Get Your M.B.A. Part-Time Part 3

One of the tools you will learn to use in your M.B.A. program is the Pareto Chart. The Pareto Chart is a special form of vertical bar graph that helps determine which problems to solve in which order. When you need to display the relative importance of all the problems and conditions in order to choose the starting point for problem solving, monitor success, or identify the basic cause of a problem, use the Pareto.

Let's try one to determine which M.B.A. program is right for you!

Step 1Identify which items need to be compared and rank-order them. Since this is a very subjective exercise, you may want to brainstorm with your friends, family, and colleagues to determine which criteria should be weighed more heavily than others.Step 2Select the standard for comparison unit of measurement, for example, the items that came up most frequently in discussion (i.e., location or reputation of school).Step 3List the categories from left to right on the horizontal axis in order of decreasing occurrence. Categories with the fewest items can be combined, listed as "Other," and placed to the right of the last bar.Step 4Above each cla.s.sification of category, draw a rectangle to represent the frequency of that cla.s.sification.

Here is a very simplified example: * Proximity to home: very important.* Availability to take core courses online: somewhat important.* Availability of broadband concentration: crucial.* Depth of the part-time program course offerings (a wide selection of courses offered on each day with availability to take a prerequisite several days per week): most important.

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Now remember, this is an example. You can do the same: Fill in the following below and see if you can create a Pareto Chart too.

You can rank the importance on a scale of 110 or rank it by percent. Those with low importance can be grouped together in an "Other" category.

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Now chart your responses (you can add categories) and see which programs at which schools match your criteria.

LEARNING THE M.B.A. LANGUAGE.

Before reading through school brochures or setting off on the application process described in the next section, you should familiarize yourself with the M.B.A. language. The definitions below will a.s.sist you and acclimate you to the world of M.B.A.!

M.B.A. Lexicon AACSB: The International a.s.sociation for Management Education. This is the main accrediting agency for American B.A. programs. For further information, refer to their website at The International a.s.sociation for Management Education. This is the main accrediting agency for American B.A. programs. For further information, refer to their website at www.aacsb.edu.

Accreditation: The validation or acceptance of a program and/or school by an independent organization that determines the standards for the degree. The accrediting body for U.S. M.B.A.'s is the AACSB. The validation or acceptance of a program and/or school by an independent organization that determines the standards for the degree. The accrediting body for U.S. M.B.A.'s is the AACSB.

ACBSP: The a.s.sociation of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. Founded in 1988, ACBSP is an accrediting agency that operates mainly in the United States. It aims to establish, promote, and recognize educational standards that contribute to the continuous improvement of business education and to recognize those schools and programs which adhere to these standards. ACBSP has become a princ.i.p.al creditor for small to midsize graduate degree programs. For additional information, go to their website: The a.s.sociation of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. Founded in 1988, ACBSP is an accrediting agency that operates mainly in the United States. It aims to establish, promote, and recognize educational standards that contribute to the continuous improvement of business education and to recognize those schools and programs which adhere to these standards. ACBSP has become a princ.i.p.al creditor for small to midsize graduate degree programs. For additional information, go to their website: www.acbsp.org.

AMA: The American Management a.s.sociation. The AMA is a nonprofit organization that a.s.sists individuals and corporate members worldwide through regional chapters. AMA services include publis.h.i.+ng "best practices," conducting seminars and conferences, and publis.h.i.+ng business-related books and CD-ROMs. The AMA is one of the world's largest management a.s.sociations with locations worldwide. Visit their website at The American Management a.s.sociation. The AMA is a nonprofit organization that a.s.sists individuals and corporate members worldwide through regional chapters. AMA services include publis.h.i.+ng "best practices," conducting seminars and conferences, and publis.h.i.+ng business-related books and CD-ROMs. The AMA is one of the world's largest management a.s.sociations with locations worldwide. Visit their website at www.amanet.org.

Case Study Method: A teaching method that involves the study of actual business cases. A teaching method that involves the study of actual business cases.

Cohort Programs: A group program in which all students follow the same course of study together and graduate together. A group program in which all students follow the same course of study together and graduate together.

Company (or Corporate) Program or Consortium Program: M.B.A. degrees run exclusively for the executives of a single company; these programs are not available to the public. Consortium programs have gained a great amount of popularity abroad; however, they have yet to catch on in the United States. M.B.A. degrees run exclusively for the executives of a single company; these programs are not available to the public. Consortium programs have gained a great amount of popularity abroad; however, they have yet to catch on in the United States.

Computer-Based Program: See See Electronic Program Electronic Program Concentration, Focus, or Specialization: Although the majority of M.B.A. programs focus on general management skills, most require the student to select from a range of business sectors, such as marketing, finance, management, and information management. A recent trend at M.B.A. schools is the expanded selection of specialization offered to the students (i.e., e-commerce, entrepreneurs.h.i.+p, broadband, etc.). Although the majority of M.B.A. programs focus on general management skills, most require the student to select from a range of business sectors, such as marketing, finance, management, and information management. A recent trend at M.B.A. schools is the expanded selection of specialization offered to the students (i.e., e-commerce, entrepreneurs.h.i.+p, broadband, etc.).

Core: Central curriculum of a program representing the required courses. Students must complete these courses prior to any concentration courses or electives. Central curriculum of a program representing the required courses. Students must complete these courses prior to any concentration courses or electives.

CV (Curriculum Vitae): Latin wording for resume, although a CV tends to be longer and more detailed. Basically, it's a summary of one's personal history and professional qualifications. An admissions packet may require this doc.u.ment. Ensure that your CV is neat and up-to-date. Latin wording for resume, although a CV tends to be longer and more detailed. Basically, it's a summary of one's personal history and professional qualifications. An admissions packet may require this doc.u.ment. Ensure that your CV is neat and up-to-date.

Distance Learning Program: This term was originally used for mail correspondence-type programs but has evolved to include other media besides print. Distance learning now encapsulates computer and video conferencing, Internet cla.s.ses, and other sophisticated tools used to simulate a virtual cla.s.sroom. This term was originally used for mail correspondence-type programs but has evolved to include other media besides print. Distance learning now encapsulates computer and video conferencing, Internet cla.s.ses, and other sophisticated tools used to simulate a virtual cla.s.sroom.

Elective: Not core courses; courses unrelated to a one's area of specialization or concentration. Most M.B.A. programs will allow students to select from a number of electives. For example: An M.B.A. student concentrating in marketing can opt to take a finance elective in Futures and Options. Not core courses; courses unrelated to a one's area of specialization or concentration. Most M.B.A. programs will allow students to select from a number of electives. For example: An M.B.A. student concentrating in marketing can opt to take a finance elective in Futures and Options.

Electronic Program: Usually related to the method of communication for non-cla.s.sroom courses (such as Distance Learning programs or courses offered over the Internet). An electronic program can be considered the Internet, video conferencing, email delivery of material and submission of a.s.signments, and so forth. Usually related to the method of communication for non-cla.s.sroom courses (such as Distance Learning programs or courses offered over the Internet). An electronic program can be considered the Internet, video conferencing, email delivery of material and submission of a.s.signments, and so forth.

Executive M.B.A. (E.M.B.A.): A type of Part-Time M.B.A. program that is completely sponsored by an employer. This program is designed for executives with several years of management experience. Students of the E.M.B.A. will usually be required to attend cla.s.ses on Fridays and Sat.u.r.days throughout the year. A type of Part-Time M.B.A. program that is completely sponsored by an employer. This program is designed for executives with several years of management experience. Students of the E.M.B.A. will usually be required to attend cla.s.ses on Fridays and Sat.u.r.days throughout the year.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is required in your application packet if you wish to apply for financial a.s.sistance. Visit FAFSA's website at Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is required in your application packet if you wish to apply for financial a.s.sistance. Visit FAFSA's website at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Faculty: Although each school is different, the teaching staff of a university usually is ranked based on years of experience and accomplishment. a.s.sistant professors, a.s.sociate professors, and full professors are examples of faculty t.i.tles. Although each school is different, the teaching staff of a university usually is ranked based on years of experience and accomplishment. a.s.sistant professors, a.s.sociate professors, and full professors are examples of faculty t.i.tles.

Functional Areas: The basic disciplines of business. The basic disciplines of business.

GMAT: Graduate Management Admissions Test, the exam which measures a candidate's language, quant.i.tative skills, and writing ability. The test is administered as computer-adaptive test, or GMAT CAT. Scores range from 200 to 800. Graduate Management Admissions Test, the exam which measures a candidate's language, quant.i.tative skills, and writing ability. The test is administered as computer-adaptive test, or GMAT CAT. Scores range from 200 to 800.

M.B.A.: Master's of Business Administration. This is the generic term for a graduate degree in business administration, although some schools opt to use their own nomenclature. Just because a program is not called "M.B.A." does not mean it is not a graduate degree in business administration (refer to chapter 1). Master's of Business Administration. This is the generic term for a graduate degree in business administration, although some schools opt to use their own nomenclature. Just because a program is not called "M.B.A." does not mean it is not a graduate degree in business administration (refer to chapter 1).

Modular Programs: Very similar to part-time programs. While part-time programs usually require attendance at the school on a frequent basis for short periods of time, modular programs normally demand less frequent but longer periods of attendance- ranging from a few days to a few weeks. Some schools refer to this type of program as a Very similar to part-time programs. While part-time programs usually require attendance at the school on a frequent basis for short periods of time, modular programs normally demand less frequent but longer periods of attendance- ranging from a few days to a few weeks. Some schools refer to this type of program as a Flexible Program. Flexible Program. These programs have not caught on yet in the U.S. but are quite popular overseas. These programs have not caught on yet in the U.S. but are quite popular overseas.

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language. This is a test of English Language ability for those whose first language is not English; for non-native speakers, taking the TOEFL is usually a requirement. Test of English as a Foreign Language. This is a test of English Language ability for those whose first language is not English; for non-native speakers, taking the TOEFL is usually a requirement.

Pre-Enrollment Courses: Some schools may require a certain proficiency in basic quant.i.tative skills prior to starting the M.B.A. program. These skills need to be fine tuned prior to debuting the M.B.A. program. Some schools may require a certain proficiency in basic quant.i.tative skills prior to starting the M.B.A. program. These skills need to be fine tuned prior to debuting the M.B.A. program.

Rolling Admissions: Schools using rolling admissions evaluate the student's application as they are submitted. Applicants usually learn of the school's decision within a month's time. Many part-time programs operate on a rolling admissions basis. Schools using rolling admissions evaluate the student's application as they are submitted. Applicants usually learn of the school's decision within a month's time. Many part-time programs operate on a rolling admissions basis.

Rounds Admissions: Schools using rounds admissions will group together all applications and evaluate all candidates together. Therefore, a student who applies to a school using rounds admissions can apply in September but not find out until December if they have been accepted to the program. Schools using rounds admissions will group together all applications and evaluate all candidates together. Therefore, a student who applies to a school using rounds admissions can apply in September but not find out until December if they have been accepted to the program.

Sallie Mae: Student Loan Marketing a.s.sociation, Inc. It's a company that provides funds for educational loans, primarily, federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). For more information, check out their website at Student Loan Marketing a.s.sociation, Inc. It's a company that provides funds for educational loans, primarily, federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). For more information, check out their website at www.salliemae.com.

Soft Courses: Less quant.i.tative core and elective cla.s.ses. Management, Human Resource, Organizational Behavior, Leaders.h.i.+p, and Communication are examples soft courses. Recently, these courses are being emphasized in M.B.A. programs. Less quant.i.tative core and elective cla.s.ses. Management, Human Resource, Organizational Behavior, Leaders.h.i.+p, and Communication are examples soft courses. Recently, these courses are being emphasized in M.B.A. programs.

Soft Skills: Skills taught in Skills taught in Soft Courses. Soft Courses. These include oral and written communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, teamwork, and leaders.h.i.+p. These include oral and written communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, teamwork, and leaders.h.i.+p.

Study Abroad: Carrying out some portion of M.B.A. study at another (international) location. Once available only to full-time students, study abroad programs have been introduced at M.B.A. schools nationwide. At Syracuse University, part-time M.B.A.'s can now experience a one-week study-abroad residency program. Carrying out some portion of M.B.A. study at another (international) location. Once available only to full-time students, study abroad programs have been introduced at M.B.A. schools nationwide. At Syracuse University, part-time M.B.A.'s can now experience a one-week study-abroad residency program.

Web Application: A means of applying to school online. Schools may promote this function by waiving or discounting the standard application fee. Check with the school's website prior to mailing in your application. A means of applying to school online. Schools may promote this function by waiving or discounting the standard application fee. Check with the school's website prior to mailing in your application.

So there you have it, a few terms and acronyms to know. We hope they will help you through the application process and detangle some of the jargon you may come across on a school website or in a brochure. Good luck!

PART THREE.

Admissions

CHAPTER 7.

How Do Schools Evaluate Applicants?

Each business school has its own admissions policies and practices, but most programs evaluate applications using a range of objective and subjective criteria. Regardless of which schools you are pursuing, understanding how admissions officers judge your candidacy can give you a leg up on the compet.i.tion, enhancing your prospects for being admitted to the school of your choice.

Generally, admissions officers use the application process to measure your intellectual abilities, management skills, and personal characteristics. When you submit your application, admissions officers will evaluate the total package. Most admissions officers look for reasons to admit candidates, not for reasons to reject them. Your challenge, therefore, is to distinguish yourself positively from the other candidates in a variety of arenas.

ACADEMIC RECORD.

Admissions officers are likely to start their review by looking at your prior academic record. They want to see evidence of your ability to handle the academic rigors of their program. Also, your academic record enables admissions officers to compare you to other students, albeit imperfectly.

This is why your admissions application must include official copies of your academic transcripts from every postsecondary school you attended, whether or not you received a degree. You must request that these transcripts be sent to you in sealed envelopes for you to include in your self-managed application. Even if you have an official copy of your college transcript, the B-school requires that you submit an official copy in an envelope sealed by the registrar of your college. Colleges usually charge a fee for copies of your transcript, so contact the college registrar's office to find out the costs and request the transcripts.

Ask Yourself . . .

* Do my grades show an upward trend?* Did I perform well in my major?* Did I fare well in calculus and other quant.i.tative courses?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no," you may have to take action to improve your transcript.

Your grade point average (GPA) is important, but it's just part of the picture. Admissions officers will consider the reputation of your undergraduate inst.i.tution and the difficulty of your courses. Admissions officers are well aware that comparing GPAs from different schools and even different majors from the same school is like comparing apples and oranges. So they'll look closely at your transcript.

Calculus, statistics, and other quant.i.tative courses may be prerequisites for your intended program. Quant.i.tative skills are considered essential in completing M.B.A. coursework, and your record in these areas will be carefully scrutinized for difficulty, currency, and overall quality by admissions committees. If your transcript does not show any evidence of quant.i.tative skills, you should consider taking courses in accounting and statistics to demonstrate your apt.i.tude and to reinforce your commitment to pursuing a business degree.

A strong performance in your advanced courses and major is interpreted as an indication that you can handle difficult work and that you can excel in your field of choice. An admissions officer may pay particularly close attention to your GPA in your last two years of undergraduate study, since most students complete work in their major as college juniors and seniors. But don't think an attempt to raise your GPA by taking introductory level courses your last term will not be recognized for what it is.

The weight that is given to your undergraduate grades in the admission decision is affected in part by the length of time you have been out of school. If you have been out of school for some time, the pa.s.sage of years makes it easier to argue that low grades can be attributed to youthful inexperience, now replaced by maturity. Unfortunately, it also raises the question of maintenance over time of skills that once brought impressive grades but that may now be rusty, if not in total disrepair. Admissions officers will look for evidence in other parts of your application to support their reading of a transcript earned years earlier.Brush up on Your Skills"Since I had been out of school for more than 20 years, I took an algebra course at a local community college before starting my GMAT preparation. This not only started me thinking mathematically, but also helped me do well on the GMAT."- E.M.B.A. candidate, Stern School of Business, New York University For more recent graduates, meanwhile, the transcript is seen as a likely predictor of current skills and performance. This implies that strong grades may help offset weakness in other areas, but weak grades are much harder to dismiss or counter.

Admissions officers focus primarily on your undergraduate performance, but they will consider graduate studies and nondegree coursework that you have completed. If you have a weak undergraduate record, you may want to take additional courses to demonstrate your ability to succeed in the cla.s.sroom. You may be inclined to enroll for nondegree courses in an M.B.A. program rather than in a community college or four-year undergraduate program to show your ability to handle this type of work. Be aware, though, that some top-tier programs will not accept students who have substantially completed another M.B.A. program, even from a nonaccredited program, and that admissions officers will examine these transcripts with as much care as they will use for transcripts of your undergraduate degree.

If you have a poor academic record, it will be tougher to get into a top school, but by no means impossible. Your challenge is to find other ways to demonstrate your intellectual horsepower. A high GMAT score, intelligently written essays, and recommendations that highlight your a.n.a.lytical abilities will help. Your work experience may show a record of promotion and success in meeting new intellectual challenges.

GMAT.

The second criterion that admissions officers use to measure your intellectual ability is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). An integral part of the admissions process at virtually all schools, the GMAT measures verbal, quant.i.tative, and a.n.a.lytical writing skills that are developed over your educational career. It does not test business competence or specific subject knowledge beyond general mathematics and English usage. The GMAT is designed to predict academic success in the first year of a graduate business school program.

Unlike undergraduate grades, which vary in their meaning from inst.i.tution to inst.i.tution and from discipline to discipline, GMAT scores use a consistent standard for all test takers. Thus the GMAT can be a useful guide in comparing the credentials of candidates from widely different backgrounds. Used by itself, the GMAT may not be a highly reliable predictor of academic performance, but it is the single best one available. Many schools routinely perform studies to gauge the effectiveness of the GMAT and other admission criteria in predicting performance in their program, and use this information to help them interpret the scores applicants present.

Description of the GMAT Since October 1997, the GMAT has been administered exclusively in a computerized format in North American and in many other parts of the world. The GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT), which is more than just a computerized version of a traditional paper-and-pencil test. The format allows you to see only one question at a time; you must answer that question to continue the test. Each question is chosen from a large pool of questions of varying degrees of difficulty. The first question is of medium difficulty. The selection of each subsequent question is determined by your response to all previous questions. If you keep answering questions correctly, the test will increase in difficulty; if you slip and make some mistakes, the test will adjust and start giving you easier problems. If you answer the easier questions correctly, the CAT will return to the harder ones.

One of the major differences between a CAT and a traditional paper-and-pencil test is that the former doesn't permit you to skip around within a section and do questions in any order. You also cannot go back and change your answer. Instead, you have to do your best to get a question right the first time you see it.

Work systematically at the beginning of a GMAT section. Use the noteboard to help you organize your thinking. The first 1015 questions of a section are crucial in determining your ability estimate, so invest the necessary time to try and answer these questions correctly. You must, however, pace yourself so that you have time to answer every question in the section. You will be penalized for questions you don't reach.

The purpose of the computer-adaptive format is to give you a score based on the level at which you answer questions correctly about half the time. Hence the overall number you get right is not as important as the level at which you start getting about half the questions wrong. In spite of all these differences, computer-based test scores are considered comparable to paper scores.

There are a number of advantages to this testing format. Among these are: Convenience Unlike the paper-and-pencil GMAT, which was administered only four times a year, the computer-adaptive GMAT is available throughout the year on an appointment basis. You can take it at hundreds of computer centers around the country.

Additional Time Per Question The computer-adaptive test allows you more time per question than the traditional one did.

Immediate Scoring Once you have completed the GMAT, you can choose to see your scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test at the test center. If you are not happy with your performance, you may cancel your scores before you see them.

Faster Score Reporting An official score report, including scores for the a.n.a.lytical Writing a.s.sessment, will be mailed to you and your designated inst.i.tutions about two weeks after testing. Scores for the paper-based GMAT used to be reported four to ten weeks after the testing date.

Individualized Environment When you take the GMAT now, you are alone with a computer in the quiet and privacy of a separate testing station, not elbow to elbow with many other people in a large room. This no-distractions environment is very beneficial to some people.

Test Your Best on the GMATKaplan's GMAT course teaches you the content and strategies you'll need to maximize your GMAT score and provides you with the opportunity to practice on authentic computer-adaptive tests. Call (800) KAP-TEST or visit kaptest.com to find out more details. You can also find Kaplan's test-prep guides, including Kaplan GMAT GMAT (Premier or Comprehensive Program) and Kaplan (Premier or Comprehensive Program) and Kaplan GMAT 800 GMAT 800, in most bookstores and online.

You do not need to be computer-literate to take the GMAT. Before beginning the test, you'll complete a tutorial to ensure that you are comfortable at the keyboard. It covers such areas as using a computer mouse, entering a response, using the word processor, accessing the help function, and moving on to the next question. The help function will be available throughout the actual test.

The GMAT includes verbal, quant.i.tative, and a.n.a.lytical writing questions. You will have 75 minutes to complete 37 quant.i.tative questions, 75 minutes for 41 verbal questions, and 30 minutes for each of the two essay topics. The types of questions are the same as in the paper-based test, but the multiple-choice questions are not grouped into sections by specific question types. Instead, Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving questions are interspersed throughout the quant.i.tative section, and Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning questions can be found throughout the verbal section.

a.n.a.lytical Writing a.s.sessment The GMAT contains an essay section, the a.n.a.lytical Writing a.s.sessment (AWA), that asks you to write two essays-one, an a.n.a.lysis of an issue and the other, an a.n.a.lysis of an argument. The AWA is designed to provide schools with information about your communications skills that is not otherwise captured by the GMAT.

Essentially, the AWA is another tool that schools can use to evaluate you. Although it won't reduce the importance of the essays on your applications, it does provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas in a very limited time period. For that reason, admissions officers may be as interested in reading your writing samples as they are in relying on your overall GMAT score.

AWA PrepLook through a dictionary of quotations and memorize some useful sayings. Even if you wind up not including them in your essay, you can impress friends and colleagues by quoting famous people at your next c.o.c.ktail party.

On the other hand, admissions officers at top-tier schools already struggle to get through all their applications. That will limit the time they can spend reviewing these handwritten essays. Although the essay is important, time constraints restrict a careful reading of every single essay that is received.

Even though the AWA is scored separately from the multiple-choice sections, you should prepare for it with the same intensity that you put into preparing for the rest of the GMAT. Outstanding writing samples can help you stand out from the crowd. Conversely, seriously flawed essays can reduce your admissions chances.

What Your GMAT Scores Mean You will receive a total of four scores on the GMAT: one each for the verbal, quant.i.tative, and a.n.a.lytical writing sections and an overall score. It is this overall score that is used when programs report an "average GMAT score" for candidates accepted to the program, and the overall score that receives the most attention when admissions officers review your application. If you've taken the GMAT more than once, schools will generally credit you with your highest score, though some may average the scores or take the most recent one.

The total score is reported an a 200 to 800 scale, with an average score of 500. Each standard deviation from the mean (average) equals 100 points. According to this scale, a score of 700 is two standard deviations above the mean, indicating that approximately 97 percent of all scores fall below this mark.

In addition to the actual score you receive on the 200 to 800 scale, you will get a "percentile ranking" that tells you what percentage of test takers had scores below yours. You will also receive a percentile ranking for your performance on the verbal portion of the test and a second percentile ranking for the quant.i.tative section. Although these scores typically do not receive as much attention from schools as your overall score, they can be very helpful in corroborating impressions from other parts of your application or filling in gaps in the information. For example, if you have never taken a college-level quant.i.tative course, your score on the quant.i.tative section of the GMAT may provide evidence of your current skills in that area.

The score on the a.n.a.lytical Writing a.s.sessment is reported separately from the score on the multiple choice sections of the GMAT. Your essays will be graded by a human grader as well as a computerized essay grader (this "e-rater" was designed to make the same judgements that a good human grader would make). You'll get one score, which will be an average of the scores you receive for each of the two essays. Reported on a scale of zero to six in half-point increments, a score of six is defined as "outstanding," whereas a four is considered "adequate," and a score of one is "fundamentally deficient." The average score is about 3.5. As with the scores on the verbal and quant.i.tative sections, the AWA score provides additional information about this important skill. It will be reviewed more closely if there are questions about your critical thinking and writing skills than if you have clearly demonstrated expertise in these areas from your credentials.

Registering for the GMAT You may register for the GMAT three ways: via the web, via the phone, or via snail mail. To register and schedule your test appointment online, have a major credit card handy and go to www.mba.com. To schedule your test appointment by phone, call 1-800717-GMAT (4628), or call the test center directly (check the mba.com or gmac.com websites for a Test Center List). A major credit card is required to register via phone as well. If you prefer to register by mail, contact the Graduate Management Admission Council at Pearson VUE; Attention: GMAT Program, P.O. Box 581907, Minneapolis, MN 55458.

Although the computer-adaptive test is given on many days during the month and it is typically possible to get a testing time within 30 days of your request, the most popular times are filled quickly. Advance booking will allow you to get the time and place you want. Moreover, since you can take the GMAT only once per calendar month, taking it early will allow you to repeat it, if necessary, and still have scores before the end of the admission season.

Score reports are mailed weekly to the schools that you indicate on your registration form should receive your test results. Additional information on GMAT registration, both in the United States and internationally, is available through the Graduate Management Admission Council's website: www.gmac.com., or www.mba.com.

Repeating the GMAT Although some people repeat the GMAT because a management school requests more recent scores than currently on record, the most common reason for repeating the test is to attempt to improve test scores. Although mere familiarity with the test may push scores slightly higher the second time, scores can also drop. Unless your scores seem unusually low compared with other indicators of your ability to succeed in an M.B.A. program or there are other reasons to believe you have not performed your best, such as illness or lack of preparation, taking the GMAT more than once may not be helpful.

If you choose to repeat the test, your scores from the latest test date and the two most recent administrations in the past five years will be reported to the inst.i.tutions you designate as score recipients.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS.

To evaluate your management skills, admissions officers look at work experience and other relevant activities. They generally believe that the best way to measure your management potential is to look at what you've actually done. Many graduate business programs expect candidates to have several years of work experience prior to entrance. If your credentials fall outside the typical range of work experience for the program, you may need to compensate with the quality of your experience in other arenas.

Show Career Progress"I believe that M.B.A. programs are looking for candidates that have shown progress in their current jobs-increased responsibility, promotions, salary increases, etc. The work recommendation should complement what the candidate says about himself."- M.B.A., Stanford Graduate School of Business You can communicate some of your management abilities through the straightforward "data" part of your application. Be sure to describe your job responsibilities. Don't just list your t.i.tle and a.s.sume that an admissions officer knows what you do or the level of your responsibilities. This is especially important if your job is nontraditional for an aspiring M.B.A.

Many M.B.A. candidates come from the traditional areas of consumer goods, financial inst.i.tutions, consulting, and accounting. This background is good training ground for management education, especially since there is demand in these industries for M.B.A. graduates. However, applicants from one of these fields will be competing with many others with similar backgrounds, and will need to distinguish themselves through their achievements and the presentation of their other qualities.

Although major companies are a natural path into a graduate management program, they are by no means the only route. If you have experience in a not-for-profit organization, government agency, small- or medium-sized enterprise, or some other inst.i.tution, your application will already stand out in contrast to those from candidates with large company experience. However, you still face the challenge of translating your experience for the admissions officer and showing why you are a good candidate for an M.B.A. degree.

Admissions officers will look at your overall career record. Have you been an outstanding performer? What do your recommendation writers say about your performance? Have you progressed to increasingly higher levels of responsibility? If you have limited work experience, you will not be expected to match the accomplishments of an applicant with ten years' experience, but you will be expected to demonstrate your abilities.

As you are thinking about your work experience, ask yourself the following questions: * How can I show that I have been successful in accomplis.h.i.+ng my job responsibilities? Additional responsibilities, promotions, salary increases, and leaders.h.i.+p a.s.signments might form part of your answer.* Do I work well with people? M.B.A. programs that stress teamwork are particularly interested in your ability to work well with others, but the general tendency in business to use teams makes this attribute important in all settings.* What have I managed? Not all jobs involve direct management of people. Perhaps you have managed projects or financial a.s.sets, or perhaps you have accomplished goals through other people, even though you have not had direct management authority over them.* What is the range of my experience? Have I demonstrated abilities in a variety of areas? An M.B.A. is a general management degree. Both during the program and after graduation, M.B.A.'s are expected to be able to work in a variety of disciplines, using a variety of skills.* Have I excelled in what I do and worked beyond average expectations for the position?