Whenever it is about any qualifying exam, so many myths and misconceptions surround the aspirants. These myths are just enough to drain one’s confidence. Bursting such myths is thus very crucial. If you are preparing for any qualifying or entrance exam then we are sure that you must have heard of some common myths. These misconceptions are baseless most of the time and are just to lower the preparation pace. An aspirant must know what is true and what is false. Knowing the actual truth will help them build the right strategy for the GMAT exam prep. Therefore to help out all the GMAT applicants here is a compilation of all the GMAT-related myths and conceptions. Bursting them will help you prepare better for the exam!
The Quant section of the GMAT is really hard to crack
The arithmetic on the GMAT is surprisingly straightforward—college-level simple. The GMAT believes that you are familiar with these fundamental ideas and puts you in a mental match that calls for strategic planning and critical thinking. In other words, your abilities go beyond simple application and you are tested on more than just your ability to solve problems.
You can rely on the calculators completely
There are no calculators permitted on the GMAT, and the one on the Integrated Reasoning (IR) part is on-screen and quite simple. The bad news is that you can have trouble if you don’t enjoy doing mental math. The good news is that since there will be no calculator-allowed problems on the GMAT; you are going to be asked to think through the problem rather than compute the solution.
You need to be a school topper to crack GMAT
The GMAT has nothing to do with the marks you received while attending school. The GMAT is not an assessment of intelligence. Being innately smarter (as determined by IQ) does not guarantee that you will perform higher than somebody with a lower IQ. There is a lot of preparation needed for the GMAT. Test takers must comprehend the test’s format, schedule, question categories, method of scoring, etc.
GMAT is completely based on your level of intelligence
The GMAT is a skills-based test, just like all standardized exams. Yes, it does require some basic information, but at its foundation, it examines your capacity for critical thought and reasoning. Therefore, via practice and planning, you may (and should) improve your GMAT verbal, integrated thinking, math, and writing skills.
The math section for GMAT is the same as GRE
The math for the GMAT and GRE differs significantly. For instance, the GMAT’s Integrated Reasoning (IR) component requires you to analyze extremely sophisticated business reports before performing advanced math. GRE problems often do not include these concepts. Calculators may be used to answer questions on the quant section of the GRE. On the other hand, other problems in the quantitative section of the GMAT do not allow the use of a calculator.
Several attempts are bad for my application
How different schools handle applicants who needed multiple tries to get the required score is another factor. You can ask the admissions staff of the institution you wish to attend if you truly want to know if this matters. The admissions committee might view your persistence as a strong suit.
You should get 750+ in GMAT
However, when applying to business schools, a strong GMAT score is not the only factor that matters. Additionally, your LOR, SOPs, work history, extracurricular activities, community service, and academic grades are taken into account. Any score over 700 is regarded as exceptional and considerably enhances your other qualifications. When you apply for admission to the best business schools, your entire profile is evaluated. Your GMAT score is significant, although not the only, component of your MBA application.
A good GMAT score is just for the admission
GMAT offers much more than a simple score. It develops your strategic, analytical, and critical thinking abilities, which will be useful to you beyond admissions. These abilities will be helpful on and off campus, as well as in the classroom. You can also apply for scholarships if you have a strong GMAT score. Additionally, many businesses are impressed by a strong GMAT score and take it into account when making hiring decisions. Therefore, it is clear that the GMAT score has applications outside of admissions.
Only the total score for GMAT is counted
Based on your sectional results, the GMAT will give you a total score. So, to achieve a score above 700, you must succeed on both the test’s verbal and quantitative thinking components. So, to achieve your desired score, you must focus on both your sectional strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, your score report includes more than simply you’re most recent scores. Additionally, it displays your exam results from the last five years. Last but not least, the GMAT result is legitimate for five years after the exam date.
You need a library of good books to score well
It is not necessary to spend a fortune to purchase pricey manuals or brand-new textbooks. Instead, you can purchase the books’ earlier iterations. Older editions of the guidelines are still available from used book vendors. Nevertheless, the GMAT Official Guide is highly advised because it covers all the crucial subjects, offers several practice questions that are similar to those on the exam, and offers thorough justifications for each response. Remember that the effectiveness of the books depends on how much time and effort you put into your study.
Final Words
The top business schools throughout the world accept GMAT applicants. Every year, over 2–2.5 lakh people worldwide take the exam. A large number of misconceptions and myths are also brought on by such a gathering. So that you do not experience any difficulties when preparing, it is crucial to let go of whatever misconceptions you may have about the exam and focus on the best strategies following proper best GMAT courses. These were the top GMAT myths. You should ignore them and just keep working on your preparations!