I have a friend who didn’t study and scored very well. Do I really need to study for this exam?
Yes. A few lucky people have already acquired the skills tested by the GMAT through other avenues in life. However, just because your friend did extremely well, do not expect to be able to do the same. It is EXTREMELY rare for a person to score well the first time they take the test. You should go to www.mba.com and download the sample test to see how well you do.
Also, even if your friend did well without studying, further preparation may have allowed him/her to do even better. With the strong weight placed on the GMAT in admissions, it’s advisable that you prepare as much as possible in order to do as well as you possibly can.
Is there anything that I can learn from a course that I can’t learn on my own through a book?
Absolutely. At the very least, a course will provide discipline, structure, and motivation.
Most courses provide basic strategies for approaching each type of question on the exam. They also give you an opportunity to have your questions answered by a live person.
Most importantly, courses offer you a teacher who is knowledgeable about the exam and can give you suggestions about how to overcome your unique trouble-spots.
Do I need to take a GMAT course?
The best way to answer this is to begin by taking a sample test to see where you are scoring. Then research the programs you are interested in to determine whether your scores are high enough for admission. If your scores are lower by 50 points or more, then taking a course is advisable.
Other things you may wish to consider when looking into a course:
- Will a higher score significantly increase your chances for admission?
- Will a higher score increase your chances at scholarships or fellowships?
If a higher score can get you more money, then a course is a good investment.
- Will you benefit significantly from the structured setting of a course?
If you tend to complete more homework and study harder in a structured class setting, then a course is a better choice than self-study.
Should I take a course or get tutoring?
Private tutoring is MUCH more expensive than a class. And just because 10 hours of private tutoring costs about the same as a class, the two are NOT roughly equivalent in terms of preparation. Generally speaking, if your schedule allows you to take a class, then that is generally the best place to begin. You can always combine a few hours of private tutoring with the class for the little extra help you need.
Private tutoring is like caviar: if you can afford it in abundance then you’re in good hands, but if you can only afford a little bit, don’t expect it to be a substitute for a regular meal.
Private tutoring can be advisable in certain unique situations. If you are uncertain whether you would benefit more from tutoring or a class, give us a call at 1-866-577-2673.
Can I wear earplugs during my test?
Yes. In fact earplugs are provided at the test center for you.
How can I get faster at answering GMAT questions?
Practice, practice, practice. As you become more comfortable with the writing style and phrasing of the test, your speed should improve. Also, speed is usually a function of accuracy. As you become more comfortable with the methodology behind finding the correct answer, you should see an increase in your speed.
Remember, only a few seconds need to be shaved off in order to pick up a large amount of time. If you can figure out a way to spend 15 fewer seconds per question debating between answer choices, you will save eight minutes by the time you reach question 32.
Students often overestimate the value of the final few questions they don’t get to and overlook of the value of the questions they do answer but get incorrect. If you are frustrated by the fact that you can never get to the final five questions, look over your section to see how many you did answer that you got incorrect. Often, a simpler and more effective strategy is to focus on improving your accuracy on the questions you did answer in order to get five more of those correct. The added advantage: by improving your accuracy, you’ll usually improve your speed, too because you will spend less time debating wrong answers.
When will I get my score back?
Immediately. As soon as the test is completed, the computer will ask if you wish to cancel your score (you must decide this before you see your score). If you choose not to cancel your score, your verbal, quantitative, and combined scaled score will appear on the computer screen. Because the essays will be, in part, scored by humans, you will have to wait until you receive your official score report to get your writing score. The official report takes about 3 weeks to be mailed to you.
How much can I expect to improve my GMAT score?
Because every person is unique in ability, experience, and knowledge, there is unfortunately no simple way to answer this question. We can tell you that many students see marked improvement in their scores after preparation, but the only way for you to know how many points you can possibly improve is to put in all the effort you can and find out.
Is there any way for me to see my score before I decide whether to cancel it?
No.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the exam?
On the Computer Adaptive GMAT exam, you must choose an answer for each question before continuing on to the next one. The computer will not let you continue until you choose an answer. Therefore, if you are stuck on a question, you must guess.
Leaving unanswered questions at the end of the test will result in a severe score penalty. Thus, if you find that you are running out of time at the end of the test, you should guess on any remaining questions rather than leave them unanswered.
Will a high GPA make up for a low GMAT score?
No. The GMAT is weighed heavily in admissions such that a high GPA cannot compensate for a truly low GMAT score.
Should I take the GMAT again?
If you do not believe that your GMAT score reflected your true abilities, then there may be an advantage to taking the GMAT again. However, you MUST study heavily and thoroughly in order to get your score to change. Simply taking the test a second time without further preparation will most likely result in a score very similar to your old score.
How will schools view multiple GMAT scores?
Most schools generally use your highest GMAT score in determining admissions decisions. However, all the scores you have received in the last five years are sent to the schools to which you apply.
There are also schools that consider your most recent GMAT score and some schools take an average of your GMAT scores. You should contact the schools that you are interested in applying to in order to find out their specific policies on multiple GMAT scores.
