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Hi Avinash,

Why would you say that one would need about 6 months to prepare for the GMAT ? the reason i ask is being, i honestly feel… i have been preparing for about 3 months now and i get the feeling that, if one prolongs for more than 3 months, one tends to maybe get a little shaky on their concepts.. would u advise giving the gmat more than once ?

Regards

Paul Mathew

Hi Avinash,

The GMAT is a norm referenced test. A norm-referenced test is test associated with the familiar bell-shaped curve. In this approach, grades or scores are based on a comparison of the test-takers to a ‘norming group’ carefully selected to be representative of these expected to take the test. The testing process was developed for use in a selection process.

Norm referenced tests are best taken when you have the smallest number of candidates and the most unprepared. I would think this would not be at the end of school years, during summer or just before a new semester. I have not actually looked at the statistics or done the research, but I think my sample criteria is accurate.

Hi All,

It’s me again. It is possible to predict the factors I gave above. It does take some work. Your responses did give some hints. Fall and winter is going to be better than spring and summer. Think about when most students in foreign countries take the test – that is a good time. You can also find lots of statistics on the web about GMAT. You just have to look.

Also the bell-curve that is used is based first on the actual test time and then compared with the past GMAT taken at the same testing time frame. Usually if the curve is within a small margin (which the margin is up to the ‘test board’) then the grades stand. It is too difficult and unpredictable a comparison to constantly create a set of scores to be used as comparisons which includes all tests taken, so instead time comparisons and margins are created.

I understand that we all want to hear that norm-referenced tests are unbiased, but the truth is that norm-referenced tests are meant to be biased. The bias is selection. The test is built to determine who is the least, middle and best choice to extend an invitation to attend a college or give $$.

Do your research!

I am the chairman of an academic language test board. I am sharing my years of experience. The information given by ETS, the manufacturer of GMAT, is provided in their marketing material. Testing information always sounds better written by a marketing department. I am not trying to sell you the test, but instead enlighten you.

Thanks Babceo, Ur information is really helpful.but am still unaware of many facts.like can u plz tell how many times admissions are conducted in a year?like in india they are done only once.so thru gmat how many times?and the season given by you i.e summer/spring and fall/winter,do they mean the time of admission or the time of taking test?

Chandra and oLahav are correct in say don’t worry about your score getting affected by the number of people but use the timing to your advantage. The only time one actually should worry about using testing timing to their advantage is when it is necessary to possibly pass. I hope none of you are at that point. If so, you really need to consider why you are taking the test and what taking the test is going to do for you. Do remember you can take the test more than once. You do not have to have the score sent to any colleges.

The reason winter/fall is a better time to take the test is because this is the time when U.S. potential graduate students usually are not taking the test. I do not have time to do the investigation and have not done this type of investigation for the GMAT for a number of years so feel my information is a little out of date. However, with that said, remember why you are taking it and how you feel about your skills. If you are not feeling very prepared than take the time to get prepared. Take a preparation course. I suggest spending the money to take a face to face course if you are not feeling good about your skills.

The most important time to take the test is when you are prepared. If you are not prepared you will not do well. It is also important that you know how to take a test and that you are physically and mentally prepared. Use a speed reading software programs to improve your speed, scanning and skimming reading skills. Most speed reading programs also have timed comprehension exercises. I believe there are some free speed reading programs on-line. Know your subject area and what is expected of you from the subject area in the test, if appropriate. Practice guessing what words mean based on the sentence content. Practice math problems and logic problems. Learn relaxation exercises. Practice with timed exercises. Make sure you will be able to sleep well for a few days before you take the test. Eat well the night before and the day of the test.

Being prepared is essential and the most important aspect of taking the test. Researching the best time to take the test, etc. is the last part of preparation and is only important if you feel your skills are weak and you have no other options.

Other options to consider are: realistic goals, reviewing choice of college(s) based on requirements and your skills, preparation time and expense, your personal requirements such as health issues like allergies, etc. Finding a good support system can also make the difference.

By the time you get to taking the GMAT you are expected to use logical and critical thinking skills and not dwell on things you can’t change. Review when it is best for you to take the test before you worry about the best timing over all. Most people take the test when they are most prepared. if that also lines up with the best time to get the best score due to the skill set of the people taking the test, then so be it, if not don’t worry.

i will be creating a new community called ’ All about testing.’ check it out as I will provide you information about types of tests how to prepare for them and to create them. The different types of reporting scores and much more.