The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the primary qualification exam essential for pursuing management education in leading business schools across the globe.

GMAT is essentially the first step in your attempt to do an MBA.When you take the GMAT, you become eligible for applying to the MBA program in all the leading b-schools in the world. To give you an idea, here is a geographically sorted list of the top international b-schools which accept GMAT scores for an admission to their management program.

To name a few top B-Schools wrt to the region

The United States of America (USA)
1. Harvard Business School (HBS)
2. Stanford Business School
3. Stern Business School – NYU
4. Wharton School of Business

Europe and Great Britain (UK)
1. INSEAD- Fountainbleu (France)
2. HEC – Paris
3. London Business School
4. ESADE – Barcelona

Asia-Pacific
1. NTU – Singapore
2. CEIBS – China
3. AIM – Manila
4. INSEAD – Singapore

However it will be a misconception that GMAT is only the preserve of foreign b-schools as off-late, even prestigious Indian b-schools are accepting GMAT scores.

The prominent Indian B-schools that accept GMAT scores are
1. ISB Hyderabad
2. Great Lakes, Chennai
3. IIM Bangalore PGPX Program
4. IIM Ahmedabad PGPX Program

What about the existing exams like CAT? Why should I give one more exam?

CAT, or the Common Admission is the qualifying test for admission to the MBA program of the Indian Institutes of Management and other affiliated Indian Institutes. We give you some points to ponder about CAT, and how it stands up to GMAT

Read More about The New GMAT Pattern

Here is the story of three test takers, and an illustration on how the algorithm works.

Something to remember

• You are not allowed to skip or go back to a particular question. As the following question depends on the answer to the question in front of you, it has to be solved
• You can skip a question, but then the GMAT algorithm penalizes you heavily for it. So make an educated guess, but avoid skipping unless absolutely necessary.

Read More about the GMAT Scoring Algorithm

Quant Scores V/S Percentiles

Verbal Scores V/S Percentiles

You have perhaps heard that the GMAT pattern is changing but are not sure what is changing in it. Read on the FAQs for the new GMAT pattern that includes the integrated reasoning section.

At the outset – fear not! The new section is in lieu of one of the AWA (analytical writing assessment) essays – Analysis of an Issue (Analysis of an Argument stays). So, it will not affect your 3-digit GMAT score. The Quant and Verbal sections of the GMAT will remain untouched.

The GMAT exam will continue to be of 3 hours, 30 minutes (four hours if you include the breaks). Immediately after the Analysis of an Argument essay, the Integrated Reasoning section will begin.

Why was the new Integrated Reasoning section introduced on the GMAT?

Here is what is going to happen. Starting June 5, 2012, the GMAT exam will introduce Integrated Reasoning, which GMAC calls as “a new section designed to measure your ability to evaluate information presented in multiple formats from multiple sources”. Essentially the idea is that as an MBA you will be an excel-jockey so how about testing those skills right from the time you take the test to even apply to a bschool!

What GMAC did was that ,it surveyed about 740 faculty members worldwide and asked them what was most important for today’s MBA students. The answer was that today’s MBA students need to interpret data from a variety of different data sources to arrive at decisions. Here is Dave Wilson from GMAC explaining the rationale for the change and talking about the “microcosm of what happens in the MBA classroom”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNKNkqeJyI&feature=player_embedded

What does the “The New Integrated Reasoning section” include?

Here is a youtube video from GMAC which explains what the Integrated Reasoning section can possibly ask: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5UvUmrc96o

Though over here you see an excel-like structure with a lot of data that you can sort by column, the actual data could be in any format: Table, graph, map, or even simple text. You will be asked questions based on the data. The initial assessment is that Indian students – especial engineers – should not break a sweat as it would be pretty elementary in terms of the analysis required. Heck you even get a online calculator to do your computation (though we suspect you should not bother too much about it since it will perhaps not be required!).

The following are the 4 broad categories of question types that will constitute the  12 questions of the 30-minute Integrated Reasoning section.

1)     Graphics Interpretation: This will involve interpreting a graph such as the one shown below and selecting the correct answer option from a drop-down list.

2)     Two-Part Analysis: This will involve selecting one answer from each column (see below) to solve a problem with a two-part solution.

3)     Table Analysis:This will involve you sorting an Excel-like table to organize the data correctly (or in a manner best understood) so that you can figure out whether certain conditions are met. You need to select one answer for each option – YES/NO, Possible/Not possible etc.

4) Multi-Source Reasoning:For a change this will not include a graph and have just text. There will be different MS-Excel like tabs each containing a set of facts and inferences. You will need to carefully analyze each tab to best answer questions based on them.

How to study for the new Integrated Reasoning Section on the GMAT?

Starting April 2012, GMAC plans to release a variety of different methods to help you with this.

1. The GMATPrep software downloadable from mba.com will be updated to contain the new section. This will have 15 questions from the new integrated reasoning section in a separate free questions section.
2. The Official Guide for GMAT will come out with the 13^th edition. You read it right – 13^th edition as the worthy successor of the current 12^th edition which has done well to serve test-takers loyally from 2009 onwards! This will contain online integrated reasoning practice. How GMAC plans to do this online is perhaps through providing a login on mba.com for everyone who buys the book.

Summary of the new Integrated Reasoning section on the GMAT:

1. The Integrated Reasoning section of the GMAT exam will consist of 12 questions.
2. A single graph/data-set may have multiple questions around it.
3. All answer options for a given question will be shown on the same screen.
4. As with the rest of the GMAT, even over here you cannot return to an earlier question -  you have to answer each question and move onto the next one.
5. The last type i.e. the multi-source reasoning will not be of more than 300 words. So there’s no need to read lengthy passages here.
6. The answer options themselves will be independent of each other i.e. you cannot take information from one question onto another. You need to solve each question independently.

Whew! That was quite a lot of data to digest. Already started in the “integrated reasoning” mode?

Don’t worry; we at CrackVerbal will be watching your back! Starting April 2012 our courses will incorporate the new integrated reasoning section as well. We will make sure you have all the required resources to help you with it.

Here is a quick question – why do you think GMAT is really introducing the new section? Do you think it makes any difference to the test? Let me know your opinion – I am eager to read your feedback.

1. Indian School of Business (Hyderabad)
2. XLRI Jamshedpur
3. IIM PgPx – Ahmedabad
4. IIM PgPx Calcutta
5. IIM PgPx Bangalore
6. S P Jain Institute of Management and Research
7. Great lakes Institute of Management
8. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade ( GMAT for NRIs)
9. IIM PgPx Indore
10. Tata Institute of Social Sciences(For International Students) – For MA. HRM and LR
11. Punjab Technical University, Aryans School of Management
12. NMIMS University, School of Business Management
13. Alliance Business School
14. ICFAI
15. Amity Business School

*This data is not in any order of Ranking

We analyze some important points on the eternal CAT vs GMAT debate, to help you decide

Factor #1:The Number of Aspirants

Over the last five years, both the CAT and GMAT have shown a consistent rise in the number of applicants but for last year. The number of aspirants for both the exams actually declined last year. However, even after considering the decline the number of test takers for CAT is almost three times as much as the number of test takers for GMAT. Here is a brief illustration

What does this mean for you?
Less competition, less pressure which directly leads to More Opportunities!!

Factor #2: The ability to improve the score:
One of the major factors as far as the CAT is concerned, is that it is like a bullet from a gun, once shot it cannot be recalled. Similarly, you only have one shot at the CAT in a given academic year. You have a bad headache or a fight with your girlfriend on the day of your CAT or suffer from Delhi Belly, CAT will just say BhaagBhaag DK Bose..

However, as far as GMAT is concerned, there is no cap on the number of times that you can take the test. In an academic year, you are allowed to take the GMAT five times, with an interval of one month. These repeat attempts do come at a price, but then that critical option to improve your score exists and is used favorably by many candidates

Target CAT/GMAT Score Number of Attempts

What does this mean for you?

This means if you have a bad day or something crops up at work, you can shift your GMAT date to take it when you are ready. Infact you can reschedule your GMAT dates online up to a week before the test date.

Factor #3:The validity of the Score

Your CAT scores are valid only for that particular year. If you take CAT in 2011, you can use the score to apply for programmes starting in 2012 and not after that. However, some institutions do give you the leeway to use your previous CAT scores when applying, but then they are very few and far in between.
On the other hand, GMAT scores are valid for 5 years.

What does this mean for you?

That means, you take your GMAT now and manage to get an awesome score but for some reason do not apply, you can use the same score to apply to any program even when:

• 2012 London Olympics
• 2012 Twenty 20 World Cup
• 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
• 2014 FIFA World Cup
• 2014 Twenty 20 world Cup
• 2015 Cricket World Cup
• 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics
• 2016 Twenty 20 World Cup

are over

Factor #4:The institutions covered by GMAT

CAT scores in its current form, can be used only for admissions in the IIM’s and other affiliate Indian b-schools. Though it has been conducted for many years, it is still a very Indian test for Indian MBA programs.
Taking the GMAT opens up the gates to the best institutions,both abroad and in India. Harvard Business School, Wharton and Stanford amongst other schools in the USA, INSEAD in France and Singapore, London Business School are ome of the prestigious institutions that consider GMAT scores for admissions to their management program. Top Indian B-schools such as the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) in Chennai andSP Jain in Mumbai also have started considering GMAT scores for entry to their programmes.

What does this means for you?

Well, we are certainly asking you to “Think beyond the IIMs” . Not in the ponytail way, but know that GMAT will open up a lot more prestigious doors, than what CAT will.

Factor #5: The relative ease of admissions

Acing the CAT is just the first step in what is an arduous and a highly competitive admission process. Group discussions, essays and personal interviews are the next in line before you bag the coveted admit. And worsening your already difficult task is the fact that Each step has a high and arbitrary “cut offs”.You will have meet the daunting sectional cutoffs, 10th marks, 12th marks, Graduation marks ……..phew!before you finally convert it. Also the competition is unbelievably high. For about 1000 seats in the top five IIMs, you are competing with 200,000 people with similar aspirations. And do not forget the ubiquitous reservations!
Simply put, only 0.5 percent of the total number of applicants make it to the IIMs.

Most b-schools abroad have a streamlined system for admissions which is also very subjective. Once you take your GMAT, you would need to send out your essays and recommendation letters, In which there is a lot of scope to explain certain “gaps” in education and experience. Heck, the schools abroad don’t even look at your 10th or 12th standard marks! It is all about how you are as a person – and not just meeting some arbitrary “cutoffs” which in all probability you don’t even know.

The conversion ratio is almost 10 percent for b-schools who consider GMAT.

Conclusion:
Encapsulating the five factors mentioned above, I give you a side by side comparison of CAT and GMAT

All I will say is, YOU DECIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our student Raviraj Jain (GMAT 750 – Q50 V42) got into Harvard Business School this year. In a conversation with CrackVerbal students earlier this month he shared some insights into what goes into a great MBA Application essay. We are providing some excerpts of that:

1. Fail to answer the question
The essay topics are designed to understand different aspects of you. Your failure to answer the direct or indirect questions may imply an unclear and unfocused approach.

2. Write essays that lack a point or underlying
Make your point and make it quick. Your essay needs to be crisp enough to be summarized in one sentence. The last thing the Admission Committee wants to see is an essay that goes on and on without any central theme.

3. Sound negative, whining, complaining
Be it your career, college or boss – NEVER complain! A negative approach always puts off the reader and portrays you as a pessimist, an unwanted trait in the business world.

4. Use cliches or superficial ideas
The Admission Committee has been reading essays long before you even decided to do an MBA. So be honest and write from the heart. Remember, you will have to support your essays in your interview.

5. Write a resume in prose
Your application package contains your resume as well. So why waste precious words on your essay rehashing the same things like your work experience, academic background, etc? Write something different in the essays, something unique about you that will make the reader stop and take notice.

6. Write what you think admissions officers want to hear
Admissions officers want to know the real you. Be honest about yourself, your achievements and your goals. Write what you want to tell them, not what you think they want to hear.

7. Fail to catch grammatical and spelling errors
Put those Sentence Correction skills to good use here! Any top-School expects a flawless essay in terms of structure and grammar. So read one, read twice and make sure that you have dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s.

8. Leave out the passion
What have you done in your life that gets you excited? Introspect and find those things that you’re passionate about and make sure to include them in your essays.

9. Not showing different aspects of yourself
Ensure that the three essays each shed light on different aspects of yourself. You need to portray yourself as a dynamic multi-faceted individual.

10. Omit the lessons learned or takeaways
What you have done is important, but not as important as why you did it and what you learned from it. Remember, each experience is important in the making of a complete individual.

1. MYTH – ISB ACCEPTS ONLY IT PROFESSIONALS WITH MINIMUM 10 YEARS WORK EXPERIENCE
FACT – ISB requires a minimum of two years work experience and currently has students with experience ranging from 2-22 years.
Majority of ISB students come from an IT background, but then so do the majority of the applicants to the school. ISB claims that the student pool is just a reflection of the applicants. ISB seeks students from diverse backgrounds. So don’t hesitate to apply just because you’re not an IIM (Indian IT Male). Or think twice about applying BECAUSE you are an IIM!
Above everything, ISB looks for individuals who have shown leadership and managerial potential, maturity, drive and focus.

2. 3-BUCKET PRINCIPLE
ISB assesses its applicants on the basis of three criteria:-

• Academic Background and Analytical Ability – This includes your GMAT score and your undergraduate academic performance.
• Work Experience
• Application & Interview

As per the ISB information brochure, “while a good GMAT score helps, an average score can be compensated for by achievements in other areas”. The GMAT scores of their current intake range from 600-770. Just goes to show that the GMAT is just the foundation for your application.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS
Who can be your Recommender? Ideally, you should ask someone like your boss, client or a senior colleague who is able to assess the impact of your work in a professional environment, and whose performance is directly impacted by your performance. ISB does not accept recommendations from family members. So if you’re working with your family business, you could ask a client, a supplier or a vendor to be your recommender.

4. READY SET GO!
ISB suggests that you login to their application portal early and download the PDF that comes as an attachment to your welcome mail. Go through the instructions before you begin your application. Don’t wait till you finish your GMAT exam to start the application process. Ideally, you should finish all aspects of your application and input the GMAT score at the end.

5. ESSAYS
Essay writing for your MBA applications should be a process spread-out over time, involving careful introspection. Ensure that you get your essays read and edited by people who know the real you, like friends, peers and family members, as well as acquaintances and Make a note of the essay topics for the year and start to mentally prepare the essays.

6. A WHOLE NEW WORLD
For the batch commencing April 2012, the ISB will be conducting its program in two campuses – Hyderabad & Mohali. There will, however, be one single admission process. You will need to specify your preferred location in your application. However, this will neither harm nor improve your chances of admission, or ensure that you get the campus of your choice.
Both the campuses will have the same facilities, faculty and placement opportunities. The only difference is in the electives offered in each – Operations, Information technology & Entrepreneurship will be offered only by the Hyderabad campus, and Healthcare and Manufacturing will be offered only by the Mohali campus. Both the campuses will offer Marketing, Finance, and Strategy and Leadership.
Campus exchange programs will be available and students would be encouraged to avail of the same.

7. KNOW YOURSELF
ISB looks for focused individuals who have shown promise in the past and whose future potential comes across easily in their application and records. So before you start your applications, and get down to writing those essays, take some time to understand yourself – your goals, your strengths and weaknesses and what you expect from the ISB programme.

8. FINANCIAL FACTORS
In the words of an ISB alum, “the least of your worries should be the financial aspects”. ISB offers scholarships, both need and merit based, to about 100 students every year.
ISB also has tie-ups with 8 banks to offer collateral-free loans for upto 100% of the tuition fee at a concessional rate.

9. CAREER ADVANCEMENT SERVICES (CAS)
The CAS helps you build your profile and fill in the gaps required to climb the ladder. Whether you’re looking for a career shift, a change in function or industry, or plain simple growth, CAS will provide you with necessary inputs to further your career aspirations.

10. EXTRAS
The PGP program at ISB is so much more than just faculty from across the globe and invaluable learning; The Leadership Development Programme (LDP), Experiential Learning Programme, student clubs and centers of excellence complement the classroom sessions and ensure exposure to various facets of an organization, building complete leaders for the future.

If you need any further information or want to get your profile evaluated for ISB,why don’t you give us a call at +91-9008166800/+91-9008177800 or submit a request for free ISB profile evaluation. We’d be happy to help you reach your Dream school.

Once students are done with this, they are usually at a loss for more practice. Our strong suggestion is to stick with quality GMAT questions such as the ones you find in OG. We recommend the earlier avatar of the Official Guide aka OG 11th edition, which made its debut in 2006. The problem that students face with this dual-book approach is that a lot of the questions are repeated across the OGs and hence it becomes a cumbersome process to know which ones to solve and which ones to leave out. To save you time and effort, we have compiled a list of questions that are unique between the OGs 11 & 12 in the Verbal Section.

Unique Questions in OG 11th Edition

Unique Questions in OG 12th Edition

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