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Most people who take the GMAT do so within a year of their business school application deadlines. However, because a GMAT score is valid for 5 years, you can take the GMAT before you’re ready to apply. So, if you’re a college student planning to go to business school after you graduate, you may be wondering, “Should I take the GMAT while in college?”
The truth is, the best time to take the GMAT may be while you’re in college. In this article, we’ll discuss some reasons why taking the GMAT while in college could be a smart idea. We’ll also help you answer the inevitable next question if you do decide to take the GMAT as an undergrad: when should I take the GMAT in college?
The best time to take the GMAT may be while you’re in college.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Reason #1: You’re Already in Study Mode
- Reason #2: You Can Get the GMAT Out of the Way
- Consideration #1: Are You Sure You’ll Apply to Business School?
- Consideration #2: Do You Know Your Target GMAT Score?
- The Final Verdict: Should I Take the GMAT While Still an Undergrad?
- Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
Let’s start by looking at a couple of reasons why taking the GMAT while you’re in college may be smart.
Reason #1: You’re Already in Study Mode
If you’re currently in college, then your daily schedule is likely consumed with either going to class or studying. Thus, it’s safe to say that you’re in “study mode” most of the time. Having a study-mode mindset can be extremely beneficial when preparing for the GMAT. In fact, you can treat your GMAT prep as just another class.
For example, let’s say you’re taking 4 classes this semester. If your plan is to study for the GMAT, then treat the GMAT as your fifth class. That mindset will help you prepare for the GMAT with the same dedication that you bring to your coursework.
TTP PRO TIP:
Since you’re already in study mode while you’re an undergrad, you can treat your GMAT preparation as an additional class.
Are you hesitant about adding GMAT studying to your current academic workload? Think about how you’ll feel when you’re in a high-pressure job with long hours and haven’t studied in years. Will you be more capable of studying for the GMAT then? Or, would you rather prepare for the GMAT while you’re still in college and accustomed to studying for exams?
Considered in that light, the answer may be quite clear for you.
Reason #2: You Can Get the GMAT Out of the Way
The second big reason to take the GMAT while you’re in college is to get it out of the way while life is relatively simple. You probably have more flexibility in your schedule than you otherwise would. Moreover, with the GMAT out of the way, you’ll have time to enhance your profile for your business school applications. Plus, you won’t have to worry about GMAT prep while you’re taking care of other important aspects of your applications:
- writing application essays
- seeking out letters of recommendation
- taking on leadership positions in extracurricular activities
- doing volunteer work
Remember, studying for the GMAT takes a lot of time and a lot of energy. Some folks need to study for over 350 hours to achieve a great GMAT score. So, if you have a demanding job, you likely won’t have much time to do anything except work and study.
Now, imagine you’ve already completed your GMAT. You’ll be able to spend time doing resume-boosting activities that give you an edge in the application process!
TTP PRO TIP:
Taking the GMAT while you’re still an undergraduate will take some pressure off you when you’re working a demanding job and completing your B-school applications.
So, if you’re serious about going to business school relatively soon after college, getting the GMAT out of the way to gain time for other application-boosting endeavors is a good idea.
Now that we’ve covered the main reasons why taking the GMAT as an undergrad may be wise, let’s discuss a couple of additional considerations.
Consideration #1: Are You Sure You’ll Apply to Business School?
It may seem like an obvious consideration, but you need to be pretty sure — before you start your GMAT preparation — that you’ll attend business school in the next 5 years. Is there a reasonable probability that your business school plans could change? Then you may want to hold off on the GMAT until you have a more solid plan for your future.
Maybe you’ve always “just assumed” that you would go to business school after college. Even so, before you start studying, seriously consider how set your plans are. As we’ve already mentioned, studying for the GMAT takes up a lot of time, energy, and focus. The last thing you want to do is invest all of that effort only to realize down the road that you no longer plan to attend business school and thus you had no need to take the GMAT.
Now, let’s say you do feel pretty set on going to business school in the next 5 years. In that case, you may now be wondering when the best time to take the GMAT in college is. Let’s discuss.
TTP PRO TIP:
Ensure that you are committed to going to business school before you begin the arduous process of GMAT preparation.
What Is the Best Time During My College Years to Take the GMAT?
If you’re a freshman or sophomore in college, you may be wondering, “What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking the GMAT early in my college career?”
Here’s the thing: there are benefits to getting the GMAT out of the way early. We’ve already covered those. Nevertheless, there is such a thing as taking the GMAT too early. There are good reasons why most college students who take the exam do so in their junior or senior year.
For one, it’s easy to find juniors and seniors whose plans and interests have changed since they started college. After entering college, many people realize that what they thought would be their focus is no longer their main interest.
Your career goals may still change after you graduate, and so might your need or desire to earn an MBA. So, there is always a risk associated with taking the GMAT in college. That said, the risk is generally greater if you’re early on in your college years.
Remember also that many MBA programs prefer applicants to have at least 2 or 3 years of post-college work experience. So, a GMAT score from your freshman or sophomore year may expire before you have the chance to use it.
Lastly, studying for the GMAT may fit into your college schedule and feel more “doable” as a junior or senior. For instance, you may have a lighter class load or elective classes that are more manageable than your earlier requirements. You’ll also just be more accustomed to college life and better at managing its day-to-day demands.
Consideration #2: Do You Know Your Target GMAT Score?
Knowing your target GMAT score may seem like a trivial point. However, if you take the GMAT without a clear goal, you could be setting yourself up for heartache and frustration.
Imagine that you buckle down, spend 6 months on GMAT preparation, and score 615, a great score for many schools. However, you don’t actually have a list of desired schools in mind. What happens if you later decide to apply to HBS or Stanford, which have average GMAT scores higher than 615? More than likely, your score would not cut it. Consequently, you’d have to retake the GMAT to have a good chance of admission at either of those schools.
So, if you don’t have a solid idea of your desired schools, and thus what GMAT score you should be shooting for, you’d be wise to wait to begin preparing for the GMAT. Don’t worry, you don’t need to know exactly every single school you’ll 100% apply to. Being fairly certain about a couple of schools or the “tier” of school you’re targeting (M7, T15, etc.) is enough.
TTP PRO TIP:
Knowing your target schools allows you to determine the GMAT target score you’ll need to be competitive for those schools.
The Final Verdict: Should I Take the GMAT While Still an Undergrad?
I recommend taking the GMAT while you have time and are in study mode as long as:
- you’re relatively certain that you’ll be applying to business school in the next 5 years
- you have an accurate target score in mind
That way, you can spend the time after graduation concentrating on enhancing the other aspects of your application package. Thus, you can present yourself in the best possible light as a business school candidate.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you’re relatively certain you’ll attend business school in the next 5 years and you have a score goal in mind, taking the GMAT while in college is a smart plan.
Key Takeaways
Remember the following when considering whether to take the GMAT in college:
- Since you’re already in study mode while you’re still an undergrad, treat your GMAT preparation as an additional class.
- Taking the GMAT while you’re still an undergraduate will take some pressure off when you’re working a demanding job and completing your B-school applications.
- Taking the GMAT when you’re a freshman or sophomore is riskier than waiting until you’re a junior or senior, since your plans may change.
- Ensure that you are committed to going to business school before you begin the arduous process of GMAT preparation.
- Knowing your target schools allows you to determine the GMAT target score you’ll need to be competitive for those schools.
What’s Next?
If you’re wondering how to study for the GMAT in college, get 5 steps for success here.
If you’ve decided to wait until after college to take the GMAT, and you’re wondering, “Can I prepare for the GMAT while working?,” check out our guide to studying for the GMAT while working.
Students often ask us, “How can I balance my GMAT preparation with my college coursework and maintain a good GPA while studying for the exam?” Sign up for a free consultation to learn how one of our expert tutors can help you achieve your GMAT score goals without neglecting your coursework.
