sounds like you are just getting started. Depending on your goals, you would clearly want to get as high a score as you can on the GMAT since it's getting increasingly competative for the top schools. By top schools, I am speaking about the top 50 programs in the US, or even the top 30. While GMAT is not the only criterea, it's a good way to demonstrate the ability to handle the top programs and it also helps schools report a high average test score, which in turn helps them in the MBA rankings. The rankings are a good place to start, since I always recommend clients go to as good a school as they can. The better the reputation of the school, the more likely the top recruiters will show up to interview their students and consequently the better the job selection when you graduate. Notice I didn't say the better the education, since you can get a lot of what you need out of an MBA from just about any good program. Sure, some of the star faculty are found at higher ranked schools, but at the end of the day, they are largely teaching the same tried and true curriculum and in many cases from the same textbooks and cases that can be found at any school. Another thing to consider is the average number of months of work experience (WE) you will be applying with. B-school is very big on student contribution in the classroom and draw regularly from the collective experience of the cohort. For this reason, the average number of years WE has grown in many top schools to over 5 years. Applying with only one year WE, you should make sure it's been impressive and that you come with an even better GMAT and other things in your application to make you appear to be more attractive. Leadership is a big deal, so if you have not worked long, but have led teams or groups, that helps. Also leadership in the community is a good harbinger for who might be a good business leader, so emphasize that as well. Good luck on the GMAT.