Test Preparation

Which MBA programs to apply to isn’t the only decision you have to make. After you’ve figured out where you want to go, you have to make plans for the GMAT. You need to determine when’s the best time to take the test and what you should bring with you when you do.

When to register for and take the GMAT

When’s the best time to take the GMAT? With the computerized test, this questions has become more interesting. When the exam was a paper-and-pencil format with a test booklet and an answer sheet full of bubbles, you had a very limited choice of possible test dates - about one every two months. Now you’ve got much more flexibility when choosing the date and time for taking the test. You can choose just about any time to sit down and click answer choices with your mouse.

Registering when you’re ready

The first step in the GMAT registration process is scheduling an appointment, but don’t put off making this appointment the way you’d put off calling the dentist (even though you probably would like to avoid both!) Depending on the time of year, appointment times can go quickly. Usually, you have to wait at least a month for an open time. To determine what’s available, you can go to the official GMAT web site www.mba.com and select “Take the GMAT.” From there, you can choose a testing location and find out what dates and times are available at that location. When you find a date and time you like, you can register online, over the phone, or by mail or fax.

The best time to take the GMAT is after you’ve had about four to six weeks of quality study time and during a period when you don’t have a lot of other things going on to distract you. Of course, if your MBA program application is due in four weeks, put off your books and schedule an appointment right away! If you have more flexibility, you should still plan to take the GMAT as soon as you think you’ve studied sufficiently. All of the following circumstances warrant taking the GMAT as soon as you can: (more…)