The GMAT exam is a standardised entrance exam that is taken by candidates who wish to go abroad for an MBA or any other postgraduate management degree. It is a multiple-choice, computer-adaptive exam. There are four sections in the GMAT exam — Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment.
You will be assessed based on your basic mathematical reasoning skills, critical thinking, and your ability to communicate and comprehend in the English language. There are no fixed GMAT exam dates, as the exam can be taken on any date as per the convenience of the examinee. When you register for the exam on MBA.com, you will be able to choose the date on which you want to attempt the exam and the test centre that is convenient for you. In light of the pandemic, there is also a GMAT online test that has been introduced by GMAC, which allows you to take the test at a time of your choosing from the comfort of your home.
You can also reschedule your exam at an extra fee if need be. If you are going to reattempt the exam, keep in mind that you can only take the GMAT exam 5 times over the course of a period of twelve months. There must be a gap of 16 days between each attempt. The lifetime limit for taking the GMAT exam is 8 times. Also bear in mind that if you receive a perfect score of 800, you cannot take the exam again for the next 5 years.
In addition to B-schools abroad, your GMAT score can also be used to apply to the Indian Institutes of Management. These are the highest regarded management institutes in India, and are the dream B-school for several MBA aspirants. So, what is the eligibility for IIM?
You must have a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognised university. You should have acquired at least 50% marks, or a GPA equivalent to that. However, if the candidate belongs to any other category other than ‘General’, the percentage of marks required is 45%, so do your research before applying. If you wish to get into an IIM, make sure you get an excellent GMAT score. The GMAT score cut-off for the IIM is fairly high, owing to its reputation as among the best B-schools in the country.
If you are applying to an IIM before the final year examinations of your bachelor’s degree, or before you have received the results for the same, you will need a provisional grade sheet and a written statement from the principal or director of your college. You will also need a written statement if your college provides report cards with GPA or grades instead of numerical marks. If you have submitted any other type of marksheet than your final one, make sure you submit that as soon as it arrives, otherwise your admission to the IIM will likely be in jeopardy.
The good news is that there is no age limit to who can apply to an IIM. So, whether you have just graduated, or have decades of work experience, you will be equally welcome at an IIM, provided you meet the other requirements.
Good luck for your B-school applications and GMAT exam ! Schedule your exam preparation and application timeline well in advance, stick to your schedule, and study well.
