We all know that test taking can be a stressful and anxiety producing process, especially in a competitive pre MBA environment. Perhaps it’s the memory of a childhood unexpected pop-quiz or the pressure of having to produce efficiently and effectively in a limited amount of time, which causes such stress. Whatever, the case may be, we hope to put your mind at ease with this blog post by clarifying some facts and dispelling a few misconceptions about how we weigh your tests results during the admissions process.
To apply to our MBA program you can choose to take the GMAT or the GRE. International students are also required to take the TOEFL or IELTS (more on that below).
We use the GMAT and GRE as predictors of your academic performance, particularly for the first year of the MBA program. When we review your scores, all components of the GMAT/GRE are taken into consideration, including the verbal, quantitative, Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), and Integrated Reasoning (IR – GMAT only) scores, so it’s important to prepare for and do well on each section. If you have not taken either test and are unsure which one to study for, it is suggested that you consider taking the GMAT since it is designed specifically for business school admissions. Ultimately, we recommend that you take the test with which you feel most comfortable with.
GMAT and GRE scores are valid for up to five years, so you may be able to use tests taken during this time period. Also, it is not uncommon for applicants to take these tests more than once in attempts to maximize their scores. You should know that we don’t penalize for taking these tests multiple times. In fact, we will simply pick your highest score and ignore the lower ones.
When you prepare for your test, don’t just look at the average score published by the school, instead look at the ranges of test scores published along with the class profile data. This will give you a much more realistic picture of the kinds of scores that are competitive. Of course, you should keep in mind that the MBA evaluation process is comprehensive and weight is given to all areas listed on the application. Therefore, applicants who have lower test scores can also demonstrate strengths in other areas listed in the application, such as work experience, essays, recs, etc.
Undergraduate and graduate students that received their education outside of the United States are also required to take the TOEFL exam, unless your education was solely taught in English. The TOEFL helps us assess your English fluency, and like the GMAT/GRE, all components of the test are considered. We also accept the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL. For more information about the TOEFL/IELTS requirement, please be sure to refer to our Graduate Division's website.
If you have any questions about our requirements and application process, please see our admissions webpage, our FAQ’s or email us with your questions.
We look forward to getting to know you over the next few months. Best of luck to you!
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