How to Balance Study or Work While Preparing for GMAT

Balance Study or Work While Preparing

GMAT or Graduate Management Admission test is a computer based test which is used to assess the required aptitude for a management program. It is an assessment and not an examination which means that you get a score at the end of the assessment without indicating whether you ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. You will receive your assessment scores and various colleges have their own cut offs for admissions based on these scores. This is intended primarily for graduates and undergraduates (in final year generally) and is intended for various universities/ business schools in USA and some other countries.

Now whether it is your final year studies or you have joined a job and want to go back to studies, multi tasking always seems intimidating. However with proper planning and some discipline it can be managed. Before we get into the ‘HOW TO MANAGE’ part for the sake of comprehensiveness let us also see ‘WHAT’ is GMAT?  And what does this require?

GMAT as whole is not simply about taking the test, but the entire application process. And the application is the toughest part. Structure of the GMAT, tests one’s preparation rather than intelligence. More the preparation, the better chances you have to do well.

Sections in GMAT are as below:

Section Number of questions Duration(In minutes)
Analytical Writing Assessment 1 30
Integrated Reasoning 12 30
Quantitative 37 75
Verbal 41 75

The total test is for 3.5 hrs but you can have short breaks in between sections, these breaks are of 8 min each and not more than 30 min on whole. You cannot refer your study material in these breaks.

Though the score of these essays is not reflected on the application, the AWA (Analytical writing assessment) essays are important as well. The admission committee does make a note of the scores and compare it to the application essays. So practice writing. Any discrepancy in the AWA essay and the application essay will get noticed.

It must be clearly understood that, for the purpose of your GMAT exam the graduation curriculum can only help you to some extent. This is a test to evaluate aptitude and not the technical or scientific knowledge (no rocket science this… eh!) so those who are not necessarily from mathematics background should not feel handicapped. That was the good news. Now for the warning – since this test is only in English and along with a section of Analytical writing assessment also has a verbal section, an individual’s passing/workable knowledge of English will definitely be put to test. For many Indian students whether from English or vernacular a medium, English is barely used in day to day conversation or communication. Even if we write an informal mail, we have learnt the art of writing in Hindi or our mother tongue in English alphabets. ‘Kya baat karte ho bhai, mein to English mei hi type kar raha hun (What are you saying brother, I am typing in English only’) Seems familiar? Well, this does not qualify. Like our mother tongue English cannot be learnt with a crash course! I have found that even the students of best of colleges find it really difficult to maintain the flow of speech when conversing in English.

Hence, first and foremost thing that one must do while preparing for GMAT is start eating, living and sleeping English.

Once you are on track on this, there are few things that you must keep in mind and prepare:

  • Understand the complete process of GMAT. You may refer site http://www.mba.com/india for details on the entire process and what all it requires including the fees
  • Start as early as possible (immediately if you have made up your mind and discussed with family)
  • Gather good books and material to have a thorough practice
  • Even if you are able to devote 1-2 hrs per day, do it. Don’t skip it in hope of ‘someday’ for taking out dedicated time for continuous study since that day may never come.
  • If you are studying, try to do an internship. If you are working, then obtain a good recommendation letter or recognition of your work which is useful in the application process. You can also get recommendation letter from professor/lecturer of your college which is an added advantage.

The total test is for 3.5 hrs but you can have short breaks inbetween sections, these breaks are of 8 min each and not more than 30 min on whole. You cannot refer your study material in these breaks.

Though the score of these essays are not reflected on the application, the AWA (Analytical writing assessment) essays are important as well. The admission committee does make a note of the scores and compare it to the application essays. So practice writing. Any discrepancy in the AWA essay and the application essay will get noticed.

It must be clearly understood that, for the purpose of your GMAT exam the graduation curriculum can only help you to some extent. This is a test to evaluate aptitude and not the technical or scientific knowledge (no rocket science this… eh!) so those who are not necessarily from mathematics background should not feel handicapped. That was the good news. Now for the caveat; since this test is only in English language and along with a section of Analytical writing assessment also has a verbal section hence a passing/workable knowledge of English will definitely be put to stretch. For many of us Indian students whether in English or other mediums, English is barely used in day to day conversation or communication. Even if we write an informal mail, we have learnt the art of writing in Hindi or our mother tongue with English keyboard. ‘ Kya baat karte ho bhai, mein to English mei hi type kar raha hun (What are you saying brother, I am typing in English only’; seems familiar?. Well, this does not qualifyJ. Like our mother tongue English cannot be learnt with a crash course! I have found that even the students of best of colleges find it really difficult to maintain the flow of speech when conversing in English.

Hence first and foremost thing that one must do while preparing for GMAT is start eating, living and sleeping English.

Once you are on track on this, there are few things that you must keep in mind and prepare :

  • Understand the complete process of GMAT. You may refer site http://www.mba.com/india for details on the entire process and what all it requires including the fees
  • Start as early as possible (immediately if you have made up your mind and discussed with family)
  • Gather good books and material to have a thorough practice
  • Even if you are able to devote 1-2 hrs per day do it and don’t skip it in hope of some day, taking out dedicated time for continuous study (that day may never come).
  • If you are studying, try and do an internship. If you are working then work for a good recommendation letter or recognition of your work which is useful in application process. You can also get recommendation letter from professor/lecturer of your college which is an added advantage.

During the entire process you can be well prepared and make the most of it by following some simple guidelines:
students-going-abroad

  • Background (Academics – Under graduation/graduation performance/GMAT)
    • It is important to be hard working and sincere throughout your study life. Good marks and achievements always show well on your resume, and when applying anywhere in future, they do catch the eye of the observer. If you have a poor record in the past, work really hard on the GMAT to pull off an excellent score. History can’t be changed but the future can be made.
  • Essays
    • Follow Creativity, keep it Coherent , and write Correct (the 3 C’s)
    • Write it yourself (can include suggestions from others)
    • Structure around academic experience, work experience, personal passion, the B-school strengths, and future vision.
    • Identify a common goal and theme among your work, personal background and career aspirations
    • Keep the grammar correct
  • Resume/Work exp
    • Keep it thorough and up-to-date
    • Include and address any gaps in the career
    • Address anything left out in the resume in the essays
    • Identify and quantify your contributions during work (add monetary values associated with the project you handled)
  • Candidate Interview
    • It not very common, but it’s usually another step to confirm a candidate.
    • Like a job interview with basic questions- why MBA, why this school
    • plan and prepare well. Do a thorough research on the school’s expertise, show interest by talking with professors and students (mail them) and learn about their projects.
  • Recommendations
    • Give the reviewers a few months time to write recommendations
    • Keep more than 2 reviewers than required for the application
    • Ask for recommendations from people you have closely worked with and who can back you achievements mentioned in the resume or essay
  • Personal background
    • A key to separating you from other candidates
    • Mention about (and work on it too!) social service or extra curriculars. Talk about your passions and more importantly about what you do with your passions. (if you like reading and writing, do something more with it and mention that)
    • Talk about how you are a good fit (and not that your background makes you a good fit!), how you can contribute to the school and to the experience of fellow students.

Keep in mind that this assessment of aptitude has a great emphasis on the overall performance of an aspirant and that extra competitive edge compared to thousands, if not lacs, of other applicants. With an early start and good discipline GMAT would be a wonderful experience.


Contributed by Vaibhav Agarwal ( Class of 2006, IBS GURGAON )

Linkedin Profile of Vaibhav Agarwal : in.linkedin.com/pub/vaibhav-agarwal/8/683/a6a/

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