Written ByRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
To make it to any of the renowned B-schools in India or abroad, the GMAT exam acts as a gateway to ensure admission. Taking the GMAT exam acts as an advantage for candidates aspiring to study abroad as they can apply to both Indian as well as abroad colleges. Work experience for GMAT is a mandatory requirement that has to be attended by every candidate taking it. This article will cover all the details reasoning the work experience for GMAT.
Why is Work Experience Necessary for GMAT?
GMAT work experience is considered vital GMAT eligibility for securing admission in a renowned business school because:
- A candidate having prolonged work experience can introspect more into the classroom lectures than a person who is a novice;
- B-schools target candidates who are having proficient knowledge of the business world so that they can have healthy conversations during lectures;
- Experienced candidates can relate more with the case studies and presentations than a beginner
List of Top B-schools with their GMAT Work Experience Requirement
Most of the candidates are on the lookout for the famous B-schools and their GMAT work experience requirement, we have created a list of the same:
| Business School | Average GMAT Score | Average Work Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 733 | 4 Years |
| California Business School | 715 | 3-7 years |
| Harvard Business School | 700-760 | Not mentioned |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | 670-760 | 4-9 years |
| Wharton, University of Pennsylvania | 620-790 | 5-6 years between graduation and joining the MBA |
| London Business School | 701 | 2-11 years |
| HEC Paris Business School | 600 | Minimum of 3 years |
| University of Cambridge: Judge Business School | 640 | 1-2 years |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 500 | 5 years |
| University of Canterbury | 600 | 5 years |
Though many of these schools need a wide range of experience, it is usually good to stay closer to average and adhere to the norms.
What is Considered a Good Work Experience for B-Schools?
The following factors are considered by the B-schools for good work experience:
Leadership experience
Leadership ideally means having formal leadership experience but in many cases, this might not be possible. For instance,
- An individual working as an investment - banking analyst might not get a chance to lead a team in 4-5 years. The candidates, however, must show leadership skills at the time of counseling.
- A management consultant leading a team of 3 might be able to create a better impression as compared to a manager who leads a team of 100 BPO staff for instance.
Skills
The main agenda of referring to the candidates’ skills at the time of admission is to understand how effectively they can transfer their skills in the MBA program and in the future as well.
Personality Development
This is an attribute that helps in understanding the personality of the candidates and how they can handle real-life challenges in a more optimistic way. They are supposed to make the application/essays look more attractive and influential.
Big company vs small company experience: Which is considered better in the GMAT work experience requirement?
A big global brand can surely help in getting instant recognition and the admission committee would find your resume look more attractive. Similarly, a candidate having extraordinary skills belonging to a startup or small-firms will also be considered.
Note: All the GMAT aspirants must remember that they need to showcase additional skills and experience which in turn will help you to enter a B-School.
Does family business experience count?
Though in India family businesses don’t hold much importance, in the eyes of international MBA programs, family business experience holds a position and are often considered. GMAT aspirants hailing from big family businesses get noticed easily and things become easier for them but this doesn’t mean that others won’t get a chance to study at the top-most B-Schools.
Work experience required for GMAT also very much considers small family businesses. Candidates having proper skills will always outshine in the yes of the B-schools.
Can I Give GMAT Without Work Experience?
Though it is not impossible to take the GMAT without work experience. But there is no doubt about the fact that experienced candidates will have more knowledge about the work culture and therefore can relate more to the case studies and classroom lectures.
In case a candidate doesn’t have work experience or experience in part-time or internship work which is not considered by their selected B-schools, they will have to showcase their talent and knowledge level before the college authorities.
Therefore, the above-mentioned information about the GMAT work experience will provide the candidates with the needed knowledge.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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