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07 Dec 2006, 23:11
It all depends on the point of getting an MBA. Pelihu, it almost sounds like someone doesn't need an MBA if their GMAT is high enough. However, I have hired hundreds of people (granted NOT MBA positions--entry level management) and I really could care less about test scores. I am not Boston Consulting or IBM, or even in the same universe, but hiring is hiring and it is more imortant that you find someone that makes sense for the business than someone with a high IQ. If all these jobs want is some generic demonostration of the knowldege of obscure quantitative and verbal rules, then they are not for me! Also, there are so many factors beyond intelligence that will determine job success and job satisfaction that standardized tests cannot ever quanitify. For example, many people here study for 1 month, and get 90%+ scores. Others (me included) have studied for months and might break 90% on a good day. What i have demonstrated in many ways is more valuable--work ethic, dedication, strong desire to succeed, etc. This, because it DIDNT come easy and because I had to work really, really hard. I would take that over someone who is naturally good at taking tests. Since when does a job consist of determining whether x is positive or negative? Further, many jobs require people skills--communicating, speaking, writing--which does not come through the GMAT. How can you tell if someone speaks well from the GMAT, or they have great charisma, or ability to influence others or demonstrate leadership et cetare.
Well, that is my point of view. But I am looking for work in academia and GMAT is a key part, but so are many other things. As with MBA programs, it is often who you know. That is the same as finding a great job. It is who you know and how hard you try. There are probably many people that work in 'blue-chip' companies that never took the GMAT nor have an advanced degree, but arrived where they are from simple dilligence and hard work. An MBA is not a magic pill that instantly whisks one to the job of ones dreams.
Unfortunately, much of what Pelihu says is probably correct. GMAT is too important. That is the game. Do what I did, go to a large university where GMAT is not a big deal, get an education just as good as most, and spend less on tuition!
(By the way, this obsession with 700 drives me crazy! 690 is 91% 700 is 92% for that matter, 680 is 89%! What gives? Does this bother anyone else? It is a spread of a few percentage points over 680-710, a grand total of....... 6 whole percent!! Yet, a spread of 30 points. Doesn't it seem that the scoring method needs revising to more accurately reflect the %? I know that the % changes, while the score stays constant over time, but isn't there a better way? Make freaking 600-700 the scale! Then NOONE will get over a 700!---Ok, rant over)