GMAT date booking - Dilemma.

[ankitmishra]

Hi Friends/Seniors

I'm an MBA aspirant and preparing hard for the GMAT. I started my preparation in third week of April. Thereafter I learned a lot in VA section (SC and CR). At the beginning, before starting the preparation, I had scored 540 (VA-15 , QA-51) and since then I haven't seen any drastic improvement in my GMAT prep score. I have given Manhattan GMAC-like tests and score a 600 in both tests (V-29,Q-47 ; V-17, Q-50). I had planned to appear for GMAT in the first week of July, but seeing my poor performance in mock exams I am not sure of when to book a safe date for GMAT and this is also hampering my preparations.

My Profile (overview)

Nationality - Indian
Age - 24 years
Background - Science (Technology)
Major - B.Tech ( Electronics and Communications)
School Percentages - 79 and 82 (10th and 12th respectively)
College Percentage - 73
Experience - 26+ months,
Industry - Infrastructure Support in IT.
Field of Work - Project Management and Process Management.
Certificates - Certification in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (I.T.I.L)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (C.A.P.M)


I've set a goal of achieving at least 720 to get a good B-School. I also have pressure from my family to complete my education and settle as early as possible (you no, Indian mentality!!). I am too much hooked up with office work that I rarely get more than 2 hours of quality time for studying. My plan is to score high GMAT, this year and then after gaining 1 to 1.5 years of experience i should apply for the B-School.

But the problem is that I am not getting a good score. Pl help me here..in such situation.

Also suggest B-schools which can match my profile; I am more inclined for Financial Services but also want to pursue and reap my current experience.


Regards
Ankit Mishra
[email protected]

[ankitmishra]

Can some one help me here...

[Jon@Admissionado]

Sure thing dude,
First of all, (and you can tell your family that an MBA expert told you this) your family should relax a bit! I think you need to work another year or maybe even too before you should apply for an MBA.... A 720+ is of course a great goal! And if you can do it, do it! (now that you have the time ).

In the meanwhile seek other ways to improve your profile... like getting promoted, adding some good community service to your profile, etc...

As for which schools to apply to.. it's probably too early to tell (without your additional work experience and your GMAT).. Just keep on working on the GMAT and you will get there, I am sure!

[ankitmishra]

Thankyou so much Jon for your valuable inputs. As I am too aiming to get atleast 3-3.5 years of experience, I won't apply for any of B School this year. My plan is to get a good score, which would definitely boost my confidence and then thereafter work on building my profile. As I have already completed 2 years in IT field, I guess 2 more years should help me in some way. I have got two promotions as of now from the date of starting my career. Right now my main concern is to get a good score. May I ask your valuable advise in that field too?

[safsala12]

Sounds like you have a good plan and you know what you have to do. At this point, improving your GMAT score is your priority. Your Quant scores are fine, keep working on them, but mainly you must work on the Verbal section. You have a long way to go on this but you can do it. I suggest getting some professional help, if possible - not necessarily with the whole process (it's too early for that), but certainly with the Verbal, perhaps with a tutor. You have plenty of time, as you will put in another couple of years of work experience, and once you have a good GMAT, the rest of the process will fall in to place. Keep working at getting a good GMAT.