MBA Aspirants, Get Familiar with Standardized Graduate Admission Tests

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Standardized graduate admissions tests scores are used by management institutes across the world to assess the capabilities of the applicants in meeting the rigours of the programs. Let’s take a quick look at some of these tests and how to choose the most suitable one for the program of your choice.

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) is developed by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council. Its score is used by more than 6,500 graduate programs worldwide as one of the requisite criteria for admission.

The three and half hour test (or four hours if you avail of the optional breaks) is divided into four parts.

The first is Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). To be completed in 30 minutes, it measures the candidates’ ability to think critically and to communicate their ideas on a given topic.

The second is Integrated Reasoning with 12 questions involving Multi-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis and Table Analysis to be completed in 30 minutes.

The third, Quantitative section, comprises 37 questions on Data Sufficiency and problem solving to be completed in 75 minutes.

The fourth, Verbal section, has 41 questions involving Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction to be completed in 75 Minutes.

The verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT are both scored from 0-60; the analytical writing assignment is scored on a scale of 0-6 (in increments of 0.5); the integrated reasoning section is marked on a scale of 1-8 (increments of 1).

The candidate would also receive a percentile rating for each of the four parts, indicating the percentage of test takers he/she outperformed, and a total score based on the verbal and quantitative sections. This is given on a scale of 200-800.

The candidate could choose up to five schools to send the score report, with additional reports available for an extra fee. The test could also be retaken if you are not happy with the score up to a maximum of five times over a 12-month period. The results could be cancelled immediately upon completing the test.

The total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800 where the two-thirds of the test takers score between 400 and 600. Any score in the range of 680- 720 would be considered competitive at the Top Ten and Ivy League schools, and anything above 720 would be considered in the topmost rungs.

The process for appearing in the standardized computer adaptive test involves filling of the application form online at the official website along with uploading all the necessary documents.

The test fee, $250 worldwide, could be remitted through credit/debit card, cashier’s check (mailed forms only), money order (mailed forms only) and personal cheques (mailed forms only).

GMAT official site has free prep software for registered users. The material is drawn from the previous test papers using the same software as the test itself.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of business schools are giving the option for applicants to the MBA programs to present either the GMAT or GRE scores as part of the admission process.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is administered by the Princeton, New Jersey-based Educational Testing Service (ETS). Having revised its test format in 2011, business schools, seeking more diversity in the applicants’ pool, have veered round to accepting the test scores. At present, more than 1000 MBA programs across the world accept GRE scores.

The GRE has a 60-minute Analytical Writing section with two essays, each to be completed in 30 minutes. The Verbal Reasoning section also has two 30-minute parts. Likewise, the Quantitative Reasoning section is to be completed in 35 minutes. There is also a 30-35 minute experimental section that can be either math or verbal.

The GRE test duration is around 3 hours and 45 minutes (six sections with a 10-minute break after the third).

Candidates receive a score for each section. Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning is measured on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increments.

In case you are unable to get the requisite score as specified by the School, you are allowed to retake the test once every 21 days for a maximum of five times over a 12 month period or as often as it is offered if taking the paper-based test.

While sending scorecards to admissions departments, the candidates could use the Score Select option to choose whether to include only the most recent score or all scores from the previous five years.

You could also choose up to four institutions to send score reports to, or more for an extra fee. Results can be cancelled immediately upon completing the test. GRE test cost is US$205 everywhere except China, where it is $220.70. The validity is for 5 years.

Likewise, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores are required by institutions offering programs in English (including English-taught degrees in non-Anglophone countries).

The official GRE site has sample questions and free software which simulates the test. Various third-party resources are also available.

Those whose mother tongue is not English or those who have completed their undergraduate studies in a language other than English are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS tests, to gain entry to most of the business schools.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is also accepted as proof of English language proficiency in countries for obtaining a visa.

The test is divided into four parts, the first being Reading. This section has 36-56 questions based on three or four passages from academic texts (60-80 minutes).

Next comes Listening, with 34-51 questions based on audio recordings of lectures, classroom discussions and conversations (60-90 minutes).

The third section is Speaking, comprising six tasks, requiring candidates to talk about a familiar topic, as well as issues relating to the material in the reading and listening tasks (20 minutes).

The fourth is Writing. Two essays are to be submitted, the first based on topics introduced during the reading and listening tasks, the second requiring candidates to express and support an opinion (50 minutes).

Each section is scored out of 30 to give an overall score out of 120. Test-takers also receive performance feedback. The cost of the test includes free score reports for up to four institutions and additional reports for an extra fee.

Cost: Varies depending on test centre location. For example, Milan, US$245; Sofia, US$215; Seoul, US$185; Hyderabad, US$170; Bogota, US$220.

The four and half hour test has a mandatory 10-minute break. The scores are valid for two years.

Likewise, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores are required by institutions offering programs in English (including English-taught degrees in non-Anglophone countries).

IELTS results are also accepted as proof of English language proficiency in countries where this is required to obtain a visa.

The duration of the test is two and half hours plus 15 minutes for the speaking test.

There are two versions of the test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both are divided into four sections, with the same content for the Listening and Speaking sections, but different Reading and Writing sections.

The Academic version focuses more on English in a higher education context, while General Training focuses more on workplace and social situations.

The Listening section has 40 questions based on four recordings of conversations and monologues. The audio content features a range of different accents (30 minutes).

The Reading section has 40 questions based on three passages of text. For the IELTS Academic, these texts may include graphs or illustrations that may be taken from sources including books, journals and newspapers (one hour).

The Writing section has two tasks. For the IELTS Academic, these are a short formal essay and a task in which candidates must describe or explain a table, chart or other diagrams (one hour).

In Speaking, a face-to-face interview is held, in which test-takers must answer general questions about themselves and familiar topics, speak about a particular topic (given on a card), and participate in a structured discussion.

This section can be taken up to seven days before or after the other three sections (which are taken at the same time) and lasts for 11-14 minutes.

Scoring: Each of the four sections is marked on a scale from one to nine, with band one indicating a non-user and nine an expert user. Candidates also receive an averaged overall score on the same scale.

Institutions are responsible for setting their own target scores. There is no limit on the number of times the test can be retaken. The scores are valid for two years.

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