Help needed!!

Question

Hi,
About me: Indian-Married women-24 years old-2.3years of experience in CTS-h4 visa holder in US.
GPA scale out of 10 is 7.56.
My aim is to complete my post graduation in MBA Marketing. I was in networking field (CCNA certified) during my work to which I was put up.
I started preparing GMAT a month before.
My Official GMAT prep software exam 1 score was 340 :'( which is highly disappointing for me to start.
Right now I don't have any certification in the field of marketing and I have low work experience of 2.3years only.
Resources: I have MGMAT guides and OG 13 sets. I have access of CATS till Oct 2015. Doing my self-study.

I request to advice on this:
* Will I be able to compete GMAT exam from 340 to 700 ?
* I am aiming for Yale- Connecticut but its intake is on Aug as per my knowledge. Will Yale Univ consider my application even if I score more than 700 ??

What type of colleges I can expect with such a profile.
* I am average but I love studying and learning more and more. I am the first engineer from my family but still I will always fall in above average category all the time.

Please assist me. I want to achieve this as MBA in marketing is my life time aim, passion.

Thanks in advance.

What type of colleges I can expect with such a profile. * I am average but I love studying and learning more and more. I am the first engineer from my family but still I will always fall in above average category all the time. Please assist me. I want to achieve this as MBA in marketing is my life time aim, passion. Thanks in advance.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi Aarthy,

A month is not much time to prepare. I imagine that your score of 340 was without any preparation. You'll need a lot of time to familiarize yourself with the exam, and also to revise the content of the exam if necessary. To double or triple your score could require up to six months. If you give yourself time to prepare you should have no problem achieving the score that you want.

According to data within the past five years, there are many lesser known universities that accept scores even in the mid 500s. So even if you aim for the 700s and fall somewhere there or below in the end, you should able to apply. For Yale you would need to fall within the range of upper 600s to upper 700s. Most programs are highly competitive and becoming even more competitive, so you'll need to prove yourself as a solid candidate in as many areas as possible (score, transcripts, GPA, etc.)

I hope that helps. Best of luck!

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi Aarthy,

Most students spend at least 3 months preparing for the GMAT. With a baseline score of 340, you'll need to spend a good amount of time to get to the 700s. However, before you start diving into test taking strategies, you might want to consider adding to your overall skillset by reviewing basic concepts. Khan Academy is a great resource for this online, but in any case, I'd strongly advise that you give yourself much more than 1 month to prepare.

Best,
Rich

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Aarthy,

Most Programs/Schools have multiple admissions "rounds", so while the first Round might be in August, it's likely not the only Round. I bring this up because it's highly unlikely for you to hit your score goals in such a short period of time.

Most Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) to hit their "peak" scores; during that time, it's common to consistently spend 10-15 hours per week (or more) on the process. Given your initial CAT score, you're probably going to need a GMAT Course of some type to help you hit your score goal.

Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at out site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them, then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then just let me know.

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hello Aarthy,

You would need to contact admissions at your schools of interest to determine what scores are competitive there. As for your own personal improvement, it's more than possible. You do need to devote rigorous time to learning the exam - the structure, the question types, typical traps, etc. You also need time and practice to perhaps review the basic concepts and also to develop strategies to navigate your way through the questions. It's extremely rare to study for a month and get a 700. Give yourself another three, perhaps four months of consistent work and you should be able to see steeper improvement. Don't give up!

PaulShep · Answer

bump!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PaulShep,

Since you bumped up this post, is there anything in particular that you're curious about?

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

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