Dear customer,

Welcome to the June edition of ICON+’s MBA Access Newsletter. You are receiving this e-newsletter because you inquired about our test prep and/or admissions consulting services.

Whether you've been planning to get an MBA since your university days or you're just beginning to consider different programs, selecting b-schools to apply to is a crucial yet daunting task. Peruse the article below to avoid common pitfalls and set yourself on the right path.

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Why do you want to go back to school, anyways?

No, really. Answer the question!

It’s tougher than you’d think to come up with a reply, right?

Many applicants, when asked, “Why do you want to go to LBS (or Stern or what have you)?” can instantaneously spurt out reams of reasons. However, when faced with the most fundamental question, “Why do you want to go to get an MBA?” they become mute for a few minutes.

Let’s face it. Getting an MBA is expensive, perhaps even exorbitant if you are determined to study in a highly ranked program. What’s the point of spending a hundred thousand dollars and a long year or two with your nose to the grindstone? What is it, exactly, that you are hoping to get out of this ordeal?

Enhanced career prospects? Exposure to different cultures and locations? Strong professional and social networks? Soft skills you can take with you wherever life leads you? A clearer vision of what you want to do with your career? The opportunity to explore a variety of fields within business? Deeper insight into one specific aspect of business?

If you think through the question posed to you calmly and honestly, you’ll most likely agree that the below reasons for choosing a program are quite ineffective.

Learn more here.

Not a lot of people like to hear this but the truth is, educated guessing can be a lifesaver when it comes to the GMAT. As I’m sure all of you reading this will have experienced at one point in your revision, you become engrossed and fixated on a question that you end up wasting seven minutes of your time just to get the answer wrong. I’ve done it, everyone’s done it at some point and it’s nothing to be ashamed of!

During revision you have the freedom of time; in the GMAT exam you are not afforded this luxury.
Throughout your exam, time management is of the utmost importance! I can’t stress enough how vital it is to take no more than two minutes per question to avoid a hefty penalty at the end for not finishing the section on time. When you hit the two minute mark on a question and still haven’t figured it out, it’s time to admit defeat and make an educated guess. What I mean by an educated guess is, quickly eliminate one or two incorrect answers, then select an answer choice. I realize it seems like a waste to guess and move on from a question you’ve spent time figuring out, however the harsh reality is you cannot afford to waste time on a question that could be a lost cause. Your time is far more valuable spent on the next question at hand.

In conclusion, to ace the GMAT you may need to concede to some educated guessing. A rule of thumb is no more than two minutes on a question, guess and move on. If luck is on your side, the results may surprise you.

The IELTS is a wonderful multipurpose exam. This English proficiency test is not only used for applying to academic institutes but also for immigration purposes and work visas.
So the question is what mark do I need to attain on the IELTS to be successfully admitted to the school of my choice or to migrate to the country of my choice? Well, to be honest, the answer is not as simple or straightforward as many hope, as each country and academic program has different criteria to fulfill.

To start with, there are two versions of IELTS: Academic and General. Simply from the name, we can deduce that the General IELTS is required for most Immigration purposes and the Academic IELTS is needed for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. More specifically, the listening and speaking sections remain the same for both the Academic and General IELTS exams. However, students are given different reading and writing sections. Make sure you are taking the right type of IELTS for your ambitions.

Most undergraduate programs in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and other commonwealth countries require around 6.0/9.0 points on the Academic IELTS. However, certain schools may have higher standards. For example, Oxford University in the UK requires a score of at least 7.0 out of 9.0 for international students.

To read the full article click here