Debunking Popular GMAT Myths – Part I

If you are planning to attend an MBA programme at a top international business school, taking the GMAT is your first step. But thanks to the deluge of information available on the Internet, candidates often get contradictory information and become all the more confused about the various aspects related to GMAT – right from the role the GMAT plays in the admission process to the number of times one can write the exam without any negative effect on one’s candidature. In this two-part series, I will debunk 8 popular myths related to GMAT and MBA admissions, and I hope it will give you adequate clarity as you set out on your GMAT journey. Let us start with the first four myths in this article.

Myth #1: Taking the GMAT more than once will hamper my chances of admission.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Taking the GMAT twice does not affect your chance of admission in any way. The admission committees understand that you might not be well prepared to pass the GMAT on your first attempt and won’t be much bothered even if you write the GMAT thrice. Beyond that, they will feel concerned about why you had to take the GMAT so many times and may view the multiple attempts negatively unless you provide a strong reason to justify those.

Myth #2: Business schools look only at your overall GMAT score. They are not much concerned about your scores on Quant and Verbal.
Top schools want candidates to have a balanced overall score and competitive Quant and Verbal scores as well. Generally, a minimum of 80th percentile on both Quantitative and Verbal sections is what you should be targeting, along with an overall competitive score.

Myth #3: If I get 760, my admission to top schools is almost guaranteed.
This is the biggest myth that plagues those starting on their journey to business schools. The GMAT is just one among many components of your application. It isn’t the single most important determiner of your admission chances. Other sections of your application, such as your undergraduate GPA and institution, essays, quality of work experience, letters of recommendation and the unique qualities that you bring to the class are important determiners of your success. Business schools are looking for smart, competent candidates who can enrich classroom discussions and can be groomed further to become leaders of the future. They are looking for candidates with well-rounded personalities, instead of bookworms. So it is entirely possible that a school might choose a candidate who has a low GMAT score but has had significant life experiences, and reject another with a stellar GMAT score but an otherwise below-average profile.

Myth #4: I need to study 6-8 hours every day to score 700+ in GMAT.
The GMAT essentially tests you on high school math and on your ability to read, process and comprehend professionally written English at a rather fast pace. So even if you don’t study at all, you may score well if your Math and English skills are already good. Then again, even if you are not good at Quant and Verbal, you may not want to put in too many hours. The important thing is to prepare systematically and consistently. Since your preparation will span 2-3 months, you need to ensure that you don’t ‘overstudy.’ The best study schedule is 2-3 hours a day on weekdays and 6-8 hours over weekends over a 3-4 month period. Also remember to set a rest day aside during the week when you can take a complete break from your prep.

Manvender is the Co-founder & Managing Director of Aristotle Prep, a test prep company that provides popular test prep products and publishes books for the GMAT & GRE across seven global locations for students in more than 60 countries.