GMAT Exam, Anybody here taken it?

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

Well I am applying to grad school in the spring and have to take the gmat pretty soon. Have any of you taken it? If so what did you do to prepare, if you don't mind what was your score. As a first generation college student, this is pretty new to me. I really have no idea what to expect. Any help would be greatly appreciated

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[BoomBoomBoy 10+ year member]

I haven't taken it, but I would imagine there are thousands of sites on the net that would address what to prep for.

Google is you friend.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

I know that, and there are numerous sites out there for SAT prep also, I did perfectly fine on my SAT without prep, and I think I am a very good test taker. I just wanted to know if anyone had personally taken it. Really wanted to know about some grey areas on the website, like how much retakes are worth etc. Also what calculators you can use etc.

 

[JAZN 5,000+ posts]

I took it, basically winged it after a couple practice tests. Big mistake on my part. It's basically a harder version of the SAT; math, verbal, and essays. For math, make sure to practice the data sufficiency. Other than that, it's just basic high school math. On the verbal, there's reading comprehension and some sentence structure, very similar to the SAT IIRC. By now, you're either good at that or not, not much studying needed. Lastly, the biggest thing you need to practice is time management. It's a computerized test and you can't skip questions and there are no calculators allowed (you don't need one).

 

[JAZN 5,000+ posts]

Also, when you sign up for the test, they'll send you a CD with some practice tests on it. You should go over those because they're just like the real test. As for my score, I'll refrain from telling you. I was quite disappointed, lets just put it that way. I submitted my app for grad school a couple days ago so we'll see how that goes.

 

[soloXgt 10+ year member]

didnt't need to take one and got accepted. guess i got lucky...

 

[nosaj070 10+ year member]

I'm actually going through a course right now and I've taken plenty of practice tests. Practice your basic math skills, if you go to the gmat web site you can download a practice program that has basic math reviews and practice problems which are helpful. The test is not an IQ test, it basically measures how prepared you are for it. I'm not saying to cannot do well without preparing, but you'd be surprised how many geometry and algebra rules you forget. As far as the sentence correction if you feel you have at least solid english skills you should be ok, but throughout the entire test they are trying to trip you up. They love gerunds, so you need to be aware of them. Basically what it comes down to is what kind of score you are looking to get. If you are trying to go to Kellogg you may want to spend a few months preparing or taking a course but if you are just going to some mid-level MBA program give it a shot and see how you do.

 

[nosaj070 10+ year member]

didnt't need to take one and got accepted. guess i got lucky...

Let me know what school you are at so I make sure not to apply there //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the posts guys, I ordered a book and took the free tests online and I'm not doing horrible..... I think i may take the real thing and see how i do score wise. then go from there.

Going to tour some grad schools in the area in a few weeks.

Itinerary so far

1) UNC Chapel Hill

2) UNC Wilmington

3) couple days at myrtle beach //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

4) UGA

5) UNC Charlotte

Probably take another trip to visit Radford and VT with the possibility of UVA and Liberty University

 

[kbkid 10+ year member]

What did you study in undergrad, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

What did you study in undergrad, if you don't mind me asking?

Computer Information Systems, with a Business minor

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

Not only take the practice tests, but get familiar with the answers. Sometimes test makers recycle answers and questions and just change the order they are presented on the test. I've talked to someone that works with testing agencies and the key to their tests is they keep the hard questions around and ditch the questions students always get right so when you come upon a question you miss frequently on practice tests memorize the answer. You can't do that for every part of the test, but some math questions and verbal questions will be almost verbatim on the actual GMAT as they were on the practice test.