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lawstudent400
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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 14:07
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Hello all,

I have seen a few people mention that it is bad to write your GMAT too far behind your matriculation, and that adcoms prefer to see a more recent GMAT score. Is this actually true?

I was planning to write the GMAT in January or February of 2017 but would not be applying for MBA programs until Fall 2019 or 2020 (Matriculation in 2020 or 2021, 3.5-4.5 years after GMAT). Should I postpone my writing of the GMAT to writing it closer to my application/matriculation dates, or is it not worth it and should I write it now when I have more spare time and can score higher?

Thank you
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 14:26
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lawstudent400
Hello all,

I have seen a few people mention that it is bad to write your GMAT too far behind your matriculation, and that adcoms prefer to see a more recent GMAT score. Is this actually true?

I was planning to write the GMAT in January or February of 2017 but would not be applying for MBA programs until Fall 2019 or 2020 (Matriculation in 2020 or 2021, 3.5-4.5 years after GMAT). Should I postpone my writing of the GMAT to writing it closer to my application/matriculation dates, or is it not worth it and should I write it now when I have more spare time and can score higher?

Thank you
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It is a hypothesis.... since anyone can take the GMAT at college and likely score 20-50 points higher than when they are working 50-60 hrs/week and have forgotten quite a few things. It is just not an apples to apples comparison. At the same time if you took the GMAT at 25, after 3 years of work, and were applying at 28, I don't think it is that much of a concern/stretch. The key is not freshness but the perception of an advantage/disadvantage as adcoms try to make it more of a level playing field.

P.S. I do know a few folks that have had their GMAT expired as they have planned it a bit wrong but there still folks who take it early. GMAC even has a special program for those who are still in undergrad with a discount - https://www.mba.com/ocp/get-started/undergrads.aspx
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lawstudent400
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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 15:21
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I am in law school so I need to re learn math. Law school demands 30-40 hours a week. Would ad coms look down on a score achieved in such circumstances?

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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 16:20
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I am also interested to know. thanks.
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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 19:27
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lawstudent400
I have seen a few people mention that it is bad to write your GMAT too far behind your matriculation, and that adcoms prefer to see a more recent GMAT score. Is this actually true?
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Taking the GMAT early is a valid strategy, and schools do not penalize you for it. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years. You can comfortably apply to even the top schools during this validity "window".

Schools would be going down a very slippery slope if they tried to determine exactly how to "adjust" GMAT scores to control for all possible variables. For example, any student at college could argue that he or she had to sacrifice other opportunities, or even grades, to get a high score on the GMAT. Given these complexities, schools should not even think about trying to revise your score downwards.

At the end of the day, taking the GMAT now can only help you, since you can always choose to take it again later with more (if not better :)) information.

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Any downsides to writing the GMAT ~3 yrs before matriculation? 08 Aug 2016, 19:44
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lawstudent400
I have seen a few people mention that it is bad to write your GMAT too far behind your matriculation, and that adcoms prefer to see a more recent GMAT score. Is this actually true?
Taking the GMAT early is a valid strategy, and schools do not penalize you for it. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years. You can comfortably apply to even the top schools during this validity "window".

Schools would be going down a very slippery slope if they tried to determine exactly how to "adjust" GMAT scores to control for all possible variables. For example, any student at college could argue that he or she had to sacrifice other opportunities, or even grades, to get a high score on the GMAT. Given these complexities, schools should not even think about trying to revise your score downwards.

At the end of the day, taking the GMAT now can only help you, since you can always choose to take it again later with more (if not better :)) information.
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Thank you so much for your response. Obviously this is what I wanted to hear but coming from a valid source I now feel more confident in it. Much appreciated, kind sir.