An MBA can be a good route into a consulting firm as an associate. Associates receive training and on-the-job apprenticeship at many of the big firms. Associates are the ones performing background research and analysis. Combining problem solving skills and technical experience is common for associates. Well-performing associates then often receive promotions after a few years of experience. However, to succeed as a consultant, experience is what counts.

While many consultants entered firms such as McKinsey holding MBA degrees, not everyone who consults has an MBA. While education is important, it does not solve complex problems the same way experience does. Those serving as consultants rarely go to business school to get the job. On the other hand, consultants with years of real-world experience sometimes go back to get their MBA degrees. Why? For one, holding an MBA commissions a higher salary. MBA degrees combined with real-world experience bring together the best of both situations.

Someone with five or ten years of experience and an MBA degree is more capable of handling complex projects and has more tools at her disposal than someone with either the experience or the MBA. Second, the MBA degree helps garner respect from those not familiar with a consultant's experience or industry. When a new client or firm sees the combination of experience and degree, it helps build their confidence. An example of a place where having an MBA in addition to experience helps is when applying to a consultancy like McKinsey & Company. When hiring, McKinsey looks for strength in four areas: Problem solving, achieving, personal impact, and leadership. Holding an MBA helps with problem solving skills, and can help with personal impact (especially if service projects or volunteer work was completed).

Experience is irreplaceable and demonstrates a history of achieving and leadership positions. Some companies, like BCG, will sponsor high performing associates wanting to pursue MBA degrees. This is a valuable option for those wishing to pursue an MBA, but who aren't sure how the degree will be paid for.

The downside is that many experienced consultants apply to top MBA programs. While employment at a top management consulting firm is helpful, those who are self-employed, or who work at smaller consultancies must work hard to make themselves stand out. Having a specific focus, leadership experience, and clear goals all are helpful.

Moreover, if you are self-employed, be sure to write detailed accounts of whom your clients were and how you served them. This demonstrates to employers that you were employed. If deciding to obtain an MBA is on the table, be sure to study for the GMAT and carefully research prospective schools (and the companies recruiting from those schools). Carefully construct the application and essay. Make sure you recognize, going into an MBA program that it is a demanding career move and a large financial investment and plan accordingly. While an MBA degree is not necessary for a management consultant, obtaining an MBA can help your prospects of finding gainful employment-especially when combined with industry or consulting experience.

Raj Modi, founder of StrategyExpert.com - the online resource for consulting tools, tips and advice

http://www.strategyexpert.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raj_Modi

Nearly every year, the number of students applying to graduate MBA programs increases. The more applicants, the more competitive the business school admissions process becomes. And in turn, GMAT scores get more important.

Thus, students spend more time and money on GMAT preparation in hopes of gaining acceptance to the business school of their choice. There are hundreds of books and websites available to help students preparing on their own, but the traditional method of GMAT preparation is the in-person classroom course.

Several companies offer such courses. Most prominent among them are Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and Manhattan GMAT. Classes usually involve between 8 and 12 sessions, spread over 4 to 8 weeks. Class sizes are usually kept small, and most of these companies include course materials, such as books and online practice tests.

When shopping around for a GMAT prep class, the first thing that strikes most students is the price. Some courses are well over $2,000, and most classes are at least $1,000. Business school admissions are crucial to career development, but is a prep course really worth that much? It depends on the student.

Dozens of companies, including the three I've already mentioned, make some or all of their course materials available to students who do not sign up for the full classroom course. Thus, you can get a Kaplan GMAT book for $20 or so and learn much of what you would in the classroom. Whatever the benefits of a course, they must go beyond the content of the materials, since you don't need the course to get the materials.

All of these companies advertise the expertise of their teachers. Each firm has different standards for GMAT instructors, and even within each firm, the quality of teaching varies tremendously. While Manhattan GMAT has a reputation for fantastic instructors and The Princeton Review does not, you can find some excellent teachers at The Princeton Review and some mediocre ones working for Manhattan GMAT.

A great teacher can make a big difference in a student's quest for a high GMAT score, but as we've seen, it's tough to know what you're getting when you fork over your $2,000.

The most valuable, and predictable, benefit of a classroom course is the enforced schedule and homework. If you study on your own, it's easy to take a week or two off, promising yourself you'll make up the work later. If you have a class every Wednesday night, you're more likely to find time to do the work just to keep up. That may sound like a silly reason to spend thousands of dollars, but for some students with busy schedules, it is very valuable indeed.

But, of course, spending $2,000 on a prep course is easier for some students than it is for others. If it is a significant financial burden, I don't recommend signing up for a course. There are many great resources available for $50 or less; if you are particularly resourceful, you can prepare for the GMAT without spending a dime.

Ultimately, the value of a GMAT prep course depends on the individual student. Some people can afford and benefit tremendously from the experience. Others should stay away. When making the decision for yourself, consider whether you can afford a course, and whether the advantages of a skilled instructor and an enforced schedule are worth the money.

Jeff Sackmann is the author of Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, GMAT 111, Total GRE Math, and a variety of other test-prep resources. He also created and posts free material at the GMAT Hacks website. He has been helping students prepare for the GMAT and apply to business school since 2000.

In his books, Jeff focuses two things: building solid content knowledge and providing extremely realistic practice material. Unlike many other resources on the market, his practice problems are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, meaning that you are that much more prepared for the GMAT before you sit for the exam.

When he is not writing about standardized tests, you can often find Jeff on a tennis court or running through the streets of New York City, training for his next marathon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Sackmann

GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a prerequisite for admission to any prestigious business school. With increasing number of applications received by top business schools, the only way to ensure admission is to secure a high GMAT score. Therefore, whether you are taking the GMAT test for the first time or trying to raise your previous score, it is recommended that you join a GMAT Prep course.

Before you join a course, it is important to find a course that meets your needs. You have to keep in mind both your learning style and your time schedule before you choose a course. Many companies offer traditional school style classroom instructions. However, this may not be a practical choice if you are a working person or if the centre is too far away from where you stay. One of the best ways to take a GMAT course is to identify a good online GMAT Prep course.

The GMAT exam requires strong language skills along with good mathematical expertise. Many students who take the test are bogged down by the syllabi and the complex level of conceptual ability that is required for a good GMAT score. Thus they become stressed out and are unable to perform well during their exams. Keeping this in view, it is important to select a GMAT Prep course online that has an easy course structure and materials. The course itself should be designed to accommodate the needs of working individuals, so that you can access your online GMAT Prep course any time you wish. Many online companies offer easy to learn audio and video clips that make it easy and interesting to learn for GMAT. You should always choose a course that allows you to repeat the course content as many times as you want. Exposure to a number of practice tests before the real test will equip you with important exam management and answering skills.

Some of the best online GMAT Prep courses offer you CDs that allow you to enjoy a private tutoring environment right from the comfort of your home. A good company will also provide 24/7 offline and online support so that you can get your queries resolved without delay. Some companies also provide one-to-one sessions with experienced tutors who will work with you on areas that are difficult. Excellent service and total personal support from the provider are important for good GMAT scores.

Most candidates who appear for the GMAT exams are working on a very tight budget. Therefore, affordability plays an important role in choosing the right online GMAT Prep course. Many online companies offer you multiple plans that you can choose from. This makes it easy for you to choose a plan that suits your budget, test date and availability.

Finally, with thousands of candidates appearing for the GMAT exams, it is important that the online GMAT Prep course you choose provides you with important tips and tricks that will help you perform well in the exam. These strategies may seem irrelevant on the face of it. But, come exam time, and these tips may very well give you a much-needed edge over your competitors.

Get into top colleges with the help of TestCircle.com easy to follow GMAT practice tests and free sample videos online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tariq_Ansari

Are your numbers really so bad? It may be difficult to find average GPAs, but if you have a 2.6, you know it's low for almost any MBA program. Roughly, except for the most elite schools, a GPA below 3.0 warrants a deliberate effort to counterbalance.

Looking closely at your numbers.

Which numbers are low - GMAT, GPA, or both? If only one of these numbers is low, at least the other number demonstrates your academic ability. Some people are simply not great standardized test-takers. A low GPA often is attributable to the simple fact that college students are still growing up. In fact, a 3.0 GPA that starts out below 3.0 and trends upward consistently, with the final semester or two in the 3.5 range or higher, is not nearly as worrisome as a GPA that trends in the opposite direction.

If both numbers are low, how do they break down? If your GMAT quant score was high and you had solid grades in quant courses in college, that's a plus, because MBA adcoms always look for evidence that the applicant can handle the mathematics involved. If it's the quant side that drags the numbers down, it's more of a problem. The point is, read the nuances of your scores. Assess and interpret the picture that emerges. Then develop an application strategy to address that issue. Low numbers vary significantly in the impression they create, depending on the details.

Addressing low quant scores.

Register at your local community college ASAP for calculus and/or statistics if you haven't taken them -- and earn an A! If you earned a D or F in other quant-oriented courses, consider re-taking them as well. If you have time to take additional quant-oriented courses, such as finance or accounting, it will help even more. In your essays, highlight quantitative aspects of your work to demonstrate proficiency. If you have some say in what your recommenders write, ask them to confirm your quantitative ability.

Addressing low verbal scores.

Consistently low verbal scores will raise a red flag. Your essays are the ideal place to neutralize this concern. They should be expressive and flawlessly written. You also should select examples and anecdotes that highlight your communication skills. So excellent essays are a must. Looking beyond the essays, ask recommenders to comment positively on your verbal skills. Finally, you can take a course at a local college that involves substantial writing, either business related or other.

Evaluating the numbers in the context of your demographic profile.

You must first understand your demographic profile vis-a-vis the MBA applicant pool for your chosen school(s). Regardless of how rare a demographic profile may be, an adcom will not admit an applicant if it believes he cannot handle the coursework. Beyond that, it's really a matter of supply-and-demand. Demographics encompass your ethnicity, nationality, gender, and industry background. It is well known that Indian engineers and computer scientists with high numbers are over-represented in the applicant pool, as are white and Asian male investment bankers with high numbers.

Using your essays to counteract the low numbers.

With low numbers, your first hurdle is demonstrating you're qualified. Your low scores may now be "understandable," but they won't excite the adcom, so your work experience must. "Mine" your work experience for all evidence of accomplishment, leadership, and impact. Show through anecdotes and examples that you are a person who makes a difference on the job beyond what's expected. Exceptional contribution and leadership as a volunteer or in another non-work activity also serve this purpose, though with the low numbers, strong work experience is still essential.

Selecting the right schools.

All schools do not give the "pillars" of your application - GMAT, GPA, work experience - the same weight. Columbia and Stanford will put more weight on the GMAT and/or GPA than others. Some will be more interested in the specific qualities, experience, and demographic factors you bring than will others. Select programs that meet your learning needs. Then focus on those that take a more holistic view of applicants and/or those that favor your distinguishing characteristics.

The optional essay.

If your numbers are below the 80% range, they warrant an acknowledgement and an explanation. Similarly, if extenuating circumstances caused the low numbers, those circumstances are an important part of your profile. The optional essay is often the place to make these statements. If you write the optional essay, make it short and straightforward. Provide a brief explanation, take responsibility, and focus on evidence of your talents that counters the impression made by the low stats.

Creating a thoughtful strategy to counteract the effect of low numbers can transform you from a non-viable to a viable applicant at the schools of your choice. However, it's up to you to show the adcom that the numbers don't define you.

Adrien Brody http://mbalive.net runs an informational website that provides guides to business school and business education.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrien_Brody

Applying to your potential MBA programs out there can be a bit of a daunting task. You've probably been working for a few years, and with any luck you're also doing volunteer work and working to further yourself as an outstanding individual. If not volunteer work, you got your GPA, you studied your GMAT and passed, and now it's time to send out those applications. With those applications, though, comes the idea of showing off your skills through the MBA statement of purpose essay portion of your application. So that means you need to start brainstorming and researching each of those programs you want to go to.

So you get your first draft of those essays done. The next step is to find a consulting agency that will help edit your MBA statement of purpose essay. This is a very different process than that of simply editing an essay for a college class, mainly because these editors won't just be checking for style and grammar, but also will be helping you craft your essay into a completely different direction. With a consultant looking at your essays, your typical process will start with a quick edit for the grammar, formatting errors, and also content. That first actual round of your essay editing, though, will mean very extensive feedback. If you're wondering why, it's for one main reason.

In that first round of editing, your consultant is going to make the key decisions with your essays to make sure it is geared towards the school. It's all about your approach, and the MBA essay editing consultant wants to give your essay the strong approach that suits the school so that they see you as their perfect candidate whose goals match their program. It can be discouraging, especially if writing essays isn't your forte or your favorite part of the application process, but don't let it get to you. Look at editing as taking the strengths in your essay and then expanding upon them. You should feel good when your paper comes back with a lot of notes in red and suggestions on directions to go, as it means your consultant has found the potential in your essay and wants to bring it to the front for your admissions representatives.

After you've had a chance to look through those notes, choose an approach suggested by your consultant, and then revise the errors. You'll wind up bringing it back for a second review. Again, you normally will have a consultant looking over this next draft to make sure that you stay focused and can make changes that bring out the strengths in your essay, while removing the weaknesses. Now that you have a draft that has a particular approach, this second edit will probably go faster, as the focus will now be on making sure your goals and the approach work together.

From then on, you will probably have a few more meetings with your consultant to make sure that your MBA essay editing process goes smoothly and that you have a winning essay.

Josh Hohman has created a revolutionary video-based MBA Admissions system: MBA Application Bootcamp! Learn more about the MBA statement of purpose here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Hohman

The Master's Degree in Business Administration or MBA is a kind of postgraduate program for individuals pursuing a career in the business industry. Getting this degree is helpful in career advancements as it is designed to improve one's managerial skills in various scopes of business. Obtaining the degree program is a serious matter to pursue and schools offering the program run a series of qualifying tests before admission.

The first among these qualifying tests is the admission interview. Getting ready for it requires sample MBA interview questions answers to be prepared by the applicant so he can have baseline ideas on the possibly asked questions.

Preparing for the interview just requires imagination and effort. Imagination is useful in thinking of the possible questions that the interviewer may ask. Imagination as well as effort is also needed in practicing the interview in a simulation-like basis. You can start it all by listing several kinds of MBA interview question and expand it to several sub-questions. Through this, you can practice idea expansion which is very helpful in interviews. Idea expansion skill will enable you to elaborate a single idea into a specifically directed response. It will also allow you to interconnect related ideas in order to present a formed concrete idea about several topics asked.

Although sample questions are widely available for desires of practicing admission interviews, you should also take time in creating your own MBA interview questions and answers. This is helpful in practicing idea generation skill for yourself, rather than memorizing your answers in various commonly asked sample questions.

Memorizing will only make you more nervous than ever, so it is still advisable to play up with your mind and ponder on the several ideas usually communicated during an interview. This will help you in being more confident than ever so you can present yourself in an assertive manner.

The admission interview is just a simple preliminary test upon admission, but make sure to take it seriously. This is important since the school will base your qualification on the interview made. They will also use the interview in assessing whether you are prepared for a different level of career or not.

Once the preparations for the MBA admission interview have been made, it is helpful to practice the interview with an acting interviewer. Through this, you can practice not only your answers but also the stature, facial reactions and other nonverbal cues that the interviewer may observe, so take time in practicing yourself.

To download your free Guide To Acing Your MBA Interview go to my MBA Interview Tips

To read more articles and latest news on MBA Interview go to http://www.mbainterview.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Fori

The Master's Degree in Business Administration or MBA is a kind of postgraduate program for individuals pursuing a career in the business industry. Getting this degree is helpful in career advancements as it is designed to improve one's managerial skills in various scopes of business. Obtaining the degree program is a serious matter to pursue and schools offering the program run a series of qualifying tests before admission.

The first among these qualifying tests is the admission interview. Getting ready for it requires sample MBA interview questions answers to be prepared by the applicant so he can have baseline ideas on the possibly asked questions.

Preparing for the interview just requires imagination and effort. Imagination is useful in thinking of the possible questions that the interviewer may ask. Imagination as well as effort is also needed in practicing the interview in a simulation-like basis. You can start it all by listing several kinds of MBA interview question and expand it to several sub-questions. Through this, you can practice idea expansion which is very helpful in interviews. Idea expansion skill will enable you to elaborate a single idea into a specifically directed response. It will also allow you to interconnect related ideas in order to present a formed concrete idea about several topics asked.

Although sample questions are widely available for desires of practicing admission interviews, you should also take time in creating your own MBA interview questions and answers. This is helpful in practicing idea generation skill for yourself, rather than memorizing your answers in various commonly asked sample questions.

Memorizing will only make you more nervous than ever, so it is still advisable to play up with your mind and ponder on the several ideas usually communicated during an interview. This will help you in being more confident than ever so you can present yourself in an assertive manner.

The admission interview is just a simple preliminary test upon admission, but make sure to take it seriously. This is important since the school will base your qualification on the interview made. They will also use the interview in assessing whether you are prepared for a different level of career or not.

Once the preparations for the MBA admission interview have been made, it is helpful to practice the interview with an acting interviewer. Through this, you can practice not only your answers but also the stature, facial reactions and other nonverbal cues that the interviewer may observe, so take time in practicing yourself.


Source-http://ezinearticles.com/?MBA-Admission-Interview---How-to-Get-Ready-and-Rise-Above-Your-Peers&id=4113019

GMAT is a critical requirement towards getting admitted to a prestigious business school as it demonstrates strong analytical skills which top most business schools look for. The exam might appear easy but succeeding on the GMAT is not an easy task as it requires lots of devotion, determination, and dedication to score high. The GMAT examination is quite challenging as it tests the student’s quantitative, reasoning, and analytical skills as well as the test taker’s nerves, their ability to cope with the pressure and tension. A test taker who can perform well in the crunch situation can score well on the exam. Various GMAT prep courses are available online and offline which guide the applicant with the right approach and direction. GMAT prep courses are meticulously planned and designed so that students can unlock their skills and potential and successfully achieve their GMAT score targets.



For securing a good GMAT score students need to have strong verbal and quantitative skills but many students find that difficult as they get bogged down by the complexity of concepts tested and essential to understand for a good GMAT score. With an undefined and unplanned study structure, students often land in a situation from where it is extremely difficult to perform well. To assist students during such stress situations there are many online GMAT prep courses available that guide the students in the right direction and familiarize them with the appropriate format of the GMAT test. These online GMAT prep courses provide comprehensive material and adequate course structure so that students can make great progress during the course. GMAT prep courses have also been designed keeping in mind the need and requirements of working individuals so they too can access their preferred online GMAT prep course at their preferred time.
Many online GMAT tutorials support their extensive study material with audio and video clips that help students gain a clear understanding of every topic of the course material. GMAT prep courses provide CDs and audios the help students master the concepts from the comfort of their home. A reputed and renowned online institute offering GMAT prep tutorial provides 24/7 support to students where they can resolve their queries without any delay. These renowned institutes also offer one to one interactive sessions with highly experienced tutors so that students can get personalized attention when needed. A good quality GMAT prep tutorial provides exposure to various practice tests that equip the students with the right approach and skills for succeeding in the exam. Students get the confidence to crack the test and get high scores with help from high quality GMAT prep courses.

Many dream about getting into prestigious business schools to give their career a boost. But we all know that getting into these schools is not an easy task. Taking the GMAT is a requirement for most top schools. To achieve high scores on the GMAT test an applicant can explore several GMAT prep courses, either online or offline.

Gurome.com provides quality GMAT Prep Course, free GMAT sample tests as well as career counseling services. It is the best source for getting the Best GMAT Course and online GMAT course with complete information.

GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a critical component of the MBA admissions process at most top business schools. A high GMAT score can help tremendously towards ensuring admission to top business schools. Preparing for the GMAT test is not an easy task as it requires solid practice and detailed study. The GMAT requires sheer devotion, dedication, and determination in order to score high. There are no shortcuts that can be applied to succeed on the test, contrary to popular belief. With top business schools receiving numerous applications, entry into these schools is becoming harder and high GMAT scores can help tremendously in differentiating a candidate.
The concepts tested on the GMAT are not much different from what you learned in your high school, and with good practice you can score high. A candidate who is aware of the scoring methodology and who can think quickly to interpret the questions will do well on the test. To master the techniques a candidate needs to practice several GMAT mock tests, which are designed to help candidates master the skills of GMAT test. In order to provide students with the right approach and direction for the GMAT test there are several online courses and tutorials available that provide free GMAT practice tests. A student can get lots of help from the online courses including free GMAT practice tests that help candidates get used to the high pressure test environment.



With a plethora of training institutes in the marker that can guide the students in the right direction, it is difficult to pick the right one. A student should ideally look for institutes that provide a platform for online tutoring, interactive personalized sessions with students, and numerous free GMAT practice tests. Coaching classes that provide all three components mentioned above tend to be most effective. These GMAT training institutes offer meticulously designed free GMAT practice tests that provide in-depth diagnostics to analyze the test takers abilities. These free GMAT practice tests help the student prepare for all three sections of the test and also get the test taker accustomed to the timing and format of the test. A large number of these courses also provide access to free GMAT practice tests which help the test taker get acclimated to the GMAT test format.

In a world where the MBA is fast becoming a must-have degree, getting into the most coveted business schools is challenging. The GMAT is a requirement at most top school and candidates with high scores can stand out among the crowd. Many online institutes have emerged which provide GMAT preparatory courses to help the test taker succeed.

Gurome.com provides quality GMAT Practice Tests, free GMAT sample tests as well as career counseling services. It is the best source for getting the Free GMAT Practice tests and GMAT prep courses with complete information.