GMAT or GMAT Focus for 2025?

Question

Hi,

my plan is to apply for an MBA in Round 1 2024. 
I'm getting ready now though so I can get everything done in time. I want to write the GMAT in Oct/Nov 2023 (target: 740+). Right now I am preparing with the 6month plan from Magoosh and I am in week 8 there. 
Does it make sense for me to write the GMAT Focus instead? SC is a weakness for me anyway, but I'm relatively good at Quant and IR for that.

I would be very happy about your suggestions.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi German9.

In October, the Focus Edition may not have been released. Alternatively, it may have been just released, in which case, you won't know what score to shoot for since test-takers are expected to score quite differently on the GMAT Focus Edition from how they score on the current GMAT.

So, if you want to take the GMAT in October 2023, you may want to stick with the current GMAT.

If you would rather take the Focus Edition, then it may make sense to wait to take the test until later in 2023 or early 2024, at which point you should have a better sense of what score to shoot for since people will have been taking the test for a while.

German9 · Answer

Hi Marty,

Thanks for your answer! 
I am pretty flexible with the test-taking date since I want to apply for an MBA start in 2025. Would you suggest to pause the prep & re-start, when GMAT Focus results start to get out?

Or should I take the regular one in Oct/Nov and the GMAT Focus in early 2024 and compare both results?

Posted from my mobile device

ISBeacon · Answer

GMAT Focus edition , since it's more than one year from now, when you will be applying.

The fact that you consider yourself weak in SC, makes the case for Focus edition even stronger.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Ultimately, you have some flexibility others may not. At a certain point in 2024, people won't have the option to do the current version. You could, for example, try the current version and decide later on whether you want to also take the Focus Edition (in case you feel like you're missing out for any reason).

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi German9,

The new GMAT Focus edition is supposedly going to be available to take in the last few months of 2023 (although an official start date has not been locked-in yet). That new version removes SC, Geometry and the Issue essay, BUT places IR in a new section (called Data Insights) - meaning that IR will actually impact your Overall Score, while it currently does not). The current version of the GMAT will also be available to take until some time in early 2024 - meaning that there will be several months in which you can take EITHER version of the GMAT.

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you will actually "need" your Score - is a smart choice. By doing so now, you have the freedom to choose which version of the Exam to train for - so we could use your CAT/mock Scores to better define which version of the Exam you should train for. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) Have you used any other study materials besides the course that you listed? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi German9,

That sounds like a good idea. I'd prioritise the Focus Edition if I were you.

abhikap14 · Answer

Hi German9
Given that you are quite flexible and are even thinking to stop the prep and restart later, I would suggest you to take a shot at current GMAT edition. I kmow it will consume quite some time of yours, but I believe its worth taking a chance. Incase it doesnt go well as expected,you can thrn try for focus edition whenever it start (expected Oct) with your current knowledge setting a foundation for yourself

German9 · Answer

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC Thank you very much! 1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week? —> Total 8 Weeks (out of a 24 week plan) / approx. 10-15 hours a week so far 2) Have you used any other study materials besides the course that you listed? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used? —> I am also using the Manhattan Prep Series and the Official Guide along the Magoosh Plan / I haven’t taken any mock so far, the first one is in one week

3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? —> Maybe this breakdown helps (% I get right at each difficulty level): PS: easy 80%, med. 60%, hard 40% DS: easy 65%, med. 55%, hard 28% SC: easy 85%, med. 65%, hard 42% CR: med. 60%, hard 45% RC: easy 90%, med. 65%, hard 50%, very hard 60% Can anybody „translate“ this in an actual score? Otherwise I can share an update in a few days, after my first mock

4) What Schools are you planning to apply to? —> I am planning to apply to the M7/Top10 Business Schools in the US.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I think doing the latter is the move! Keep in your path of taking the current version of the GMAT, and you can always pivot later on if necessary.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi German9,

Since you are interested in applying to some highly-competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement (and the more time that you have to act on that advice, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

I've also sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

Alka10 · Answer

Hi Experts  AjiteshArun   EMPOWERgmatRichC   ExpertsGlobal   Goalisb

I am an Indian and preparing for almost past 5 months now and I am likely to miss 2nd round of applications for Indian colleges and Indian colleges are my main target. I am planning to take the exam in first week of Oct or end of Sept 2023.
Though I may consider foreign colleges if I get really good opportunity.

1. I have read in some places that starting 2nd or 3rd round 2023 or even applications for 2024 - 2025 will not accept old GMAT. Is that true?

2. and Suppose I want to apply to colleges/ universities in 2025-2026, Will I not be eligible just because I have old GMAT score and by then universities would have already started accepting new GMAT score?
or in other words, whoever takes old GMAT now, for that person GMAT score will be valid for hardly next 7-8 months, right?

Thanks
Alka

bb · Answer

Fake - stay away from places that say that. There is zero evidence of this or logic. HBS is not even taking the GMAT Focus this year.

There is no reason your score would not be accepted in 2025 because GMAT Focus is cutting out pieces out of the GMAT Classic and the current classic test is more robust. I really do not see a logic in a school saying - this person took the GMAT Focus that has only PS, DS, CR, RC, and IR but this person took GMAT Classic that also included SC in their test and because you had SC questions and AWA essay, that makes your score invalid. If you have a good score on GMAT classic, you will get a good score on GMAT Focus and schools, many of whom take EA, GRE, LSAT, and some even take MCAT, really are not that much against Sentence Correction and Grammar as to ban the classic GMAT exam.

Whoever told you GMAT Classic was not going to be accepted was either a fool or an oracle wasting their time predicting the future of the GMAT instead of making bets on Stock Market, either way, not a smart person.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Alka10,

To add to bb's response, where did you read this?

I think applicants who take the current GMAT now should be fine for the next 2-3 (and in most cases, ~5) years.

Alka10 · Answer

Hi  bb   AjiteshArun

https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-focus-edition/faqs

Last question under General questions on mba.com website addresses this doubt. 
I actually read first on career launcher website and then found the same on mba.com. So, unfortunately, I believe it is mba.com website from where career launcher also picked this info.

Thanks
Alka

bb · Answer

That FAQ does not really address anything. I think you’ve read a little too far. 👀

Any company when they release a new product will recommend that you buy the new product. When Tesla comes out with a new model, they recommend that you buy the new model but it doesn’t mean all the old cars will immediately become bricks and lawn decorations.

I would recommend more critical reasoning question practice because traps like that actually exist in the GMAT…

Posted from my mobile device

Alka10 · Answer

Haha Nice analogy bb I don't let GMAT trap me on CR though.

Honestly, it does scare people taking GMAT because it takes a few months of efforts to actually prepare for it and one definitely doesn't want to be surprised by such information by the end of the preparation. Thanks Alka

bb · Answer

No problem I’m sorry if my reaction was a little rough around the edges and perhaps notice diplomatic 😇

We’ve had this question come up in the past with people arguing so it’s kind of a bit of a sore muscle from all the explaining we had to do in the first months of GMAT focus.

PS. By the way, we are thinking of doing a webinar or a panel with a GMAC representative in the next month or so. Are there any questions anyone has?

Posted from my mobile device

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Alka10,

That may be GMAC's  opinion , but they aren't saying that schools will stop accepting current GMAT scores after a few months.

egmat · Answer

Hey, we suggest that you take 2 mocks:
1. GMAT Old Version mock-  https://e-gmat.com/sigma-x/ 
2. GMAT Focus edition mock- MBA.com

Your scores on these mocks will give you detailed insights about your strengths and weaknesses. This will further help you make your decision on the preferred version of the GMAT.

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