Leaving Job to Study for GMAT

Question

Hi Guys,

I need advice if leaving my current job to study for the GMAT is a good idea. I plan to volunteer (part-time) after quitting work so that I can still have more references and not have any gaps in my resume if any admissions committee asks me in the future. I already have 3 years of working experience.

Currently I work in the financial services industry for a Bank in Canada (back-office job), and the work hours are long, especially during year end and tax season. My work hours can be from 10am to 7pm or 9pm. I feel mentally drained after work.

I have been trying to put in one hour everyday after work, which I have been doing consistently. However, its not helping me at all. In terms of studying I do not accomplish a lot.

I may not be able to apply to the last rounds this year, however I really want to be prepared to apply in the first rounds come September/Oct 2016.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi oa7,

You posted back in October about your studies at that time. What work have you done in the 3 months since then? How have you scored on your recent CATs?

Many Test Takers have busy lives, so you're not alone - however, quitting your job to focus on the GMAT seems like something of an extreme option, so you should really think carefully about all of the ramifications of making that choice.

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

Youraisemeup · Answer

Adcoms are pretty clever in my opinion. they can easily track who's shown which shift for which reason.

KyleWiddison · Answer

If you aren't applying until fall I wouldn't recommend quitting your job to study. For most people 1-2 hours a day is pretty ideal. It's hard to go full time on the GMAT and not burn yourself out. Won't it get a little less hectic at work once you are through year-end and tax? You might consider asking at work for a 1 hour break to study...sometimes employers try to help with GMAT preparation.

KW

KW

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi oa7,

I would advice you against quitting your job to study for GMAT. This might not send a good signal to the school.
You certainly wait for year-end and tax and see if you get some time to prepare.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Quitting in order to study for the GMAT is not normally a positive signal, and those 3 years would have to be outstanding to make up for any significant gap (or the part-time volunteer work you're looking at would have to be truly meaningful). If you feel that you don't get enough time to study, you could start by asking yourself whether the situation is temporary and how long you actually have before you take the GMAT.

If you don't like your current profile, maybe you could shift jobs instead?

oa7 · Answer

Thanks guys for the advice.
I'll stick it through and try to find time at least one hour per day.

I have enrolled in the Empower course 2 months ago. I completed modules 1 and 2. I scored 490 and 510 on MGMT Cat 1 and Cat 2. I am going through modules 1 and 2 again to learn the methods and my weak areas for those sections. Most importantly I reviewed the CATs and re-did the questions I struggled with. I plan to write my practice CAT 3 in 2 weeks after completing module 3.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi oa7,

Scores of 490 and 510 are so close that they're essentially the same performance, meaning that you do certain things consistently well, but you also make the certain consistent mistakes. The Stage 1 Modules are arguably the most important in the Course (which is why we put them at the beginning - so you'll have the maximum amount of exposure and time to master those Tactics). When reviewing your CATs, you should look for opportunities to use what you've learned. You can also post (or research) in the Forums here about any the questions you saw on those CATs.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Leaving Job to Study for GMAT

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards