I Took The GMAT Online. Here’s What Happened.
Considering taking the GMAT online? We have a lot to tell you!
The GMAT Online: How to Make the Most of BOTH Whiteboard Tools
The GMAT Online allows test-takers to use both a physical whiteboard and an online whiteboard—and there are great reasons to use both, actually. Learn when to use which in this post!
When you take the GMAT Online, you’ll have access to both a physical whiteboard and an online one. The key is going to be knowing when to use which and practicing ahead of time so that everything feels seamless on test day. (Math? Definitely the physical whiteboard. Time management strategy? Probably online whiteboard. We’ll figure it all out in this post.)
Should I take the GMAT? A Cost-Benefit Analysis

If you’re thinking about going to business school, you have multiple options in terms of which entrance exam to take, but nowadays, you may also have the option not to take any exam at all. That might seem like a no-brainer decision—after all, who wants* to take a standardized test? But it turns out that there are still good reasons for some people to choose to take the GMAT, even when their target schools don’t require them to do so. The question is just whether any of those reasons apply to you.
(*Cough. Besides me and my colleagues…)
First, do all of your target schools have either test waivers available or test-optional policies in place? If some of your schools do require an exam, and you don’t want to take those schools off of your list, then sharpen your pencil and get ready to study.
If, though, all of your desired schools really do allow you to make this choice, now we’ve got some analysis to do.
What’s a Good GMAT Score?
Applying to MBA programs would be simpler if there was just one “good GMAT score.” If you scored above that mark, you’d be done with the GMAT; if not, you’d know you needed to keep trying. As with most of life, though, it isn’t that simple. In this article, we’ll break down what counts as a good GMAT score and how to know whether you’ve achieved one.
How to Get Into a Top Business School
As an admissions consultant, I am asked frequently, “How do I get into a top business school?” Many candidates believe schools want a certain “type” of candidate—perhaps one with a stellar GMAT score or a certain kind of job. Yet, in my seven years of admissions consulting, I have seen candidates with all kinds of backgrounds receive offers from top business schools. In my experience, schools are not looking for a “type.” Rather, they are looking for a diversity of industry experience, functions, countries of origin, ethnic backgrounds, and also personal interests. As you approach the upcoming MBA application process, consider the following ideas to help you be successful.
This post was written by Debbie Choy, an mbaMission Senior Consultant.
How to Get a 700 on the GMAT
Getting a 700 GMAT score isn’t easy, and it’s not the right goal for everyone. But if it wasn’t tough to get a 700, it wouldn’t be such an accomplishment! Here’s how to get a 700 on the GMAT and add something really special to your MBA applications. Read more
Coming April 8th: Great Updates for the GMAT Online

GMAC, the organization that makes the GMAT, has just announced some great news regarding the GMAT Online!
Beginning April 8th, we’ll gain a bunch of features that currently exist only for the testing center-based GMAT:
- You’ll be able to choose one of three section orders for the exam (Quant first, Verbal first, or Essay first); currently, you’re locked into the Quant-first testing order.
- You’ll get two 8-minute breaks (placed at the usual times that we get our breaks in the testing center); currently, there’s only one 5-minute break.
- You’ll see your scores on screen at the end of the exam (for everything but the essay); currently, you have to wait several business days to get your scores for the GMAT Online.
You might have noticed one other change that I snuck into that list without making it explicit: You will have to write the Essay section. (Currently, that section doesn’t appear on the GMAT Online.) This is a tiny drawback, really, compared to the goodness of all of the other updates.
So, starting April 8th, the test center GMAT and the GMAT Online will be almost identical. The only substantive difference will be the scratch paper. It’s still the case that you’ll get the laminated yellow pad in the testing center, but when you take the test at home, you’ll use your own dry erase whiteboard and have access to an online whiteboard.
I’m really excited about this news because it means that your preparation for either version of the exam is basically the same. So you can just get down to the business of studying and decide later whether you’ll take the exam in the testing center or at home (or both!).
We still have a few questions for GMAC about some other implications of this update—we’ll update this post as we learn the answers.
The GMAT Online: What to Expect
UPDATE: I took the GMAT online! And boy, do I have a lot to tell you. Read all about my experience here.
NOTE: This post was accurate when published but is now outdated. Please follow the link above for updated information regarding all things GMAT Online.
You can take the GMAT online! The test will be available from Monday April 20th until (at least) Monday June 15th; GMAC, the organization that makes the GMAT, will reevaluate the timeline as we get closer to June. Read more
My GMAT Was Canceled. Now What?
Update: On April 14th, 2020, GMAC announced that an online GMAT will be available starting on April 20th. I’ve posted some of the main details in another post. I’ll be taking the exam on the 20th and will tell you what to expect and how best to get ready—keep an eye on our blog on Tuesday April 21st.
Some of you will decide to take the online GMAT; if you’re in this group, look for my post next week. Others will decide to wait until the GMAT is available again in testing centers; if you’re in this group, read on.
As you no doubt know by now, many GMAT testing centers are currently closed as a result of the pandemic. GMAC has announced that the test will move to a take-at-home option sometime in April. How do you keep getting ready for the GMAT in the face of this uncertainty?
How to Review GMAT Practice Questions
I got a really interesting question from one of my students this week: “What do you look for in our GMAT review logs?”