GMAT is accepted by 850 schools of the 1,300- odd offering an MBA degree. This test needs be taken only by MBA aspirants. The GMAT con­sists of the following seven 25-minute multiple- choice sections and two 30-minute essay parts. Six of the seven multiple-choice sections are scored; the seventh (“equating”) section consists of items being pre-tested for the future exams:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Math problem solving 1
  • Math problem solving 2
  • English grammar – sentence correction
  • Data sufficiency
  • Critical reasoning.
  • Equating section

The test consists of multiple five-choice questions, with one mark deducted for four wrong answers. You are penalized for wrong answers.

The 150 questions on this test are reported on a scaled score of 200-800. Scores below 250 and above 700 are extremely rare. Scores above 500 will get you into many universities; with a score above 600 you stand a good chance of fi­nancial aid as well.

Candidates have to write two short essays analyzing a given argument. One essay is called Analysis of an Argument, in which the test taker has to analyze how convincing an argument presented to him is and how it can be made more convincing. The other essay is called Analysis of an Issue. These two essays have their scores reported separately on a 0-6 scale and a score of 5 is considered.

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Mind you, these essays are sent along with your scores and doing these badly can seriously mar your chances of admission. One hour of the total five-odd hours that it takes to adminis­ter the test is allotted for these two essays, i.e. half an hour each. Separate lined sheets with three writable sides are given one with red and

Here’s a tip

Make sure to request the bulletin for each test separately, otherwise IPEM might end up sending only one, as is often the complaint. And, don’t write to them before June end.

One with blue lining for the essay responses which are to be written in pencil. This is re­ported on a scale of 0-6 separately, and is com­pulsory.

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The test is held in October, January, March and June, all over the world. The bulletin is issued from July each year by IPEM and the corresponding places in the other countries, as specified in the list.

Advanced GRE (AGRE)

Taking the AGRE in some courses will enable you to get course credit in America. Also some courses in Aptech are recognized by Pace Uni­versity in the USA. These arrangements, and a strong AGRE score, will enable you to complete your Master’s in less than two years; sometimes, in even one-and-a-half years! That’s certainly worth the money saved, but check up from your prospective universities first.

Computer-based GRE

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Several locations in USA, Canada, and many European countries have started offering a costlier version of the GRE where you can take the test on a computer, working in the Win­dows environment, answering the test with a keyboard and a mouse; which means that as soon as you finish the test, you can see the re­sults then and there itself.

Opt to take this version of the test only if you are very familiar with using computers and with Windows. Otherwise, it is better to con­centrate on solving the paper rather than get­ting entangled with the computer instead of using it to enhance your own performance. The test, which will soon be available in India and other Asian countries, will cost you $120, which makes it the costliest test ever to be con­ducted by ETS.

The disadvantages and advantages of this test, which is yet to be offered to Asian stu­dents, are that:

  1. This test is based on one section per meas­ure scoring.
  2. You will receive no score if you don’t answer at least eighty per cent of the questions.
  3. You-cannot return to the previous section.
  4. You have to usually answer all the questions.

The test will indicate the time left and the whole test uses a mouse and a Windows-like environment but navigating through the screens could be a problem. Even though we should be encouraging you about this, we strongly suggest you refrain from taking this test since the software is a bit tricky and as you can see in the last few pages of the GRE bulletin, the whole interface is not-so-good and can certainly have a negative effect on your scores, even if you are quite familiar with com­puters.

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Try your best to avoid the CBT (computer- based test) regardless of what ETS says about it, and concentrate on scoring your best on the score sheet rather than fooling around with the computer for which you will get ample oppor­tunity when you reach America!

When to apply for the tests

You have to apply for a test two months before the scheduled test date. You will receive the admit ticket two weeks before the test.

When to take the tests

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Take your tests between April and August of the previous year and definitely by early Janu­ary. Take care never to have two tests in the same month. You will only propel your per­formance downwards.

Indians need passports to take tests

If you are an Indian or a Pakistani, or a for­eigner taking the test in India, not only will you have to pay an extra $10 as security for some tests, but will also have to produce your pass­port, as it is the only valid form of identifica­tion accepted by the testing authorities. No other form of identification is accepted. You must therefore ensure that you have a passport by the time your test comes around.

Passport agents

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Passports, varying from location to location take anywhere between three to seven months to procure after you have applied for them. Handing the job to a travel agent who will charge something extra for the effort, but knows the inside sources in the regional pass­port office can have the job done for you much faster.

“How long does the test preparation take?”

1. SAT takes about three months to prepare well.

2. TOEFL can be managed with one month’s practice. A word of caution here; though you may be an English expert but you can’t score well without practicing the tests be­forehand.

3. GRE preparation time should take about three months of full-time effort.

4. GMAT needs five months.

Free publications

The Educational Testing Service issues free guides on taking the SAT and the GRE. The General Test Descriptive Booklet can usually be obtained in your own country, but it’s always better to request it from Princeton to ensure delivery on time, free of cost. Write to:

ETS

Informational Material In charge

Princeton

New Jersey, USA.

Recommended preparation and study material

1. GRE – Barron’s Guide to the GRE, Barron’s Inc. /Galgotia (Asian edition).

2. TOEFL – ETS TOEFL Prep Tapes Set.

3. SAT – Barron’s Guide, or Arco’s Super- Course, if you have lots of time on your hand.

4. Achievement Tests-Few books other than hard-to-get American editions of ETS books and a few Barron’s tides.

5. Subject GRE/AGRE- Barron’s Guide, Goyl Saab (Asian edition), though only available in two subjects, including computer test. Others will have to be bought at your local international bookseller or sourced from those little-known relatives living some­where in the US!

Take your tests seriously, prepare well. A great score in these tests is your best hope in a tough to-get-into America and the brightest light in the darkness of your limited budget. All the best!