[TheShelley]

Could anyone here please post your advice about taking the GMAT? I am considering applying to a PHD program, and I really don’t want to embarrass myself.

And if it could also not cost thousands of dollars, that would be great. Thanks!

AUD 73, 93 (7.2.11, 11.5.11)
REG 79 (8.20.11)
FAR 74, 82 (5.31.11, 8.27.11)
BEC 85 (10.19.11)

[Anonymous]

Check out this website

https://www.mba.com/the-gmat.aspx

I think I took the GMAT two Summers ago…It's basically Math and English type stuff…I bought a few books (I can tell you which ones when I get home, if you want) and I studied, but not VERY hard (like for the CPA 🙂 ), because I went on vacation and didn't get to study too much then. When I got home I think I had maybe 2 weeks left to study, and then I took it…

Definitely does not cost thousands of dollars. Way less!

[TheShelley]

How did you do? I'm told I have to get at least 700. Scary!

AUD 73, 93 (7.2.11, 11.5.11)
REG 79 (8.20.11)
FAR 74, 82 (5.31.11, 8.27.11)
BEC 85 (10.19.11)

[pinkpink114]

There is a great website called Beat the GMAT. It has a free study plan and tells you what GMAT review books are worth purchasing. I highly recommend the Official GMAT guide and the Manhattan GMAT books.

[Anonymous]

To get a 700, you may have to put in as much time as you did for studying for one CPA exam section…that's still a substantial amount of hours. I did not study very much because the MS Accounting programs did not require a very high score. PhD programs you'll need a 700+ – you're right about that.

[Anonymous]

I guess depending on how good you are at Math and English, you'll have to put in more/less time studying. Either way, though, for a 700 one would probably have to put in plenty of time.

I didn't study so much (or maybe I thought I did, but after studying for the CPA the word “study” takes on a whole new meaning) because at the time the school I was applying to didn't require a very high score and I also knew I was probably getting in…I ended up going to a different graduate school, but I think the score I had gotten was pretty decent compared to the average GMAT score in that school…

The website I gave you in my previous post is “The Official GMAT Website” – it has what's on the GMAT, scheduling, study material, what to do after, etc…

[gms361]

I took the GMAT a couple of years ago without studying one bit. UTC required a 700 minimum score and that is exactly what I received. One of my professors told me they sort of give you the grade you need. I don't know how true that is but I don't think I would spend time studying. If you did really well in college, you should be able to get at least the minimum score. It's not accounting stuff. It's crazy all over the place stuff that I don't know how you could possibly get it narrowed down to know what to study for.

AUD - 83
FAR - 78
BEC - 76
REG - 86 PTL!!!!!

Used CPAExcel & Wiley testbank (awesome by the way)

[Anonymous]

@gms361

Wow…It's great you scored well!

Even with Math and English being my favorite subjects in school, and studying for the GMAT, I didn't get a 700…

[heatmiser]

I “studied” (what I thought studying was before the CPA) a summer on lunch breaks. Didn't do awesome, but enough to get me into Grad School.

Won't cost thousands of dollars to review.

2011 CPA Exam Graduate

[nebraska]

Hey! I took the GMAT this past June and got a 730 (44 quantitative [68th percentile] 47 verbal [99th percentile]). The way I studied for it was by reading through a kaplan book for some strategies and then doing as many TIMED multiple choice questions as I could! The GMAT, like the CPA, is a computer adaptive test–except that you go one question at a time. For me, that was some insaaane pressure. I am very strong with math and really struggle with reading, and the scores from my practice tests reflected that. But when I got to the actual test, I totally flipped the two sections haha. The first two math problems I had threw me off, which left me panicking the rest of the test. Not good. But by the time I started the verbal section I figured I would have to retake it anyway so I just relaxed…which was what totally saved me! But overall I'd say that the GMAT is kiiiind of like the SAT/ACT. If you're good at taking standardized tests, you'll be fine! If not, you can still do well–just get some kind of test bank software and go nuts.

REG (08/2011) - 73 (2/2012) - 72
AUD (08/2011) - 73 (1/2012) - 86
FAR (11/2011) - 79
BEC (11/2011) - 79

[Anonymous]

DO NOT SKIP Studying for the THE Qualitative Part ! Even if you think you are good in English … Especially if you are an international student !! 😀 > Practice a lot ! I know i was not useful ! but … Good luck!

[Author]

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