A bona fide GRE and GMAT geek and Founder of Koutsodontis Test Center in Athens, Manolis Koutsodontis shares the secrets of scoring high GMAT and GRE scores within a given time limit.
Almost all MBA programs require a GRE or a GMAT score. So, if you are preparing to apply to an esteemed business school, it’s important to have a high GRE or GMAT score. Time and again, experts have warned that achieving an impressive score on this grad school entrance exam can be grueling if the student isn’t prepared well. Standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT are designed to measure your specific abilities related to critical thinking as well as problem-solving techniques. Therefore, as a test taker, if you want to put your best foot forward and understand the exam style and structure, it is recommended that you sign up with a GRE or GMAT prep school.
The biggest benefit of taking a GMAT or a GRE prep course is that you can have well-constructed content already divided into modules or blocks. There are several teaching methodologies followed by the prep centers which help students get admission into leading MBA grad schools. As Manolis from Koutsodontis Test Center explains, “We have many success stories because our methodology helps students to improve in a short period of time. My first student who got a top 1% score worldwide was accepted by Harvard Business School.” (01:43)
The secret behind these success stories lies in the methodologies they use. Manolis adds, “We enhance critical thinking through our method and follow a didactic approach.” (07:16)
A high score on the GRE or GMAT is not the sole deciding factor for admission to an MBA program. Applicants are often reminded that almost all business schools look at the candidate’s application in its entirety and never make their decision based on any one metric. Nevertheless, getting a high score remains a priority.
There are several techniques that you should follow to get a high score. You should constantly challenge yourself, repeat exercises over and over again, have an elephantine memory for the vocabulary, practice mental math, and so on. However, according to Manolis, there are just three factors for success: “The material, the teachers, and personal effort.” (03:13)
Some consider that crossing the 700 score threshold in GMAT is magic. While it is true that only 10% of graduates can actually attain that score, it is also true that it requires a lot of hard work to get a high score as well. It all depends upon how devoted you are, your perseverance, your time management skills, and your ability to overcome stress.
Talking about how hard a student needs to work, Manolis says it takes “about 20 hours per week. For example, GMAT preparation time is eight weeks, so 20 times 8 is 160 hours, and then we have the simulation test, the revision… [altogether] about 250 hours.” (01:12)
Often, graduates complain that the test is hard. There’s no denying that the GMAT and GRE are challenging. The length of the tests and the phrasing of questions in the GMAT, in particular, can be overwhelming for many at first. Non-native speakers might find the verbal and analytical writing assessment even more intimidating. In addition, for some the vocabulary can be challenging, while for others the tricky wording of the questions presents an obstacle. Some find the data sufficiency questions and the writing section difficult while others feel a time crunch – truly a lot to accomplish in just a few hours.
However, there are several tips one could give to the students. You should practice more and more and do as many exercises on GRE vocabulary as possible. At Koutsodontis, with their 41 years of experience, they do exactly this to help their students overcome the impediments. Manolis points out, “We prepare them well, [and] our methodologies help them to do well.” (06:22)
Manolis tells us, “The transition from paper-based tests to computer- based tests [took place] many years ago in 1997.” (02:23) Thanks to this digital transformation, the GMAT has now become much more widely available and candidates are more flexible to take the test from any part of the world. Thus, Manolis urges students from all over the world to take part in their prep courses. He enthusiastically says, “We also offer our courses hybrid so we can help students worldwide [and] not only Greek students.” (04:58)
Koutsodontis Test Center has been rigorously preparing students for high GRE and GMAT scores for the last 41 years. Their students build formidable skills in all GRE and GMAT, IELTS, and SAT and IMAT content areas, learn how to effectively organize their study hours, assimilate strategic approaches, and take the test to maximize their scores. The tutors provide feedback and boost self-confidence with a precise assessment of every student’s progress. Koutsodontis Test Center is an age-old effective provider of GRE and GMAT prep. In sum, if you’re preparing your MBA application, it might be worthwhile to consider signing up for test prep with a trusted provider like Koutsodontis.
If you are curious to know more about GRE and GMAT – or MBA admissions in general – visit our MBAGRADSCHOOLS Admissions page!
