MBA News: Taking the GMAT Cold

Preparing for the GMAT is perhaps one of the most time-consuming components of your business school application. If you have ever wondered how you would fare taking the test cold, you might want to first read about one such experience recounted in Bloomberg Businessweek. Unlike the one-half of test-takers who devote at least 51 hours to preparing, the author takes the exam without studying at all and manages to pull off a surprisingly respectable 640—placing her below the average scores, yet within the admissions range for a number of top-ranking business schools (550–789 for HBS and 630–790 for Wharton, for example). That said, although a 640 is a respectable “cold” score, we would assume that with extensive preparation, this candidate could improve significantly. Our advice may defy the point of her article, but we would suggest that she prep and take the test again to increase her chances of gaining that coveted letter of acceptance.