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Advice needed

by chelseablue » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:41 pm
Hello all,

I just graduated out of College and figured I'd take the GMAT before I start work, while I'm still fresh and in studying mode.During the GMAT we're allowed to send our scores to 4 colleges for free, yeah? But I don't plan on applying until I've got 3-4 years of work experience on my resume.I'm really confused on how to go about this.If I do send my scores to these selected colleges now for free, can I apply to them later in 4years? Or do I have to forgo this, and pay for every college I send an application to, 3-4years down the line?

Also, I think it's quite evident that English isn't my native language.I think I might resort to using templates for my AWA.Although I know the AWA may not carry as much weight-age as the actual GMAT score, I hear it is important for foreign students? Any sort of advice will be appreciated.

How good is the GMATPrep software at gauging the GMAT score? I scored a 640 and a 680, although I did get quite a few questions wrong.Math is my strong area, but no matter how much I practice I can't seem to crack the SC's and the CR's.The RC's are pretty straight forward to me.I've read the Manhattan Verbal Books, The Princeton Verbal Review and the OG, I still can't seem to do well in SC and CR.My test is in a fortnight , and I'm starting to freak out about the Verbal.

Thanks.
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by Geva@EconomistGMAT » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:49 am
chelseablue wrote:Hello all,

I just graduated out of College and figured I'd take the GMAT before I start work, while I'm still fresh and in studying mode.During the GMAT we're allowed to send our scores to 4 colleges for free, yeah? But I don't plan on applying until I've got 3-4 years of work experience on my resume.I'm really confused on how to go about this.If I do send my scores to these selected colleges now for free, can I apply to them later in 4years? Or do I have to forgo this, and pay for every college I send an application to, 3-4years down the line?

The www.mba.com website will have details, but the bottom line is that you can request additional score reports at a later stage (for a fee). The four (five?) colleges are "free" as part of your $250 test fees. So go ahead and mark down Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and the school right around the corner from where you live for now - it doesn't matter much at this point, as you'll be able to request that additional score reports be sent where you really need them four years down the line. And who knows? You might end up applying to Harvard and save yourself the additional report fees.

Also, I think it's quite evident that English isn't my native language.I think I might resort to using templates for my AWA.Although I know the AWA may not carry as much weight-age as the actual GMAT score, I hear it is important for foreign students? Any sort of advice will be appreciated.

I can't speak for the B-schools, and each school will have its own policy regarding the relative weight they set by the AWA. The common lore is that the AWA carries a lesser weight - you want to get a decent score here so as not to light up any red warning signs with the adcoms, but a 6.0 won't necessarily help your application much more than a 5.0 or a 5.5. Having said that, using templates is commonplace, accepted and expected (generating a purely original essay in 30 minutes is tough, even for accomplished writers), and it is actually possible to get a 6.0 with a well-arranged template filled in with some good reasons and examples.


How good is the GMATPrep software at gauging the GMAT score? I scored a 640 and a 680, although I did get quite a few questions wrong.Math is my strong area, but no matter how much I practice I can't seem to crack the SC's and the CR's.The RC's are pretty straight forward to me.I've read the Manhattan Verbal Books, The Princeton Verbal Review and the OG, I still can't seem to do well in SC and CR.My test is in a fortnight , and I'm starting to freak out about the Verbal.

The GMATPREPs are pretty accurate with score prediction - the first time you do them (no repeat questions). But even they usually display a have 20-30 point difference either way. The article library here carries a wealth of info and pointers - I suggest that you breeze through a few articles to try and get the right mindset for CR, which is easier to pick up in a short amount of time than SC. Some places to start:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/07/ ... nt-to-life

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/03/ ... e-maverick

Thanks.

You're very welcome
Geva
Senior Instructor
Master GMAT
1-888-780-GMAT
https://www.mastergmat.com
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