GMAT or MBA Application: Which is tougher?

Question

MBA Application season is full on steam these days, everyone's busy in preparing applications, interviews and all. Some time back, more of us were busy with the GMAT

What do you consider tougher, taking the GMAT or writing the MBA Application? Which consumed more time and/or when were you more nervous/tense and/or which required more depth in the preparation?

Please share your experiences/comments

topMBA12 · Answer

I would say both the processes have their own level of toughness/nervousness involved.
I believe that the difference is that during the GMAT prep, you are in control and can, to a large degree, affect the outcome. On the other hand, after you hit submit on your applications, the ball is not in your court anymore. The wait is just brutal, atleast it has been that way for me.
So personally, i would say that the stage where you wait for the interview invites/final results is the worst part of the journey.

shady14 · Answer

For me, I'd say definitely writing essays and working on the applications are tougher. For GMAT, there's a definite score you get after studying. If you mess up an exam, you can take it again. You kind of have an objective "feedback" either from practice exams or real exams. While you can also get feedbacks from your families and friends about your essays, there's no right or wrong answer here. To me, there's no really such thing as being "done" with the essays until I press the last submit button for the last application. I feel like one is a final version, then I go back after a week while writing essays for other schools, and feel like my final version is a crap, and do more edits. Just a long continuous cycle. As far as waiting for the interview/acceptance letter, I haven't submitted all my applications yet, so I don't know. But I'm assuming it's going to be really agonizing - so help me Lord. :cry:

backliteyes · Answer

I felt the GMAT was the worst part for me, if only because I enjoyed it less than doing the rest of my application. Case in point, I don't hate my essays anymore, but I still hate the GMAT. :-D

I also agree that waiting for a decision is horrid...but who doesn't agree with that?

MDF · Answer

For me...the gmat.

The applications and essays were much more time consuming than the GMAT. However, they were at least somewhat enjoyable and writing them proved to be a very introspective process. The GMAT, on the other hand, was months and months of torture.

jko · Answer

Love the GMAT, hate the applications.

AN225 · Answer

It's not even a question.

GMAT is like being in the army- you have generals (Ron from MGMAT) who command what to do, you have order books (OG) to follow, so there is no brain involved in the preparation.

BUT Once you're up for selecting schools, threating your recommendors

, arranging loans.. o... here the Hell opens and you have to deal with various issues and uncertainties!

djtriptick · Answer

I definitely feel that applications are tougher. School visits, countless essays, forms and fees, lots of networking. All much more mentally draining than studying for GMAT. GMAT studying is like learning a new skill, whereas applying is like getting in a fight.

CharmWithSubstance · Answer

Definitely GMAT. Applications you know you're making progress each time. GMAT you could study for months and not see the slightest improvement in scores. Also, you can take a break between writing essays, come back, and start writing where you left off. For GMAT if you take some time off, it's very hard to get back in the groove and sometimes you forgot what you learned before.

Personally, I completed my applications just fine while working. I couldn't even imagine studying for the GMAT while working - and actually did take time off.

Personally, I completed my applications just fine while working. I couldn't even imagine studying for the GMAT while working - and actually did take time off.

Anasthaesium · Answer

The GMAT seems to be the vicious b***h to me

GMAT or MBA Application: Which is tougher?

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