‘Improve Your GMAT Score with a Second Attempt’ – MLT MBA Prep Alum on Test Prep & Kellogg SOM

By: Shartoyea Scott Dixon, MBA Prep Program Director

Rich Barbier (MLT Career Prep ’08, MLT MBA Prep ’14) is a student at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Class of 2016.  Rich committed to blogging his experience in business school for GMAC and mba.com after being referred for the opportunity by his coach, Shannon Demko. Before business school, Rich was a management consultant supporting federal agencies in Washington, DC. Here is a preview from his blog on why he decided to get an MBA and tips for improving your GMAT score:

Why business school? Business school was a necessary next step to enhance both short and long term growth. After consulting federal clients for five years, I recognized that I needed commercial consulting experience to enhance the breadth and depth of my consulting toolkit. By joining the Kellogg community, I knew that I would get global insight into both theory and application of business strategies and concepts. Concurrently, I recognized that joining the MBA recruitment path would be the most effective way to learn about the best consulting firms in the world and prepare myself to apply for consulting opportunities alongside peers with similar ambitions.

Best GMAT study tip? At some point in your development, turn off the timer! At the midpoint of your preparation, take the time to really figure out what type of problems are just weakness areas. If you consistently take 20 minutes to solve a type of problem and still find that these problems are incorrect, you should take note. The GMAT is all about knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. When the timer is on, you have to know which problems aren’t worth the extra time sacrifice and move on accordingly.

Click here for Rich’s video blog about his story, his thoughts on business school, and his advice on approaching the GMAT.