An MBA from a renowned business school is the gold standard for professionals looking to elevate their careers. However, applying for and getting into a top school is anything but easy.
If you’re just starting to think about applying for an MBA, you may be overwhelmed with just how complex the process is. There are so many things that go into a successful application, the competition is fierce, the standards are sky-high, and you’re facing off against some of the best and brightest in the business world.
So where do you even start?
Today, we’re focusing on the test-taking aspect of the MBA application process, as it is one of the first and most important steps you’ll take to prepare a strong profile.
Setting a Study Plan for the GMAT/GRE
One of the first key steps of the application process is preparing for and taking your GMAT or GRE. While it’s easy to oversimplify this step – after all, it’s just one part of your application – applicants often underestimate the amount of time it will take them to obtain a competitive score for their target schools.
To help you understand what you must do to reduce stress, avoid last-minute disappointments, and achieve the score you want, we’ve created a study plan based on our expertise and clients’ experiences.
How are GRE and GMAT different?
The GMAT and GRE are standardized tests that business schools use to determine applicants’ readiness for their programs.
While the GMAT is the more common test to take as it is accepted at all b-schools, the GRE is accepted at some but may be required for certain programs, especially if you are seeking a dual degree. (See this article on choosing which test is best for you.)
The GMAT Focus exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long, with a 45-minute Quantitative Reasoning section, a 45-minute Verbal Reasoning section, and a 45-minute Data Insights section. This test suits those with strong quantitative reasoning and analytical skills.
The GRE, on the other hand, is 1 hour and 58 minutes long and consists of a 30-minute analytical writing section, two verbal reasoning sections (totaling 41 minutes for both sections), and two 35-minute quantitative sections (totaling 47 minutes for both sections).
In terms of language, the GRE includes more obscure words than the GMAT, which may be especially difficult for non-native English speakers. While the GMAT requires test-takers to move on once they have answered questions (except for 3 questions in each section, which you can return to and edit), the GRE allows you to save and return to questions during each section, which can reduce anxiety.
Step 1: Set Your Target Score
To know exactly how much preparation you need to do, it’s important to understand where you are at in relation to your desired score. Generally, as a benchmark, a ‘good’ GMAT score is 650, and 310 for the GRE. However, reaching these numbers isn’t always so important depending on how much different admission committees value test scores.
To determine what your target score should be, you’ll have to do some research on the school(s) and program(s) you are applying to. In particular, it’s important for you to consider the school’s average test score – this will give you an indication of what kinds of scores each school’s adcoms are looking for in admitted applicants.
Some schools care more about previous experience and achievements or a clear plan for future impact more than test scores, so in some cases focusing too much on your test score may not be the best use of your time. Additionally, if you are not a great test-taker but can showcase outstanding aspects of your career, you may even be able to impress adcoms that normally do require above-average performance on tests.
Similarly, if your previous academic performance is lacking, you may want to consider putting extra effort into achieving a high GMAT or GRE score to prove that you are ready to handle the challenges of the program(s) you are applying to.
Step 2: Start Studying and Monitoring Your Progress
Once you decide on your target score, it’s time to get to work.
We typically recommend that students spend close to 120 hours or more studying, which usually takes applicants around 1-6 months, depending on how much they can fit into their schedules and how much improvement they need to reach their testing goals.
To study, we recommend you either look at guided online courses, like Magoosh or Manhattan, hire a private tutor, or begin self-studying with books like the GMAT Official Guide.
During this process, it’s important to monitor your progress over time. To understand your baseline, take a mock test (here is one for the GMAT and one for the GRE). Don’t be discouraged if you don’t initially meet your target scores; this is why you have planned so much time for studying.
Your mock test scores will help you understand how you should allocate your time, which sections and skills you need to focus on the most, and also help you understand how to manage your time during the test. We recommend taking one mock test per week to monitor your progress and see if your current study time is enough to get you to your target score on time.
Remember, the more you study, the more you will improve, so don’t get discouraged!
Step 3: Decide If You Want To Retake Your Test
Once you have taken your test and received your results, you must decide whether you are happy with your score or if you want to take the test again.
If you scored below your target, don’t worry! While this is frustrating, it is common; very few people actually get the score they want on their first try.
In fact, taking the test multiple times is often recommended (after additional studying, of course) as the average test taker is able to increase their score by 31 points on the second try. (Keep in mind that you will have to wait 16 days before retaking the GMAT and 21 for the GRE, and you can only retake each test 5 times every 12 months.)
However, improving your scores on a retake doesn’t happen magically – beforehand, you will have to put in the hours to study and improve to reach the results that you want. Look at your results and the areas that you need to improve, and think about the sections that you may have struggled to complete on time. Use this as the basis for your areas of focus as you go back to studying.
Schools with GMAT waivers
If you get stuck or would rather avoid taking the test, there are a number of schools that offer GMAT/GRE waivers. The most popular in recent years have been Michigan Ross and Cornell Johnson, though a number of schools outside of the Top 10 also offer waivers. Make sure to check the admissions requirements for the programs you’re interested in to see if they offer waivers.
@ellin.the.mbacoach Did you know that you can get into a top MBA without a GMAT score? Here’s an MBA secret worth spilling. #ellinlolis #ellinlolisconsulting #mbaconsulting
A Note on English Testing
If you are an international student who did not complete your undergraduate degree at an exclusively English-speaking university, you will most likely need to take a language proficiency test. In some cases, you can also receive a waiver if you’ve lived in an English-speaking country for more than 2 years. We have written extensively about this topic, including tips on which tests to take, in this post!
Worried you won’t get into your dream school?
You’ve built an impressive career and worked hard to get to this point, but now you’re facing the daunting task of pulling together a compelling MBA application. The pressure to choose which stories best sell your profile, write essays that reflect your achievements, prepare for interviews, and manage multiple deadlines can feel overwhelming. Are you doing enough to be noticed by admissions committees at top business schools?
At Ellin Lolis Consulting, we understand the stakes. With a 98.9% success rate, we’ve helped countless applicants just like you secure spots at their dream schools. Our expert consultants will work with you to develop a strategy tailored to your goals, ensuring every part of your application—from essays to interviews—tells a cohesive, compelling story that gets you in.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Learn more about working with us and take the first step toward a successful MBA application journey.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
