5 Reasons to Take the GMAT Focus Edition (Even if You Don’t Have To)

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Focus Edition assesses applicants for programmes such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Masters in Management (MiM).

While a GMAT Focus Edition score is sometimes required to study Business at the postgraduate level, this isn’t always the case. That said, it can be well worth taking the GMAT even if your chosen Business School doesn’t explicitly require it.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the makers of the test, has created a GMAT Talent and Opportunity Scholarship, which consists of 10 awards of $2,500 to cover the cost of the exam itself, preparation with a specialist instructor and a 3-hour consultation with a professional admissions consultant! Were this not incentive enough, there are plenty of added benefits to taking the GMAT that you may not have thought of.

We know – the idea of voluntarily adding to your to-do list in the midst of what will already be a very stressful application period may seem counterintuitive. But investing some time in your GMAT score now can help you reap plenty of rewards in the long run!

Here are five reasons why you should take the GMAT Focus Edition exam.

#1 It will help your application stand out

Taking the GMAT Focus Edition of your own accord will communicate to your chosen university that you’re serious about studying Business. It will showcase a willingness to go above and beyond in the pursuit of success.

The GMAT has been internationally recognised as the gold-standard means of assessing Business and Management for over 60 years. A GMAT score is a sure-fire way to demonstrate that you possess the skillset needed to take on the challenges of postgraduate study.

#2 It could help you find your ideal programme

With countless postgraduate Business programmes available, how do you know which is right for you? GMAC provides a ‘My Recommendations’ service, which generates personalised course suggestions based on your GMAT score profile and academic interests.

The system also takes into account the scores of fellow applicants, in order to recommend the courses that would be most likely to offer you a place.

The Graduate Management Admission Search Service (GMASS) is another unique service offered by GMAC, giving students the chance to connect with top business schools and learn about their funding opportunities. It’s completely free to register for this service – and you don’t need to have taken the GMAT in order to benefit from it.

#3 You'll be more prepared for the course itself

The current GMAT consists of four sections designed to assess the core competencies needed to thrive in a business environment – namely integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and data insights.

With the GMAT Focus Edition being more streamlined than it’s predecessor, you can prepare for the exam within six weeks. A great place to start is by using the free six-week planner in the starter kit.

Pre-GMAT study will serve the dual purpose of preparing you to take the exam and helping fine-tune the skills needed for the course itself!

#4 It could help you get a scholarship

Masters degrees in Business and Management may be amongst the highest paying postgraduate courses out there (UK graduates can expect to earn an average annual salary of £41,200) but, unsurprisingly, they are also some of the most expensive.

Generous (but extremely competitive) scholarships are on offer for both MBA and MiM programmes. To be in with a chance of obtaining one, it’s worth doing everything possible to differentiate your application.

Scholarships often ask for applicants to have taken the GMAT, so having the required score to your name is guaranteed to widen your funding options. Even if eligibility criteria do not explicitly include a GMAT score, an extra accolade certainly won’t hurt.

There's also the GMAC GMAT Talent and Opportunity Scholarship. As we mentioned earlier, the award covers not only the cost of the GMAT itself, but also a range of other benefits such as coaching with an exam instructor and access to extra practice exams.

#5 It could boost your employability

A good GMAT score may prove useful long after graduation. Securing a position at, for example, a management or consultancy firm can be extremely competitive, and GMAT scores may be considered as part of the screening process where applications are particularly numerous.

The GMAT can also be a good way of evidencing your abilities to overseas employers. While Masters grading systems vary across the globe, a standardised GMAT score is a convenient, objective measure of your skillset that will be recognised by employers the world over.

For more information about the GMAT Focus Edition, you can read our full guide. Ready to book your test? Find an accredited test centre near you or register to take the GMAT Focus Edition online.

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