The Big Two quantitative measures in a business school application package are standardized test scores and undergraduate grade point averages, and their individual impact on admissions decisions usually remain in that order. For applicants, the latter of these metrics remains fixed in time—a reflection of historical academic performance. The prior, standardized test scores, will be set in the present and communicate the potential academic performance of the applicant.
In the time between undergraduate and graduate school, there is a good chance of significant personal change and growth. Even with a strong undergrad GPA, if the applicant cannot clear the mental space and time to secure a strong GMAT score, then that applicant severely undermines her chances of admission at targeted programs. Further, those with weak undergrad GPAs who do not achieve a competitive GMAT score virtually guarantee a letter of denial.
In a recent article, Those Pesky GPA & GMAT Averages, PoetsandQuants.com founder John A. Byrne discusses what these scores mean to admissions committees and what they therefore must mean to applicants. In short, as Mr. Byrne writes, “Face it: a low GMAT score or a low GPA are the biggest application killers. No matter what admission officials or consultants say, this is unfortunately one of the unshakeable truths of the B-school admissions game.”
The big takeaway from the article to bring to your advisees is this: You have the power to drastically influence you chances of admission by working toward and achieving a powerful GMAT or GRE score. Such an achievement is a choice that is available to you.
The standardized test score as one of several items in an application packages is changeable.
In the timeline of composing an application to b-school, undergrad GPA is fixed. Work experience is fixed. Relationships with recommenders are fixed. Life experience is fixed. However, the GMAT score is not fixed and has the single greatest impact of any of the above quantitative and qualitative measures. The GMAT will both open and close doors. Respect the test.
