAT Score

As I explained above, a 200 and similarly low GMAT scores are not at all common, according to the percentile rankings released by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). Percentile rankings, which you’ll receive for the total score as well as for each individual GMAT section, tell you how your score fares in comparison to your peers. If you get a percentile ranking of 80%, for example, it means that you scored more highly than 80% of your peers, while 20% of your fellow test-takers scored as well or better than you.

Here are the percentile rankings for GMAT total scores of 350 and below from GMAC for the last three years:

A score of 200 corresponds to 0% percentile ranking, meaning that 100% of your fellow test-takers got a a 200 or higher. However, it’s not impossible to get a score in the very low range: the first percentile of test-takers (those who score a 200 or 210)  includes more people than you might think, given that it represents 1% of the hundreds of thousands of students who take the GMAT every year.

So, while uncommon, a significant minority of students do get very low scores on the GMAT. Even if you start off with a low score on your GMAT practice tests, don’t panic. Many test-takers improve their scores significantly as long as they prepare well.

Minimum GMAT Score for MBA Programs

There is no single minimum GMAT score for MBA programs, and most schools don’t have a hard GMAT cutoff. However, if you’re looking at top 20 programs it will be almost impossible to get in without at least a 650 (and in many cases that will still be too low).

To find out what GMAT score you’ll need to get into a prospective business school, the best resource is the school’s incoming class profile on its admissions page. Class profiles generally list the average GMAT scores, or the middle 80% range of scores, for the most recently admitted class of students. These profiles will give you a good barometer of how your score fits into a given program.

Here’s a chart of the average GMAT scores of the incoming classes at a few top-tier and mid-tier MBA programs:

Generally speaking, you should aim for a score of 700+ to get into the highest-ranking MBA programs, while most mid-tier business schools accept students with GMAT scores of 630-680. There are some programs, particularly part-time programs aimed at working professionals, where a score as low as 550 is acceptable.

But remember, the important thing is the minimum GMAT score for MBA programs that you’re interested in, so make sure to look up the expectations for every school you’re applying to.

Top-Tier MBA Programs and a Low GMAT Score

Many students wonder if it’s ever possible to get into a top-tier MBA program with a low GMAT score. The answer is yes, but don’t count on it. Not all schools report their lowest admitted student’s GMAT score, but a few do. Harvard Business School rather famously admitted a student with a total score of 570 in 2014. The Stanford MBA Class of 2018 admitted a student with a total score of 590.

However, remember that these scores are outliers. Usually these students have an outstanding MBA application in other respects, such as exceptional personal circumstances (like overcoming significant obstacles to get where they are, for example). The vast majority of students admitted to top-ranking business schools have GMAT scores close to (or above) their school’s average.  It’s better to aim for schools where your score is the norm rather than the exception.

There are also some business schools that don’t require GMAT scores at all. This policy is especially common for Executive MBA programs, which are geared towards working professionals who have already proven their capabilities with relevant experience in business. If you already have six or seven years of experience and your GMAT score is very low, an EMBA might be worth considering. Prestigious programs that don’t require GMAT scores are available at Stern School of Business at NYU, the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, among others.

What’s Next?

Want to understand your GMAT scores more fully? Learn the complete GMAT score range and what it mean.

To learn more about how business schools view your GMAT scores, check out our expert guide to the GMAT total score.

If you’re not sure whether to take the GMAT or not, check out our complete list of MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT.

The post What Is the Lowest GMAT Score for MBA Admissions? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Trying to prepare for the GMAT, but don’t have a lot of time left before the exam? Whether you’re in the final stage of a long GMAT prep plan or hoping to cram all your studying into just a few weeks, I have some last-minute GMAT tips to help you ace the exam.

In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about getting the most out of your final study sessions, from last-minute GMAT prep tips to high-impact test-taking tips.

Can You Cram for the GMAT?

First off, it’s important to note that there’s no real way to cram for the GMAT. Preparing for the GMAT effectively takes time. You have to take practice tests to see where you’re starting from, hone in on your weaknesses, review the fundamental skills where you have knowledge gaps, and complete more practice questions to get used to the GMAT format and improve your score.

There’s no “quick fix” when it comes to the GMAT. If your test date is soon and you’re truly entirely unprepared, it’s best to reschedule your exam, which is still possible up to 24 hours before your scheduled test date.

However, if you’ve prepared somewhat and are looking for some high-impact strategies to prep in your final weeks or days before the GMAT, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over the best GMAT cram strategies as well as last-minute GMAT tips for the actual exam day.

4 GMAT Cram Strategies

If you’re studying for the GMAT at the last minute, you’ll need to do so effectively, making the most efficient use of your time. Let’s go over the four best last-minute GMAT prep tips to make the most of your GMAT cram sessions.

#1: Take a Practice Test

The most effective way to prepare for the GMAT is to take practice tests with questions written by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) in computerized adaptive format (which uses an algorithm in real time to adjust to your skill level as you move through the exam). Use the free official GMATPrep Software to take a practice test as soon as possible. The answer explanations will help you determine your weak spots in terms of skill sets, question types, and sections you’ll need to focus on in your prep.

If you’re worried about the essay portion, use GMATWrite to practice with real GMAC-authored Analytical Writing Assessment prompts.

#2: Review the Format

Familiarizing yourself with the format of the GMAT is as important as preparing for the content of the questions themselves. You may be a math whiz, but the GMAT tests quant skills in very particular ways. You’ll also want to get used to the rhythm, pacing, and visuals of the test so nothing is a surprise on exam day. You can do this, of course, by taking practice tests, but you should also review resources like the Official Guide for GMAT Review 2017 to remind yourself of the number of questions in each section and what question types you’ll see on each section of the GMAT.

#3: Review Math and Grammar Rules

While the GMAT is not an easy test, basic math and grammar skills are key to your success on the exam. Use the overview of basic math concepts in the official GMATPrep Software to review significant skills and concepts (like algebra, statistics, probability, and geometry) for the quant section. For a review of important grammar concepts like parts of speech and common errors you’ll see on sentence correction questions, try our guide to the six key GMAT grammar rules.

#4: Go Over Past Practice Problems

If you’ve done sets of practice problems or completed practice tests, look over the answer explanations for the ones you did incorrectly or question types that you tend to struggle with. Try to see where your thinking is falling apart or where you’re making careless mistakes so you can hone in on those weak spots and avoid making similar errors on the actual GMAT.

5 GMAT Test-Taking Strategies

Let’s go over several last-minute GMAT tips you can use during the exam itself to maximize your performance, get through the questions in time, and hopefully hit your target score.

#1: Don’t Be Afraid to Guess

It’s important to move quickly through the test and not get hung up on any one question. It might be frustrating to have to guess, but the GMAT is designed so that you aren’t expected to get every single question right. The way the scores are scaled means that you can still get a high score and a high percentile ranking without answering every question correctly.

If you’re not sure how to answer a question, first try to eliminate one or more answer choices. But even if you can’t, don’t hesitate to take a guess. You’ll risk more in terms of time and brainpower by obsessing over a single question than by guessing.

#2: Choose the Shortest Sentence Correction Answer Choice

If you’re stuck on a sentence correction question and need to guess, choose the shortest one. When in doubt, it’s best to go with the most concise answer choice. The GMAT generally prefers concise options over longer ones, so it’s a good bet (though of course not 100%).

#3: Work Backwards On Math Problems

For GMAT problem solving questions on the quant section in which you’re asked to solve for an unknown variable, you can often work backwards to save time. You might have heard of this strategy as “plug and chug.” Use one of the given answer choices to plug into the equation; if you choose one in the middle of the given numerical range, you can use the process of elimination to get rid of one or more of the other answers as well. For example, if answer choice C is 35 and it’s too low, you can eliminate answer choices A and B if they’re, say, 17 and 21.

#4: Use the Provided Scratch Pad

At the test, you’ll be provided with a double-sided laminated scratch pad to write on with a marker. Sometimes, students try to remember important details from reading comprehension passages or figures in math problems in their heads. While this may seem like it’s saving you time, it actually saps your time and energy.

Remember, you’ll be stressed and under time pressure, which might make you more prone to forget small details. For example, in three-part reading comprehension passages, you’ll have to flip through various pages with different kinds of information, which can take up a lot of precious time if you don’t take notes during your initial read. Use the scratch pad as needed to move smoothly through each question.

#5: Outline Your Essay

It may seem like you should start writing your 30-minute Analytical Writing Assessment essay right away, but outlining beforehand actually saves you time and will produce better results. It will help you organize your ideas and to express them more cogently and effectively, and you can refer back to it as you write, so you won’t forget any initial thoughts you had while reading. Using the text editor on the screen or your scratch pad, create an outline that addresses the main argument in the given passage and the major flaws in its reasoning that you plan to discuss. If you use the text editor to create your outline, just make sure to erase it before you “turn in” your essay.

6 Last-Minute GMAT Tips for Test Day

It’s important to be prepared for test day emotionally and mentally as well as physically, so you make the absolute most of your time at the testing location. Here are six last-minute GMAT tips to help you do your best on test day.

#1: Get Your Documents Ready in Advance

You’ll need identifying documents such as a driver’s license or passport to present to the testing location staff on the day of your GMAT. Check what these are at the MBA website and make sure you’ve gathered them well in advance of the exam. The last thing you want is to be scrambling around looking for an ID on the morning of your test!

#2: Take the Day Off From Studying

While it may be tempting to cram, don’t study at all the day or night before the GMAT. Instead, take this time to rest and relax so that you can be at your highest performance level on exam day. Your brain will thank you.

#3: Lay Out Your Items the Night Before

Lay out the outfit you’re going to wear and any personal items you’re planning to bring to the exam (check the testing location guidelines for what’s allowed at the center, including snacks, water, and medications) the night before. This might seem like a small thing, but it will help you feel prepared and ready for the next day and will help you rest a little easier before the exam.

#4: Prepare Yourself Physically

Being at your emotional and physical best during the GMAT is more important than you think. You can’t control everything about the test, but you can control how physically prepared you are. Get a good night’s sleep on the night before your exam so you’re well rested during the test. Eat a good breakfast before you take the GMAT.

You should be well rested and well fed during the test so you’re not distracted by anything!

#5: Plan Your Route

Get organized for your transportation to the GMAT. If you’re driving, make sure there’s gas in your car, that you’ve checked any potential traffic or obstacles on the way to your exam, and that you leave more than enough time to get to the testing location and settle in. If you’re taking public transit, make sure that you know the bus or subway route you’ll be taking to the testing center. You don’t want to be rushing and frazzled on the way to your exam and end up being off your game.

#6: Take Your Breaks

The GMAT is a lengthy and draining test; all in all, you’ll spend about four hours at the testing location. You’ll have chances for eight-minute breaks after the integrated reasoning section and before the quant section, and between the quant and verbal sections. Take them! Use them to stretch, use the bathroom, have a snack, or just give your mind a break. Those brief respites are important to maintain your stamina and focus throughout the GMAT.

A final reminder: It’s best to take your time to study for the GMAT. However, with the tips we’ve gone over, you can maximize your prep productivity and function at your optimal level on exam day.

What’s Next?

For more help planning your GMAT prep, check out our GMAT study plans (coming soon).

Still unsure about the timing of your GMAT prep? Check out our GMAT study timeline (coming soon) for a detailed look at how to structure your prep each month before your exam date.

Our GMAT study guide (coming soon) is a more comprehensive guide to the resources and strategies you’ll need to do your best on test day.

The post Last Minute GMAT Tips: 15 Strategies to Rock Test Day appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) announced two changes impacting test-takers starting in July 11, 2017. Most importantly, students may now select the order of the GMAT sections. In addition, the test center profile you see immediately after the exam has been removed.

In this article, I’ll go over how the option to select GMAT section order works and how you can use it your advantage.

Select Section Order and Removal of Test Center Profile

Beginning on July 11, 2017 students who take the GMAT are now able to choose the order in which they complete the four sections of the exam (the Analytical Writing Assessment, the verbal section, the quant section, and Integrated Reasoning).

The GMAT sections are now available in three different orders: the original GMAT section order and two new possible orders. Here are the three GMAT section orders you are able to choose from:

• Option 1: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal (original order)
• Option 2: Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
• Option 3: Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

You’ll be presented with the three section order options immediately before you take the exam (after you’re given instructions on how to complete the GMAT and have been asked to provide the names of your prospective schools). You’ll then have two minutes to select the order you want.

You’re will also no longer be asked to complete a profile about your undergraduate academic history, personal demographics, etc., after you take the test. Instead, you will be able to fill out this information anytime before or after you take the GMAT at your profile on mba.com. GMAC made this change to give test-takers a more streamlined and convenient experience at the testing center.

How to Select Your GMAT Section Order

Now, you’re probably wondering what these changes mean for you. Let’s go over how you can choose the GMAT section order that works best for you and the other ways that this new flexibility will affect you on exam day.

Prospective business schools are not able to see what order you completed the GMAT sections in (the order you choose won’t be on your score report), and the order in which you take the sections will not affect how your exam is scored. So you don’t need to worry about selecting a certain section order to look more impressive.

Instead, you should select your GMAT section order based on your own strengths and weaknesses. This will look different for everyone. When you choose your GMAT section order, take your own testing patterns into account.

For example, a student with high testing anxiety who struggles with the quant section might choose Option #3 in order to get quant out of the way right away so they can focus fully on the subsequent sections.

Meanwhile, a student who’s comfortable and familiar with the verbal section might choose to complete that section first (Option #2) instead, using their easiest section as a warmup for later, more challenging sections.

A non-native English speaker who feels uncomfortable with writing at length might choose Option #1 in order to avoid burnout by the end of the exam, when they’ll have to complete a writing sample.

The bottom line is that you’ll have to pick what GMAT section order works best for you and your unique needs and skill set. There’s no “right” or “wrong” except what works or doesn’t work for you.

You should also definitely choose your section order before the day of the exam, so you can be well prepared for exactly what you’ll encounter when you take the GMAT. You should practice the order of GMAT sections you choose well in advance of exam day.

How Does This Affect Your GMAT Breaks?

Now that you’re able to select the order in which you complete the GMAT sections, your optional breaks are available at the following points during the exam.

Will GMAT Prep Materials Reflect This Change?

Official GMAT prep materials like the GMAT Prep Software and GMAT Exam Packs 1 and 2 have been updated to reflect the change in section order flexibility since July 31, 2017.

If you have already purchased or downloaded these products before July 31, 2017, you will be provided with a free software upgrade that will incorporate the changes into your existing downloads.

The Bottom Line: GMAT Select Section Order

Being able to select the order in which you complete the sections of the GMAT will allow for more flexibility and choice on your part. Try out different options, choose wisely, and good luck!

What’s Next?

Not sure if you’re ready for GMAT exam day? Check out our 18 expert tips to rock test day.

If you’re looking to retake the GMAT, our guide to rescheduling the exam will help.

For more information on the GMAT format, check out our guide to the four exam sections.

The post How to Select the Best GMAT Section Order for You appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Worried about paying for your MBA, but proud of your GMAT score? You might be eligible for funding! Many business schools offer partial or full scholarships for high-achieving students. But is there a specific GMAT score you need in order to secure a scholarship? Can you get a GMAT scholarship?

In this article, I’ll go over the average GMAT scores that tend to secure funding for business students, as well as some examples of specific school-based and organization-based MBA scholarships. You’ll get a good idea of how to find scholarships you’re eligible for and what kind of score you’ll need to have a shot at landing them.

Can You Get Scholarships for High GMAT Scores?

Many students wonder whether a high GMAT score can get them an MBA scholarship. The short answer is yes: While MBA programs usually don’t list a specific minimum GMAT scholarship score that will guarantee you business school funding, business schools and external scholarship programs often offer partial or full funding to high-achieving students. Often, a high GMAT score is a key component of how “high-achieving” is defined.

However, it’s important to note a high GMAT score isn’t enough to secure a scholarship. Both business schools and external scholarship-granting organizations usually take multiple factors into account, including GPA, writing samples, and letters of recommendation, all of which contribute to a holistic picture of a candidate’s likelihood of success.

Let’s take a look at the kinds of MBA scholarships available and how your GMAT score plays into your chances of receiving them.

What Kinds of GMAT Scholarships Are There? 

There are two kinds of MBA scholarships available: those offered by individual schools to prospective students, and those offered by external funding sources. Let’s go over both types and if there are scholarships for high GMAT scores.

School-Based GMAT Scholarships

Many MBA scholarships offered directly by business schools are need-based, meaning that the amount of financial aid you receive in the form of grants or loans is determined by your family income and other socioeconomic factors. For these scholarships, the GMAT isn’t taken into account.

However, most business schools offer merit-based scholarships as well. These scholarships are highly competitive and vary widely by amount and eligibility criteria. The GMAT is a significant factor in eligibility for these scholarships, which are awarded based on a student’s academic and personal achievement.

However, no business school lists a minimum GMAT scholarship score. Instead, business schools usually offer a mix of general scholarships for overall academic excellence and targeted scholarships aimed at a particular demographic (such as students of color or female or LGBT students) or at students with a special interest (such as an interest in a career in healthcare management).

For each of these scholarships, a scholarship committee that is specifically responsible for allotting funding will consider each student’s work history, academic achievements, career intentions, community service, and demographics to make a determination on eligibility for funding.

Visit your prospective schools’ financial aid websites or contact the MBA administration directly to find out about scholarship opportunities, some of which you’ll be considered for automatically when you apply to an MBA program and some of which will require a supplemental application (such as additional writing samples or letters of recommendation).

At Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, for example, there are a wide variety of scholarships available for incoming students, including targeted scholarships like the Diversity Scholarship (for students from underrepresented backgrounds) and the McGraw Foundation Excellence Grant (for students planning to use their MBAs to protect the environment), as well as the more general Kellogg Scholarship, which is awarded to select students who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities and leadership skills.

While none of these scholarships list minimum GMAT scores as a requirement or are specifically “high GMAT score scholarships,” all require GMAT scores as part of their applications. Also, all of them expect applicants to demonstrate academic excellence, of which your GMAT score is a key indicator.

Next, let’s look at scholarships for high GMAT scores offered by external funding organizations.

Organization-Based GMAT Scholarships

There are also many MBA scholarships available from external funding sources for high-achieving students. Many of these are offered to students from target demographics (race, gender, work history, MBA specialization, religious identity, region, etc.). Most scholarship-offering organizations, like business schools, don’t list a minimum GMAT score for eligible students; there are no specific scholarships for high GMAT scores alone.

However, we do know which organizations take the GMAT into account as part of a scholarship application, as the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) releases a list each year of all institutions and organizations that are qualified to receive students’ GMAT scores. You can find the updated list each year to search for a high GMAT score scholarship.

Let’s take a look at all of the scholarship-granting organizations on GMAC’s list that are qualified to receive GMAT scores.

What GMAT Score Do You Need for MBA Scholarships?

So, what score do you usually need for a GMAT scholarship?

Most business schools, as I noted, don’t advertise a minimum score for GMAT scholarships, so it’s hard to know exactly how to get a scholarship through the GMAT. However, merit scholarship committees generally look for a GMAT scholarship score well above the average at their school. You can check out the list of average GMAT scores at your prospective business schools or the class profiles of incoming students at your MBA programs of choice to see how your score matches up.

If your GMAT score is considerably higher than the average score of incoming MBA students, you’re likelier to be eligible for additional funding and to get a scholarship through the GMAT than if your GMAT score is average or below average for a particular business school.

A good rule of thumb is that for top 20 schools, you’ll need a score of 720 or above to be competitive for merit-based scholarships. For mid-range (top 50) schools, a 700 is a solid score to be competitive for GMAT scholarships. 

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t bother applying for funding if you don’t have a 700, because sometimes other factors (GPA or a unique personal background, for example), can override a lower GMAT score. Still, your odds of being a competitive scholarship candidate will be much higher with a score of at least 700.

If you have a high GMAT score (700 or above), you’re especially likely to get a scholarship at a mid-ranking school. Schools looking to move up in MBA rankings (such as those offered by Poets&Quants or U.S. News and World Report) are often willing to offer financial incentives to students with high GMAT scores in order to entice high-achieving students to attend their programs. So if you’re a high scorer looking for a generous scholarship or full funding, the middle range of business schools might be a good fit.

Wrap-Up: GMAT Scholarships and Your Exam Score

The bottom line is that achieving a high GMAT score is an important step if you’re hoping not to have to pay as much (or at all) for business school. A GMAT score over 700, and over 720 if you’re applying to top 20 MBA programs, will go far in securing funding for your business school journey. 

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information about what GMAT scores will get you into your prospective MBA programs, look no further than our guide to the average GMAT scores at top business schools.

Looking for more information about GMAT fees? Find out more about how much the GMAT costs here.

General GMAT questions? Our comprehensive GMAT FAQ sheet will help.

The post What Is a Good GMAT Score for Scholarships? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Applying to business schools can be intimidating. What if you don’t get in? Are there any programs you’ll almost definitely be accepted at? If you’re looking for the easiest business schools to get into, look no further.

In this article, I’ll go over what makes an MBA program’s application process less competitive and help you decide whether a less selective business school is right for you. You’ll also find lists of MBA programs with high acceptance rates and the the easiest top MBA programs to get into based on average GPAs and GMAT scores.

What It Means for a Business School to Be “Easy” to Get Into

There are two main factors that contribute to a business school being easy to get into: a high acceptance rate and low GPA and GMAT requirements.

Many MBA programs are highly selective. The average MBA acceptance rate at the top 10 business schools is only 14.5%; the most selective program, at Stanford, admits only 6.1% of applicants each year.

However, you can find plenty of high-quality MBA programs with much higher acceptance rates (all the way up to well over 50%), and where successful applicants regularly have lower GMAT scores and lower average undergraduate GPAs. Whatever your GMAT score or undergraduate GPA, you can most likely find an MBA program where you have a good shot of acceptance.

So where do you find easy business schools to get into?

You can find the average GMAT scores and GPAs of incoming MBA students on a business school’s class profile, and use those to find the easiest MBA programs to get into. Here’s an example from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, where the average GMAT of an incoming student is 715 and the middle-80% GPA range is 3.2 to 3.8.

Using recent class profiles, you can find plenty of business schools with high acceptance rates and where the average GPAs and GMAT scores of admitted students aren’t sky-high. This is a great way to find easy MBA programs to get into.

At UT San Antonio Business School, for example, the average undergraduate GPA of incoming students is 3.2, and the average GMAT score is 600. At Cal State University San Bernardino Business School, the average GPA of incoming students is also 3.2, and the average GMAT score is 540.

As you explore potential MBA programs, to find schools that would be easy for you to get into, look for ones where the average GPAs and GMAT scores of incoming students are below yours. Having a higher GMAT score or undergraduate GPA than most of your fellow applicants ups your chances of a successful application.

Looking at the average GMAT scores and GPAs of students at your prospective business schools is better than simply looking at acceptance rates, because an acceptance rate alone doesn’t give you enough information. A school that might be easy for you to get into because of your GPA and/or GMAT score, for example, might not have an exceptionally high acceptance rate.

Next, let’s take a look at some of the easiest MBA programs to get into: those with the lowest average GMAT scores and GPAs among incoming students.

Easiest Top 50 MBA Programs to Get Into Based on GMAT Score and GPA

Looking for a highly ranked business school, but concerned about a GMAT score or GPA that’s on the lower side? What’s the easiest top MBA program to get into? Here are the 15 easiest business schools to get into out of the top 50 MBA programs (according to Poets&Quants): the first list includes the programs with the lowest average GMAT scores and the second covers those with the lowest average GPAs.

15 Top 50 MBA Programs With the Lowest Average GMAT Scores

15 Top 50 MBA Programs With the Lowest Average GPAs

10 MBA Programs With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Applying to MBA programs with high acceptance rates is a good way to up your chances of admission. Some business schools, regardless of average GPA or GMAT scores, accept a high percentage of the students who apply.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, these are the 10 MBA programs with the highest acceptance rates. If you’re looking for easy MBA programs to get into, you might want to consider the following business schools. Two—the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Tulane University—regularly receive rankings in the top 100 in the U.S. News and World Report.

Is a Less Selective Business School Right for You?

It might be tempting to just apply to the easiest business schools to get into, but is a less selective MBA program really right for you? Let’s go over some of the pros and cons of applying to easy business schools to get into.

Benefits of Less Selective Programs

Although less selective programs are usually less popular, there are some real benefits to attending one.

#1: Easier Path to Admission

The biggest pro to applying to easy business schools to get into is, of course, a higher chance you’ll get in! Applying to the easiest business schools to get into means that you don’t have to apply to as many schools, so you’ll save on application fees.

Also, if you’re worried about a low undergraduate GPA or low GMAT score (or don’t want to spend the time and money to take the GMAT again), applying to MBA programs with high acceptance rates will up your chances of admission and be a less stressful waiting game.

#2: Cost

Many MBA programs with high acceptance rates boast lower tuition rates than more highly selective ones.

At the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a year’s tuition is $68,868 (and a year of full expenses for a single student living on campus could come to as much as $112,797).

Meanwhile, at the less selective University of Colorado, Boulder, Leeds School of Business, a year of resident tuition is $17,892, while non-resident tuition is $33,300 for a year. Other business schools with high acceptance rates often have similarly low tuition rates and other expenses, leaving you with less debt.

Easy MBA programs to get into may also offer more scholarships to an applicant with a solid academic record or a high GMAT score. Many low-to-mid ranking MBA programs are looking to move up the ranks in the U.S. News and World Report and other publications, and are willing to provide incentives to especially promising students in the form of funding.

So if you’re one of the top applicants to a less selective school, you’ve got a better shot at a partial or full scholarship, teaching or research assistantship, or fellowship than you would at a more competitive MBA program.

Drawbacks of Less Selective Programs

Unfortunately, just because a program is easier to get into doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for you. Keep these issues in mind when considering where to apply.

#1: Fewer Recruiting and Networking Opportunities

More selective MBA programs attract more instructors, workshop leaders, and recruiters from top financial firms and other frequent MBA employers (such as Google) than less selective programs do.

Since two of the main reasons students cite for applying for MBA programs is the chance to get recruited for employment and to network with potential colleagues, the fact that especially prestigious employers are usually drawn to more selective MBA programs can be a major downside.

MBA graduates from less selective programs may also have a harder time finding full-time employment right away after they finish their degrees. 100% of Harvard MBA grads are fully employed a year after graduation.

Meanwhile, only 36.4% of full-time MBA grads from the much less selective Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business are fully employed a year after graduating.

#2: Lower Starting Salary After Graduation

While where you get your MBA doesn’t wholly determine your earnings after graduation, a big-name school can help. A less selective MBA program is less likely to snag you a six-figure salary immediately upon graduation, though there are, of course, exceptions.

After earning an MBA at Harvard Business School, a graduate’s average base salary is between $110,000 and $160,000 if they enter the financial services field.

Meanwhile, at Belmont University’s Massey Graduate School of Business, a graduate’s average base salary is $53,000. Your business school’s overall reputation definitely plays a role in whether you get employed and how much you’ll get paid once you do.

What’s Next?

Want more info about how your GMAT score measures up to other business school applicants? Our list of average GMAT scores by school will show you where you stand.

Ready to apply? Check out our expert tips on how to successfully apply to MBA programs.

Don’t want to take the GMAT at all, but still want to get your MBA? Our list of 67 MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT will help. Many of them are MBA programs with high acceptance rates.

The post The 40 Best, Easiest Business Schools to Get Into appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

GMAT apps are an undeniably appealing way to study for the GMAT: they’re convenient, fun, and a great excuse to play with your phone. Good ones can be a great addition to your study plan, but they aren’t enough on their own.

This article is a complete guide to GMAT apps that will help you lean how to use GMAT apps effectively, rather than letting them become a time-wasting distraction. I’ll go over the qualities that make a GMAT app worth using, the seven best GMAT apps available, and the best ways to incorporate apps into your GMAT prep.

GMAT Apps: An Overview

You can use apps for almost anything, and GMAT prep is no exception. GMAT prep apps may include practice tests, additional practice questions, drills targeting particular skills, lessons, and other content to help you prepare for the exam and track your progress.

GMAT apps that you download to your tablet or phone can help you get ready for the test in an interactive and even fun way. They aren’t enough as a comprehensive source of GMAT prep, but they can be a great addition to your other practice materials. If you’re looking for an affordable, comprehensive online prep program, check out PrepScholar GMAT. The course includes access to over 1,000 practice questions and 30 lessons covering all the essential GMAT skills.

Why GMAT Apps Are Not Enough

GMAT apps can be a great resource, but they’re not enough for adequate GMAT prep or to achieve your target score. You’ll need to use more comprehensive GMAT study resources like practice tests and books if you want to improve.

Firstly, most apps aren’t catered to your particular weaknesses and strengths. A few apps track your progress, but not in in-depth ways.

Secondly, most of the GMAT apps don’t have enough realistic practice questions to be effective as your primary or only GMAT prep resource. Many of them only have a few, or the practice questions aren’t organized by question type, so it’s difficult to target specific skills or concepts.

Finally, GMAT apps don’t tend to include detailed answer explanations for practice questions, meaning you may not be able to pinpoint why you missed the questions and determine how to improve for the future.

What Makes a Good GMAT App?

Let’s take a look at the qualities that make a GMAT app effective for use as part of your overall prep.

#1: Realistic Practice Questions

If a GMAT app features practice questions, they should be similar in content, tone, difficulty, and length to those on the actual GMAT. The more realistic, the better the questions are for your GMAT prep.

#2: In-Depth Lessons and Content

If a GMAT prep app contains skill-building lessons, they should be detailed, breaking down each question type or necessary skill in depth. You should be able to come away from a lesson with an understanding of a topic you previously didn’t know much about.

#3: User-Friendly

Any GMAT prep app you choose to download should be easy to understand, use, and navigate. It should be clear how to find information you need, and easy to select answers on practice questions. Some apps are difficult to read due to issues with the text or visuals.

The Top 7 GMAT Apps

Let’s go over some of the best GMAT apps available for download. For each GMAT prep app, I’ll go over its cost, its content, and its advantages and disadvantages.

Manhattan Prep GMAT

The Manhattan Prep GMAT app has lots of quality, varied content, including 1,110 quantitative and verbal practice questions; 1,556 quantitative, vocab, idioms, and sentence correction drills and quizzes; strategies for each question type; general GMAT study tips; math and verbal glossaries; MBA tips; and a section that tracks your progress, including your average timing on each practice question.

You can try out the Manhattan Prep GMAT app for free for 24 hours. After that, if you want to upgrade to premium, it will cost you $29.99. Otherwise, you can stay at the ‘basic’ level, which contains fewer customization options and fewer practice questions.

The Manhattan Prep GMAT app is the most comprehensive one out there, with high quality practice questions and lots of drills in both basic and advanced quant (hard to find). The idiom and vocabulary drills are also helpful for non-native English speakers. Questions are divided by difficulty as well as skill type, so the app will help you hone in on your weaknesses effectively.

Ready4 GMAT (Prep 4 GMAT)

The basic version of Ready4 GMAT is free with an account, while the premium version (which includes over 1,000 practice questions, 500 flashcards, GMAT prep and vocab quizzes, and an in-depth prep course, including a full GMAT practice test) costs $19.99.

The free version has a great deal of content, though, including an assessment test with 10 practice GMAT questions and an in-app GMAT prep course, with lessons on each GMAT section, fundamental skills like grammar, quizzes, and drills on specific question types. The only downside is that you can’t access a lesson without completing the one before it.

Ready4 GMAT also has some unique features, such as a “school matcher” that lets you customize your list of prospective business schools according to your personal demographics, preferences, academic background, GMAT score, and goals. If you complete it, you can enter to win a $1,000 Ready4 scholarship to business school.

GMAT Math Flashcards and GMAT Idiom Flashcards (Magoosh)

Both of these helpful, targeted apps from Magoosh are free. They don’t contain full-length practice questions; instead, they allow you to test fundamental skills that will help you on the quant and verbal sections.

The GMAT Math Flashcards ask about basic math concepts or simple calculations (such as determining 20% of a given number in your head). They can help you practice estimation, which is important for the quant section since you won’t have access to a calculator. The set contains 19 algebra practice questions; 38 questions on fractions, ratios, and percents; 51 geometry questions; two sections of 33 and 32 questions, respectively on number properties; 24 statistics and probability questions; and six sets of miscellaneous practice, containing 36-37 questions each.

Each GMAT Idiom Flashcard contains two versions of a sentence with variations on an idiom; you select which one is correct. After you virtually ‘flip’ the card, you’ll see the correct answer and will be asked whether you were familiar with the correct idiom. The cards are divided into two basic and two advanced sections; they track your mastery and will test you on unfamiliar idioms as you continue to practice.

These are helpful flashcards on the go, or to target a particular math skill. The idiom list will be especially helpful for non-native English speakers. However, they don’t contain actual GMAT practice questions, so they won’t be enough for substantial GMAT prep.

GMAT Prep Course (Veritas Prep)

With a free GMAT On Demand trial account, you can access over 24 hours of instructional videos (a ‘self-guided course’) from Veritas Prep that take you through every section of the GMAT and every skill you’ll need to master. With your trial account, you can also access various online Veritas Prep practice materials, including a computer-adaptive GMAT practice test and GMAT practice questions, for seven days.

Veritas Prep lessons are high-quality and informative, with instructors guiding you through each GMAT question type and concept in detail. Each lesson (such as ‘arithmetic calculations,’ the first section of the arithmetic lesson) is around 20-30 minutes.

While you’ll need to purchase the full course to get permanent access to the Veritas Prep resources, you can use this app for an overview of the test and the skills you’ll need to learn, especially at the beginning of your prep process.

Economist GMAT Tutor

You’ll have to create an account to access a free trial Economist GMAT Tutor app, which includes one free tutor session, opportunities to ask questions of tutors trained by The Economist, and a simulated GMAT test, as well as lessons that delve into specific GMAT skills.

The biggest advantage of this app are the in-depth lessons. Each lesson breaks down the various aspects of a particular section or question type in more detail than the majority of app-based GMAT lessons. One disadvantage, besides the obvious drawback of most of the materials only being available for purchase, is that you’ll have to complete one lesson before moving on to the next. So if you’re looking to quickly target a specific skill, this isn’t the best app for your GMAT prep.

GMAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards (Varsity Tutors)

The Varsity Tutors GMAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards app is completely free. You can find flashcards organized by concept, diagnostic tests, and GMAT practice tests and quizzes.

The Varsity Tutors app’s primary strength is its organization. While many apps organize questions according to general categories, like ‘quant section’ or ‘advanced quant,’ Varsity Tutors’ concept categories are hyper-specific and usually include several subcategories. This means you can target your weaknesses much more effectively using Varsity Tutors than on many other apps.

The quant practice questions in the diagnostic tests are a little on the easy side, and the app itself can be a little confusing to navigate. Other than that, this is a comprehensive and effective app to switch up your method of GMAT prep.

GMAT Exam Prep (Pocket Prep, Inc.)

The GMAT Exam Prep app from Pocket Prep offers flashcards, practice questions, and personal statistics on your progress. You can also use the app to challenge other users in GMAT practice question duels.

The app’s benefits are its variety (flashcards on everything from analytical writing-specific vocabulary to advanced quant) and its ability to track your progress over time. The app schedules you for reviews of certain GMAT concepts and skills based on your weaknesses. The downsides? There are some distracting typos in questions and headings, and the ads can be annoying as well.

You can access this app free with an account or upgrade it for a fee. The Basic version (with no ads and offline study available) is $4.99, while the Premium version (which will store all the app’s data in the Cloud) is $9.99.

How to Use GMAT Apps

There are a few ways to use GMAT apps that will maximize their usefulness for your exam prep.

#1: To Focus On Your Weaknesses

The drills in GMAT prep apps can sometimes help you get an extra boost in particularly weak areas. Apps with short quizzes or mini-lessons centered around certain question types or foundational skills can be helpful as an extra resource for your trouble spots.

#2: To Add Practice Questions

Additional GMAT practice questions, especially free ones, are always a big plus during prep. As long as the questions in the apps you choose are realistic and high-quality, more practice is always better.

#3: On the Go

Since GMAT apps can be downloaded to a phone or tablet, they can be a great resource for extra practice while you’re out and about or if you only have a short time.

Also, it can be useful to study in a variety of ways. Prepping using a different form of technology can motivate you and allow you to engage with the material in a new way.

Wrap-Up: Using GMAT Apps

GMAT apps can be a great addition to your overall prep. They can help you switch it up and learn or practice using a new interface and in a new way.

While they’re not enough as a comprehensive source of practice, you should consider adding a GMAT prep app (or two!) to your study plan.

What’s Next?

Find additional practice questions in our extensive collection of GMAT sample questions.

In How to Prepare for the GMAT, you can find a more comprehensive guide to GMAT prep.

If you’re a non-native English speaker or looking to improve your verbal score, our guide to GMAT idioms will help you prepare for sentence correction and critical reasoning questions on the GMAT.

The post How the 7 Best GMAT Apps Can Improve Your Score appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Many MBA hopefuls aren’t sure what their GMAT scores mean. What is a good GMAT score? What’s a bad GMAT score? How about a really exceptional one? And most importantly, what are the average GMAT scores at your top choices for business school?

In this article, we’ll go over what makes a GMAT score good, GMAT score ranges of admitted students at various MBA programs, and how to set your own target GMAT score.

What Is a Good GMAT Score, Really?

Business schools are all different and have different expectations and uses for your GMAT scores. Generally, the GMAT is used to predict your likely first-year performance in comparison to fellow business school applicants, as studies have shown that a higher GMAT score is a fairly reliable predictor of a more successful first year in business school. There is no one score that will guarantee you admission, though (even if you get a perfect 800 total score). There’s also no one score that will necessarily deny you admission all on its own, either.

When it comes to GMAT scores, the main takeaway is this: ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that a good GMAT score is the one that gets you into the business school of your choice.

As of 2018, the mean total GMAT score is 556.04, but that doesn’t mean you just have to get above a 550 to get into the school of your dreams. At many schools, even a 600 would be a very low GMAT score. At top MBA programs like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, UC Berkeley, and Dartmouth, the average GMAT score of incoming students is above 720.

However, some well-respected schools with high post-MBA employment rates don’t have the same expectations, and have average GMAT scores of less than 600. This is often especially true for part-time and/or online programs geared towards working professionals or those who are somehow lacking in significant relevant academic experience.

GMAT Percentile Rankings

When you apply for MBA programs, you’ll be competing against your peers for a limited number of coveted spots, so your GMAT score will have to compare favorably to theirs. This means that your GMAT percentile rankings are arguably even more important than your score itself.

GMAT percentile rankings, which are provided on your score report, let you know how you did on the exam as a whole and on every section of the exam in comparison to other test-takers. For example, a total score (that is, the Verbal and Quantitative sections combined) of 650 will give you a percentile ranking of 75%. A 75% percentile ranking means that you got a higher total score than (or equal total score to) 75% of your peers and a lower total score than 24% of fellow GMAT test-takers.

650, then, is a good starting benchmark for a high GMAT score: it usually hovers around the 75% percentile ranking spot, which is a solid place to be relative to your fellow applicants. A low GMAT score, on the other hand, is anything under 550.

Percentile rankings are recalculated every year based on the past three years of test-takers. This means that while the possible scores for each section remain the same every year, the percentile rankings change (usually very gradually) from year to year.

Here are the GMAT percentile rankings from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) for the past three years, beginning with the total score and followed by section-specific charts for the Verbal and Quantitative sections, the Integrated Reasoning section, and the Analytical Writing Assessment:

Note the differences between Verbal and Quant percentile rankings: A score of 51 would put you in the 99th percentile for the Verbal section and in the 96th percentile for the Quant section. A score of 46 would keep you in the 99th percentile in Verbal, but put you in the 60th for Quant! This gap exists because more students score highly on the Quant section than on the Verbal section, partly due to an increasing number of international students (many of whom have trouble with the Verbal section) taking the GMAT.

The percentile rankings for the Integrated Reasoning section show us that 7% of test-takers get a perfect score on the section, since a perfect score of 8 would put you in the 93rd percentile. A high GMAT score on the Integrated Reasoning section is roughly considered to be 6 or above.

11% of test-takers get a perfect score on the Analytical Writing Assessment. A high GMAT score on the AWA is usually considered to be 5.0 or above.

Which GMAT Sections Are Most Important?

Business schools consider the total GMAT score first, followed by the individual Verbal and Quant sections. Having a significantly higher score in one section over another may indicate your particular strengths or weaknesses to your prospective program.

So what about the Integrated Reasoning section and the Analytical Writing Assessment? Many students wonder how important these sections are to business schools. After all, they aren’t calculated into the overall total score.

The short answer is that both of these sections matter, but not quite as much as the Verbal and Quantitative sections or the total score. For one thing, the Integrated Reasoning section is newer than the others; it was added in 2012, so it’s not quite as tried-and-true as an analytical tool for schools. And while the schools you apply to receive and read a copy of your Analytical Writing Assessment essay, there are many other places on the application for you to provide writing samples. So it makes sense that a business school admissions committee might not regard a 30-minute essay written under pressure as the #1 means of evaluating an MBA applicant.

The longer answer is that:

1. It’s hard to tell just how much value MBA programs place on the IR and AWA sections, as schools usually don’t publicly report section-specific information. In fact, they usually only report the average total score for incoming students.

2. There is some evidence that the Integrated Reasoning section in particular has become more significant to business schools in recent years. One 2015 survey indicated that 59% of MBA admissions officials claimed to evaluate the Integrated Reasoning section as a significant aspect of an applicant’s profile, in comparison to 41% of the same pool of officials just a few years prior.

3. The Analytical Writing Assessment can be especially beneficial for non-native English speakers. If you can do well on the timed writing assessment, it’s a great indicator of your fluency in English, as MBA admissions officials can know for sure you didn’t have to take too much time to complete it and didn’t have outside help during the test. This can boost your chances of admission.

In short, prepare for both of these sections just as you would for the others. Regardless of their overall significance, an extremely low or extremely high score in either section could certainly affect your application.

For more information about how the Graduate Management Admissions Council suggests that schools use the Analytical Writing Assessment to evaluate applicants, check out these guidelines.

What Is a Good GMAT Score to Get Into Business School?

Like we went over previously, there is a wide range of GMAT scores that can gain you admission to your business school of choice. Generally speaking, top 10 MBA programs consistently look for GMAT scores of 720 or above. For mid-to-high-range business schools (those consistently ranked between 25 and 80 on annual rankings lists like U.S. News), average scores of incoming students are usually in the 600-700 range.

So, where can you find the average GMAT scores at your favorite prospective programs? MBA class profiles, like this one from Harvard Business School, are usually published yearly, as soon as an incoming MBA class is admitted and accepts their offers of admission. Class profiles are a treasure trove of information about how you might fit into various schools in terms of demographics, work experience, GPA, undergraduate major, and, yes, GMAT score.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at average GMAT scores at a range of 15 different MBA programs. Note that the ‘middle 80% range’ is reported by some schools as part of their class profiles. It includes the range of GMAT scores of all incoming students, excluding the bottom 10% and top 10% of scores:

What Is a Good GMAT Score for You? Setting a Target

Remember that the main criterion for a good GMAT score is that it helps you get into the business school of your choice. A high GMAT score for one applicant could be a low GMAT score for someone else— it just depends on what your business school plans are.

Thus, the first step in GMAT preparation is setting your own target score. This will help you know what kind of prep you need to do: do you need to brush up on a few targeted areas? Or do you need long-term, in-depth instruction? It will also help you calculate how many hours you’ll need to study.

Let’s go over how to determine your target GMAT score. Follow along with my sample chart as we go.

Step 1: Print Out the Worksheet

Before you do anything else, you should print out this worksheet:

We’ll walk through how to customize it below.

Step 2: List Your Programs

Next, you’ll need to come up with your list of prospective MBA programs so we can make a chart like the one in the previous section that’s tailored to your individual list of schools. Write the list in the column on the left. Here’s a sample:

Step 3: Find the Average GMAT Score for Each Program

For each school, find the average GMAT score of the most recent incoming class. Each school’s website nearly always includes the most recent class profile, which is where you’ll usually find this info. If for some reason you can’t find a class profile (which will be very rare), you can try the school-specific MBA Forum at GMAT Club. Write the average GMAT score in the right column. If the school only provides the middle 80% range of GMAT scores, use the top score in the range to be safe:

Step 4: Choose Your Target Score

Lastly, choose the highest score in your right column. You can either leave it as is or add 20-30 points to it if you want to have a bit of a cushion. This will be your target GMAT score:

Remember that earning your target GMAT score or higher won’t necessarily guarantee you admission. But if you reach it, you have a good shot of getting into at least one of your selected MBA programs. And having a realistic goal will help you prepare without getting lost in a sea of other numbers and comparisons.

Recap: What Is a Good GMAT Score?

Let’s review:

• A good GMAT score is one that gets you into the business school of your choice, no matter what anybody else thinks.

• A good ‘baseline’ GMAT score is 650. Top 10 business schools usually expect GMAT scores of 720 or above.

• The MBA class profiles of your prospective schools will usually provide you with the average GMAT of incoming students. This average will give you a good idea of where you might fit in relative to other applicants.

• Use your target GMAT score to decide how and when to prepare for the exam.

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to start prepping for the GMAT, check out our expert guide to determining how long you need to study for the exam.

Still curious about how to interpret your GMAT scores? Learn more about the GMAT Total score and how schools look at it.

Looking for a section-by-section tour of the GMAT? Our complete guide to the GMAT format breaks it down.

The post What Is a Good GMAT Score? A Bad One? An Excellent One? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

GPA’s can be one of the most fraught parts of the MBA application process, since you can’t really change it. What’s a good GPA for MBA programs? How can you determine the MBA GPA requirements at your prospective business schools?

In this article, I’ll go over a what a good GPA for business school is, how much and why your GPA matters in the course of MBA admissions, and what to do if your undergraduate GPA is lower than you’d like it to be.

What’s a Good GPA for Business School?

So, is there a specific GPA you’ll need to get into business school? The short answer is no. Like your GMAT score, your GPA is just one factor in a variety of admissions requirements, and different schools have different expectations when it comes to your undergraduate grades.

Most schools don’t have explicit minimum MBA GPA requirements. However, you can determine the expectations of a given school using the average GPA of their most recent incoming class(es). At most top 20 schools, the average GPA hovers around 3.5, making a 3.5 a solid baseline GPA for admissions. For very high-ranking MBA programs like Harvard and Stanford, average undergraduate GPAs are closer to 3.7.

How Much Does Your GPA Matter in MBA Admissions?

Like your GMAT score, your GPA is a significant factor in MBA admissions. There’s no doubt that admissions committees notice and value the information they can gather from your undergraduate transcript. While the GMAT is widely regarded as the most important determining factor in your chances of business school admissions, your GPA is nearly as significant to admissions committees. What’s more, average GPAs at top business schools have steadily risen over the years, making a high GPA even more important if you’re aiming for an elite MBA program.

However, MBA admissions is a holistic process that can’t be boiled down to just one number or factor. in addition to your GPA and GMAT, you’ll also turn in essays and/or other writing samples, letters of recommendation, and work experience. Many business schools will also require you to complete an interview. It’s possible, though challenging, to overcome a less-than-stellar GPA with other parts of your application.

Why Your Undergrad GPA Matters to Schools

Your undergraduate GPA is important because it’s the best indicator MBA admissions committees have of your ability to undertake the challenges of business school coursework. MBA programs are rigorous, and your school wants to know that you’re up to the task. Your past academic achievements are a good predictor of your future success.

The courses you choose to take, and your overall transcript, are just as or more important than the precise GPA number, though. The same GPA from a highly elite undergraduate institution is going to look different to an MBA admissions committee than it will from a mid-ranked school. Business schools will also take your coursework into account. A strong record of excellence in both quantitative and verbal skills, rather than a more one-sided curriculum, will be more likely to convince admissions officials that you’re capable of undertaking the rigor and variety of MBA coursework.

In addition, the average GPA of a school’s students helps to determine business school rankings (which in turn drives more applications from high-achieving students). Thus, schools that want to move up in rankings will sometimes place an emphasis on accepting students with higher GPAs.

How to Determine GPA Averages at Business Schools

Obviously you can’t change your undergraduate GPA once you have it, but looking up the average GPA for MBA programs you’re interested in will help you set realistic goals about where to apply.

To find the average GPAs of students at your prospective MBA programs, check out schools’ class profile pages (here’s Wharton’s 2018 class profile, for example). Most business schools have these class profiles, but if you can’t find one for a particular school, you can search the forums at GMAT Club to find its GPA info.

Once you have a list of prospective business schools, locate and record the average GPA at each one. To be safe, your GPA should be at or preferably above the average at the school in your list with the highest average GPA. If your GPA is significantly below a school’s MBA GPA requirements, a high GMAT score or exceptional work experience may help offset your disadvantage.

What to Do If You Have a Low GPA for Business School

If your GPA is lower than the MBA GPA requirements at your preferred schools, what’s your best bet for getting into a program anyway? Let’s go over what you can do or highlight in your business school apps if you have a low GPA for MBA programs you’re interested in.

#1: Supplement Your Transcript

Did you struggle in humanities courses in undergrad, or were classes in the STEM fields tougher for you? Take a critical eye to your undergrad transcript and pinpoint your weaknesses.

One way to demonstrate your commitment to business school and your academic career in general is to take postbaccalaureate coursework at your undergraduate institution or another one (online schools and local community colleges may be less expensive)—and show you can do better this time. Improving in your areas of weakness will demonstrate not only your capabilities in those subjects, but also your academic perseverance and dedication.

#2: Get a High Score on the GMAT or GRE

An exceptionally high GMAT or GRE score will help to offset a low GPA for business school applications. Prepare extensively (and effectively!) for the exam. A high score will demonstrate your intellectual abilities in MBA-relevant areas and your ability to do well under pressure.

#3: Highlight Exceptional Achievements

Extensive work experience, awards, and other demonstrations of high achievement in the workplace or in leadership roles can help make for a lackluster GPA on an MBA application. This is particularly true if you’re applying to executive MBA programs (programs geared towards working professionals, often with accelerated curriculum and increased hands-on experience) or if it’s been 5-10 years since you completed undergrad.

#4: Highlight Your Experience With a Feeder Company

Certain consulting/finance firms are known to serve as feeders for top business schools, with former employees making up disproportionate percentages of each incoming class. For example, McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group, JP Morgan/Chase, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone Group, Summit Partners, and the Caryle Group each send a number of students to Harvard Business School (and other top MBA programs) every year. Other non-consulting employers, such as the U.S. military, the World Bank, Google, and Microsoft also serve as feeder companies for top MBA programs.

Working for one of these employers can give you an advantage for admission regardless of your GPA, since schools know that you’ve made it through a competitive hiring process and succeed in a competitive work environment. However, applying from a feeder company often also means that you’re competing with other employees, many of whom may have stronger academic credentials, so you’ll still need to find a way to stand out.

What’s Next?

Not sure if an MBA is right for you? Check out our intro guide to MBA programs for more information on MBA admissions requirements and whether you should go to business school.

Concerned about how your GMAT score will impact your chances of getting into business school? Our list of GMAT scores for top schools will help.

The post MBA GPA Requirements: What’s Good for Business School? appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

So you’re ready to study for the GMAT. But where should you start? The demands of prepping for the exam can be overwhelming, but if you know how to begin, you’ll set yourself up for success.

In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about how to start preparing for GMAT test day, including when to start studying, how to make a prep plan, and what to focus on first.

When Should You Start Preparing for the GMAT?

Before we get into how to start studying for the GMAT, let’s establish when to start GMAT preparations. I recommend you start studying around five months before your earliest business school application deadline. This will give you about three months to study and prepare before the GMAT, and plenty of time for your official score reports to be sent out to your MBA programs of choice.

A gap between your GMAT test date and your MBA application deadlines is important, because your official score report will be sent to the business schools you’ve selected (you can choose up to five at the time of your exam) 20 days after you take the exam. Any additional score reports you order after that will take about a week to arrive at your chosen programs. To be safe, then, you should take the GMAT at least six to eight weeks before the application deadlines. An exception is if you want to leave time to retake the test if you don’t do as well as you hoped, in which case you should leave several more months for additional preparation.

Three months of regular prep is the gold standard for an ideal GMAT study timeline, as it’s long enough to allow you to hone in on your weaknesses, complete regular drills, and take several full-length practice tests.

In those three months, you should allot at least 10 hours a week to studying, over at least three days a week. It takes time to get organized, become familiar with the test, and develop the GMAT test-taking strategies that work for you. Trying to cram for the GMAT usually doesn’t result in substantial score improvements, and one or two long study sessions a week won’t do you nearly as much good as three or more shorter weekly sessions. Building a routine around GMAT prep will allow the skills you build to become second nature.

At the same time, starting to prepare too early isn’t optimal either. Spreading your studying out over more than six months may cause you to plateau, and will become tedious. Targeted, organized prep is the key to your GMAT success, and that starts with a study plan.

Making a GMAT Study Plan

The very first step in your GMAT preparation is to make a study plan. Studying methodically and effectively requires organization; starting to prepare blindly or in a disjointed way won’t maximize your score increase.

As you formulate your study plan, you should take a diagnostic test (full-length, timed, and in computerized adaptive format) through the official GMATPrep software. This will help you to know your starting point in terms of your GMAT score. Knowing where you’re starting out will also help you set a target GMAT score using the average scores of admitted students at your prospective MBA programs. With your initial score, you’ll know how far you are from your goals, which will help you know when and how to start preparing for the GMAT based on how much time you need to prep in terms of months before the exam and hours per week.

A diagnostic test will also help you learn more about your weaknesses. Which sections were hardest for you, and which question types? Did you have trouble with timing and pacing? This information will help you decide exactly how to prep and what to focus on as you tailor a study plan to your needs.

Create a detailed schedule to complete your study plan before the test date. Instead of simply allotting a certain number of hours a week, each study session should have a particular goal, i.e., “Use the GMATPrep Software to complete a 20-question reading comprehension quiz.” Keeping track of what you will practice each week will help you track your progress and make specific goals as you work to eliminate your weaknesses. It will also help you adjust your study plan if necessary to accommodate how you’re progressing in your GMAT prep.

How to Start Preparing for the GMAT: 4 Important Steps

So, once you’ve created your study schedule, what are your first steps? Let’s go over four strategies for how to start preparing for the GMAT.

#1: Learn the Format

Use your early prep time to become as familiar as possible with the format of the exam. This seems simple enough, but knowing you won’t be seeing any surprises on test day is a major factor in reducing your stress and feeling like an expert rather than overwhelmed when faced with the official GMAT.

Become familiar with the individual sections, the question types in each section, and what each question type is asking of you. This will help you as you decide on strategies for tackling each kind of question.

#2: Analyze Your Strengths and Weaknesses

When you take your first practice test, start to notice your error patterns. What was your weakest section? Within that section, what question types did you struggle most with?

To analyze your weaknesses, read the answer explanations of the questions you struggled with on your diagnostic test. Figure out where you went wrong. Organize your GMAT prep around your weakest links, and schedule accordingly. You should allot more time to drilling your weaknesses and reviewing the relevant skills than on anything else.

#3: Work On Fundamental Skills

Once you know your weaknesses, decide what fundamental skills you need to review. Have you forgotten how remainders work? Do you need to practice reading and analyzing short texts?

If you have trouble with getting through reading comprehension passages quickly enough or in gleaning the necessary details from them, for example, you might need to regularly practice reading newspaper articles or other high-level materials. The New York Times, Science, The New Yorker, and The Economist are good places to start.

Alternatively, you might need to review the fundamental math skills tested on the GMAT, such as algebraic equations or statistics and probability. Our guides to GMAT fractions and decimals, GMAT percentages, and GMAT statistics questions are helpful starting points for your math review.

Grammar basics, such as parts of speech and sentence structure, is another common area that test-takers need to review. Learning or reviewing grammar terms and rules will help you recognize sentence correction errors more quickly. Our guide to the most important GMAT grammar rules will help you learn to recognize the most common grammar errors that are tested on the exam.

Your GMAT prep plan should reflect any gaps in your knowledge or background, incorporating not just practice questions and tests but drills and outside readings (such as a grammar guide or math quizzes in the areas you find most difficult). Using practice questions and familiarizing yourself with the format of the exam is important, but building the underlying skills necessary to answer the questions is just as, if not more, significant to your performance on the GMAT. With those skills as your foundation, you can tackle any curveballs that are thrown at you on the exam.

#4: Edit Your Study Plan as Needed

Once you’ve taken your weaknesses into account, edit your initial study plan to reflect them. For example, if you find you’re having trouble with timing, set a goal to finish a certain number of questions in a given time limit, and lower the time limit as you get closer to your exam date. If you realize you’re having trouble with GMAT vocabulary words, make time to use flashcards to test yourself on words that show up frequently on the test. While sticking to the basics of your original plan, make sure to update it based on your progress as you continue.

Review: How to Start Preparing for GMAT Test Day

Remember, the keys to beginning your GMAT prep are giving yourself enough time and staying organized. Using these tips will help you get rolling on your GMAT study plan with confidence.

What’s Next?

Still not sure when to start GMAT preparations? For more information about creating a detailed study plan, our guide to the ideal GMAT study timeline will help you make a prep schedule that works for you.

Our guide to taking and using a GMAT diagnostic test as part of your study plan will help you learn how to analyze those test results and tailor your prep plan to your unique needs.

Use our comprehensive guide to GMAT preparation to help you along from registration to test day.

The post How to Start Preparing for the GMAT: 4 First Steps appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.