How hard is the GMAT? (GRE, bachelors, skills, degree)

[jkmeca11]

I am an EE applying to NC State to obtain my MBA and was curious as to how difficult everyone thought the GMAT was?

If you took it, what was your undergrad major and how well did you do?

[Deuce Deuce]

Go the b-school forums on businessweek.com

[ADreamComeTrue]

I thought you had to take your GRE to get into grad school for business. GMAT is for medical isn't it?

[IBrakeforTailgaters]

Originally Posted by ADreamComeTrue

I thought you had to take your GRE to get into grad school for business. GMAT is for medical isn't it?

One of my friends just started an MBA program and took the GMAT, so I don't think it's specified toward med students.

My friend who took it had to take it twice. She didn't get the score she desired at first, but her scores from the second test got her into her MBA program. I'll give her a ring later on and ask for specifics. Oh, by the way, she has a Bachelors in Computer Information Systems.

[truckingbronco]

MCAT is Medical
GMAT is Business
GRE is for other grad programs like teaching, art, history, etc

[alterego]

Everyone is different. What may seem hard to one person may seem easy to another. I took the GMAT and did well enough to get into an okay MBA program, but not well enough to get into a top MBA program like Harvard or Stanford....or that could have just been because of my undergrad GPA. who knows? I do know this however, the GMAT is taken on a computer instead of the old fashioned pencil and paper method. The new structure also has an added analytical writing section. For me, the pencil and paper method is easier because that's how most tests in school are taken, and you learn to develop certain test-taking skills. It's very different on a computer. I actually took it twice...once the old fashioned way with pencil and paper and the second a few years later with the new structure on computer. My score dropped the second time. Luckily, my first score was still good enough to get into some decent programs. Check out this link; it has some sample GMAT questions. GMAT Format- Test Structure

You can judge for yourself how easy or hard it is. Also, to get into a decent MBA program, you'll probably want to aim for a score of 630 or better.

[Radek]

Originally Posted by truckingbronco

MCAT is Medical
GMAT is Business
GRE is for other grad programs like teaching, art, history, etc

and LSAT is Law schools.

I'm also interested in GMAT testing, etc.

[Briolat21]

For the EE major - as long as you have some abilities outside EE (language, writing, etc...) you'll do fine. Also, you neeed to be a good test taker.

I was a Microbiology major in undergrad. I took the GRE, when I thought I was going to pursue a science grad degree, then 2 years later took the GMAT when I decided to go MBA.

GMAT was not difficult. However, if you were one of the "I'm an engineer/scientist - I don't need to know how to write, or have a vocabulary" - you'll need to brush up on that.

Analytical section should be easy enough for you. Get the old test booklets and take a few practice tests.

GOOD LUCK!!

[mgs333]

I was an IE (ex-EE but hated EE) in college and did fairly well gradewise (around the average or a bit lower (but then again it's engineering) for the top mba programs).

I found the test fairly easy but that's perhaps why I did very well on the test.

If you did well on other standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, you should be able to also do well. Also as an engineer, the analytical part shouldn't be hard. Don't worry about the writing section (AWA), no one really cares about it.

You can also take practice tests to gauge how you'd do. (the official ones would give the most accurate estimates). Guess what, the ones by Kaplan or other testing services have lower scores because if your scores are low, then you're more inclined to use their services.

[jkmeca11]

Thanks everyone! I'll try to remember to come back and let y'all know how I did