When I first started my MBA journey, the GMAT felt like the only door to a good school. Every forum, every consultant, every success story seemed to begin with a 700+ score. So naturally, I signed up, studied, and gave it my best shot. Twice.
The result? 600–650. Both times.
At first, I told myself the first score was just a warm-up, and the second would be the breakthrough. But walking out of that second exam hall, seeing nearly the same score, I felt crushed. I thought maybe I just wasn’t built for these tests.
Still, I wasn’t ready to give up. I pivoted to the GRE, thinking maybe the format would suit me better. Again, two attempts, both in the 310–320 range. Solid, but not competitive enough for the schools I had in mind.
That’s when I realized something important: the GMAT and GRE are not the only keys to an MBA.
Schools like IE Business School offer their own test — the IE GAT. Esade has its own assessment. In Germany, schools like HHL, FSFM, and ESMT don’t place the same emphasis on GMAT scores. Some schools are open to waivers if you have a strong professional background.
I eventually took the IE GAT and performed well. That’s what opened the door to IE Business School for me — with a scholarship. Looking back, all that stress over GMAT cutoffs and percentile rankings feels unnecessary.
Here’s the truth: GMAT is a path, not the path. If you ace it, fantastic. But if you don’t, it doesn’t mean the dream is over. It just means you need to find the schools and routes that value your profile beyond a number.
For anyone stuck in the 600s or frustrated with test prep: don’t let one score define your future. Explore every option. Because an MBA is about much more than a test — it’s about your story, your drive, and your persistence.
