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AU_GMAT
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Apply to schools first or give the GMAT first? 20 Mar 2024, 11:33
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Hello.

­Regarding the GMAT Focus Edition, the official site states: "Included in your GMAT Focus Edition registration, you have the option to send your Official Score Report to up to five (5) programs for free within a 48-hour period. After this period, or if you want to send your score to more programs, you can send additional score reports for a fee."

Which basically means that you need to have a list of 5 schools/programs ready that you'd like to apply to. Which is fine, but does it mean that I should have already started the application process to the 5 schools/programs that I selected?
- If yes, does my report automatically get attached to my application? But do BSchools (that require the GMAT score) even accept applications without the GMAT score, in the first place?
- If no, then does my score just sit in their system till I start applyng to them and then automtically attach itsef to my application?

I'm new to the whole BSchool application process, please explain to me like you'd explain it to a complete beginner. :)
This would help me undersand when to give my GMAT.
Thank you in advance!­
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MBADecoder
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Apply to schools first or give the GMAT first? Updated on: 22 Mar 2024, 04:42
Originally posted by MBADecoder on 21 Mar 2024, 12:36.
Last edited by MBADecoder on 22 Mar 2024, 04:42, edited 1 time in total.
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AU_GMAT
Hello.

­Regarding the GMAT Focus Edition, the official site states: "Included in your GMAT Focus Edition registration, you have the option to send your Official Score Report to up to five (5) programs for free within a 48-hour period. After this period, or if you want to send your score to more programs, you can send additional score reports for a fee."

Which basically means that you need to have a list of 5 schools/programs ready that you'd like to apply to. Which is fine, but does it mean that I should have already started the application process to the 5 schools/programs that I selected?
- If yes, does my report automatically get attached to my application? But do BSchools (that require the GMAT score) even accept applications without the GMAT score, in the first place?
- If no, then does my score just sit in their system till I start applyng to them and then automtically attach itsef to my application?

I'm new to the whole BSchool application process, please explain to me like you'd explain it to a complete beginner. :)
This would help me undersand when to give my GMAT.
Thank you in advance!­
Show more
­
Hi,

You should take your GMAT when you are prepared enough to get your target score. As GMAT is valid for upto 5 years, applicants can take it anytime they wish to and apply within those 5 years, before the score expires. For most applicants, the GMAT is a daunting element of the application process, so the earlier they can get done with it, the better it is for their mental health. However, reality doesn't always unfold so simply, and many applicants have to retake to achieve their best score. If you make the first attempt early, you will have time for further retakes, should you require them.

Secondly, taking the GMAT doesnt mean that you have to immediately apply to b-schools. As i said earlier, its valid for 5 years, so you can apply within those 5 years. At the time of the test, you can select 5 bschools that will receive the score within the fee you pay for the GMAT test. If you wish to send your test scores to more b-schools, you will just have to pay that extra amount. However, this situation is not limiting. Your target b-schools may change as you research b-schools more during the course of your application year and you may land up getting your score sent to a new set of MBA programs, which is ok (except for the money you have to shell out for the extra reports).

Thirdly, at the time of applications, many b-schools ask you to self report your score and submit the official score only after you have an admit. At other programs, you may be required to send the official report to the b-school at the time of the application.

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Profile evaluation: https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
 ­
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ExpertsGlobal
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Apply to schools first or give the GMAT first? 22 Mar 2024, 02:34
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AU_GMAT
Hello.

­Regarding the GMAT Focus Edition, the official site states: "Included in your GMAT Focus Edition registration, you have the option to send your Official Score Report to up to five (5) programs for free within a 48-hour period. After this period, or if you want to send your score to more programs, you can send additional score reports for a fee."

Which basically means that you need to have a list of 5 schools/programs ready that you'd like to apply to. Which is fine, but does it mean that I should have already started the application process to the 5 schools/programs that I selected?
- If yes, does my report automatically get attached to my application? But do BSchools (that require the GMAT score) even accept applications without the GMAT score, in the first place?
- If no, then does my score just sit in their system till I start applyng to them and then automtically attach itsef to my application?

I'm new to the whole BSchool application process, please explain to me like you'd explain it to a complete beginner. :)
This would help me undersand when to give my GMAT.
Thank you in advance!­
Show more
­Hello AU_GMAT,

Thanks for writing in.

We completely understand that the applications maze can be overwhelming. Don't worry, though. You will find you way! :)

No, you do not need to start your applications for the five schools before taking the GMAT; however, if you do have some schools in mind that you would be looking to apply to, you may go ahead and send the scores to the five schools. Generally it is recommended that you utilize this opportunity; however, even if you do not have 5 schools in mind, you can just skip this step (or report the score to as many schools as you have in mind). Scores can always be sent to the schools at a later point (when you are ready with your applications); for the application to be considered complete, most schools will require you to report your GMAT scores (and this can be done through mba.com). On the flip side, you may choose to not apply to a school to which you have already reported your score.

While working with our students, we, generally, ask them to share their last three mock test scores with us; we guide them on a tentative list on the basis of the mock scores; this way, they are able to utilize the opportunity of sending their scores to the 5 schools.

Hope this helps!

Should you have any follow up questions, please feel free to reach out.

All the best!
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Apply to schools first or give the GMAT first? 22 Mar 2024, 09:11
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Focus Edition assists sending the Report to appropriate B schools as per the GMAT score.

All the Best.