Last Updated on September 28, 2023
The GMAT is an exam taken by many students planning to apply to business school. Most people who take the GMAT do so within a year of their application deadlines, but because a GMAT score lasts for five years, you can take the GMAT several years before you are ready to apply.
In fact, if you are currently in college and plan to go to business school within the next five years, you may find it beneficial to take the GMAT now, so you do not have to deal with the exam down the road.
In this article, we’ll discuss some reasons for taking the GMAT while in college and some additional considerations that can help you make the right decision about when to take the GMAT.
- Reason Number 1: You Are Already in Study Mode
- Reason Number 2: You Can Get the GMAT Out of the Way
- Are You Sure You’ll Apply to Business School?
- Do You Know Your Target GMAT Score?
- The Final Verdict: Should I Take the GMAT While Still an Undergrad?
Let’s start by looking at some reasons why you may want to take the GMAT while you’re still in college.
Reason Number 1: You Are Already in Study Mode
If you are 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 are in “study mode.” Having the 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 five classes this semester. If your plan is to study for the GMAT, then treat the GMAT as your sixth class. By doing so, you can ensure that you attack your GMAT studies with the same vigor and hard work that you bring to your college classes.
TTP PRO TIP:
Since you are already in study mode while you’re still an undergrad, treat your GMAT preparation as an additional class.
If you are a bit hesitant about adding GMAT studying to your current academic workload, then just think about how you might feel when you are three years out of college, with a 60-hour work week, and you haven’t cracked a textbook in years. Do you think that you would be more capable of studying for the GMAT then, or while you are still in college and accustomed to studying for exams? The answer should be clear.
Reason Number 2: You Can Get the GMAT Out of the Way
Another reason to take the GMAT while you’re still in college is, quite frankly, to get it out of the way. First, your 22-year-old self will thank you for having taken the GMAT when you had a simpler life and a lot of flexibility in your schedule. Second, with the GMAT out of the way, you’ll have time to do other things to enhance your profile for your business school application.
Studying for the GMAT takes a lot of time and a lot of energy. Some folks need to study for over 500 hours to achieve a great GMAT score. So, if you have a demanding job, then you likely will not have much extra time to do anything except work and GMAT studying. If, instead, you have already completed your GMAT, you’d be able to spend time doing activities, both inside and outside of work, that could boost your resume and give you an edge in the application process.
TTP PRO TIP:
Taking the GMAT while you’re still an undergraduate will take pressure off you when you are working a demanding job.
So, if you are serious about going to business school in the next few years, getting the GMAT out of the way in order to gain time to boost your resume is another reason why taking the GMAT while still in college is a good idea.
We’ve covered a few reasons why taking the GMAT as an undergrad is a good idea, so let’s now discuss a few additional considerations.
Are You Sure You’ll Apply to Business School?
While your level of certainty about attending business school may seem like a pretty obvious consideration, you need to be pretty sure — before you start your GMAT preparation — that you will attend business school in the next 5 years. If there is a reasonable possibility that your business school plans could change, then you may want to hold off on taking the GMAT until you have a more solid idea of your future.
As I’ve already mentioned, studying for the GMAT will take up a lot of your time, energy, and focus. The last thing you want to do is put all of that effort into your GMAT studying only to realize down the road that you no longer plan to attend business school, and thus you have no need to take the GMAT. Even if you are a junior or senior in college, once you begin working after graduation, your career goals may change, and so might your need or desire to go to business school. These scenarios are something to seriously consider before you jump into your GMAT studying.
TTP PRO TIP:
Ensure that you are committed to going to business school before you begin the arduous process of GMAT preparation.
Do You Know Your Target GMAT Score?
Knowing your target GMAT score may seem like a trivial point, but honestly, if you take the GMAT without a clear score goal in mind, you may be setting yourself up for heartache and frustration. So, in addition to being certain that you want to attend business school in the next five years, you need to have an idea of the schools to which you’d like to apply, so that you have a realistic idea of your target GMAT score.
Imagine that you really buckle down, study for the GMAT for around six months, and score a very respectable 670, which is great for many schools. What would happen if, in four years, you decide to apply to HBS or Stanford, which have average GMAT scores of around 730? More than likely, your 670 would not cut it, and you’d have to retake the GMAT to have a good chance of admission at either of those schools. Thus, if you don’t have an idea of your desired schools, you may want to wait until you do before you begin preparing for the GMAT, so that you know what goal you’re shooting for.
TTP PRO TIP:
Knowing which business schools you hope to attend will allow you to determine your GMAT target score.
The Final Verdict: Should I Take the GMAT While Still an Undergrad?
As long as you are relatively certain that you will be going to business school in the next five years, and you have a pretty accurate target score, then my recommendation is to get the GMAT out of the way while you have the time and are still in study mode. That way, unlike your peers who have waited to take the GMAT, 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.
