I'm very interested in going into an MBA program after a few years in the industry. Had a few questions regarding the GMAT exam.

1) How long is a GMAT grade valid for?

and

2) Should I take the exam now, or wait until just before the application process

Any other advice?

5/8/2006 8:23:10 PM

1) 5 years
2) take it now when you are still in study mode

5/8/2006 8:51:13 PM

If you still can check out books from the NCSU library, nab as many GMAT books as you can. You can also borrow the GRE books to help with the vocabulary. The regular Wake library system has a decent selection as well.

The exam costs $250 ... plans paychecks accordingly if need be

5/9/2006 6:08:35 AM

I'd take it now (I did). It's good for 5 years. I won't be entering an MBA program for at least 1-2 years (gotta get experience before admission) but I certainly don't wanna take this beast 2 years from now.

I took it now while I'm in "school-mode" and I'm glad I did. Now that I'm done w/ school I feel so free...I couldn't force myself to study for that thing.

And yeah $250...makes you make sure you don't screw it up the first time! Good luck!

5/9/2006 9:55:41 AM

Is it true that the analytical writing section doesn't count towards your overall grade? This is the info I got from a couple of friends that took it recently, but at first glance I couldn't find that documented on the official gmat website.

Thanks again guys!

5/9/2006 3:43:12 PM

^ Indeed it is. The first 60 minutes of the GMAT (two 30-minute essays of slightly different approach) are 100% essays and do not count in the 200-800 score you receive. It's graded seperately from 0-6. I got like a 5.5 on this section. 30 minutes is a lot shorter than you expect when your only note-taking ability is a dry erase board and there's no spell check to be used.

This writing score really doesn't effect your chances at getting in somewhere unless you get like a 1; the 200-800 score matters most.

5/9/2006 3:46:15 PM

use the search feature...there are lots of GMAT threads.

sign up for it and use the online study guides.

that's all i did and it worked.

5/9/2006 10:23:50 PM

^what did you get?

5/9/2006 11:00:54 PM

i forget...i think it was 610 or so, but i registered 2 days before the gmat...

i was accepted into the mba program here at state though, so something worked out right.

5/9/2006 11:03:28 PM

Does the Prometric Center not offer GMAT testing anymore? I tried calling, but noone is answering. I know there is another center (Pearson) but I can't make it to their available times/days.

5/16/2006 9:06:13 AM

To my knowledge, the only testing center currently offering the GMAT in Raleigh is the Pearson Center in the CEI Building on Glenwood Ave.

I booked mine like 3 months in advance so I didn't have any issues w/ the time or dates...you could call the folks directly and try to register and see if there's any alternatives. The registration phone # is likely at http://www.mba.com

5/16/2006 11:43:29 AM

Are all the times they offer always either 9am or 1:15pm?

5/16/2006 12:59:01 PM

Again, that's correct to my knowledge.

I took the 9am version on a Saturday.

5/16/2006 1:14:45 PM

are there any free practice exams to take or they just in the kaplan book, i know that there were free pre-mcats exams a couple years ago on campus

5/19/2006 11:10:24 AM

When you register, you get to d/load some practice stuff that looks exactly like the real test. I highly recommend going through that.

5/19/2006 12:04:13 PM

^what he said

the practice tests were all i used to study. they help a ton though because the format is a lot different than the SAT and it saves you lots of time if you are prepared for that.

5/19/2006 3:21:44 PM

dont study for this shit

i mean seriously

do some questions to get a handle for the format

5/19/2006 8:35:19 PM

i did better on the practice exams, then again that was the only thing i did. probably just luck of the draw on shit i happen to know.

5/19/2006 9:19:43 PM

I didn't do much actual studying. What really helped me was getting familiar with the test format and the type of questions. I'm glad I worked a dozen or two data sufficiency and sentence correction questions before I took the GMAT.

5/20/2006 7:59:45 AM

^ditto

5/21/2006 12:16:14 AM

For those that have done the research ... how much weight is put into GMAT scores when applying? I know it varies by program, by just curios if there's a general (valid) statistic out there.

5/30/2006 2:00:49 PM

The GMAT is one factor and different schools weight it differently. I don't believe the top schools have a specific formula -- admissions staffers have some wiggle room.

However, the ECU b-school does list a formula on their website: (200 X GPA) + GMAT
So, for that program, it appears a B average + 500 GMAT = a C average + 700 GMAT.

5/30/2006 2:17:06 PM

Sorry to hi-jack, but check your PMs Mr 5by5

5/30/2006 2:41:42 PM