This blog post is part of our “Application Insider” blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.

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APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

TEST SCORES (GMAT & GRE / TOEFL & IELTS)

When applying to a competitive business program such as UCLA Anderson, there’s always that potentially dreaded aspect of having to take the often required standardized tests (GMAT or GRE). However, as more business schools accept either the GMAT or GRE, you now have options to prepare and take the test that you will not only do the best in, but feel the most comfortable with.

Before you even decide which test to take, make sure you research the schools you will eventually want to apply to in order to see if there’s a required or preferred test. Here at UCLA Anderson, applicants have the option to submit the GMAT or GRE with their application. Both exams are evaluated equally in the admissions process, so we encourage potential candidates to submit the test they feel most comfortable with. To help you make this decision, US News and World Report has a good article to reference on the key differences between the two tests.

Regardless of which test to take, we recommend that you take sufficient time to prepare for the test. Test preparation can be a full-time job in itself, so it’s likely that the best way to prepare is to prepare for the one that you achieve the best result in. The GMAT and the GRE generally test the same factors, but as referenced earlier, each has their own variations of questions. Take a practice GMAT and practice GRE exam to see which one you are more comfortable with. Once you decide, there are many forms of test preparation including prep classes, online practice exams, test books, and one-on-one tutoring. Given your learning style, you will want to select a method that works best for you — no one method is right for everyone! Each exam assesses your verbal, quantitative, analytical writing and integrated reasoning ability. It is important to dedicate review sessions to each component of the test as the admissions team will evaluate your performance in each area.

Your results on the test is just one piece of information that determines your admissions decision because our admission process is holistic. Test scores are one way we evaluate your academic ability in addition to your undergraduate performance to determine your ability to handle the rigors of the Anderson MBA program. UCLA Anderson does not have a minimum score that you must reach. Our class profile will show you the average scores and the ranges that our most recent in-coming class is coming in with. Although there is no minimum score an applicant must achieve, doing well on the GMAT or GRE is also one of the ways to strengthen your academic profile, and to potentially help to combat a lower GPA or lack of quantitative courses during your undergraduate years. Remember, aside from the test, other components of your application are also taken into consideration and our review is holistic, so if your performance on the test is not as high as you might like, you can demonstrate strengths in other areas (e.g., work experience, essay, undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc.).

In terms of when you should take the tests, we recommend you should give yourself at least six months of preparation time before taking it and then guide the test date by the round deadline date in which you intend to apply. Keep in mind that it’ll usually take up to 2 weeks for the school to get your results, as well. Test scores are valid for five years, so if you are currently in an undergraduate or graduate program, it might be in your best interest to take the test now since you are already in an academic mode and mindset. At UCLA Anderson, we only evaluate your highest overall score, both the GMAT and GRE provide you with the option to select which test score you prefer to submit to the institution(s) to which you’re seeking admission. Regardless, we do not penalize applicants for taking an exam multiple times.

For any international applicants who completed their education outside of the United States, you will also be required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS exam with your application, unless your education was solely taught in English in an English-speaking country (please contact the MBA Admissions office to confirm whether or not you are required to take the TOEFL/IELTS). The purpose of this exam is to assess your English proficiency. Given the collaborative and interactive structure of the MBA program, we want to ensure that you will be able to contribute to classroom discussions from the very first day, and these exams help us evaluate this important fluency factor. You can learn more about the TOEFL/IELTS requirement on the UCLA Graduate Division webpage.

Hopefully these insights will help guide you as you prepare for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and/or IELTS as a part of the application process. If you have any follow-up questions about our requirements or admission process, please see our admissions webpage, our FAQs, or email us directly at mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu.

Check back for more “Application Insider” blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!

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