Do I need to prepare for the GMAT?
Applying to business school may be one of the most important decisions - and investments - you make in your life. Once you have decided to apply, you will want to ensure that you attend the best possible school for your own requirement and career goals - and to achieve this, you need to score as high as possible on the GMAT.
The GMAT is a competitive test with high stakes. You should definitely prepare thoroughly – it is not enough to turn up on test day and hope for the best! It is also not enough for the vast majority of people to simply skim a GMAT book over a weekend.
The MBA admissions process is very competitive
The average acceptance rate at leading business schools is between 15% and 25%. A high GMAT score is one way to stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of acceptance. With the average score at top schools above 700 (or the 90th percentile), you will need to perform extremely well on the test in order to remain competitive and submit a winning application.
The higher your GMAT score, the higher your starting salary
Research shows that every 10 point increase in your GMAT score correlates to another $5K in your starting salary after business school. Higher scores help you to gain admission into more competitive, higher-ranked MBA programs, which in turn brings more job opportunities and higher salaries. In short, it pays to prep.
(Source: Average GMAT scores and average starting salaries from US News & World Report Business School Rankings)
The GMAT is one of the most important factors in your application
In a recent survey of 260 MBA admissions officers, 44% said that a low GMAT is an "application killer."
(Source: Kaplan's Business School Admissions Officer Survey, 2009)
The GMAT is still under your control - unlike other aspects!
Of all the components of your MBA applications, many will already be set in stone - e.g. your undergraduate scores, work history, etc. The GMAT, on the the other hand, is one of the few admissions factors that you can STILL CHANGE at this point - so be sure to spend sufficient time and effort in maximizing the potential gains of this vital aspect of your application.
Doing well on the GMAT takes time
According to GMAC research, 700+ scorers state that they study an average of 114 hours for the GMAT. This table shows the correlation between hours of study for the GMAT and resulting score:
| GMAT Score | Average study hours (in & out of class) |
| 700+ | 114 |
| 600-690 | 104 |
| 550-590 | 100 |
| <500 | 82 |
(Source: Student-reported data; GMAT mba.com registrants survey)
The GMAT is probably different from any other exam you've taken; it is a computer adaptive exam and includes unique question types such as Data Sufficiency. Preparation and practice are crucial for this unfamiliar test format, and you will need to develop your skills in both content and critical thinking in order to perform well on this time-pressured test.
What is the best way to prepare for the GMAT?
Test preparation depends on the individual. The best way for you to prepare depends on many factors: your familiarity with standardized tests, your level of English and grammar knowledge, your work schedule, family commitments, amount of time you can devote to studying, etc.| At Kaplan we are here to make test preparation as straightforward and effective as possible. We can offer you various ways to prepare for the GMAT – attend one of our GMAT Classroom or GMAT Anywhere Courses, or ask us about GMAT Private Tutoring for a completely tailored approach. |  |