{"id":47385,"date":"2019-11-01T05:01:08","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T12:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/why-your-gmat-matters-8-top-gmat-test-prep-strategies\/"},"modified":"2019-11-01T05:01:08","modified_gmt":"2019-11-01T12:01:08","slug":"why-your-gmat-matters-8-top-gmat-test-prep-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/why-your-gmat-matters-8-top-gmat-test-prep-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your GMAT Matters + 8 Top GMAT Test Prep Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Taking<\/figure>\n

You\u2019ve made the exciting decision to apply for your MBA, and you feel confident: You have impressive professional accomplishments, recommenders cheering you on, and a compelling argument for admission. <\/p>\n

And yet…the mere thought of sitting down for the GMAT, perhaps your first a standardized test in nearly a decade, makes you question your decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u2019re not alone! Like all standardized tests, the GMAT has a special power to induce anxiety. But it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. Often, a lower-than-hoped-for GMAT score (or the fear of receiving one), comes down to a matter of preparation. The secret to unlocking a GMAT score that will put you in the running for a top program is crafting the right GMAT test prep strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is the GMAT? (And why does it matter?)<\/h2>\n

If you have committed to pursuing an MBA, you have committed to taking the GMAT. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an integral part of your MBA application. It is designed for the exclusive use of graduate business programs, and it is used by 2,300 schools globally. According to the test owner and administrator, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT is designed to \u201cfind and compare candidates who will succeed in [a business school\u2019s] program.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Case for the GMAT<\/h3>\n

MBA coursework is rigorous, and therefore students must have exemplary quantitative, analytical and verbal abilities. On its most basic level, the GMAT works as a diagnostic tool to assess the test taker\u2019s abilities in these areas. A good score on the GMAT demonstrates to the admissions committee that the candidate can keep up with the program\u2019s academic demands, and allows for objective comparisons between candidates.<\/p>\n

Beyond demonstrating your academic proficiency, this is your chance to further enhance the strength of your profile. Between two candidates with similar work histories and background, a higher GMAT score is a straightforward way to elevate your profile.<\/p>\n

Predictor of Success, or Shrewd Marketing Tool?<\/h3>\n

Business schools thrive when they can attract and choose from the most talented applicants. An essential method by which a school attracts the best and brightest is through its program ranking, compiled by publications such as US News & World Report<\/em>. The average GMAT score of a school\u2019s incoming class is a key metric that impacts its ranking. Therefore, to preserve its ranking, an elite school is more or less required to continue accepting applicants with exclusively high GMAT scores.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s on the GMAT?<\/h2>\n

The GMAT is comprised of four sections:<\/p>\n