Try the GMAT Before Taking the Test

Applying to business school is typically associated with a lengthy checklist of items to submit for evaluation – an application form, application fees, several essays, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and the age-old favorite… GMAT scores.  The GMAT is consistently the most asked-about item on the University of St. Thomas (UST) Full-Time and Evening MBA application checklists.  Questions from prospective students such as, “how should I prepare for the GMAT?” and “where can I access test-preparation tools?” are fielded by UST admissions directors on a daily basis.

As such, the Evening and Full Time UST MBA admissions teams are excited to share a new resource that is available for GMAT preparation and practice.  The Opus College of Business now offers three GMAT test simulation tools for verbal and quantitative questions.  The tests include a Micro Test (20 minutes), Mini Test (75 minutes), and a Full Test (150 minutes).  At the end of the Mini Test and Full Test, participants will receive a GMAT score estimate, as well as a list of questions answered correctly and incorrectly with corresponding explanations.

Click here to access the GMAT simulator.

While having access to test simulation tools is a critical piece of becoming familiar with and prepared for the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT, it is important to remember that truly “simulating” the test includes not only practicing test questions, but replicating the testing environment.  This means, treat each simulation or practice test as if you were in a GMATtesting center.  Remove yourself from distractions, log out of Facebook, take a break from Words With Friends, and concentrate on both the test questions and pacing of your responses.  Which types of questions do you spend the most time on?  Were you able to finish each section in the allotted time?  What are nuances of taking a computer-based and computer-adaptive test?   Reflect on questions such as these, as well as your overall score and list of correct/incorrect answers, and put in time improving upon your weakest areas.  The GMAT may be candidates’ least-favorite component of a business school application, but with adequate preparation and utilization of test simulation tools, it does not have to be the most feared!

To learn more about the Full Time and Evening UST MBA programs or meet with an admissions counselor, contact us anytime.