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.

Many ambitious business school applicants set their sights on a 720 GMAT Total score. A 720 GMAT score is often thought of—rightly or wrongly—as something of a cutoff for the “M7.” The M7 is the informal group of seven prestigious business schools considered to have the world’s best MBA programs: Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, Columbia, and MIT Sloan.

But how accurate is this mythologizing of the 720 Total score? Do you have to get at least a 720 to get into a top business school, and will it guarantee you admission? Conversely, is a 720 GMAT score really good enough for the elite business schools? If you’re applying to the M7, should you retake the GMAT and try to score even higher—even if you already have a 720? Do you need a 730 GMAT score for Harvard or Stanford? And what do the top 20 schools think about the 720 GMAT score, or the top 50, or the top 100?

In this post, we’ll give you all the answers to these questions, deconstructing the common thinking about the 720 GMAT score and delving into actual data from M7 business schools as well as thoughts on the GMAT from their admissions offices. Finally, we’ll help you think through the 720 and other score goals in terms of your own application and target business schools.

How Business Schools Evaluate Your GMAT Total Score

Business schools are all different—even the best ones—and thus they all 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.

That said, every single business school in the M7 states that they evaluate applicants holistically, meaning that the GMAT is only one part of your application. None of them have a GMAT score “requirement” that you must attain to be accepted.

In short, what the top business schools do want to see from your GMAT score is that you did well enough to prove that you can succeed in a rigorous MBA program. Of course, they also want to make sure that they either maintain or gain in external rankings, and the GMAT score composition of their student body does factor into such evaluations. So there’s a certain element of prestige for the school that’s at play in your GMAT score as well, though it’s hard to pin down exactly how much.

With that said, let’s talk about the mythology of the 720 GMAT score.

Is 720 a Good GMAT Score for Top Business Schools?

Is 720 a good GMAT score? On a basic level, yes: 720 is the 95th percentile GMAT score and is generally considered an excellent score overall. The top 7 schools are slightly more competitive, which we’ll get into below. But a 720 is the about the average GMAT score for the top 10 business schools in the country, so if you are applying to a top 10 business school, you should aim to either hit or surpass a 720 to land safely in the Total score averages for those schools. This way, you’re not an applicant that would be lowering your school’s GMAT score average and thus potentially negatively affecting their ranking.

However, it’s important to know that a 720 GMAT score doesn’t guarantee admission anywhere. No GMAT score—not even an 800—can ensure that you get into the school of your choice, because business schools don’t look at scores in a vacuum like that.

On the positive side, this also means that you can get into one of the top business schools with a score lower than a 720—even one of the M7. A 95th percentile GMAT score is a safe spot to be in, but it’s not any kind of “cutoff.” The GMAT data released from the M7 schools themselves shed light on why people fixate on the 720—but they also show that the 720 GMAT score isn’t a bottom line.

GMAT Score Averages and Ranges for the M7 Business Schools

Every year, the top-ranked business schools release GMAT score data on their websites as part of the class profiles for their incoming classes. Class profiles are worth visiting directly at some point—they offer a wealth of information about how you might fit into various schools in terms of demographics, work experience, GPA, undergraduate major, and GMAT score.

Using this information and US News & World Report’s 2017 business school rankings, we have calculated that the average GMAT Total score for the top 10 business schools in America is currently about 722.4, almost exactly at that 720 mark. This data is where the 720 “cutoff” mindset comes from.

However, when we start to look beyond that, the data tells a more complicated story. Below is all the GMAT score information released by the M7—the seven highest ranking business schools in the US.

Note that while all of the M7 business schools release data on GMAT scores for their incoming class, they vary on the type of GMAT data that they release to the public, which makes it difficult to compare and contrast. For example, Harvard Business School releases the middle 80% of scores and the median score, while Stanford Business School releases the entire range of scores and the average score. Still, we can use this information to evaluate your own GMAT Total score.

This data is for the class of 2018, the most currently available data set:

In the following sections, we’ll talk about what this data means for high scorers, low scorers, and everyone in between.

Can I Have a Low GMAT Score and Still Get Into a Top Business School?

You may have been heartened to see that, when released, the ranges of Total scores for students attending these excellent business school is actually quite wide. Columbia, Wharton, and Stanford have all admitted students who scored in the mid to high 500s. We can safely guess that some of the other schools do as well, even though they don’t release that data.

However, the middle 80% Total score ranges begin at a much higher score than the overall ranges, meaning that the 550-590 scorers are outliers. These students must have had an incredibly compelling application outside of their GMAT score to be admitted.

Ultimately, this information clearly shows that if you are scoring in the 500s on the GMAT and you want to go to a top business school, you should spend as much time as you can studying to improve your score. If you find yourself hitting a wall at or below that score level, then you should probably set more realistic business school choices for yourself, as the low 500s is just not enough to prove to admissions that you can handle the rigorous academic workload of a top MBA program.

If you’re scoring in the high 500s or low to mid 600s but you have an absolutely stellar professional and academic background, then you can see that you still have a chance to be admitted. If this is you, then you might want to take a look at our breakdown of The GRE versus the GMAT to see if you should potentially switch tests. More and more top-ranked business schools—now including Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, Sloan, and Columbia—are accepting the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT. If your score is significantly higher on the GRE, it might be wise to submit that instead of the GMAT score, so that your test scores don’t put up a red flag on an otherwise excellent application.

Should I Aim for Higher Than a 720 GMAT Score?

You probably noticed that the average GMAT scores for all the M7 schools except for Columbia are higher than 720, so if you’re applying to those schools, you might want to set your sights on a 730 GMAT score instead of a 720.

But in general, once you hit 720, you have signaled to elite business schools that you’re certainly academically prepared for an MBA curriculum, and there’s no need to take the GMAT again—unless you’re confident you can do significantly better. The 720 GMAT score is a baseline—it is great to do better if you can, it’s just not worth making yourself crazy over. If you have a 720 and another applicant has a 730 GMAT score, that 10-point difference is unlikely to be the deciding factor.

That said, if you believe you can get a 750 or above, it certainly will help your application. But unless you’re fairly sure that you can do so (as in, you haven’t already studied your heart out and know that there’s room to improve significantly), your time would arguably be better spent doing something that demonstrates your passion and commitment toward the kinds of pursuits an elite MBA prepares you for.

The main exception to this is if you’re looking for scholarships. Generally, because higher GMAT scores in their student body translate into higher rankings, business schools seem to be more willing to give generous scholarships to students with higher GMAT scores in order to entice them to attend. Again, a 730 isn’t likely to make much of a difference over a 720, but a 750 or above would certainly be impressive. A 750 GMAT score puts you in the top 2% of scorers worldwide.

Overall GMAT Score Guidelines for Top Schools

Based on the data, a “safe” GMAT score for the M7 business schools falls in the 720-750 range. “Safe” doesn’t mean guaranteed acceptance: it just means that your GMAT score is impressive and indicates that you can handle a challenging MBA curriculum. The 750-800 range counts as “very impressive,” and if you’re looking for scholarships, the higher the better.

An “okay” score for the top schools is a 690-710. You’d be below the average, but you’d still fall in the middle 80% for most of the M7 schools—though you’ll have to make sure you have a great GPA to back it up.

Scores in the low to mid 600s is risky territory for the top schools, so you’d better have excellent personal and professional experiences and a strong GPA to offset it. With a score below 600, it’s exceedingly difficult to get in—schools admit maybe one or two candidates a year at that score level.

If you’re aiming for the top schools, you should probably retake the GMAT if you haven’t broken 700, and spend as much time as possible studying and preparing beforehand. We highly recommend checking out PrepScholar GMAT’s comprehensive online course, which offers a 60 point score improvement guarantee to help make sure you hit your goal score!

As mentioned above, the class profiles are an excellent source of information with which to compare and contrast yourself as an applicant. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses as an applicant when picking schools to target.

The Next Rung: Is 720 a Good GMAT Score for the Top 25 Schools? What About the Top 50?

There’s more leeway outside of the top seven or top 10 business schools, though GMAT scores on the whole have gone up in recent years.

The average GMAT score for the top 25 business schools is 706, and the average for the top 50 schools is 683.

Taking out the top 10, the average for schools ranked 11-25 is 695, and the average for schools ranked 11-50 is 674.

So, yes, a 720 or 95th percentile GMAT score is a very excellent score once you get past the top 10.

If you’re scoring in the high 600s or above, you’re in the safety zone for a top 50 program. For the top 100 programs, that number stretches into the middle and low 600s.

Bottom Line: What does a 720 GMAT Mean for You?

Is 720 a good GMAT score? Yes. But there’s no GMAT score that is guaranteed to get you into a top business school, and above the mid-500s, there is no score that is guaranteed to get you rejected. Still, you should aim to hit the 720 mark if you’re applying to a top 10 business school, and a 730 GMAT score is an even better target if you’ve set your sights on the M7 (except for Columbia). A 750 or above helps if you’re looking for large scholarships.

What’s Next?

Check out our guides to low GMAT scores, high GMAT scores, and average GMAT scores by school for more information about how your GMAT score measures up.

You can also use our target GMAT score worksheet to determine what score you should aim for based on the schools you’re applying to. Happy studying!

The post Is a 720 GMAT Score Your Ticket to an Elite MBA? 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.

You’ve studied for weeks! You know your math formulas backwards and forwards! You can spot an idiom from miles away! You get all the way to the test center and it hits you… you’ve forgotten your valid photo ID.

Arriving at the test center on the day of your GMAT exam without something you need would certainly be a big bummer, but don’t worry! In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to bring to GMAT test day. First, I’ll go over the necessary items you have to bring to the test center. Next, I’ll talk about some things that would be nice to have at the test center. I’ll also give you a GMAT exam day checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve got all you need for test day. Finally, I’ll talk briefly about the items you shouldn’t bring to test day.

What to Bring to GMAT Test Day

GMAC has strict rules and regulations for test-takers, so it’s important to know what to bring to the GMAT test center so that you can take your test at your scheduled time. It’s also important to be prepared so you avoid any unnecessary fees from having to reschedule your exam or pay to send test scores later.

What to Bring to the GMAT: 4 Necessary Items

You don’t need to bring much to take the GMAT, but there are a number of items you must have in order to be allowed to take the test. You should make sure to bring each of the following items with you to your appointment.

#1: A Valid, GMAT Approved Photo ID

You must bring a valid, GMAT approved photo ID to be admitted your exam. If you forget to bring a photo ID, or if it doesn’t fit the qualifications discussed below, you won’t be allowed to take the GMAT. GMAC has strict rules and regulations about what constitutes a valid, approved photo ID. A valid photo ID must have:

• Your name using the Roman alphabet (an important note for test-takers in countries that don’t use the Roman alphabet) that is spelled exactly the same way you provided it when you registered.
• Date of birth that exactly matches the birth date you registered with.
• A recent, recognizable photograph.
• Your signature.

If your photo ID doesn’t have one of the above qualifications, you won’t be admitted to take the GMAT. If your photo ID has all of the above qualifications but is expired, you won’t be admitted to take the GMAT. Make sure your ID fulfills all the requirements well before test day, because it can often take a while to replace a driver’s license or passport.

Speaking of driver’s licenses and passports, they are two of the acceptable forms of photo identification. The four acceptable forms of ID for the GMAT are: international passport, government-issued driver’s license, government-issued national/state/province identity card, and military ID card. Note, you must bring a passport if you’re taking the GMAT in a country outside of your country of citizenship. So, if you’re from the United States and are taking the GMAT in India, you need to bring your US passport in order to take the GMAT.

Remember, you’ll be turned away at the door if you don’t have a valid photo ID!

#2: Names of the Five MBA Programs Where You Want to Send Your Scores

As part of your GMAT test day appointment, you’ll be able to select up to five programs to send your GMAT scores to. Your GMAT exam fee includes the cost of sending your scores to these five schools. You’ll only be able to send your free scores once, immediately before your exam. If you don’t select any schools to send your scores to, you can do it later, but it’ll cost $28 per school.

It’s a good idea to bring a list of the MBA programs you want to send your scores to your test so that you aren’t flustered with trying to make a decision on test day and so that you don’t spend unnecessary money sending your scores at a later date.

#3: Appointment Confirmation Letter or Email

Bring your appointment confirmation letter or email to your testing center in case there’s any discrepancy with your test date and time. By bringing your confirmation letter, you’ll be able to address any discrepancy (such as a confusion about your test date) and smooth out your check in process.

#4: Directions to the Test Center

Having printed directions to the test center or the address already pre-loaded onto your phone will save you time and stress as you’re driving to your appointment. Having printed directions can help if your phone unexpectedly dies or fails, while having the address pre-loaded onto your phone can help you search for alternate routes in case of traffic.

What to Bring to the GMAT: 3 Nice-to-Have Items

The GMAT is a long test and you’ll have the option of taking two breaks to refresh yourself during the exam. The following items aren’t required of test day, but may be nice to have if you’re concerned about being comfortable through the length of the exam.

#1: Water

Bringing water is a great way to refresh yourself during your break. You can’t bring it into the exam room, but you can retrieve it and drink it during the breaks. I’d recommend bringing water over soda or other sugary drinks, so you don’t experience a sugar crash.

#2: Snacks

Just like water, you can’t bring your snacks into the exam room, but you can get them during your breaks. A healthy snack like a piece of fruit, protein bar, or handful of trail mix can help boost your energy levels during the long test.

#3: Extra Layers

Sometimes, the test center you’re working in may be very cold or very hot. Bringing an extra layer, like a sweatshirt, or wearing layers that you can easily remove will help you be comfortable as you work in the test center for over three hours.

GMAT Exam Day Checklist

Worried that you’ll forget something important on your way to the GMAT? Don’t be! With our handy, downloadable GMAT exam day checklist, you’ll be able to remember exactly what to bring to GMAT test day.

Click here to download PrepScholar’s GMAT Exam Day Checklist.

3 Things Not to Bring to the GMAT

GMAC is very strict about what you can bring into the testing room. Leave these items at home or in your car on test day – you won’t be able to use them anyways.

#1: Electronics

You can’t bring a calculator to the GMAT, so don’t even bother packing it into your car on test day. You also won’t be able to use your phone, tablet, pager, laptop, watch, radio, or any other electronic item during the test, besides the computer station provided to you at the test center. You’ll be asked to lock up your electronics, so be prepared to put them into a locker or leave them in your car or at home during the test.

#2: Books and Other Print Aids

You can’t bring any books or print aids to the GMAT, including dictionaries, thesauruses, idiom dictionaries, math formula sheets, etc. Make sure you don’t accidentally have a sheet folded up in your pocket or on your person as you enter into the test center. Your test will be automatically voided if you’re found with any print aids in the testing room.

#3: Weapons

It should go without saying, but the only weapon you need to bring to the GMAT is your finely tuned brain that you’ve trained for weeks to conquer the test. Leave all weapons or items that could be considered a weapon (including pocket knives, nail clippers, and razors) at home.

Review: What to Bring to GMAT Test Day (and What Not To)

It’s important to know what to bring to the GMAT so you don’t have any trouble taking your test during your scheduled appointment. If you’re worried about forgetting something, print out our GMAT exam day checklist to make sure you’re all ready to go.

What’s Next

Wondering what to expect at your GMAT test center? A big part of feeling prepared for test day is knowing what you’ll encounter when you arrive to take your test. Check out our guide to GMAT test centers to make sure you’re well-prepared and ready to go.

If you’re concerned about sending your GMAT scores to schools, check out our complete guide to sending GMAT scores. The guide will help you learn how and when to send GMAT scores, as well as how to correctly time ordering score reports so your scores will arrive to admissions programs in time.

Searching for some last-minute GMAT tips? If your GMAT is just around the corner, our guide to last-minute GMAT tips will help you feel more prepared and ready for the exam, whether you just decided to take it recently or you’ve been studying for months.

The post GMAT Exam Day Checklist: What to Bring to the Test Center appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

As with any standardized test, there are some key, simple shortcuts that you can implement right away to improve your overall performance on the GMAT. While there’s no substitute for good old-fashioned studying, you can try out the quick and easy strategies below to maximize your performance right away.

With these GMAT tips and tricks—plus the boatloads of test prep you’re surely doing—you’ll be prepared to face any challenge that comes your way on test day.

GMAT Tricks: What Can They Help You With?

The makers of the GMAT will tell you that there are no such things as “tips” or “tricks” for doing well on their test. Unfortunately, there is some truth to this: while GMAT tricks can help you a little bit, the only real way to ace the GMAT is to invest lots of time in preparation. Yep, that means study, study, study.

More specifically, the real trick to doing well on the GMAT is to become an expert in the fundamental areas that are tested on each section: reading, deconstructing an argument, and the GMAT-specific grammar rules for Verbal and AWA; arithmetic, geometry, and algebra for Quant; and all the above plus basic graphs and data presentation for IR. You should especially focus on memorizing all of the key math and grammar properties, and then taking enough practice tests and questions that you develop a fluency with them. By the time you take the GMAT for real, it should be second nature to spot what each question is testing you on and then to implement the relevant rule or property accordingly.

That said, each of the tips below has its usefulness. They can help you feel confident, study more efficiently, and show up to test day ready to thrive. Most importantly, many of these GMAT tricks and shortcuts are particularly helpful for guessing strategically on questions you’re stuck on—so when all else fails, you can feel like you have a solid plan and a fighting chance to get the right answer.

We’ve divided all the GMAT tips and tricks into three categories: overall GMAT tips (for all sections), tips that are particular to a section or question type, and tips for streamlining the day of the test.

General GMAT Tips and Tricks

Below are some overall GMAT tricks and shortcuts that apply across all the sections.

Practice on a Computer

The GMAT is over three hours long and is taken entirely on a computer. So on top of the mental fatigue, you’re also facing eyestrain, neck pain, and upper back soreness! Make sure you’re prepared by doing as much prep as possible on the computer.

A great place to start is the free GMATPrep software. The software is official, costs nothing, and features two real full-length GMAT practice tests. If you haven’t already, download the GMATPrep software and take one of these two tests. Jot some notes down afterward—not just about how it went, but how you felt throughout the process. Could you have sat up a bit straighter? Did you need to blink and look away several times? The more you practice on a computer, the better you’ll be able to assess your stamina.

Use Online GMAT Forums to Break Down Questions and Answers

If you can’t find the answer explanation for a problem that challenged you, you should google it. If you guessed, or even if you solved the problem correctly but the process took you longer than one and a half minutes, you should still google it.

If you couldn’t figure it out efficiently (or at all), chances are that someone else couldn’t either, and they’ve posed the question to the broader community of GMAT preppers online. In fact, almost every single question in any official GMAT software or books has an answer explanation for free online. GMAT Club, Manhattan Prep’s GMAT Forum, and Beat the GMAT are all great forums to use for answer explanations; just be sure that the person posting the answer is a reliable enough source (like a verified GMAT instructor or an expert who’s been “upvoted” many times).

On the off chance that you can’t find the question and answer explanation, then sign up for one of the above forums and post the question yourself!

Use Process of Elimination

It is far easier to eliminate wrong answers than it is to pick the right one. So, when you’re unsure about answer choices on a given question, try to eliminate all the wrong ones first. Make a case for why each one is wrong (even if you don’t believe it’s wrong, go ahead and argue to yourself that it is anyway). The choice that is the hardest to disprove will likely be the right answer.

Move On After 2.5 Minutes Max

Particularly on Quant, some of the more challenging questions do require a full two minutes and change to execute. But many of them can be answered more quickly than that by implementing an applicable math shortcut or property. So if, on timed practice tests or the real thing, you find yourself taking forever on a question that seems to involve a crazy amount of steps, you’re probably forgetting the rule that you need to solve it efficiently. And doing it out “the long way” is a trap, because it leaves you with a lot less time and mental energy for the rest of the questions.

Remember, your GMAT score goes down much more if you don’t finish a section than if you guess incorrectly on a handful of questions.

So rather than investing three or more minutes on any one question, use process of elimination to make a strategic guess. And no matter what, move on after two to two and a half minutes. If you’re working on a practice test, be sure to go back and review the answer explanation for that question when you’re done. Was there a property or shortcut that you were supposed to use to solve the problem more efficiently? If you really were supposed to multiply all eleven of those numbers together on your scratchboard, then I’ll eat my shorts!

The Major GMAT Tricks and Shortcuts for Each Section

There are also several key GMAT Tips and Tricks for each section.

GMAT Tricks and Tips: Verbal Section

Below are some GMAT tips and tricks for the different kinds of questions you’ll see on the Verbal section. These are just the key tips; for a longer, complementary list, head to our guide to tips and tricks for the Verbal section (coming soon).

Sentence Correction Tip 1: When in Doubt, Go Short

In addition to the rules of grammar, you also have to keep an eye out for concision and clarity on sentence correction questions. Often—but not always—the most concise answer will be the correct one. When in doubt, scan the shortest of the answer choices for errors, and then pick it if you can’t find any.

Reading Comprehension Tip: Read the Passage First

When you come across a passage-based question, read the passage first, not the question. This is often the better strategy for two reasons. First, you can only see one question at a time, but there will be three or four questions for each passage. So if you read the passage trying to “hone in” on the answer to the first question, you might subconsciously disregard aspects of the passage that are important for the subsequent questions.

Second, even questions that seem to be about a small detail or sub-topic will require a holistic understanding of the passage to answer correctly. You actually have a better chance of identifying the right answer in the majority of questions if you aren’t biased toward one detail or sub-topic, but are reading for the main idea instead.

Critical Reasoning Tip: Read the Question Stem First

Conversely, for critical reasoning questions, it’s a great idea to read the question stem before reading the argument. This way, you can determine what type of question you need to answer, and read the argument looking for what you need. For example, if it’s a “weaken the argument” question, you’ll be looking to identify the conclusion of the argument, keeping an eye out for any flaws. But if it’s an “inference” question, you won’t be looking for flaws, as inferences are an extension of the argument (not statements that weaken it).

GMAT Tricks and Tips: Quant Section

Below are the major GMAT tips and tricks for the Quant section. For more tips beyond the big ones, head to our guide to GMAT tips and tricks for the Quant section, which complements this list (coming soon).

Use a Scratch Pad

You’re given a laminated scratch pad with five yellow grid double-sided pages and a non-permanent wet erase marker to take notes on during the real GMAT. The pages are about the size of those on a legal pad, and it looks like a cross between a dry erase board and a flip pad or sketchbook. The surface of the GMAT scratch pad is plastic, which will feel different from writing with pen or pencil on paper. The thin wet erase marker takes some getting used to as well.

In your test prep, you should practice with a scratch pad to get used to the feel and the space confinements. Manhattan Prep has created a GMAT test simulation booklet and marker that are almost identical to the ones you’ll receive at the GMAT. You can purchase the simulation booklet here. Alternatively, to create a DIY version, 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 both.

Check out our guide to tips and tricks for the GMAT scratch pad for more on how to use these unusual tools most effectively in your note-taking.

Plug in Numbers

As stated above, many GMAT Quant questions don’t require you to solve all of the many equations embedded within them. Sometimes picking a simple number and substituting it for the unknown variable works even better—and makes the problem simpler and easier—than actually solving the complex algebraic equation.

If you’re given one or more conditions for a number (that it has to be prime, for example), make sure that the number you pick meets all of the conditions. But be careful to avoid making assumptions beyond these conditions. For example, if your question states that a, b, and c are consecutive numbers, you can’t then assume that a<b<c or that a>b>c. All you know is that they are consecutive—you don’t know the exact order in which they each occur.

Moreover, you don’t want to pick a number that represents a possible exception to the general rules of a condition. For example, 2 is the only even prime number and can lead to some confounding results when worked with in an equation, so you may not want to choose it as your “plug-able” number in a prime numbers question.

The last rule of thumb is to plug in numbers that are easy to work with. Don’t use a crazy number like 163—the whole point is to make the problem easier! As long as they meet all the rules of the conditions given (and don’t have their own confounding special properties), simple numbers like 3, 4, 5, etc. should be fine.

This trick helps a lot for data sufficiency questions, in which you’re explicitly given conditions to test. But you can often “test out” the answer choices for a problem solving question with this method as well: just plug the choices in, do the equation(s) with them, and cross off the choices that don’t work. Usually there’s a faster way to get to the right answer, but this method can be a lifesaver when you really just don’t know how else to solve a given question. I like to start with the number in the middle, so that even if it doesn’t balance the equation, I can determine whether the number that will work will be higher or lower (and rule out the values above or below it accordingly).

Data Sufficiency Tip: Work Methodically Through the Choices

With their unchanging list of answer options, data sufficiency questions lend themselves perfectly to a special kind of process of elimination: You should always work through the answer choices in the same order.

We’ve pasted the choices below for your review. Note that they won’t come with A-E lettering on the real test (we’ve put that in to make referring to them easier); instead, they’ll each have a bubble to the left that you’ll click on to indicate the answer.

First: test statement 1. If it isn’t sufficient to find one and only one answer, then eliminate (A) and (D). If it is sufficient, eliminate (B), (C), and (E). Next, test statement 2. If it isn’t sufficient and statement 1 also wasn’t sufficient, then either (E) or (C) is the answer. If it is sufficient and statement 1 wasn’t sufficient, then (B) is the answer.

You should only put the statements together if, after testing each statement for sufficiency by itself and going through the process of elimination above, both statements are insufficient. At this point, there are only two options: either they’re sufficient when taken together, or they’re not. If putting them together gets to only one answer, then (C) is the answer. If not, then (E) is the answer.

Problem Solving Tip: Look at All the Answer Choices Before Solving

This is generally a better strategy than solving the problem right away and then looking for a choice that matches your solution, as the choices themselves can provide clues to how to solve the problem—especially if there’s a property or shortcut that can help you do so.

For example, if a question appears to ask you to multiply many large numbers together but the answer choices are all in exponent form and are all an order of magnitude away, then you might be able to just estimate and find the closest answer. As always, the GMAT almost never requires you to do extremely laborious equations out by hand—they want to see that you can get to the right answer efficiently (as an excellent businessperson would)!

GMAT Tricks and Tips: Integrated Reasoning Section

Below are some of the key GMAT tips and tricks for the challenging Integrated Reasoning section. For more, check out our guide to the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section.

Brush up on Graphs and Data Presentation

While the IR section relies largely on the same math, verbal, and critical reasoning skills that you need for the other sections of the GMAT, there is one unique skill set that you will need in addition: the ability to interpret various graphics, like bar graphs, scatter plots, and line graphs.

Before you take the test, you should get comfortable interpreting data from a variety of graphs, charts, and simple spreadsheets so that you can readily understand each graphic that comes your way. There’s a lot of work in the GMAT IR section in only 30 minutes, so you don’t want to waste time trying to figure out how to read a certain type of graph.

Don’t Try to Use Every Piece of Information

Some of the information given in an IR question setup will be unnecessary. Your task is not to interpret every piece of information, but rather to sift apart what’s important and what isn’t. Looking over the data first may help you get your bearings, but then you should read the question. Think carefully about what it’s asking and what you need to know—and don’t need to know—to answer it.

Then, you can look directly for relevant information and pick it out from the table, chart, graph, or passage before you.

Read All the Labels, Including Units!

It may seem time-consuming at first, but you should make sure you read all the little pieces of writing on or near the data, including titles of charts/graphs, the labels for the x and y-axes, column names, and even footnotes, if any. While you won’t need every piece of information, you will need a thorough comprehension of the data in order to answer corrections correctly.

Along these lines, you should definitely take note of the unit of measurement: some answer options will require converting units (from meters to centimeters, for example), and you don’t want to fall into such an easily avoidable trap!

GMAT Tricks and Tips: Analytical Writing Assessment

Below are the key GMAT tricks and shortcuts for the Analytical Writing Assessment.

Design a Template

The AWA doesn’t require more than a fairly formulaic essay to get a perfect score. A template can help you pre-plan out your essay as much as possible in advance, so that all you have to do on test day is fill in the specific variables unique to your prompt. Check out our in-depth guide to the GMAT AWA Template for more on what the AWA template is and how to create one for yourself.

Spend the First Five Minutes Planning Your Essay

Even if you’re armed with a stellar template, you should still always spend about five minutes planning and outlining your essay before diving into the writing. This includes identifying the flaws that you’re going to discuss and the order you’re going to discuss them in, so you can avoid having to rewrite or reorganize your essay halfway through.

GMAT Tips and Tricks for Test Day

Even if you’re fully prepared for the content, there are other variables that can affect your performance. The tricks and tips below will ensure that nothing trips you up on test day.

Pack Ahead of Time

Imagine that you’ve studied your heart out, gotten a great night of sleep, and then you get to the test center…and you’ve forgotten a photo ID!

That’s why you should pack for the GMAT the night before. Our post on what you should bring (and not bring) to test day includes a printable packing list, so you don’t even have to think about it (you can save that precious “thinking” energy for the actual test)!

Plan to Arrive 15-20 Minutes Early

The last thing you want to do is to bring your anxiety level up by risking running late. Plan to arrive at the test center at least 15 minutes before you take the test. My rule of thumb for arriving early to any location is to use the map app on my phone to plot out when I should leave my apartment to arrive on time—and then subtract 20 minutes from that departure time.

Use Your Breaks Fully

As stated above, the GMAT is over three hours long. That’s a long time to sit in one place! Even if you don’t feel like it at the time, you should absolutely take advantage of both of the breaks given to you. Get up, go to the bathroom, stretch, and drink water and eat some nutritious snacks from your locker during each of the eight-minute breaks. Your body and brain need this rejuvenating activity to reduce anxiety and increase focus for the sections to come.

What’s Next?

For more in-depth GMAT tips and tricks for each question type, check out our guides to the best tricks for the Verbal section and the Quant section.

Are you just starting on your GMAT study journey? It might help to look over our post on how to start preparing for the GMAT for tips on how to plan out your test prep.

Alternatively, here are some additional strategies for how to beat the GMAT, as well as the best GMAT resources to practice with to test these strategies out and improve your score.

Good luck!

The post The 19 Best GMAT Tricks and Tips 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.

Are you taking the GMAT soon or have you recently taken it? If so, you might be wondering, how long does it take to get GMAT scores? It’s important to know when you’ll get your GMAT scores so that you can plan how early you’ll need to take the test in order to get your scores sent in time for school application deadlines.

In this guide, I’ll be explaining how long it will take to get your GMAT scores, when schools school receive your GMAT score reports, and how to use this information to plan for your GMAT test.

How Long Does It Take to Get GMAT Scores?

Your GMAT score consists of five parts: verbal, quantitative, total score, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing. You will receive your integrated reasoning, verbal, quantitative, and total scores on your unofficial score report. You will receive all five of your scores when you receive your official score report.

For more information about GMAT scores, check our our guide to the GMAT score range.

Unofficial GMAT Score Reporting

As soon as you finish the GMAT, you will receive your GMAT unofficial score. After you complete your test, the computer screen will show your unofficial verbal, unofficial quantitative, and unofficial integrated reasoning scores, as well as your unofficial total score. You will also see your unofficial percentile ranking for each section. Check out this sample unofficial score report from MBA.com.

Source: MBA.com

As you can see, on your unofficial score report, you receive your scaled scores for four sections, including the total score, which is scored according to your quantitative and verbal scores. Your analytical writing section will be scored by human graders, so it’s not included in your official score.

What is an unofficial score? Well, every student who takes the GMAT takes a slightly different version of the test, depending on where and when they take it. Your GMAT score and percentile for each section is compared with other students who are taking the same test. Sometimes, you may take a slightly more difficult or slightly easier version of the test. The unofficial score gives a snapshot of how you performed based to other test takers.

However, the unofficial score doesn’t take into account whether your version of the test was slightly easier or more difficult than a different version. Your official scores are double-checked against other test takers to ensure that every test is weighted according to its difficulty. It’s very rare, however, for there to be a difference between unofficial and official scores. If there’s any difference, it’s usually only a few points.

You have the option to cancel your GMAT score if you’re not happy with your performance. After viewing your unofficial score, you should decide whether or not you want to keep your scores. If you keep your scores, they will be sent to the schools you chose on your GMAT registration. If you decide to cancel, your scores will not be sent to any schools. Only you will know if you cancel your scores. You can cancel your score right after the exam at the test center for free, or within 72 hours of taking the exam (for $25).

Source: MBA.com

Official GMAT Score Reporting

Your official GMAT score report will be available within 20 days of taking your exam. Once your scores are available, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE with a unique link to view your scores. You can also view, download, and print your scores by visiting MBA.com.

Your official score report includes your final, official scores and percentile ranking for the verbal, quantitative and integrated reasoning sections. You will also see your final, official total score and your final, official analytical writing score. Remember, this is the first time you’ll be seeing your analytical writing score.

Source: MBA.com

How Long Does It Take Schools to Get GMAT Scores?

While you’re the only one who sees your unofficial scores, you’re not the only one who will get to see your GMAT official scores. You have the option of sending your official scores to schools before or after the exam.

Your GMAT exam fee includes sending your official GMAT score report to up to five schools. You need to select these schools at the test center before you start your exam. It’s a good idea to have a list of schools in mind that you want to send your scores to so that you can take advantage of this reporting on the date of your test. You don’t have to send any scores when you take the test, but it won’t be free if you send your scores at a later date. It costs $28 to send additional score reports.

Remember, if you cancel your scores, the schools you select won’t receive your score report.

The schools you select at the test center will receive your official score report within 20 calendar days of your exam (the same as you). It’s important to consider application deadlines when planning when to take your exam. Since it takes about three weeks to send your scores, you want to make sure you schedule your exam with plenty of time for your scores to arrive before the deadline.

If you choose to send additional schools your scores, or to send your score reports at a later time, a $28 fee per school will apply. You can’t do this until after you receive your official scores, so you’ll need to wait at least 20 days to send additional score reports.

Additional score reports will be sent about five business days after you place an order.

Your GMAT score is valid for five years and you can pay to send additional score reports for as long as your scores are valid. If you cancel your scores at the test center, but wish to reinstate them at a later date, a $50 fee applies. After it’s reinstated, your official score report will be sent to the school you selected at the test center for no additional fees. All additional score reports will still cost $28 per report.

GMAT Score Reporting: What Does It Mean For You?

It’s important to know when and how schools will receive your official score report. This will help you decide when to take the GMAT so that you meet all your application deadlines. For instance, if you want to apply to a school that has a deadline of December 1, you’ll want to take the GMAT at least 20 days before this so that the school will receive your scores on time.

If you’re unhappy with your scores or decide to cancel them, know that you have to wait at least 16 days to take the GMAT again. However, you’ll likely need more time to study if you want to improve your score so seriously consider whether you have enough time to fit in a test retake before your application deadline.

If you do decide to retake the exam, check out PrepScholar GMAT’s comprehensive online course. It’s the only online course that offers a 60 point score improvement guarantee!

Summary: How Long Does It Take to Get GMAT Scores?

You’ll get your unofficial verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and total scores immediately after finishing the GMAT. You can decided whether you want to keep or cancel these scores.

Your official GMAT score report will be available within 20 calendar days after you take the test. The schools you chose at the test center will also receive your scores at this time. You can order additional score reports after you receive your official scores.

What’s Next?

Wondering how long you should study for the GMAT? Check out our step-by-step guide to planning your GMAT prep.

Still not sure when to take the exam? Learn more about choosing the best GMAT test date for you.

Trying to figure out how important the GMAT total score is? Learn all about it in our GMAT total score guide.

The post How Long Does It Take to Get GMAT Scores? 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.