GMAT or GMAT Focus for a 2023/2024 application.

Question

Good day everyone,

I have slightly complex question. I started my preparation process for the admission of 2023/2024 MBA program now (August 2023). And yes, I know that I won't be prepared for the 1st round.

Before starting, I agreed that in case I wouldn't be accepted in 2023/2024, due to any life circumstances, changes or lack of time for preparation etc. I am OK with 2024/2025.

The question: What version of GMAT exam should I start to prepare now in my particular situation?

Preparing for Original GMAT:  
(+) 
* Availability of many quality prep materials and resources 
* All MBA schools are ok with it

(-) 
* Timing. If by the end of 2023, I will not get the required score (above 720 at least), I will have to re-take only GMAT Focus exam in 2024. For which I wouldn't be prepared - Risk of losing money/time/efforts

Preparing for GMAT Focus: 
(+) 
* Safety option, in case if I will not get the required score in 2023.

(-) or I would say risks
* Less prep materials than Original GMAT - Risk of being unprepared. 
* Some MBA Schools will accept it only in Round 3, or even not accept in 2023/2024 admission (Warton, HBS) - Risk of not getting in 2023/2024 program 
* Schools may not be sure/confident how to compare against the Original GMAT - Risk of not getting in 2023/2024 program

PS1: I am going to apply for Top10 US MBA School. I scored on last GMAT prep exam in 2018 (620, yep I know, that's why I am ok with next year admission)
PS2: Maybe preparing for GRE exam would be better?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Fair to say a great deal of the prep you do for the classic version will cross over to the focus edition (i.e. the prep you do for CR). You could potentially try to do what you can for the current version and, depending on your result, take the Focus Edition in case, for example, you think you're missing out for any reason.

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

pintukr · Answer

At least for this year, a number of schools are not considering the Focus Edition scores for admissions. Accordingly, the decision needs to be taken.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi shyqa.

I'd go with the current version as the low risk version for this application cycle.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shyqa,

To start, since you are interested in 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 implement those suggestions, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

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

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 the near future in which you can take EITHER version of the GMAT.

Since the GMAT Focus is essentially a scaled-down and re-organized version of the current GMAT; the biggest adjustment between switching from one Exam to the other would likely be in getting used to how the new Exam is administered (you wouldn't have to learn any 'new' content in the event that you later switched to the Focus Edition). You could certainly switch to the GRE (as you might find that option to be easier), but since you've done some GMAT training already, you'd probably be best served by sticking with the current version of the Exam (with the goal of retaking the current version of the GMAT some time before January, 2024).

1) What study materials are you currently using?
2) When was the last time you took a CAT/mock and how did you score?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi shyqa,

I would take the current version of the GMAT. If, for any reason you need to pivot to the focus version later on, it won't be a big issue.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi shyqa,

Keep in mind that both Harvard and Wharton  won't accept GMAT Focus scores for R1/R2 this cycle .

GMAT or GMAT Focus for a 2023/2024 application.

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