Written on
08/06/2010
,
02:43 PM
It’s been about a month since we announced the changes coming to the GMAT exam, and we’re hard at work on the new Integrated Reasoning section that will launch in June 2012.
Since the announcement, we’ve talked to a number of test takers who are trying to decide whether they should take the GMAT now or later. GMAT scores are good for five years, so it’s certainly reasonable to take the test now if you know you want to go to business school within that time. We know, too, that some considering business school are worried that a change to the test means lower scores.
We looked back over the history of GMAT scores to see what previous changes have done to the mean GMAT score. In the graph below, you’ll see that GMAT scores have remained relatively stable over time, even during test changes (marked by the red diamonds). Over the past 20 years, GMAT scores have actually trended slightly upward. Remember, too, that Integrated Reasoning will be scored separately—your Total Score won’t change.
Always remember, too, that your GMAT score is only one piece of your application package. An admissions committee will consider your work history, undergraduate GPA, essays, and interviews to determine whether you’re a good fit for their program. With or without Integrated Reasoning, your GMAT score is only one factor in their decision.
Ultimately, the best time for you to take the GMAT depends on you.
—Ashok Sarathy, Vice President, GMAT Program
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