The Role of the GMAT in MBA Admissions

by , Jun 7, 2010

There's a lot of confusion when it comes to the importance of the GMAT in MBA admission. Let's play a little game of true or false and try and clear things up a bit.

"The GMAT is the most important element of your b-school application."

Truemuch of the time. If you hit the average or above average GMAT score for your target school, then the other parts of your application will be called into action and will play a more significant role in the admissions process. But if you don't hit even the 80th percentile for a given school, the other elements of your application will need to wage a tough uphill battle. There are of course exceptions who get in with an even lower score, but don't count on being the exception.

On the other hand, as important as the GMAT is, few applicants get in based on their GMAT score alone. It may, however, boost your chances of acceptance at a lower ranked school that's trying to boost its rankings if you hit a high score.

"A high GMAT score can save a low GPA."

Truesometimes. If you've got a really low GPA or are applying to a really high ranked school, then even a high GMAT won't really help you. If, however, your GPA is not too bad and you're applying to lower ranked schools, then a high GMAT could very well sway the adcoms' opinion of you. It can be particularly helpful if your GPA has an upward swingif it started out low during your college partying days and then reached a respectable high when you started to realize there was more to school than beer -- then a high GMAT score will only further reinforce your move towards seriousness.

"The GMAT does not reflect a person's ability to succeed in business and should not be important to business schools."

False. While there may be little or no connection directly between GMAT scores and professional success, there is a strong correlation between GMAT scores and success in the first year of b-school. And the correlation between success in that first year of b-school and later professional success is highso you do the math.

Your GMAT score is important to b-schools for three reasons:

1. The higher their average score, the higher their ranking will be.
2. The GMAT helps them objectively compare their applicants before turning to the harder-to-decipher subjective criteria.
3. The better their first year students do in business school, the better chances are that they'll land a prestigious internship or job, which scores high for the school's image and reputation.

"Business schools only care about quant scores."

False! While a high quant score is more important than a high verbal score, b-school adcoms are really looking for a balanced score. Top MBA programs are looking for verbal and quant scores above the 80th percentile.

For more information, check out Accepted's selection of GMAT tips and advice, or stay right where you are and browse the Beat The GMAT website.