GMAC Fundamental courses

 

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How are you performing on your GMAT mocks? That's the initial benchmark all applicants should consider before taking the actual exam. Whether you should enroll in pre-MBA courses or not will depend on your performance in the actual exam.

Here are some general guidelines I have shared plenty of times on this platform.

1. GMAT- Know where you stand
In profile evaluation sessions, the discussion often revolves around GMAT scores, which are a cause for concern. Early in the application season, most applicants score below the average GMAT score at their colleges of choice.

Please consider :

1.For applicants from South Asia and China: At top B schools, quantitative scores are considered weak if the percentile falls below 85, while verbal scores between 60 and 70 percentiles raise questions about the ability to communicate effectively in the classroom and with peers from international backgrounds. 

2.For native, English-speaking applicants, the opposite may be true with verbal abilities.

Consider the general bias of admissions committees toward profiles with a strong quantitative emphasis.
For crowded demographics, a slight deviation from the B School's Average scores can be compensated for by a comprehensive account of your professional development, leadership skills, or diverse aspects. However, what many applicants overlook in this assessment is the quantitative nature of the MBA program. If you want to compensate for such weaknesses, your primary focus should always be on improving your GMAT score.

Expert Insight- Folks who target consulting post MBA are better percieved if they have an overall balanced score, even if the GMAT score is not high. Folks who pitch Finance Goals are better percieved if they have a solid quant score. Consider what your goals are and what kind of analytical prowess is needed.

2: GPA- Reevaluate your undergrad report card

We frequently get asked, 'Will my low GPA be a factor for top MBA programs?'"
For overrepresented demographics, the response should be evident. The schools may be hesitant to admit you in comparison to other similar candidates, possibly showing a preference for a less robust profile sporting a higher-than-average GPA.

A generally accepted minimum threshold for undergraduate GPA is around 3.2 on a 4-point scale. For many individuals, converting percentage scores to the US GPA system might not be straightforward. To simplify this, achieving 80 percent or higher in an undergraduate course could be deemed a favorable score for international applicants.

How can you overcome weaknesses that show in your transcripts?
In the times of burgeoning online courses and digital education platforms (including Harvard's foray into online education), MBA applicants now have a new way to compensate for potential weaknesses in their academic performance. To compensate for a lower grade point average, I recommend taking courses with a strong quantitative focus and aiming for a score between 80% and 100% in offerings from reputable business schools.

Those with backgrounds in engineering, sciences, business development or HR should focus on two majors: Statistics and Calculus. If your performance has not been satisfactory, take up courses that give test options to demonstrate improvement. 

So in your case, as long as you can show you are sharp on stats and calculus, that is good enough. Even you work hard on the quant section of the GMAT, that will suffice too.

Individuals with a background in finance should focus on statistics, accounting, and financial analysis to get strong consideration from adcoms. If your performance has not been satisfactory, take up courses that give test options to demonstrate improvement. 

Remember: it is advisable to take online courses only in subjects where your grades are below 70% (unless participation is purely for personal interest).

Prospective career changers who have a GPA below 3.2 or 70 percent can also use this strategy to achieve a commendable score above 85 percent in their post-MBA target area.


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Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting 
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­
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