Why is your GMAT score not as good as you may think it is?


Why is your GMAT score not as good as you may think it is?

As expected, most of the students put in a great deal of resources and effort to prepare for the Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT as it is a very important part when applying for business schools. No one wants to take the GMAT multiple times or put more time than necessary. In this article, we’re going to discuss all things related to GMAT scores and how yours might not be as good as you think it is. We’re also going to look at some frequently asked questions and clarify some myths about your GMAT score. Read on to find out more!

What Constitutes a Good GMAT Score?

It can be quite confusing to know if your GMAT score is good enough, especially if this is your first time taking the exam. You shouldn’t listen to baseless rules or recommendations such as any score over 730 or 740 is the same thing. This is just false.

The score that you should be targeting depends on which schools you’re applying and your profile. This will determine which scores you’ll be compared against.  The first thing you should do is to research the average GMAT scores for your targeted schools. You can use this average GMAT score as a baseline on what you should work towards.

A lower score may be enough if you come from an under-represented group or have distinct life experience. On the other hand, if you come from an over-represented group, you’ll more likely to need a higher score. You should be honest about your experiences as MBA programs are quite attracted to more accomplished applicants.

The average GMAT score of your targeted schools adjusted for your profile can be a great guideline for your ideal score. Do note that a lower score may keep you from being accepted, even a great MCAT score such as 760 or 770 does not guarantee acceptance. Additionally, having a great score instead of a good score will increase your chances of receiving merit-based scholarships.

In summary, a good GMAT score will entirely depend on the average scores of targeted schools. Make sure to research them thoroughly.    

Why is the GMAT so Important for Business Schools?

MBA admission officers care about your GMAT score for several reasons. In this section, we’re going to look at why and hopefully help you prepare for your GMAT exams properly.

A good GMAT score means you are competent with the coursework

Good GMAT scores will tell business schools that you are competent enough to keep up with the coursework and programs provided. A business school’s coursework will include subjects such as economics, strategy, and finance. According to Examdays blog your score will be used to evaluate if you can keep up with all these subjects. The main goal of any admission team is to only recruit students that have the ability to succeed in the program.

Some post-MBA employers will look at your GMAT scores

In various cases, your GMAT scores will affect your potential employment opportunities. Numerous employers, especially in finance and consulting, use GMAT scores as a big factor when looking for students to interview. These employers include big names such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. Having higher GMAT scores can give you a significant advantage and paints you as a strong candidate for interviews.

MBA rankings are based on average GMAT scores

GMAT scores matter a lot for Business schools as both them and the applicants care about rankings. More qualified individuals are attracted to schools with higher rankings and thus in return improve the school’s overall ranking and average. If a school successfully enrolls a large number of strong and capable students, it will increase the school’s reputation and ranking. This will lead to better employment rates and enhance the classroom experience.

Myths About the GMAT Score

There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about the GMAT scores. Let’s clarify some of them. This is so that you’ll know what to focus your time and resources on, instead of on misconceptions.

1.      You can easily rely on your calculator when it comes to hard questions

Nope, false. Calculators are only allowed on the Integrated Reasoning (IR) section of the exam. The calculator provided in the IR section is also very simple and limited. If you’re not confident in your mental arithmetic skills, you’re going to struggle. The good news, however, is if there’s no calculator allowed, the questions in the GMAT can be reasonably solved without using one.

 2.      The math section in the GMAT exam is extremely tough

This is not true. It may not look like it at first, but the math section is quite simple; high-school level math simple. The GMAT will assume that you’ve mastered the basic concepts of math during high-school. It will challenge your application of the concepts rather than your analytical skills. The math section will require proper strategy and critical thinking.

 3.      Your GMAT score won’t help you pay for your MBA

This is very wrong. There are plenty of MBA programs that provide scholarships for candidates that did exceptionally well on their GMAT exams. Your GMAT score, alongside your GPA, resume, extracurricular work, and personal statement will play a huge role on whether you’re accepted or not.

Now you know why your GMAT might be as good as you may think. It entirely depends on the business schools you’re trying to pass for. Make sure to research their average GMAT scores thoroughly and pass higher than average.