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GMAT Analytical Writing – AWA

Introduction to the gmat awa task.

The Analytical Writing section on the GMAT (often referred to simply as the AWA) is possibly the one with most diametric opinions.

Some people actually look forward to the opportunity to break out of the multiple-choice format and to present their thoughts on paper, while others are terrified by the prospect. Whichever side you land on in this debate, to master the AWA task, all one needs is structured thinking and a good grasp of the English language.

What is the argument essay?

Essentially, the test taker is given 30 minutes to type an analytical essay, critiquing and evaluating a flawed argument (along the lines of a CR Weaken argument).

Note that the AWA score is not factored into the general GMAT score out of 800. Instead, it is a separate score, wherein the test-taker earns points on a scale of 0 to 6, moving in half-point increments (that is, 0-0.5, 0.5-1, 1-1.5, etc). Both a computer and a human will evaluate and grade your essay, and you'll receive your AWA score along with your official scores from GMAC, any time within 15 days of taking the exam. In some cases, there is a score disparity of more than one point between the computer score and the human score. If this happens, a second human scorer is asked to evaluate the writing.

How important are the AWA scores?

While it is true that there is often more emphasis on the GMAT general score, one should not take the AWA lightly. Almost all business schools have their specific cut-offs not just for the GMAT general score (out of 800), but also for the AWA score (out of 6). The cut-offs range from 4 to 4.5; therefore, you should aim for 4.5 or above to be safe.

What does the AWA specifically want?

There are three main categories on which the AWA task is scored:

• Organization and Presentation While assessing your writing, the readers will look at how you present your thoughts. Your writing will be considered coherent if you have logical transitions between ideas and there is a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. If your thoughts are unorganized and haphazard, this will lower your score.
• Logical Analysis When considering the quality of your logical analysis, the readers will consider the caliber of the ideas you present and points you make. Further, they will evaluate whether your examples and supporting details are relevant to the argument you are making.
• Linguistic Skills Linguistic skills encompases a couple of areas. For one, the reader evalutes your technical grasp on elements of standard written English. The readers are trained to be conscious of and sensitive to non-native English speakers, but if this applies to you, you will want to at least be comfortable with the basics to avoid losing points. The reader will also consider how your writing style contributes to making a persuasive argument or a flawed one.

Homepage > GMAT IR and AWA > GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment tips – How to score a perfect 6 on GMAT AWA

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment tips – How to score a perfect 6 on GMAT AWA

Posted by Suheb Hussain | Aug 6, 2020 | GMAT Focus Edition , GMAT IR and AWA , GMAT Preparation

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section measures your ability to analyze an argument and communicate your thoughts or ideas. What you simply need to do is to critically analyze the reasoning given behind a given argument. To complete the AWA section of the GMAT you are allotted 30 minutes.

Here is the outline of the article:

How to create a well rounded Analytical Writing Assessment essay?

• How does ‘GMAT Write’ analyze your AWA essay?

GMAT AWA tips – GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Template

• Sample GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment essay

Let’s discuss now how you can score a perfect 6 on the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment section. Here are a few tips to prepare you for the GMAT AWA section.

Step 1 –  Understand the process of creating a well-rounded analysis of an argument. You can do that in two ways or rather with the help of two tools.

• AWA template by Chineseburned from gmatclub

Step 2 – Practice! Practice! Practice! the AWA questions. Here is a list of practice questions for you.

GMAT Write – An AWA practice tool by GMAC

GMAT Write is a writing tool provided by GMAC. It gives you access to 2 unique essay prompts and a chance to write 4 essays. The good thing about this tool is that it scores your essay based on the scoring algorithm used by the official GMAT exam. But, it costs $29.99 to subscribe to this tool.

Take a look at this article to know the importance of AWA and IR sections for business school admissions.

How does the ‘GMAT Write’ analyze your GMAT AWA essay?

Once you submit an essay, it scores you on 4 categories:

• Analysis of the issue
• Supports ideas
• Organizes coherent idea
• Language control

Based on these 4 categories it gives you an overall score for the essay.

Even if you don’t buy this tool, you still get to know what GMAT considers an ideal essay to be from it. An ideal essay should:

• Identify and analyze significant flaws in the argument
• Support the critique using relevant supporting reasons and/or examples
• Be a clearly organized and coherent response
• Demonstrate control of language, including diction, syntax, and conventions of standard written English

Source: https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-write

Once you know what factors make a perfect essay, the next thing you should do is creating a template. The most popular template for AWA is the one provided by ‘Chineseburned’ user on the gmatclub forum.

If you are planning to take the GMAT, we can help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare. Write to us at  [email protected] . We are the  most reviewed GMAT prep company on gmatclub with more than 1950 reviews. Why don’t you take a free trial and judge for yourself?

Here are the details of his template:

Structure of the essay

• Introduction: Restate the argument and point out the flaws. Now, state your views which you’ll discuss in the next paragraphs.
• First paragraph: State your first critique of the argument and support your view with an example.
• Second paragraph: State your first critique of the argument and support your view with an example.
• Third paragraph: Pose a few questions for the argument. The absence of information in the argument to answer your questions weaken it further.
• Fourth argument: State information that you feel would have strengthened the argument but is absent. (This is an extra paragraph which is not in Chineseburned template)
• Conclusion: State that the argument is flawed because of the above reasons and which reasons could have strengthened the argument.

Learn how the IR section is scored.

Sample GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment AWA essay

Here is a sample AWA essay question for practice. We have also provided the answer to this question based on the template.

The following appeared in an Excelsior Company memorandum. “The Excelsior Company plans to introduce its own brand of coffee. Since coffee is an expensive food item, and since there are already many established brands of coffee, the best way to gain customers for the Excelsior brand is to do what Superior, the leading coffee company, did when it introduced the newest brand in its line of coffees: conduct a temporary sales promotion that offers free samples, price reductions, and discount coupons for the new brand.” Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

GMAT AWA essay

The Excelsior company wants to introduce its own brand of coffee since coffee is an expensive food item and might have good profit margins. However, as there are several established brands of coffee already, it needs to work out a way to gain a foothold in the market. For this purpose, the company plans to pursue the same marketing strategy that the leading coffee company Superior had used. However, I think there are several flaws in that line of reasoning. And hence this argument seems a little weak.

First, Superior is already an established brand and the market leader. No data is given as to how long back it entered the coffee market. Without this information, it is difficult to ascertain the utility of the marketing strategy for Excelsior. A brand might take decades to establish, and what worked a decade back, need not work today. For example, when Google was initially set up, it depended on word of mouth, rather than any communication media, for its marketing. As it was initially just an internal product for the University, this approach worked for them. However, it might not work for any company now. We see these days that most new web companies do advertise heavily when they initially launch a product for the masses.

Second, no information has been provided about the target market for the coffee or the pricing strategy. It might be that the coffee produced by Superior is one of the cheaper products in the market. And that they earn their profits from volume sales rather than having a niche market. Whereas, Excelsior might be aiming at the niche market of expensive and luxury coffee. If that were the case, then the same marketing strategies might not be relevant for Excelsior. Can Hyundai apply the same approach towards the market as does a luxury brand like Ferrari?

Without some of the relevant and contextual details, it is difficult to judge the efficacy of using the same marketing strategy that a competitor applied some unknown years back. If we were to get some more details in this regard, we could have judged the situation better.

Although all the factors being the same, it might not be a bad idea to follow the same approach as that of a leading brand in the market. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with sticking to the tried and the tested. In the absence of any other better idea, Excelsior might not have much to lose if it pursues the same methods as did Superior. It’s better to have some plan rather than no plan.

Conducting a temporary sales promotion that offers free samples, price reductions and discount coupons might not be such a bad idea. It could be a good ploy to get users to try out the product. And discounts and other monetary incentives are usually very effective in this regard. If the quality of the product is good enough and the pricing is appropriate, introducing enough customers to the product through such offers might give a significant push to consumer interest in the product. While customer satisfaction might leverage word of mouth marketing.

Therefore, depending on the context the approach might or might not be a beneficial one. This essay question has been taken from gmatclub and the answer has been judged as a perfect 6 by the GMAT Write tool. The answer was written by the user ‘rish2jain’ from gmatclub forum.

To score a perfect 6 on the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment section, it is important that you learn the AWA template and practice as much as you can. Just don’t overdo it. It is a good practice to devote 10% of your preparation time to GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment section.

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GMAT AWA Writing Tips: 5 Steps for a 6.0 Score

Last Updated on May 12, 2023

GMAT test-takers tend to get a bit nervous about the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) because preparing for it doesn’t seem quite as straightforward as preparing for GMAT Quant or Verbal. Is it even possible to “study” how to write a high-scoring essay on an unknown topic with 30 minutes on the clock?

In truth, there is a formula to performing well on the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment, and you don’t have to be Ralph Waldo Emerson to earn an enviable AWA score. In this article, I’ll give you 5 essential GMAT writing tips for scoring well on the Analytical Writing Assessment, including a 5-paragraph structure that will allow you to tackle any GMAT AWA question that gets thrown your way.

First things first, let’s review what exactly the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment is and how it’s scored.

What Is the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment?

How is the analytical writing assessment scored, how do i interpret my awa score, paragraph 1: intro, paragraphs 2-4: supporting points, paragraph 5: conclusion, tip #2: include transition words, tip #3: don’t neglect the basics, tip #4: don’t expect time to revise, tip #5: practice formulating supporting points.

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a 30-minute section of the in-person GMAT that consists of one essay task, an “analysis of an argument.” Depending on what section order you choose for your exam, you’ll complete the AWA section either first or last when you sit for your GMAT. If you choose the default section order, the AWA section will appear first. If you choose to complete either the Quant or Verbal section first, the AWA section will appear last.

In AWA, an argument is presented to you that you must critique in an essay that can be any length. Your job is to analyze the argument’s reasoning, point out flaws and assumptions in the argument, and assess how evidence is used to support the argument’s conclusion, all while logically organizing and clearly communicating your ideas. AWA questions typically focus on business-related topics and are presented in the form of an excerpt from a hypothetical magazine or newspaper article, editorial, company memo or report, corporate or organization newsletter, or business plan, to name a few examples. The given argument in an AWA question is always accompanied by the following instructional statement:

“Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.”

Generally speaking, your AWA essay is evaluated on the basis of the overall strength of your analysis of the given argument, the relevancy of the points you make, how your essay is organized, and the effectiveness with which you communicate your ideas.

So, for example, an AWA question might present a short paragraph from a company memo. The paragraph explains the company’s reasoning behind a recent decision to change some aspect of the company’s operations. Your job is to find any flaws in the company’s reasoning, explain why they are flaws, and point out any further information that would be useful in assessing whether the company’s reasoning was valid. Fortunately, you are not required to give your personal views on the subject matter or have any specific knowledge of the given topic.

AWA questions do not require that you give your personal views on or have any specific knowledge of the given topic.

Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of what the GMAT AWA is, let’s take a look at how the section is scored.

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment is scored in half-point increments on a scale of 0 to 6. Your AWA score is not factored into your total GMAT score and is not included in the unofficial score report that you see on test day immediately after you finish your exam. The reason the AWA score is not included in your unofficial report is that, unlike the other sections of the GMAT, which are scored by the computer, the AWA is scored by both a computer and a human scorer. A trained human reader scores your essay using whole points from 0 to 6, and a computer algorithm scores your essay using half-point increments from 0 to 6.

Then, the two scores are averaged to produce your final score. If there is a large disparity between the human score and the computer score, a second human scorer evaluates your essay, and your score may be adjusted. Additionally, if you feel that your AWA score does not accurately reflect your essay, you can submit a request to have your essay rescored by an independent reader, for a fee of $45. Rescoring requests can be made only once per essay and must be submitted within 6 months of your test date.

Since the AWA takes longer to score than the other sections of the GMAT, you and any score recipients you select on test day will receive your AWA score when your Official Score Report is available, about two weeks after your test date. In the case of revised AWA scores, your new score will be sent to you and any designated schools about 20 days after you submit your rescore request.

Now let’s look at how to interpret AWA scores.

As with other GMAT section scores , every possible AWA score is associated with a percentile ranking. Here are the current percentile rankings, as compiled by GMAC:

These percentile rankings tell us, for example, that if you earn a perfect score of 6.0 on the AWA section, then you have scored better than 88% of all GMAT test-takers. According to GMAC, the mean AWA score was 4.45 for all test-takers who sat for the GMAT during the period from January 2017 through December 2019. As you can see in the table above, that mean is just below the 46th percentile. In general, schools consider a score of 4.5, or better than 46% of all test-takers, about average and consider a score of 5.0, or better than 56% of all test-takers, “good.” For most programs, your AWA score is likely to raise some eyebrows if it’s below 4.0.

Most schools generally consider an GMAT AWA score of 4.5 about average and a score of 5.0 “good.”

So, we know what the GMAT AWA section tests, how it’s scored, and what those scores mean. Now let’s take a look at the 5 essential GMAT AWA writing tips for earning a great score.

Tip #1: Use a 5-Paragraph Template

As I’ll discuss in further detail later, there are dozens and dozens of possible essay topics that can appear on the GMAT, and you have no way of knowing which topic will appear on your test. Thus, it is not a realistic or efficient strategy to try to game out answers to all of the possible essay prompts or memorize what the prompts are (a full list of the possible AWA questions is published by GMAC here ).

The great news is that you don’t need to know which argument you’ll be presented with on test day in order to write a well-organized response to it within the 30-minute time limit. Instead, you can apply a simple 5-paragraph structure to any GMAT essay topic in order to write a logically organized response containing the elements necessary to earn a high AWA score.

The standard 5-paragraph essay structure consists of the following:

• An introductory paragraph
• Three supporting points (paragraphs 2, 3, and 4)
• A conclusion (paragraph 5)

Although there is no required word count for a GMAT AWA essay, a wise strategy is to shoot for around 500 words , give or take.

No matter the topic or argument, the basic template above will provide you with a logical framework for organizing your essay.

Apply a simple 5-paragraph structure to any GMAT essay topic to write a logically organized and complete argument analysis.

Let’s take a look at each part of the 5-paragraph structure in greater detail.

The purpose of your introductory paragraph is to restate the argument that has been presented to you and state your intention for critiquing it. In stating your intention, you should mention the flaws in the argument that you plan to address. Essentially, this prepares the reader for the points that they will encounter in paragraphs 2 through 4, without providing the specific details that those later paragraphs will include. In fact, your intro paragraph should accomplish everything it needs to in around 5 or 6 sentences.

The purpose of your introductory paragraph is to restate the argument that has been presented to you and state your intention for critiquing it.

The first sentence of the intro paragraph should always restate the given argument. So, you might start off your essay in one of the following ways, for example:

The argument states that … The argument claims that … The argument makes the claim that …

No need to get creative with the jumping off point for your AWA essay; you simply want to show that you understand what the argument is. When restating the argument, you can repeat much of the same language that is used in the question stem, but you should aim to rephrase the argument in as concise a manner as possible. You want to encapsulate the crux of the argument, not just rewrite the entire essay prompt. In particular, if the argument provides supporting evidence, that evidence is not necessary to repeat in your restatement of the argument. You’ll address the given evidence later, in your supporting points.

To better understand how to restate an argument, let’s look at an example of an actual GMAT AWA example that a test-taker could see on the exam:

The following appeared as part of an annual report sent to stockholders by Olympic Foods, a processor of frozen foods:

“Over time, the costs of processing go down because as organizations learn how to do things better, they become more efficient. In color film processing, for example, the cost of a 3-by-5-inch print fell from 50 cents for five-day service in 1970 to 20 cents for one-day service in 1984. The same principle applies to the processing of food. And since Olympic Foods will soon celebrate its 25th birthday, we can expect that our long experience will enable us to minimize costs and thus maximize profits.”

So, your essay might start off with the following restatement of the given argument:

The argument claims that Olympic Foods’ nearly 25 years of experience in food processing will enable the company to minimize costs and thus maximize profits. This conclusion is based on the premise that the costs of processing go down over time because organizations become more efficient as they learn how to do things better.

As you can see, much of the exact same language used in the essay prompt is repeated in the restatement of the argument above. However, the information is reorganized somewhat; in this case, the premise and conclusion are in the reverse order, with the conclusion of the argument stated first, and the premise on which the conclusion is based stated afterward.

Furthermore, the perspective of how the argument is stated has changed. In the essay prompt, the perspective was that of a statement in an annual report sent to stockholders. Clearly, your essay response would not be written from such a perspective, so some changes to the wording of the prompt are necessary. Notice also that the somewhat conversational tone of the prompt has been eliminated in the restatement and that extraneous words are left out. Lastly, notice that the supporting example given in the prompt is not included in the restatement that begins our response.

Of course, how you restate a given argument will depend largely on what the argument is. In some cases, you may be able to restate an argument in one sentence. In other cases, as above, you may need two sentences. The goal is to clearly and succinctly state what the argument is, distilling it down to its essence using the language used in the prompt, but not including any of the “filler.” The good news is that no matter what AWA question you encounter, the first sentence or two of your response will essentially already be written for you!

Always begin a GMAT AWA with a restatement of the given argument.

Let’s continue with our Olympic Foods example above. Your next task in the intro paragraph, after you restate the argument, is to outline on what grounds you plan to attack the argument. For example, you might say that the argument fails to take several key factors into account in reaching its conclusion, and then list the 3 such factors that you will address in the paragraphs that follow. Or you might say that the argument makes faulty assumptions and bases its claims on insufficient evidence, and then mention what those assumptions are that you plan to critique. Again, your job here is to highlight only those weak points in the argument that you will critique in your supporting points, so you should not include any argument flaws in your intro that you won’t address later on. Quickly jotting down on your scratch pad which flaws you plan to address, before you start writing your essay, can help you organize your thoughts and pinpoint exactly what you want the focus of each supporting paragraph to be.

Remember, you may be able to find a dozen flaws in an argument, but you won’t have time to critique them all. Furthermore, you shouldn’t waste time finding more flaws than you need and trying to decide which are the “best” ones to write about. The flaws that are most obvious to you — in other words, the ones you notice first — are likely the ones that will be easiest for you to expound on. After all, you noticed them right away, so there are probably relatively clear reasons why they represent weak points in the argument.

So, your restatement of the argument should be followed by a brief summary or overview of what your response to the argument will be. Let’s take a look at how we might do that in the case of the Olympic Foods question:

However, the argument lacks relevant and sufficient evidence, making several assumptions that ignore key factors that could affect its conclusion. For example, the argument assumes that an organization becomes more efficient as time passes. Furthermore, the argument assumes that cost savings achieved in tandem with increased efficiency must be the result of increased efficiency. Finally, the argument assumes that the downward trend of costs that was observed in one sector of processing will replicate in another, unrelated sector of processing.

In total, our sample intro paragraph is 6 sentences: 2 sentences restating the argument, and 4 sentences laying out what our critique of the argument will be. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on the essay prompt, but this basic framework can apply to whatever GMAT AWA question you see.

In the intro paragraph, follow your restatement of the argument with a brief summary or overview of what your critique of the argument (supporting points) will be.

After you’ve introduced the points you’ll touch on in your AWA essay, you’ll need to expand on those points in the next 3 paragraphs. Let’s talk about that now.

Paragraphs 2 through 4 represent the “meat” of your essay, with each paragraph elaborating on one of the points of critique you summarized in your intro. At the beginning of each of these paragraphs, you’ll want to state what aspect of the argument you’re critiquing in that paragraph, and then why that aspect is flawed. You may want to use real-world examples to support your critique, particularly if the word count of your essay is a little light. At the end of each supporting paragraph, you may want to mention a way that the aspect of the argument you’re discussing could’ve been strengthened.

Let’s take for example the second flaw that we set out to critique in our Olympic Foods essay, which will be the focus of the essay’s third paragraph: the argument assumes that cost savings achieved in tandem with increased efficiency must be the result of increased efficiency. In this paragraph, you might start off by saying that the argument supports its conclusion with an example of a decrease in cost and coinciding increase in processing speed that was realized after a number of years. You might then go on to say that the argument provides no evidence to demonstrate that this correlation is actually a causal relationship. Then, you might provide the real-world example of increased automation over those years as a factor that could simultaneously cut the labor costs associated with processing (and therefore reduce the total processing cost) and increase processing speed. Of course, automation and other technological advancements may or may not be readily available at any point in time and can be implemented at an organization regardless of how long it has been in existence, and both of those facts undermine the argument’s conclusion that Olympic Foods can expect to minimize costs because of its long experience. Thus, the argument would have been more convincing if it presented evidence that established that the observed cost savings were actually the result of faster processing times as opposed to some other factor, such as increased automation.

Each of the 3 paragraphs between your intro and your conclusion should elaborate on 1 of the supporting points you summarized in your intro.

Before we move on to the conclusion paragraph, I want to address a common question among GMAT students: whether writing 2 supporting paragraphs instead of 3 is a score-killer in AWA. The truth is, you may be able to earn a decent AWA score by including just 2 supporting points in your essay. And if for some reason you are running seriously low on time or absolutely can’t come up with a third supporting point, then I would say that a completed essay with just 2 supporting points is certainly better than an essay with 2 and a half supporting points and no conclusion, or 3 supporting points and no conclusion. However, there is really no way to say for sure what exact score difference 2 vs. 3 supporting paragraphs makes. So, to be on the safe side — unless you are truly stumped for ideas — plan to write 3.

Your conclusion paragraph is similar to your intro paragraph in that it should summarize the ways that the given argument is flawed. However, your conclusion should also summarize how the argument could be strengthened or the argument’s conclusion could be more accurately assessed. So, essentially, your conclusion paragraph pulls from all of the paragraphs that came before it, providing a tight summary of the main points of your critique and “wrapping a bow” around what you have stated about the validity of the argument’s reasoning.

A conclusion paragraph often begins with a phrase such as “In conclusion,” or “In summary,” but depending on how you organize your thoughts, you may choose to begin your conclusion paragraph differently. Additionally, you may decide to include a “concession” as part of your conclusion. A concession is a statement recognizing that some aspect of a given argument may be valid. For example, a concession could be phrased as such:

Although the argument rightly acknowledges that increased efficiency is one way that an organization can achieve cost savings …

Similar to the intro paragraph, the conclusion paragraph should accomplish its aims in around 4 or 5 sentences. This is not the place to reiterate details, give examples, or introduce new information.

In about 4 or 5 sentences, your conclusion paragraph should provide a tight summary of the main points of your critique and “wrap a bow” around what you have stated about the validity of the argument’s reasoning.

Before we move on to tip #2, take a look at the GMAT analytical writing example question, along with an essay response that received the highest possible AWA score, 6.0, at the bottom of this page . Notice that the essay follows the basic structure of introduction, 3 supporting points with real-world examples, and conclusion. In this case, the writer broke the introductory paragraph into two paragraphs, with the first paragraph restating the argument, and the second paragraph summarizing the intended response, but you can see that the component parts of the essay remain the same as those in our standard 5-paragraph structure.

An important part of scoring well on GMAT Analytical Writing is demonstrating logical organization and clear communication of your thoughts from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. If your essay seems to jump randomly from one idea to the next, then the reader scoring your essay will have a harder time following your train of thought. Thus, your analysis of the given argument may seem confusing and poorly thought out.

The fact is, even if your ideas are laid out in a logical order, in order to make your essay more readable and understandable, you need to create smooth transitions between paragraphs and between different ideas within the same paragraph. One of the main ways to create smooth transitions is to introduce new ideas using transition words and phrases. For example, the phrase “for example” is a transition phrase that we can use any time we want to shift from talking about a concept to talking about an example that illustrates that concept. Such words and phrases form the “connective tissue” that brings together all of the different parts of an essay into a cohesive whole.

Transition words and phrases form the “connective tissue” that brings together all of the different parts of an essay into a cohesive whole.

Transition words are commonly used to introduce new paragraphs, but you should also seek to incorporate them within the paragraphs of your essay in order to introduce examples or opinions, indicate contrast or support, help sum up your thoughts, show a result, or add emphasis to an important idea. Here are some key transition words and phrases that often come in handy in writing GMAT AWA essays:

• For example
• For instance
• Additionally
• In addition
• Furthermore
• In contrast
• On the other hand
• As a result
• Consequently
• In conclusion

The point is not to memorize this list but to be aware of the importance of transition words for clarifying your ideas and showing the logical progression of your analysis. In short, transition words make your essay more readable! Remember, there will eventually be a person reading and scoring your essay, a person who likely has to evaluate many, many GMAT essays. So, you want to make your essay as clear and engaging as possible. Transition words can help you do just that.

Use transition words throughout your essay to introduce new paragraphs, link different ideas within paragraphs, and show the logical progression of your thoughts.

Although the AWA section is primarily scored with an eye toward the overall structure, cohesiveness, and clarity of your essay, technical aspects such as grammar, spelling, and word choice are still factored into your AWA score. In this respect, the knowledge you’ve gathered while training for GMAT Sentence Correction should come in handy. Are your sentences well-structured, clear, and concise, or are they wordy and circular? Does your essay contain any run-on sentences, redundant words, or incorrect idioms? While you shouldn’t expect to have time to make sure that your essay is grammatically perfect, you do want to make sure that you don’t turn in sloppy, rushed writing.

Keep in mind that a few errors here and there are not going to sink your AWA score, but your essay will appear more polished and “finished” if you’re mindful of basic grammar rules and spelling. If a sentence is becoming overly long and winding, break it into two sentences. Demonstrate a broad vocabulary by varying your word choice. Most importantly, be aware that, even if your analysis is sound and your essay is well-organized, if you completely neglect the basics of grammar and spelling, your ideas will be less clear and your essay will be less readable overall.

Vary your word choice, break up overly long sentences, and be mindful of basic grammar and spelling in order to create a more polished essay.

You may be surprised at how quickly the time flies by when you’re writing your essay. So, don’t expect that you’ll have time at the end of the section to do significant revisions of what you wrote. In fact, you’re likely to find that you have no more than a minute or two — if that — to do a quick read-through of your completed essay. So, it’s important to construct your essay carefully and methodically as you’re writing it , because you probably won’t have time to go back later and do a major cleanup of your work or flesh out a bunch of half-formed ideas.

As you’re writing, make each sentence a “finished product” before you move onto the next one. Does that mean writing and rewriting the same sentence four times until you think it’s perfect? No. You will never be able to write a full and complete essay in the allotted time if you’re agonizing over every sentence. You don’t have time to seek perfection, nor do you need to in order to earn a great AWA score. If possible, use the last 2 minutes or so of your time to do a quick check for any spelling errors or glaring grammatical mistakes in your essay. Just don’t expect to have the last 10 or even 5 minutes of the section time to revise your work.

If possible, use the last 2 minutes of your time to do a quick check for spelling and grammar errors, but don’t expect to have 5 or 10 minutes to make significant revisions to your essay.

One of the most challenging and time-consuming aspects of the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment is coming up with 3 supporting points. Your supporting points make up the bulk of your essay, and also the portion of your essay that requires the most critical thinking, creativity, and original thought. A great way to prepare yourself for this challenge is to practice thinking up supporting points for the actual essay topics published by GMAC. As a side benefit, this method of practice will also give you a chance to get acquainted with what AWA questions look like, the types of arguments they present, and how those arguments may be flawed.

Browse the topics list and choose a few at random for which you can practice coming up with 3 supporting points with real-world examples. You could also do a full practice essay or two, but I don’t recommend preparing for AWA by writing numerous, complete practice essays. The fact is, if you have the 5-paragraph template down, and you’ve reviewed the types of arguments presented in AWA questions, writing many practice essays really isn’t necessary in order to prepare for GMAT AWA. There is plenty to learn and practice for the GMAT , so you don’t want to waste valuable study time doing more than is actually needed to earn a high score. Thus, I also don’t recommend reading through the entire AWA question list (or attempting to memorize the essay prompts) as a productive use of your time.

Choose random essay prompts from the AWA question list published by GMAC, and practice coming up with 3 supporting points and real-world examples for them.

Now that you know these 5 key GMAT writing tips for scoring 6.0 on the Analytical Writing Assessment, check out these 8 tips for conquering GMAT Sentence Correction and these 8 GMAT Reading Comprehension dos and don’ts .

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About The Author

Scott Woodbury-Stewart is the founder & CEO of Target Test Prep. A passionate teacher who is deeply invested in the success of his students, Scott began his career teaching physics, chemistry, math, and biology. Since then, he has spent more than a decade helping students gain entry into the world’s top business schools, logging 10,000+ hours of GMAT, EA, GRE and SAT instruction. Scott also served as lead content developer and curriculum architect for the revolutionary courses Target Test Prep GMAT, Target Test Prep EA, Target Test Prep GRE and Target Test Prep SAT Quant.

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Mastering the GMAT: Your Ultimate Guide to Success in 2024

MBA & Beyond Team

08/01/2024 | 3:11 pm

A. Brief Overview of the GMAT

The GMAT, known as the Graduate Management Admission Test, plays a crucial role in the admissions process of graduate business schools. Serving as a standardized assessment, the GMAT assesses the skills and readiness of individuals entering the challenging field of business education. It acts as a gatekeeper, providing a common metric to evaluate candidates on a level playing field. By offering a standardized evaluation, the GMAT allows admissions committees to compare applicants objectively, ensuring fairness and equity in the admissions process.

B. Importance of GMAT in the MBA Admissions Process

The GMAT holds great importance in the MBA admissions process as it serves as a crucial assessment tool. This standardized test evaluates candidates’ quantitative, verbal, analytical, and writing skills, providing business schools with a common benchmark to gauge academic potential. By measuring aptitude and critical thinking abilities, the GMAT offers insight into an applicant’s readiness for the rigorous curriculum of an MBA program. Admissions committees rely on the GMAT to assess candidates’ ability to excel in areas relevant to the business field. This comprehensive assessment of skills and abilities makes the GMAT an influential factor in the selection process for MBA programs.

C. Significance of Staying Updated on GMAT Trends in 2024

Staying updated on GMAT trends is crucial for effective test preparation in 2024. By understanding the current trends, test takers can tailor their strategies and focus on the areas that are most likely to be emphasized in the exam. These trends can include changes in question types, format, or content areas that receive greater emphasis. Being aware of such trends allows test takers to allocate their study time and resources effectively, ensuring they are well-prepared for the specific challenges they may face. Additionally, staying updated on trends allows individuals to access the most relevant study materials and resources that align with the current GMAT requirements. As the test evolves, being aware of the latest trends helps test takers stay ahead of the curve and enhances their chances of achieving their desired GMAT score. Therefore, it is essential to actively seek out and engage with the latest GMAT trends to optimize test preparation efforts in 2024.

II. Understanding the GMAT Format

A. overview of the gmat structure.

The GMAT is a complex examination, designed meticulously to assess a wide range of skills. Let’s break down the structure to gain insight into each section:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): This segment examines the candidate’s ability to effectively analyze and evaluate arguments.
• Integrated Reasoning (IR): It tests the candidate’s ability to interpret and synthesize data from various sources, requiring a comprehensive understanding.
• Quantitative Reasoning (QR): This section focuses on the candidate’s proficiency in solving quantitative problems accurately, using mathematical concepts.
• Verbal Reasoning (VR): It’s a holistic assessment that includes reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction, evaluating the candidate’s linguistic and analytical abilities.

B. Changes and Updates in the GMAT Format for 2024

The temporal dimensions of the GMAT could potentially change in 2024. Being aware of the updated exam duration is essential for candidates to refine their test-taking strategies according to the revised time limits. It is important to understand the sectional breakdown and the weightage given to each section. This knowledge empowers candidates to manage their time effectively and approach all segments in a balanced manner. The adaptive nature of the test adds complexity, as the difficulty of subsequent questions depends on the candidate’s performance in preceding ones. Being prepared for this adaptive feature is a crucial aspect of a comprehensive GMAT strategy.

III. GMAT Calendar and Important Dates

A. gmat registration deadlines.

Starting your GMAT journey requires strategic planning, particularly when it comes to early registration. The registration deadlines vary depending on the format of the GMAT you choose:

• Classic GMAT: You have until January 31, 2024, to register for the traditional GMAT.
• GMAT Focus Edition : Registration for the new GMAT Focus Edition is currently open.

To know more about MBA exam deadlines and updates, click here

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) suggests signing up 2-3 months prior to your desired test date. However, if necessary, you can register online or by phone up to 24 hours before the exam. It is crucial to register early since popular test centers tend to fill up quickly. By doing so, you can secure your preferred location and date, allowing ample time for preparation without unnecessary stress.

B. Test Date Selection Strategies

Strategically choosing the test date is of utmost importance. Test takers should consider personal commitments, identify their peak performance times, and allocate enough time for thorough preparation. Thoughtful test date selection can have a significant impact on overall performance in the exam.

C. Importance of Planning Ahead

A robust study plan is crucial for GMAT success. It includes a detailed schedule, resources, and allocated study time. Planning ahead ensures comprehensive content coverage. A well-structured plan helps with organization, time management, and progress tracking. With a clear plan, productivity increases and preparation stress decreases. A strong study plan is key to a successful GMAT journey.

D. Managing Retake Schedules

Understanding when and why to consider retaking the GMAT is crucial for strategic planning. By analyzing the initial test results, candidates can pinpoint specific areas for improvement and adopt a targeted approach to retake preparation.

E. Importance of Planning Ahead

Planning ahead is crucial for effective GMAT preparation and plays a vital role in a candidate’s journey to success. This strategic process encompasses several essential elements:

• Creating a Study Plan: Crafting a well-structured study plan is crucial when it comes to creating a study plan. It provides a systematic and organized approach to covering the extensive GMAT syllabus. By thoughtfully allocating time, one can ensure comprehensive coverage of all relevant topics without overwhelming themselves. 
• Gathering Resources: The selection of appropriate study materials is of utmost importance when gathering resources for studying. This includes making a wise choice of books, online resources, and practice tests. Accessing high-quality materials significantly contributes to the effectiveness of the preparation process. 
• Setting Realistic Goals: Setting clear and realistic goals is not just a mere formality but a guiding principle in the study plan. Such goals serve as a roadmap for focused preparation, keeping the candidate engaged and motivated throughout the process. Additionally, they provide a tangible endpoint to strive towards.

F. Managing Retake Schedules

Understanding when and why to retake the GMAT is a strategic consideration. Analyzing the results of the initial attempt serves as a diagnostic tool, allowing candidates to:

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Devise a targeted approach for improving : By identifying areas of weakness, candidates can tailor their preparation strategies. This focused approach ensures that efforts are concentrated on enhancing specific skills that may have contributed to challenges during the first attempt.

Catapult your MBA dreams into reality! Explore our YouTube video: ‘ Master the GMAT – Boost Scores & Secure Your MBA Spot! ‘ for essential insights and success strategies.

G. Free Mock Paper Links and Crash Courses for GMAT Prep

When commencing your GMAT preparation journey, having access to complementary practice papers and intensive courses can greatly heighten your level of readiness for the exam. Here are a few recommended resources that you should consider:

• E GMAT: E GMAT offers comprehensive GMAT preparation courses that encompass adaptive learning modules and customized study plans. Make sure to visit their website to avail yourself of their free trial access and available resources.
• Magoosh: Magoosh provides a user-friendly platform that offers a diverse range of GMAT prep resources. Take the opportunity to explore their blog, practice questions, and free trial options in order to strengthen your preparation.

Recommended Free Mock Paper Links:

• GMAT Club : A platform driven by the community that offers a wide variety of realistic GMAT practice tests and engaging discussion forums for free.
• Veritas Prep : Access realistic and engaging GMAT practice exams and resources to enhance your skills and evaluate your progress.
• Manhattan Prep : Manhattan Prep offers engaging and realistic GMAT resources, such as practice exams and valuable insights into various GMAT sections.

Additionally, consider exploring crash courses from reputable providers like Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Manhattan Prep. These courses often condense important concepts, offering a concentrated yet efficient study experience. 

Remember, incorporating a variety of resources into your preparation plan will provide you with a well-rounded understanding of the GMAT format and help you pinpoint areas for improvement. Always take advantage of free trials and sample materials to ensure that the chosen resources align with your learning preferences.

IV. Setting Your GMAT Goals

A. importance of goal setting.

Setting clear and realistic goals is not only a preliminary step but an ongoing process in the GMAT preparation journey. These goals act as a dynamic roadmap, providing a simplified and engaging way to guide your preparation.

A Simplified Roadmap for Engaging Preparation: Setting clear goals allows for focused preparation by breaking down the extensive syllabus into manageable milestones. This organized approach prevents overwhelm and ensures consistent progress.

Alignment with Aspirations: Goals should correspond to the candidate’s aspirations, establishing a personalized connection to the journey. Aligning aspirations improves motivation and commitment to the preparation process.

Aligning goals with the requirements of target MBA programs ensures that the candidate’s efforts directly contribute to the competitiveness of their application. This reflects a thoughtful and strategic approach to the admission process, making it simpler and more engaging.

B. Assessing Your Target MBA Programs

Understanding the specific expectations and criteria of the MBA programs a candidate aims for involves tailoring their preparation accordingly. Gaining insights into the program expectations allows candidates to customize their preparation process, ensuring alignment with the unique characteristics and values of the targeted institutions.

C. Aligning GMAT Scores with MBA Program Requirements

The GMAT score is crucial for MBA admissions. It ensures applicants have necessary skills. Aligning GMAT scores with program requirements helps identify suitable candidates. Programs set a minimum score as a benchmark for readiness. Some programs may have different requirements based on background and competitiveness. Researching and understanding score expectations is essential for admission.

D. Personalized Tips

Tailor your GMAT preparation to suit your specific needs by first setting realistic and engaging goals. Consider the specific requirements of your desired MBA programs in order to ensure a smooth timeline. Schedule your GMAT exam at least 2 months in advance of your planned test date to allow for ample preparation time. Incorporate regular mock exams into your routine, aiming for a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, to enhance your readiness. This proactive approach will not only help you assess your progress but also build the stamina and confidence required for success on the actual GMAT.

V. Creating a Study Plan

A. establishing a realistic timeline.

A realistic timeline is crucial for effective GMAT preparation, ensuring the prevention of burnout. By spreading out the preparation over an adequate duration, candidates can engage in sustained focus and enthusiasm, thus enhancing their overall performance.

B. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Analyzing strengths and weaknesses is crucial for personal and business development. By thoroughly assessing and understanding our strengths, we can uncover hidden potentials and unlock new opportunities. Similarly, recognizing our weaknesses provides us with the chance to improve and grow. This self-analysis not only enables informed decisions but also empowers us to set specific goals that align with our individual growth trajectory. Taking the time to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses is an invaluable investment in our personal and professional journey towards success.

C. Choosing the Right Study Materials

When choosing study materials, evaluate credibility and reputation of sources like publishers, institutions, or professionals. Assess content relevance, organization, and structure. Consider preferred formats: physical textbooks, online resources, video lectures, or interactive platforms. Review feedback from others who have used materials. By carefully evaluating based on credibility, relevance, organization, format, and feedback, make an informed decision and choose materials for learning journey.

Maximize your success for the September 2023 MBA intake! Explore effective planning for R1 applications and GMAT study insights in this video.

VI. Utilizing Technology for GMAT Prep

A. adaptive learning platforms.

In the realm of individualized education, adaptive learning platforms serve as technological companions in GMAT preparation. These platforms dynamically customize study plans based on individual performance, optimizing the efficiency of learning. The flexibility ensures that candidates concentrate on areas requiring enhancement, maximizing the effectiveness of their study sessions.

B. Mobile Apps for On-the-Go Study

Embracing the true essence of flexibility, mobile applications surface as indispensable tools for GMAT preparation on the move. Ideal for maximizing study opportunities while commuting or taking breaks, these applications cater to the dynamic lifestyles of GMAT test-takers. MBAandBeyond takes this flexibility to the next level by providing carefully selected content and support, ensuring candidates make the most of their busiest moments and maintain consistent and adaptable study schedules.

C. Virtual Tutoring and Study Groups

Breaking the barriers of traditional education, virtual tutoring and study groups bring a sense of community to GMAT preparation. Engaging in these collaborative learning experiences nurtures a shared journey towards a common objective. The exchange of ideas, perspectives, and support within these virtual platforms not only deepens comprehension but also enhances motivation. Portals like GMAT Club and Collegedunia amplify this communal approach by offering tailored resources, expert insights, and a vibrant community, thereby enriching the collaborative learning experience for aspiring GMAT test-takers.

VII. Mastering GMAT Quantitative Skills

A. reviewing fundamental math concepts.

To excel in the Quantitative Reasoning section, it is essential to have a strong understanding of basic math concepts. Candidates should devote time to refreshing their knowledge of these fundamentals, ensuring they have a solid grasp on the fundamental principles necessary for solving more complex problems.

B. Strategies for Tackling Data Sufficiency Questions

Data Sufficiency questions present a unique and engaging challenge. It is crucial to master strategies specific to this question type. Navigating the intricacies of Data Sufficiency effectively requires a realistic understanding of how to approach and dissect these questions.

C. Tips for Improving Problem-Solving Speed

Enhancing problem-solving speed is a multifaceted and engaging goal that requires a realistic approach. It revolves around finding a delicate balance between accuracy and efficiency. Candidates should engage in focused practice, honing their ability to swiftly solve problems without compromising accuracy.

D. Utilizing Technology for Quantitative Practice

Technology becomes a valuable ally in the pursuit of mastering quantitative skills. Interactive and dynamic practice tools, along with AI-driven platforms, offer a comprehensive approach to reinforcing quantitative abilities. These tools actively engage candidates, reflecting the adaptive nature of the GMAT exam and preparing them for its dynamic challenges.

Explore in-depth insights into GMAT Quantitative Skills Mastery with our Conversations with MBA Alumni webinar. Watch the full recording on our YouTube channel.

VIII. Excelling in GMAT Verbal Skills

A. strengthening reading comprehension abilities.

Improving reading comprehension skills is a crucial aspect of excelling in the GMAT Verbal section. This can be accomplished by:

• Focused Practice: Engaging in targeted practice exercises that concentrate on reading comprehension helps to refine the ability to extract essential information and comprehend intricate passages.
• Active Reading Strategies: Employing active reading techniques, such as taking notes and summarizing, enhances understanding and memory of the information presented in GMAT passages.

B. Effective Strategies for Sentence Correction

Developing mastery in sentence correction requires a comprehensive approach, which includes:

• Understanding Grammar Rules: A strong foundation in grammar rules is essential. Candidates should spend time comprehending the intricacies of sentence structure and grammatical conventions.
• Practicing with a Focus on Structure: Engaging in practice exercises that specifically target sentence structure allows candidates to efficiently identify and rectify errors.

C. Analyzing Critical Reasoning Questions

Critical reasoning questions require analytical thinking, and effective analysis strategies include:

• Developing analytical thinking skills: It is crucial for candidates to practice dissecting arguments, identifying premises, conclusions, and logical fallacies.
• Strategic dissection: Strategies for systematically dissecting critical reasoning questions help unravel complex arguments and reach well-reasoned conclusions.

D. Leveraging Technology for Verbal Practice

The usage of technology allows individuals to engage in simplified and more engaging verbal practice. By utilizing interactive apps and online platforms, candidates can focus on specific verbal skills during targeted practice sessions. Furthermore, adaptive learning technologies tailor these practice sessions based on individual performance, optimizing the efficiency of improving verbal skills.

IX. Enhancing Analytical Writing and Integrated Reasoning

A. understanding the awa section, essay structure and content.

Understanding the AWA section entails familiarizing oneself with the expected essay structure in GMAT. This includes the introduction, body, and conclusion, which should be presented cohesively for a well-constructed response. Additionally, addressing content requirements such as presenting a clear argument and providing relevant examples is crucial for success in the AWA section.

Enhance your MBA application by receiving expert guidance! Uncover the 6 most valuable tips for creating a captivating MBA essay in our exclusive webinar presented by MBA & Beyond. Take advantage of the opportunity to view the full video on our YouTube channel: 

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Identifying and avoiding common pitfalls can greatly improve candidates’ performance by helping them steer clear of mistakes. It is essential to recognize these pitfalls to enhance your AWA response and make it more polished and effective.

X. Test-Taking Strategies and Time Management

A. simulating test conditions during practice.

Preparing for the GMAT involves more than just mastering the content; it also requires adapting to the exam environment. By simulating test conditions during practice sessions, candidates can become more familiar with the exam setting, increasing their comfort and confidence on test day.

B. Developing an Efficient Time Management Strategy

Strategic time management is essential for achieving success on the GMAT. Each section requires careful time allocation, and developing an effective strategy ensures that candidates can address every question within the given time frame. Striking the right balance between speed and accuracy is key to achieving optimal results.

C. Recognizing When to Skip and Return to Questions

This tip is a game-changer for test-taking. It’s all about knowing when to leave tough questions and come back to them. This way, you won’t get stuck on hard ones, but instead, you’ll focus on the ones you can handle better. This smart plan helps save time and keeps stress levels low during the exam.

XI. GMAT Updates and Preparation Tips

A. staying informed about gmat updates.

Keeping up-to-date with GMAT changes is a must for test-takers. Checking for updates regularly helps you stay in the loop about any changes to the test format or content. Being proactive about this shows you’re dedicated to being well-prepared and informed.

B. Incorporating New Test Trends into the Study Plan

The GMAT isn’t static; new trends can pop up. Tweaking your study plans to match these trends keeps you ready for the GMAT’s ever-changing landscape. Being open to new strategies and ready for new types of questions is key to staying ahead in the exam.

C. Tips for Adapting to Changes on Short Notice

Things can change suddenly in the GMAT, so being ready to adapt swiftly is key. Having strategies for quick adjustments keeps your prep on track. But don’t just take our word for it, a survey found that 75% of successful test-takers credit their success to their ability to adapt to unexpected changes in the exam.

XII. Continuous Evaluation and Adjustment

A. regular progress assessments.

Checking in on your progress regularly is a smart way to prepare. It helps you spot the areas you need to work on, so you can shift your focus and effort where it’s needed.

B. Modifying the Study Plan Based on Performance

Being flexible is crucial when tweaking your study plan as your needs change. Regular checks help you spot your strong and weak areas, making it easier to make focused adjustments for better prep.

C. Seeking Feedback from Practice Tests

Going over feedback from practice tests is a game-changer for improvement. It helps you figure out what to tweak in your study sessions and shows you where you messed up, so you can nail similar questions next time.

A. Techniques for Managing Test Anxiety

Feeling anxious on test day can affect your performance. Here are some strategies to manage test anxiety:

• Breathing Exercises: Deep breaths can help calm your nerves and keep you focused during the exam.
• Positive Visualization: Imagine success and positive results. This can boost your confidence and lower anxiety.

B. Preparing for the Test Day Logistics

Knowing and preparing for what test day entails can help reduce stress. This includes:

• Getting to Know the Test Center: A visit beforehand can make you feel at ease with the place.
• Preparing Your Stuff: Make sure you have all the necessary items like your ID and admission ticket ready ahead of time.

C. Final Review and Relaxation Strategies

The best final review strategies and relaxation techniques before the exam include

• Focused review: focusing on key concepts and strategies rather than attempting to learn new material.
• Relaxation techniques: such as meditation or gentle exercise, can be used to promote a calm state of mind.

XIV. Post-Test Reflection and Score Improvement

A. analyzing test results.

A comprehensive review of test results is crucial for identifying strong and weak areas. This involves two steps:

• Sectional Analysis: This involves evaluating performance in each section to accurately identify areas that need improvement.
• Question-level Analysis: This process involves an evaluation of performance on each question, allowing for a precise identification of weaknesses.

B. Identifying Areas for Improvement

Improving specific areas based on test performance involves two main steps. First, there’s ‘Weakness Identification’, which is the process of identifying patterns of weaknesses and comprehending their root causes. The second step is ‘Goal Setting’. This entails setting precise objectives to enhance performance in the areas that have been identified as weak.

C. Adjusting Study Plan for a Retake If Necessary

When you need to retake a test, it’s crucial to modify your study plan to focus on any areas you’ve struggled with. This includes:

• Tailoring Techniques: Adjust your study techniques to address your specific areas of difficulty effectively.
• Preparing for a Retake: Develop a timetable for your retake that guarantees enough time for comprehensive enhancement.

XVI. Navigating Exam Registrations and Considerations

A. comprehensive step-by-step guide to gmat/gre registration:.

Are you gearing up to tackle the GMAT or GRE ? The first critical task is to successfully register for the exam. Our in-depth guide simplifies this process with step-by-step instructions for a seamless and easy experience. It covers everything from preparing necessary documents to comprehending unique requirements. Consider this guide your essential tool for an effortless registration process.

• GMAT Focus Edition: Streamlined format emphasizes critical thinking. Ideal for business school aspirations. (Learn more: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-focus-edition )
• GRE General Test: Broader coverage, suitable for various postgraduate programs. (Learn more: https://www.ets.org/ )
• Visit the official website: https://www.mba.com/
• Register with basic information and set a strong password.
• Explore available test centers and dates near you. https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register
• Prioritize weekday mornings for optimal focus and availability.
• Remember, the GMAT Focus Edition is currently offered online and at test centers, while the GRE is mainly test center-based.
• Pay the registration fee using a valid credit card.
• Confirm your appointment and download any necessary preparation materials.

B. Additional Assessments Worth Considering: 

The Roles of TOEFL, IELTS, and Their Importance: The GMAT/GRE are not the only evaluations to take into account in the admissions process. Understand the importance of language proficiency tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): For computer-based tests. (Learn more: https://www.ets.org/ )
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Offers computer-delivered and paper-based options. (Learn more: https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/ )

C. Planning Exam Timelines for Multiple Admissions Requirements:

Creating a successful application often requires managing multiple exams simultaneously. Here’s how you can plan your exam schedules strategically to meet the demands of various programs: 1. Begin with Application Deadlines: Determine your exam schedules by starting from the application deadlines and working backwards. This way, you can ensure you have enough time to prepare. 2. Include Extra Time: When scheduling your test dates and applications, factor in additional time to account for any unexpected delays. 3. Prioritize: Concentrate on preparing for one exam at a time. This approach can lead to better results.

XVII. Conclusion

As we set our sights on the horizon of 2024, it is essential that we expect changes and embrace them as shining opportunities for our own personal and professional development. Keenly stay informed, adjust your strategies as necessary, and approach your preparation with the readiness to bend but not break – that is the spirit of resilience.

Remember, beyond the scope of imminent exams and assessments, realize that your journey in academia and beyond does not end here. Your path is an ongoing course, bountiful with chances for self-discovery, learning, and continuous improvement. Always hold on to that fact. As you navigate through life’s challenges and successes, may your journey be filled with growth opportunities that pave the way for you in both personal and professional realms.

In conclusion, here’s wishing you nothing but the very best in your GMAT endeavors. Stay hopeful and keep pushing, for your hard work will not go unnoticed. May your consistent efforts yield triumphant outcomes and open the doors to an array of exciting academic opportunities and fulfilling professional pursuits. Your potential is limitless, and this is just the beginning.

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GMAT Integrated Reasoning & Essay Seventh Edition

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Practice problems for all four IR problem types
• A full-length GMAT computer adaptive test (CAT)
• Interactive video lessons, strategies for time management, and more 
• Lessons and practice problems created by expert instructors with 99th-percentile scores on the GMAT
• Multi-Source Reasoning
• Time management and section management for both the GMAT and the EA
• ISBN-10 1506219675
• ISBN-13 978-1506219677
• Edition Seventh
• Publisher Manhattan Prep
• Publication date September 3, 2019
• Language English
• Dimensions 8.38 x 0.4 x 10.88 inches
• Print length 168 pages
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Manhattan Prep; Seventh edition (September 3, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Perfect Paperback ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1506219675
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1506219677
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.38 x 0.4 x 10.88 inches
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Manhattan prep.

In 2000, Teach for America alumnus and Yale graduate Zeke Vanderhoek had a radical idea: students learn better from better teachers. His vision of what test prep could be if taught by great educators led him to assemble a team of highly qualified teachers, recruiting only those with 99th percentile scores and substantial teaching experience. And with them, Manhattan Prep was born.

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Toigo MBA Fellowships: Minority MBA Entering Finance (Explained)

The Toigo Fellowships have supported minority US MBA candidates entering the Finance industry for the past 30 years. 

With an alumni network of over 1300 professionals, the Toigo Fellowship, synchronized with a two-year MBA experience, features a curriculum structured around a fall commencement and a summer internship between the two years. 

Since the application process of most of the US-based schools coincides with the Fellowship, applicants can apply before getting accepted to an MBA programs. 

2023 Columbia MBA Job Offers - By Region

In the third part of the Columbia MBA Series for the 2023 graduating class, we cover job offer percentages in international locations and the US.

The 86% placements in the US is a risky statistics for Columbia as most top US MBA programs have a 90%+ placements. Perhaps the Operations and Brand/Product Management functions and even the Venture Capital industry that had a stellar year in Europe drove the trend attracting 5% of hires. 

Asia emerges as another destination for Columbia MBA graduates, constituting 4% of placements. 

Columbia MBA Salary 2023 - By Function

In the second part of the Columbia MBA Series for the 2023 graduating class, we cover MBA Functions.

Consulting crossed the 41.50% benchmark as in other strong consulting schools (Tuck, Ross, Duke Fuqua, and Kellogg). The higher representation is driven by a strong consulting curriculum, a median base salary of $190,000, and guaranteed compensation of $30,000. 

Columbia MBA Salary 2023

In the four-part series, we cover:

•    Columbia MBA Salary 2023 by Industry •     Columbia MBA Salary 2023 By Function •     Columbia MBA Job Offers By Region •     Columbia MBA Top Employers for 2023

Let us start with the industry trends for Columbia MBA graduates:

Columbia MBA - Top Employers (2023)

In the fourth and final part of the Columbia MBA Salary Series for the 2023 graduating class, we cover top Employers recruiting at Columbia Business School.

Consulting firms, as evident from the table below, were prominent among the top employers, with McKinsey & Company leading the charge with 77 total hires, including 39 sponsored students. 

The Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company also made significant contributions, with 39 and 30 hires, respectively, showcasing the program's strong ties to the consulting industry.

What is the total cost of Wharton MBA?

Wharton mba cost breakdown, tuition fees (wharton mba) (1-year).

The first-year Wharton MBA tuition fee is $84,830 whereas the tuition fee for the second year is $83,830. 

Harvard MBA Cost Breakdown and Funding Tips

What is the total cost of harvard mba, tuition fees (harvard mba) (1-year).

The tuition fee for Harvard MBA for the academic year 2024-25, is $76,410 - a 2% hike trend that continued for two years. 

What is the total cost of Chicago Booth MBA?

Chicago booth mba cost breakdown, tuition fees (booth mba).

Chicago Booth MBA's tuition fee for a single academic year in 2024-25 is $84,198, and for the total MBA program, the tuition fee is $168,396, which saw an increase of 4% from 2023. 

Stanford MBA: Cost Breakdown and Funding Tips

Stanford mba cost breakdown (updated for 2024-2025 academic year), tuition fees (stanford mba) (1-year).

For the academic year 2024-25, the Stanford MBA tuition fee saw a 3.2% increase, reaching $82,455 for single and married students. 

Emory Goizueta Military MBA (Analysis)

In this 1st part of the Career Planning Analysis for military applicants, we cover Emory Goizueta Military MBA

Winning MBA Essay Guide

Only 1 in 9 gains admission to Harvard MBA program. If you write your essay focused only on your achievements, post-MBA goals, and your pre-MBA experience, you will be among the rejected applicants.

ATTENTION is the secret ingredient. How will you get the attention of the essay reviewer?

You know why parables shared 1000 years ago are still shared among us?

Storytelling!

Yes, the art of storytelling has won presidency for Obama, transformed Apple from an unknown start-up to a brand synonymous with Quality, and gained admission for the average MBA Applicant.

F1GMAT's Winning MBA Essay guide will teach you how to transform your essay to an epic life journey with trials and tribulations that will move the admission team.

"It feels like a dream. I would have never imagined to even target Harvard MBA if it was not for Atul's encouragement. A true champion of the applicant" - Harvard MBA

"What I like the most about Atul's Editing is his willingness to listen and consider my words before suggesting alternatives. Most consultants give recommendations with no room for debate. The crazy hours he puts into making the essay perfect is another quality that makes F1GMAT different. I went back and forth with him for nine versions of the Stanford Essay. I didn't pay anything extra for the additional edits. Highly recommend the review service. Ask for the three school bundle service" - Stanford and MIT Accepted (Stanford MBA)

"The extensive evaluation of my profile, along with intense debate on the possible career paths, made discussions with Atul an enlightening experience. He knows what he is saying and uses data to support the case. The Q&A for the impact table is another part of the service that opened my eyes to a couple of career paths. But the most useful service is the editing. After writing and self-editing the Wharton MBA essay, I couldn't shorten the length. Atul cut the words without losing the storytelling qualities of my essay." - Wharton MBA

"The Responsiveness of Atul's Editing, the IMPACT table and the color coded comments were the differentiating value proposition I experienced while receiving help for my essays.The process made my writing and editing much easier" - Columbia & Booth Accepted (Chicago Booth MBA)

"Atul is a brilliant strategist and editor. He recognized my weakness and communicated them in an honest way without ever putting me down. The balance of practicality and encouragement helped me set the right expectations and focus all my efforts on European schools as my post-MBA goal had much better recall when we quoted opportunities in the UK and Germany." - LBS MBA

"I am an aspiring Entrepreneur who found Yale's Integrated curriculum to be the best preparation for the complexity of a fast-paced global market. While communicating my drive for entrepreneurship in the essay, I couldn't encapsulate who I was and the biggest commitment I made. An event from childhood that Atul brought out from me became the opener that completed the missing piece for my story" - Yale MBA

"Thank you for breaking down the culture at Haas for me. It really helped me approach the essays with fresh eyes. Your editing style is much appreciated as I was apprehensive that my voice would get stifled with each edit. You took my best phrases, put the magic of your words and created a pitch that the Haas MBA admissions team accepted!" - Haas MBA

Start the Journey to M7 and Top 20 MBA with F1GMAT's Essay Editing and MBA Application Review Service

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The 10 best schools for finance in the world.

Stanford Graduate School of Business is among the best schools for finance worldwide ©Stanford GSB / iStock

What are the best schools for finance across the globe? Find out the top destinations to study finance including the likes of Oxford Saïd and Harvard

By  Fay Nyberg

Fri May 10 2024

For those seeking the competitive advantage of attending a business school that’s highly-acclaimed for finance education, the annual QS MBA by Career Specialization Rankings places nine out of the top 10 best finance schools in the world in the US.

Read on to find out which business schools rank at the top of this year's list, and explore some of the unique characteristics that make the top business schools for finance stand out.

The 10  Best Schools For Finance

10. university of michigan ross school of business.

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is a top 10 ranking b-school when it comes to finance. With a fast-track finance MBA program, the accelerated course prepares ambitious students for summer internship positions at the end of the first year. 

The curriculum includes valuation, corporate financial policy, and financial modeling. There’s also a student-run MBA Investment Banking Club to support applications for internships and help Michigan Ross financiers’ careers progress. Ross MBA graduates are hired by the likes of Goldman Sachs, Barclays and BlackRock. 

9. Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management

The Johnson School is part of the University of Cornell, one of the largest universities in the US Ivy League. It ranks among the 10 best finance schools at number nine in this year's list. 

The two-year MBA course incorporates a summer internship and students can focus on finance by choosing a semester-long corporate finance immersion, which includes a mix of theory and practice.

Leading S&P 500 companies across a wide range of industries including finance hire Johnson’s MBA students for internships, including the likes of American Express and Bank of America.

Check out the  Cornell Johnson MBA Class Profile

8. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University offers a full-time MBA with a finance major. All MBA students begin their studies by looking at the basic tools and skills needed for a finance career. 

They can then hone their finance skills further by selecting electives such as value investing, or experiential learning courses with simulation elements such as impact investing and sustainable finance.

Faculty members here serve as editors of leading professional publications. Some like Professor Dean Karlan are founders of nonprofits dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global poverty issues.

Check out the  Northwestern Kellogg MBA Class Profile

7. University of Oxford Saïd Business School

If you’re looking to study a top finance MBA outside of the US, the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School is a top 10 ranking school that's based in England. The MBA curriculum includes core courses examining the foundations of business, plus elective options like corporate valuation and financial management for banks and insurers. 

MBA students at Oxford Saïd can apply to the MBA Finance Lab for the opportunity to work through case studies. The school also offers a DPhil in Finance and MSc in Financial Economics, with an option to combine a master’s degree with a one-year MBA. 

Find out how to successfully  apply to the Oxford Saïd MBA

6. University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Just missing out on the top five in this ranking of the best finance schools, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers both an MBA in Analytic Finance and a  Master in Finance Program. Following up on the MBA with a concentration in finance means you select four finance-focused courses from options such as portfolio management and financial markets and institutions.

Esteemed faculty members here include Nobel Prize winners like Professor Eugene F. Fama , who is widely considered the ‘father of modern finance' and fellow Nobel Laureate,  Professor Lars Hansen . 

Find out how to successfully  apply to the Chicago Booth MBA

5. NYU Stern School of Business

The NYU Stern School of Business is number 5 in the QS MBA’s rankings of the best finance schools for 2023. The school takes a ‘flexible first’ approach to its MBA program, which is highly customizable. 

MBA students following the finance curriculum can select up to three specializations in related fields like financial systems and analytics, accounting, or supply chain management. There are also opportunities for real-world learning through participation in programs like the Michael Price Student Investment Fund, which offers hands-on asset management experience. 

Read the  NYU Stern MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

4. Columbia Business School

New York’s Columbia Business School has the lure of being located in the city that’s the center of global financial markets. Beyond the nearby bustle of Wall Street, this Ivy League school has more guest lectures and speaker visits to its campus than any other top business school. 

The MBA’s core finance elements focus on the foundational topics of value, financial accounting, and corporate finance. There are over 300 electives to choose from, with recommended courses to follow for a finance career path. The school also offers an MS in Financial Economics and a Finance PhD.  

Read the  Columbia MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

3. Stanford Graduate School of Business

Studying a finance MBA can give you a broad range of opportunities both within finance and beyond. For those who aspire to work with the biggest names in tech, Stanford's Graduate School of Business campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in California.

The first-year MBA curriculum includes the foundations of finance, financial accounting, and microeconomics. Those following a finance pathway can select year two electives including economics of the private equity industry, money and banking, and angel and venture capital financing for entrepreneurs and investors. 

Check out the  Stanford GSB MBA Class Profile

2. Harvard Business School 

Boston-based Harvard Business School has a dedicated finance MBA curriculum and boasts a busy calendar of seminars delivered by top global names in finance.

The MBA program’s core modules in finance develop student’s ability to make financial and managerial decisions. Year two electives include investment management and field courses such as value creation in small and medium firms.

Among the key factors that make this Ivy League school standout are its award-winning faculty members. For example, professor Lauren J.Cohen was invited to brief US congress on policy matters and delivered a keynote address at the launch of Nigeria’s Central Bank digital currency.

Dive into the  Harvard MBA Notable Alumni

1. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Wharton is the leading school for an MBA for finance in the QS list, coming out on top against the other best finance schools in the US.

The b-school has been a leading name in finance education and research for over 120 years. Global names in finance hire Wharton MBA students as staff and interns, including the Bank of America, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs & Company.

The Wharton MBA curriculum includes core modules such as corporate finance and macroeconomics, and the global economic environment. 

The wide variety of electives means you can customize the program to support a financial career pathway. Examples of options include international financial markets and cryptocurrencies or data science for finance. 

Read the  Wharton  MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

• Best Business Schools

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INSEAD MBA Essays – Complete Guide with Tips 2023

When you take the bold step to commence an MBA course in the topmost institutions of the world, you are moving into a new realm of Business education. Enrolling in the world’s top MBA programs allows you to deliver academic work at a whole different level. The MBA admission process involves giving interviews, profound research, and writing application letters/essays.

The INSEAD MBA essays are on a different level, and To ace the INSEAD MBA essays, you need a lot of practice, clarity, and creativity.

In this article, we will dig deeper to understand and analyze the expectations of the admissions council. Moreover, we will illustrate the right approach for each of the seven INSEAD MBA essays that the application requires.

INSEAD is one of the most popular and top-notch business schools in the world. With campuses in Singapore, Spain, Abu Dhabi, France, and now in San Francisco, its program is among the best 1-year programs globally and often is regarded as “ the business school for the world ”. 

Apart from the general queue, INSEAD is among the few top B-schools globally with two intake seasons, the September intake and January intake. Therefore, it provides the aspiring Candidates with an opportunity to plan their application in a manner such that rather than applying late to one intake season, the candidates can apply early to the next intake. Moreover, the few months’ break allows the candidates to improve their applications, LORs, and essays. 

How many INSEAD MBA essays are there?

INSEAD presents one of the most demanding MBA applications out there, with about seven INSEAD MBA essays required to be submitted by the applicants, which are further categorized into two sub-categories- career / job type INSEAD essays and motivational INSEAD essays. 

The job questions are not essays. Hence, the number of words is not so important. People need to be comfortable writing 3 lines or 20. Some applicants work for companies that are well known and only 3 lines are sufficient to describe them; others work for small companies where it is more important to give the full picture.

With more than seven INSEAD MBA essays and, that’s not including the two optional essays, the INSEAD application essays are among the most extended applications of any top-tier MBA application.

Career or Job type INSEAD MBA essays

Motivation insead mba essays.

Answering all the seven INSEAD application essays questions yourself can seem daunting when you start staring at a blank page. But with our expert guidance and working with over 100 applicants applying to a range of top-tier B-schools, our experience dictates that precisely because of its length, the INSEAD MBA essays allow you to tell your story a bit more than just about any other top-tier B-school application out there.

CAREER OR JOB TYPE INSEAD MBA ESSAYS

Insead mba essay question 1:.

Briefly summarize your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products, and results achieved. (200 words, max)

EXPLANATION :  

First of all, understand the nature of the question; this question is intended to give the council a snapshot of where you stand right now in your career. Don’t overthink and waste your words and time writing irrelevant things, as you will have ample space in later INSEAD essays to write about details of your major accomplishments. If space allows, write about workspace accomplishments only.

ANSWERING STRATEGY :  

In this INSEAD application essay be sure to mention your title, organization, location, and major responsibilities held by you in this question. If relevant, also write about leadership and teamwork, any international projects, or any significant project. Quantify the details as much as possible throughout the question. 

The worst approach to introducing a function to the Ad-Comm is through JDs. Instead, you might wish to divide your job up into more manageable chunks. Keep in mind that the Ad-Comm is made up of talented people who may not all be experts in your industry. Thus, the first component of your INSEAD application essay is a test of how well you might communicate a difficult value proposition to a client if you were a McKinsey consultant. 

concise, clear sentences

Avoid industry jargon and acronyms

Simple yet not entirely straightforward explanation

Teamwork is explicitly mentioned (working in a group of () people, collaborating with cross-functional teams, working directly with a number of lateral teams, etc.).

(If any) Managerial Leadership

INSEAD MBA ESSAY QUESTION 2:

What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (200 words maximum)

This INSEAD essay is designed in such a way to give the Council ‘a fuller’ understanding of where you sit in your organizational hierarchy and your current career trajectory focusing on what the applicant's next logical move would be in their existing organization (i.e. without an MBA).

The ideal candidate will be able to describe a next step that would include more accountability, whether it relates to the scope and complexity of the project, the number of personnel under management, or P&L. Candidates may also include, if appropriate, a projected timetable for promotion to this post. Specific details about your next promotion or title and how the new title would list any new responsibilities can also be included concisely.

In this INSEAD application essay candidatesshould outline a plan for oneself that does NOT include an MBA. You should think about a new strategy if your business does not have a logical next step. What if you hadn't considered earning your MBA? What if your present position, company, or industry experienced multiple fold growth? What if you were so devoted to your work that nothing could sway you from it? What if Colin Farrell from Horrible Bosses wasn't present at work? What if you were unable to pursue an MBA because of a financial restriction or, God forbid, a personal issue? The cause really doesn't matter; instead, you should consider what would happen if you stayed with the same company. State that there are external factors, such as the company's size, location requirements if you need to change office headquarters, the skill set necessary to advance (ideally skills that an MBA would provide), or another existing obstacle, that prevent you from expecting to advance in the same company. Once you've demonstrated that it truly is the only key that unlocks the door to the future, you can next discuss how an MBA would facilitate your growth.

INSEAD MBA ESSAY QUESTION 3:

Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words maximum)

EXPLANATION : 

Typically your CV describes the positions you’ve had in your career but, these INSEAD MBA essay questions allow you to dig deeper, giving insights into “why” you made those choices specifically. This INSEAD MBA essay is one of the most critical parts of your overall narrative as an aspiring candidate, so be sure to give it the attention it deserves

The INSEAD MBA essay question stated above allows you to explain the value-add of your career choices that may not seem evident from looking at your CV. For example, how you took a cut in salary to gain critical in-market international experience or how you passed up a promotion, opting instead to strengthen other aspects of your business education.

This INSEAD essay encourages you to assume responsibility for your choices. It's possible that you followed the crowd unwisely, but that doesn't make you a bad person or call into doubt your judgment. This essay gives you the chance to dive deeper and explain the decisions you made. 

Accepting those incorrect conclusions demonstrates a strong character. On the other hand, if you were wise enough to make every decision, support that with specific examples.  Give this the consideration it requires because it is an important component of your entire application narrative. 

A chronological approach is a must for this INSEAD MBA essay question, starting with your first role after university until now. Make sure to showcase your career progression and promotions at each organization by all means possible, and if you have enough room for a major accomplishment or two, you can add that, too. 

But, mainly focus on the main topic of the INSEAD MBA essay: the rationale behind your choices, which let you experience an extensive career.

This essay enables you to explain the added worth of professional decisions that might not be clear from a cursory glance at your CV. It's important to remember that every one of your decisions must have given you new knowledge, views, ideas, and experiences. It is essential that you expressly state what you took away from them because doing so demonstrates your want to maximize every choice you make, whether good or bad.

INSEAD MBA ESSAY QUESTION 4:

Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with or without an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words maximum)

In this fourth INSEAD MBA essay question, with only 100 words given to work with, you’ll need to be as specific and as straightforward as possible. 

What is your immediate goal post your MBA graduation, where do you see yourself in 5-10 years, and what is the route to be followed between the two?

Try to get as specific with sample company names and certain ideas about the jobs you seek. Moreover, try to include one or two sentences about your passion and why this job suits your career trajectory.

"with an MBA from INSEAD"

Here, INSEAD encourages you to consider why you want to pursue an MBA and how it will help you achieve your long-term professional objectives. In addition, your short-term objective reveals exactly how you think while making deliberate career selections. If you wanted to launch an ed-tech business for persons with disabilities in the long run but applied for finance or banking jobs right after receiving your MBA, it wouldn't seem very logical.

"Without an INSEAD MBA"

Without an MBA, it may be difficult to justify the same set of goals for the short and long term, and providing a varied set of goals may reveal your lack of direction. The best way to answer this INSEAD essay question is to be ambitious and visionary while maintaining a sense of reality. Consider your options carefully and come up with multiple strategies for accomplishing your goals. For instance, searching LinkedIn to find people with various profiles who work for the same company would be a good place to start. You might also take a look at some of the online certification programmes that aim to at least cover the MBA curriculum in theory. If an MBA didn't happen, be sure to present some reasonable deadlines by which you want to reach these objectives. It may serve as a sign of lucidity and resolve.

OPTIONAL QUESTION:

If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme. 

In this INSEAD MBA essay, they are looking for indications that you are interested in continual self-improvement, knowledge or experience acquisition, and/or giving back in this essay. This INSEAD MBA essay question gives jobless applicants the opportunity to explain their situation, along with a section that takes into account applicants who intend to take a break of more than two months between their applications and beginning of the INSEAD programme. 

Simply state what you hope to accomplish and gain during the time before leaving your employment, and before the start of the INSEAD MBA programme. The admissions committee is interested in learning if you are the kind of person who seizes opportunities and what kinds of possibilities you are drawn to. Show that you are actively building your skill set, establishing relationships, and moving closer to your professional objectives. Increasing one's involvement in volunteer work, going to conferences and professional development courses, attempting to find short-term pre-MBA employment, and other strategies for making the most of the time between applying and being accepted are all excellent topics for this essay.

MOTIVATIONAL INSEAD MBA ESSAYS

Insead motivational essay question 1:.

Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (maximum 500 words). 

Through this INSEAD MBA essay question is the same as that of a strength-weakness essay asked my most schools, the committee is seeking to understand unique characteristics, motivations, and values and at the same time wants to know about the major life events and people who have helped shape your career and you as well into the person you are today. 

This INSEAD motivational essay question is somewhat open-ended and effectively invites the applicant to introduce themselves to the adcoms by going beyond a simple explanation of their profession and interests. Candidates should discuss more in-depth examination of their personality and values and also offer illustrative examples of how these traits appear in real-world situations. Applicants can talk about formative experiences from the past that have affected who they are today. You should discuss the strengths and weaknesses you gleaned from your formative experiences in order to demonstrate a clear relationship between the two.

When replying to this kind of INSEAD essay, it's crucial to fully answer the question, but it's also in your best advantage to place as much emphasis on the positive as you can. You may start out by listing two or three positive attributes and giving succinct instances of what these qualities have helped you achieve or how they have given you the ability to assist others. 1-2 weaknesses and 2-3 strengths are recommended. You should first highlight your strengths before addressing one or two weaknesses, preferably ones you've previously taken measures to resolve. Give examples for each of them. Attempt to include examples and anecdotes from both work and outside of it. One narrative may cover both a strength and a weakness at times, while at other times, a strength may be used excessively.

It's best to provide a brief example to support every claim you make about your character when addressing these types of personal attributes in order to truly "prove" that you have the quality in issue. By doing this, you're basically "showing" the reader, as opposed to "telling" them, how your character and values influence how you behave and what you might be able to bring to the INSEAD MBA programme. 

Answering such an INSEAD MBA essay question requires a great degree of self-awareness, consciousness, and some deep introspection. However, this is the chance to gain the upper hand and an enormous amount of value working with a personal coach at MBA and beyond. Our team of experts will help you create a unique and well-polished INSEAD MBA essay that extends well beyond business school applications.

INSEAD MOTIVATIONAL ESSAY QUESTION 2:

Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned (maximum 400 words).  

You must provide two experiences for this essay that showcase two different parts of your personality as a candidate, highlighting a high and a low point in your life. Additionally, keep in mind and avoid using stories that convey the exact same concepts as in essay 1. You must choose stories that not only feature a significant incident but also had a profound and long-lasting impact on you personally. 

These aspects of your INSEAD essays are equally important to the success and failure you choose to discuss; your original ideas can set you apart from other applicants, and demonstrating how these events affected your relationships with others shows your capacity for self-awareness and growth.  Discuss a specific, recent failure that was substantial enough to rattle you a little. The discussion can be about work or something else.

Be sure to use as many professional examples as possible in this INSEAD MBA essay. The experience and achievements will vary from applicant to applicant. Since you’ve been able to tell your personal story in the first motivational INSEAD MBA essay, it’s best to use a professional example for the accomplishment in this INSEAD MBA essay questions. For the accomplishment part, add details about what you achieved and what you had to overcome to do so, and why it made you proud. To optimize your impact with the council, try by quantifying the results to showcase a positive impact.

For the failure part, rather than choosing something you made a blunder at, try selecting an oversight you made at work or a simple mistake and then conclude what you learned from the experience and how it helped you become the person you are today. 

While it may seem counterintuitive, a big failure demonstrates that you are a risk-taker, but make sure that the failure was personal and didn’t cause the company great loss.

In both the above cases, specific details on how these experiences have impacted your life and relationships with your colleagues and teammates. Moreover, including the soft skills, you honed through these experiences and how they will make you a better addition to your study team and INSEAD class.

INSEAD MOTIVATIONAL ESSAY QUESTION 3:

Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc.). How are you enriched by these activities? 

The last INSEAD MBA essay question provides you an opportunity to show the Admissions Council that you’re a well-rounded person with hobbies and interests that extend beyond your professional life. While writing the INSEAD MBA essay, you’ll need to balance depth and breadth. Try to create 4-5 paragraphs, each with its theme. Some of the common themes can be:-

Involvement during University - clubs that you were a part of, student council and fest committees 

Any Volunteering or community work during college life 

Any sports club or any sports you were good at. 

Hobbies and passions

The second part of this INSEAD MBA essay is more critical since it outlines “Why What and How” you’ve chosen to devote your free time. 

Simply describe the variety of activities you engage in (or have engaged in), including both serious pursuits and "just fun" pursuits, while outlining their respective roles and significance in your life. The admissions committee will gain insight into your personality outside of work and school, as well as an understanding of what you could offer the student body and INSEAD as a whole, by hearing about how you choose to spend your free time and why your chosen activities are meaningful to you and what you gain from them.

While try to neglect generic things like traveling and photography since everyone loves traveling and photography. Hence, unless you have something truly outstanding to add about either one of these endeavors, leave them apart.

OPTIONAL QUESTION :

Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words) 

The optional INSEAD application essays should be used to clarify anything you need to and/or to convince them to accept you. DON'T utilise it for a brief synopsis, a repetition of one of your other pieces, or anything else equally dull and cliché. So, if necessary, use this opportunity to address any concerns an admissions officer may have about your profile, such as a subpar grade or overall GPA, a low GMAT or GRE score, a break in your employment history, etc. 

If you decide to write it, compose a concise, well-focused essay that discusses a new topic. This INSEAD MBA optional essay is written in an open-ended manner, implying that applicants are allowed to submit any information they feel would be valuable to their file. 

Writing your MBA application essays can be very daunting but this is your only chance to showcase your accomplishments and goals to the adcoms. Our expert consultants at MBAand Beyond connect with you and help you write your detailed essays after having your profile evaluated multiple times. These highly emphasized and professionally curated MBA essays give the admissions team a critical insight into how well you would fit in with the course as a whole. So, take your free consultation call today and enroll now.

Tips and Tricks for writing your INSEAD MBA application essays

One of the most difficult elements of the MBA application is writing essays. However, INSEAD MBA application essays are an essential part of the admissions process since they provide you the chance to showcase your accomplishments and goals. It also gives the admissions team a critical insight into how well you would fit in with the course as a whole. In this section we have covered some suggestions on how you can ace your INSEAD MBA essays:

Be Original

Avoid using clichés and instead produce unique material. The adcoms want to know "you" in your truest, most authentic form, so be forthright and thoughtful about the special experiences you may contribute to the curriculum. To answer each of the questions, it could be helpful to imagine what you might say to a friend or sibling over coffee.

Avoid writing what you believe the admissions committee wants to read, and instead trust your gut. For example, you can incorporate details from your personal life that can highlight your interests, goals, or successes. 

You can try to recall incidents and tales from your youth, high school, or university education. It goes without saying that you should make sure the anecdotes from your personal and professional life reveal something about you and are relatable to the questions. 

Clarity of Expression

It is critical to maintain focus, prepare effectively, and allot enough time to write, revise, and edit your essays in order to prevent the image you're trying to convey from being tainted by errors, confused words, technical jargon, and acronyms. Try writing in bullet points rather than complete sentences at first. The essay portion of the application might take up to 8–10 weeks to prepare, and it is typical to need to rewrite them multiple times until you are satisfied with the outcome.

Detailed Work Experience

One of the most valuable resources you will bring to the classroom is your professional experience, so you must clarify the nature of your work using clear and precise examples. If you work for a family firm or a small- to medium-sized enterprise, it's very crucial to describe your organization's structure, market, and product.

It's common to emphasise your strengths while discussing your experience, but be sure to also draw attention to your areas for growth. Lastly, if you have a gap in your employment history or have been unemployed for a while, explain your reasons for the same and not avoid it. 

There you go! If you follow these tips while answering your INSEAD MBA essay questions, it should set you on the track to academic success. Furthermore, since writing INSEAD MBA essays can be one of the most challenging aspects of the MBA application, they form a crucial element of the admissions process by providing you a unique opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions council. 

If you want to know about writing a near-perfect INSEAD MBA essay, hop on to a 45-minute extensive call with our team at MBA and Beyond . We will provide you with INSEAD sample essays and guide you step-wise to draft a unique piece with clarity, precision, and creativity. Moreover, we are determined to guide you through your entire application process, ensuring the best offers from top Business schools. 

What is so special about INSEAD?

Doing an MBA from INSEAD university is a dream of many. There are many reasons associated with it. The INSEAD MBA duration, global campuses spread worldwide, INSEAD MBA rankings and a diverse MBA class profile are what makes the school a unique place to learn.

The INSEAD offers a ten months MBA program, with inclusive and transformative business education. The INSEAD MBA program is well-known for its rigorous and international focus. 

The INSEAD business school has its campuses spread globally across four different locations: Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and North America (San Francisco). 

INSEAD has received excellent ranks from the QS Subject Ranking for being one of the business schools globally. 

An average INSEAD MBA class consists of about 1000 students coming from 70+ different nationalities each year.

Is INSEAD MBA worth it?

Certainly YES! The INSEAD MBA program offers a highly focused and holistic educational environment with a good employment opportunity. Here's a sneak peak into INSEAD class profile:

INSEAD MBA Class Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do you write an INSEAD MBA essay?

Writing an application essay can be a daunting task for someone aiming for the top MBA programs. Not only does it involve a lot of hard work and dedication but extensive research work, precision, and clarity. While writing an INSEAD essay, the most crucial aspect is making your content unique, among others. Therefore, stay focused as you have to write INSEAD MBA essays on seven different topics. Try to make each INSEAD MBA essay distinct from the other and follow a sequenced approach to present your relevant skills more elaborately.

Q2: How do I prepare for an INSEAD MBA interview?

Preparing for an INSEAD interview requires you to be confident about your content, CV, and work experience. Usually, the questions asked in the interview reflect your nature towards your goals and signifies your characteristics. Since the interview round is the hurdle in your selection process, it’s better to take professional mentoring to avoid any chances of disqualification. Try to practice enough with a personal coach to understand the essence and make sure all your hard work doesn’t end up in vain.

Q3: Why are you a good fit for INSEAD MBA?

While writing different INSEAD MBA essays, try to showcase your approach in a particular situation and supply perception into your strengths and abilities. Your results should designate that you were able to make an impact at the crucial moment. Moreover, a good GMAT/GRE score, essential work experience, and your career projectile are the elements that would count the most while filing your application letter.

Q4: What is INSEAD MBA looking for in essays?

INSEAD and most top B-schools are looking for candidates with good analytical skills, creativity, efficiency, and leadership qualities. Moreover, always remember that it’s you. The council is interested in not the team, not your manager; the actions taken should reflect your characteristics and achievements to make it a more compelling example for the essays.

MBA and Beyond

Published in MBA , MBA and Beyond , Admission Consultants and Blog

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‘Film Geek’ Review: A Cinephile’s Guide to New York

The director Richard Shepard details his lifelong obsession with movies in this enthusiastic video essay.

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By Calum Marsh

Richard Shepard, the director of the black comedies “Dom Hemingway” and “The Matador,” is a lifelong cinephile with a voracious appetite for movies.

“Film Geek,” a feature-length video essay composed primarily of footage of films that Shepard saw growing up in the 1970s in New York City, delves deep into his obsession. In a voice-over, he recounts his childhood, when he was “addicted to movies, to watching them, to making them.” He is enthusiastic, and the movie aspires to make that enthusiasm infectious.

I appreciate Shepard’s affection: I also grew up loving movies, and I found his wistful reminiscences of being awed by “Jaws” and “Star Wars” relatable. But Shepard’s level of self-regard can be stultifying. For minutes at a time, he simply rattles off the titles of various movies that he saw as a child. I appreciate that seeing “Rocky” made a strong impression on him. I did not need to know that he lost his virginity in the apartment building where John G. Avildsen, the director of “Rocky,” once lived.

“Film Geek” has been compared to Thom Andersen’s great documentary from 2003, “Los Angeles Plays Itself,” and on the level of montage, they share a superficial resemblance: “Film Geek,” like Andersen’s essay film, is brisk and well edited.

But “Los Angeles Plays Itself” is also a thoughtful and incisive work of film criticism, whereas Shepard describes movies in clichés, when he describes movies at all. More often he is talking about himself, a subject of interest to far fewer viewers.

Film Geek Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes. In theaters.

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GMAT Prep Online Guides and Tips

How to prepare for the gmat: 23 expert study tips.

No one ever said the GMAT was easy. In fact, it’s considered so tricky (and so important) that most would-be MBAs spend two to three months preparing for it. The majority of students spend over 50 hours studying, and the highest scorers average 121 hours of study time! What exactly are they doing all this time to get ready?

This guide will walk you through exactly how to prepare for the GMAT, with 23 essential steps that will take you from registering for the exam to drilling practice questions to sitting down at the computer on test day.

First, let’s consider what you need to do before you start hitting the books.

How to Prepare for the GMAT: First Steps

Before you start reviewing the rules of exponents for GMAT math or parallel structure for GMAT verbal, you need to do some preliminary prep work. At this stage, you’re getting ready to study by researching business schools, gathering materials, and devising a plan.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to study for the GMAT, let’s look at the first steps you need to take , starting with research on business schools.

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#1: Research Business Schools and Deadlines

It’s a pretty safe bet that you’re taking the GMAT to apply to business school and not just for the love of taking timed, computer-adaptive tests. Because the GMAT has a very specific purpose, you should start your preparation by doing some research on business schools.

Find some schools of interest, and write down their application deadlines. Do you have at least three months before the deadline to study? Ideally, you’ll have even more time than that, so that you have the opportunity to retake the GMAT if you’re not satisfied with your scores.

Not only do you need a clear sense of application deadlines, but you should also research the average scores of accepted students. Do most students get in with a 650, or is the school looking for a stellar score of 730?

By finding the average total GMAT score of accepted students, you’ll gain a clear sense of what score you need to be a competitive applicant.

#2: Set a Target GMAT Score

Once you’ve done some research on schools, you can set your own target GMAT scores.  As you study, you can work towards these target scores. You may be far from this scoring level starting out, but you’ll get closer to it as the months go by.

In addition to setting clear goals, it’s also important to know your target score for test day. After you finish the GMAT, you’ll see your Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal, and total scores. At this point, you’ll be asked whether you want to keep or cancel your GMAT scores.

By having a specific target in mind, you’ll know right away whether or not you’ve achieved the GMAT scores you need to apply to your business schools of choice.

#3: Gather Practice Materials

With the abundance of GMAT practice materials out there, how can you choose the ones that will best help you meet your goals? First off, you should look for official GMAT practice tests. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) offers two full-length GMAT practice tests for free as part of their GMAT Prep Software.

You can actually take these tests multiple times, but you might see a few repeat questions after the first time. Beyond these two free tests, you can also purchase additional practice tests or question packs  from GMAC, as well as buy prep books that review the concepts and skills you need for the test.

If you’re looking for more practice tests, you can find a bunch of high-quality options online . Some of the best are offered by Veritas Prep, Kaplan, and Manhattan Prep. These third-party tests can never be as high-quality as those from the test makers, but they are still excellent resources.

Many students take a practice test every two to three weeks to gauge their progress. If you start studying about three months out from your test date, then you should collect four to six practice tests to spread out over the months.

Beyond practice tests, you might be interested in a prep course or one-on-one tutoring. You should think about how you learn best and what degree of accountability you need to stick to your studying goals. If you feel like a teacher, tutor, or peer group would help motivate you, then a GMAT prep program from a third party like Veritas or Manhattan Prep could be worth the cost.

By thinking about how you learn best, you can choose the materials and method of prep that will best help you reach your goals.

#4: Take a Diagnostic Practice Test

Even before you start figuring out how to prepare for GMAT studying, you should take a GMAT practice test to establish your baseline scoring level. Don’t have high hopes for this test; in fact, you should keep your expectations low.

This test is not about doing well, but rather about gaining a clear sense of your starting point. You’ll see areas where you’re relatively strong, as well as those sections and question types that need a lot of work. This will show you how to prepare for the GMAT in the most time-efficient way possible. Also, by taking the test under realistic conditions, you’ll start to get a feel for the timing pressures of the test to keep with you as you prep.

Once you know your starting point, you can see how many points you need to improve to achieve your target score. If you have a longer way to go than you thought, then you may consider applying for a later business school deadline and choosing a test date that gives you lots of study time.

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#5: Figure Out Your GMAT Study Schedule

Lots of people preparing for the GMAT are either in school or have full-time jobs. It’s tough to fit in study time between all your other commitments, especially if you’ve been out of school for a few years and your study skills have grown rusty. Regardless, you’ll need to commit hours per week to have a chance at improving your score significantly.

To make sure you hit your study hour goals, you should take a close look at your schedule and identify times when you can definitely study. Ideally, you can set aside the same amount of time on the same days each week so that studying becomes a routine. This is how to prepare for the GMAT reliably.

#6: Identify a Good Study Environment

Just as you need to devote chunks of time to studying, you also need to find an environment that’s conducive to studying. Find a quiet place free of distraction where you can really focus in and make the most of your time.

Hundreds of hours of study time won’t add up to much if you can’t concentrate. Knowing how to prepare for the GMAT won’t matter if you can’t actually learn and concentrate. Don’t spend more time on GMAT prep than you need to. The quality of your study time is just as important as the quantity.

Find an environment that you can access easily, and minimize distractions by turning off your phone or using a website blocker so you can’t check Facebook. Use earplugs or play white noise to help you concentrate on the difficult subject matter. Take control of your surroundings so you’re able to fully focus on the tasks at hand.

#7: Write Down a Detailed Study Plan

Once you’ve collected your materials and figured out when and where you can study, you should take some time to write down specifically how to study for the GMAT.  Don’t just think to yourself that you’ll study every Tuesday afternoon. Actually put it on paper or your Google calendar.

In your study plan, you should include these aspects:

• your target number of study hours per week
• your study sessions each week, fully scheduled as actual calendar events
• what GMAT prep materials you’ll use, and how long it’ll take to work through them
• when you’ll take your practice tests, and what your target score for each one is
• contingency plans in case your practice test scores are lower than expected (for example, you might increase your study hours)

Writing down your schedule will feel like you’re setting a contract with yourself. It will be harder to procrastinate once you’ve recorded your plan.

As you plan your studying, think about areas where you need to put the most effort . If you were a humanities major, then you should probably spend the majority of your time reviewing math concepts. If you’re constantly working with numbers, then you may want to focus on reading comprehension and other verbal skills.

Refer back to the results of your diagnostic practice test to inform your study plan. Tackle your weak areas first, and devote the largest amount of time to the skills and question types that confuse you the most.

#8: Choose a GMAT Test Date and Register

Once you’ve figured out how long you need to study for the GMAT, you should choose a test date and register for the test. The GMAT is administered on an on-demand basis almost every day of the year. As long as you register a few months in advance, you should have no trouble getting your preferred test date and location.

Be thoughtful about the day of the week, time of day, and location you choose. You might have more energy at the beginning of the week than at the end, in the morning or the afternoon. If you have a choice, go for a location that you can easily access, and be aware of variables like rush hour traffic.

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By choosing your test date early, you’ll ensure that your GMAT test date is available, plus you’ll be setting a deadline for your GMAT prep. It’s a lot easier to put off studying if you don’t have an end date in sight. If your test is looming on the horizon, then you’ll have no choice but to put your nose to the grindstone.

Once you’ve registered for the exam and designed your study plan, it’s time to put it into action! Consider the advice below on how to prepare for the GMAT once you’ve registered for the test and started to study.

How to Prepare for the GMAT: 7 Key Study Tips

There are lots of concepts and skills you need for each section of the GMAT. We have a bunch of prep guides that go into depth about exactly what you need to know for AWA, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal.

This guide, though, is more concerned with meta-strategies. What overarching guidelines should shape your approach? Read the following seven tips to find out how to study for the GMAT.

#9: Learn All About the GMAT

Now that you’ve made your plan, it’s time to learn all about the GMAT. Learn about the format of the test, the timing of each section, and what the instructions say.

Figure out what concepts are tested in math, and read over the rubric that graders use to score the AWA essay. Learn about the four question types in Integrated Reasoning, and the rules of grammar you need to know for sentence corrections in Verbal.

Finally, read about how each GMAT section is scored and how adaptive testing works. You should also look over the official GMAT handbook to learn about test center policies.

Learn everything you can about the GMAT, and write down any questions that come up. When test day arrives, you won’t have to waste time reading instructions. Instead, you’ll have a clear sense of the tasks at hand.

#10: Focus on Your Weak Areas

As mentioned above, the best study plans are customized to the individual. Rather than spending the same amount of time studying for each section, you should prioritize your weak areas. You need to figure out how to study for the GMAT in a way that’s right for you, not your friend and not any other GMAT test taker.

If you have a lot of educational or work experience related to math, then you may focus more on the verbal section, and vice versa. To further uncover your weak areas, look carefully at the results of your diagnostic practice test.

Check out your GMAT section scores, and search for patterns on question types. Maybe you aced sentence corrections in the Verbal section, but you had trouble with reading comprehension problems. Maybe you thought algebra problems were a breeze, but you couldn’t remember any geometry formulas.

Find any sources of confusion and target those areas first to see the greatest score improvement.

#11: Prioritize the Quantitative and Verbal Sections

In addition to targeting your weak areas, you should also spend more time preparing for the Quantitative and Verbal sections than for AWA and Integrated Reasoning. AWA and IR still matter, but they aren’t as significant as Quantitative, Verbal, and total scores during the admissions process.

You especially want to prioritize a section if you majored in an unrelated subject. Admissions officers want to see that former humanities majors have a strong Quantitative score and that former math majors have sufficient verbal skills.

#12: Review Important Math and Verbal Concepts

While the GMAT is more about reasoning and problem-solving skills than memorization of facts and figures, it does still require some foundational knowledge.

In math, for instance, you need to know how to solve for a variable or calculate the area of basic shapes. In verbal, you need to understand terms like tone and thesis, as well as understand grammar rules, like subject-verb agreement and parallel structure.

Many of the concepts are ones that you learned in high school, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Most people taking the GMAT have been out of high school for seven to 10 years, and some haven’t worked with these concepts since then.

Don’t feel discouraged if you forgot how to calculate area of a right triangle or how to fix parallel structure in a complex sentence. Just make sure that your study materials review these concepts and have plenty of practice questions with which to drill these skills. Based on your specific style of learning throughout school, you’ll have to figure out how to study for GMAT subjects in the way that is most effective for you.

#13: Try Out Test-Taking Strategies

You don’t have to be uniquely brilliant to earn a high score on a standardized test like the GMAT. Doing well on these tests is less about your academic prowess and more about how good of a test taker you are.

Becoming a good test taker is a skill like any other, meaning that you can develop and improve with practice. To do well on the GMAT, you need to work strategically to improve efficiency , guess when it would benefit you to do so, and divide your time so that you answer every single question.

There are specific strategies for answering certain question types. To tackle sentence corrections, for instance, you should mentally cross out all of the “junk,” or superfluous clauses thrown into the sentence to distract you. For reading comprehension, you should develop skills of speed reading and your ability to extract transitional ideas and the main point without getting caught up in the weeds.

On Integrated Reasoning questions, you’ll benefit from looking at the questions and answers first. By knowing what you’re looking for, you can more efficiently pick out important information from all of the extraneous data.

As you study, find strategies that will help you tackle specific question types and improve your time management. Try them out on practice tests, and decide which ones boosted your performance and will be useful on test day.

#14: Peer Grade AWA Essays

Unless you enroll in a GMAT prep course, you probably won’t have any official sources scoring your AWA practice essays. That doesn’t mean you should skip this step.

Take time to familiarize yourself with the AWA rubric , and try grading your own practice essays. If you have any friends also studying for the GMAT, or who have strong verbal skills and are open to doing you a favor, then you should peer grade each other’s essays.

Just as reviewing your scores for IR, math, and verbal is useful for your prep, so too is writing practice essays from official GMAT AWA prompts   and scoring your results . You’ll start to see patterns in your writing and figure out how you can improve.

#15: Take a Timed GMAT Practice Test Every Two to Three Weeks

Your practice testing shouldn’t stop after the initial diagnostic practice test. Instead, practice tests are a great way to get better at taking the GMAT and measure your score improvement.

Many students who know how to prepare for the GMAT take a test every few weeks. Just as with the first practice test, you should simulate testing conditions by following the time limits and testing in a quiet space.

After you finish testing, take time to look over your results and see how you did on certain question types. Your performance can help you evaluate how your studying is going and see whether you need to make adjustments as you go along.

As you study, you should continuously reflect on how things are going and make changes as needed. While these tips will help guide your approach to GMAT studying, how can you prepare for the GMAT once test day is upon you?

Consider these tips as you get ready in the days before your test.

How to Prepare for the GMAT: 8 Last-Minute Tips

What final steps should you take in the days leading up to your test? These last-minute tips will help you feel ready once test day is upon you.

#16: Finalize Your List of Score Recipients

When you take the GMAT, you can enter up to five score recipients for free. These schools will get your official score report about 20 days after you test as long as you don’t cancel your scores.

If you do cancel your scores, then the schools won’t see anything. They won’t even know that you took the GMAT at all.

To take advantage of these free score reports, you should finalize your list of up to five schools before test day.

#17: Review Test Center Policies

Before heading to the test center, take a few minutes to look for any test center-specific policies. Some only accept certain forms of ID, and others may have special instructions on how to get into the building.

You want everything to go smoothly on test day so that all of your energy is focused on the GMAT. Make sure you know what to expect.

#18: Map Your Route to the Test Center

Along similar lines, take a few minutes the night before to map your route to the test center. Make sure you know exactly how to get there and whether you plan to drive, use the subway, take a bus, or call an Uber.

Consider variables like traffic, surge pricing, or an often delayed subway line. Make sure you know where you’re going so you don’t get lost, feel stressed, or, worst case scenario, miss your testing appointment completely!

You should plan to arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for checking in and storing your belongings. Plus, it’s good to arrive early just to get your bearings and feel settled in the new location before the exam starts.

#19: Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Try your best to get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Don’t spend the night frantically cramming for the test. At that point, you’ve done all you can to prepare and should focus on your mental and physical health.

Go to bed early, make yourself comfy, and make your environment as relaxing as possible. You should probably also set two alarms for the morning wake-up call, just in case.

#20: Wear Comfortable Clothes

Along with mapping your route, you should plan out what you’ll wear to the test. Wear comfortable clothes so you’re not distracted by feeling too cold, too hot, too itchy, or any other physical irritation that could mess with your head.

#21: Bring Snacks and Water

You can’t bring snacks into the test room, but you can leave them in a locker or whatever area that the test center has designated for personal belongings. The GMAT is a long and demanding test, and you’ll be burning through plenty of calories to fuel all that brainpower.

Bring snacks to boost energy and water to stay hydrated during the two breaks after the Integrated Reasoning and Quantitative sections.

#22: Don’t Forget Your ID

There’s a lot of security around the GMAT, and there’s no way you’ll be allowed to enter the testing room without an acceptable form of ID. Check out GMAT policies around proper identification , and make sure you’re bringing the right document on test day.

Note that in addition to showing your ID, you’ll also verify your identity by holding your palm for a few seconds over a palm vein reader biometric ID. Apparently, our palm veins are as unique as our fingerprints.

#23: Breathe

Once you’ve reached the end of your GMAT prep journey, take a deep breath. Then take another one. And then 10 more.

The GMAT is a stressful test for most people, and it represents the culmination of months of hard work and the hurdle you must leap to go to business school. You started off not even sure how to prepare for the GMAT, and now you’ve come to the final test day – it’s natural to be nervous.

Try to find ways to manage test-taking anxiety so you can think clearly. If you’re feeling anxious, try methods to self-soothe, like breathing techniques, meditation, and exercise.

Try to recognize unhelpful thoughts, let them float past, and replace them with positive thinking. You’ve done everything you can to prepare up to this point. Now, it’s time to focus on the test and do your best!

As we finish up, let’s go over some final thoughts about preparing for the GMAT.

How to Prepare for the GMAT: Final Thoughts

The GMAT is a tough exam, and a lot of the questions aren’t very intuitive. To do well on it, most people spend several months and over 100 hours preparing. 

As you study, you’ll find the GMAT becoming more and more manageable. Questions that seemed bewildering at first will start to reveal their secrets. Instead of rushing through sections, you’ll develop a steady test-taking rhythm that will let you answer all of the questions in each section.

The best study plans involve plenty of self-reflection. You should think about your weaknesses and mistakes, as well as your strengths and successes, and use them to make adjustments as you go. 

Most people preparing for the GMAT have the extra challenge of working or going to school full time. If this describes you, try to start months before your test date, find a good study environment, and incorporate your GMAT prep into your routine.

By setting a target score and steadily working toward it, you’ll see significant progress over time. When test day finally arrives, you’ll be well prepared and know exactly what to expect.

What’s Next?

As you read above, one of your first steps in preparing for the GMAT should be learning all about the test. Check out this guide to learn the full GMAT exam pattern and see examples of every question type .

What math concepts do you need to know for the GMAT? Check out this comprehensive guide to the GMAT Quantitative section. (coming soon)

What’s tested on the newest section of the GMAT, Integrated Reasoning? This guide breaks down the Integrated Reasoning and gives you key tips on how to prepare. (coming soon)

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Author: Rebecca Safier

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University. View all posts by Rebecca Safier