Is it okay to quit my job before I apply to Business School?

A few potential applicants have asked me whether it is okay to quit their job before applying to Business School. And of course the answer is that it ‘depends’ on why you are taking time off and what you plan to do in that time. Before taking time off examine your reasons for doing so, consider what you will do during your time off and think about how an admissions committee may view this break in your career.

In general, most of the reasons I hear are not good ones and may actually raise questions about your abilities. Let’s examine a few reasons and see why they may or may not be a good idea:

1. ‘I need to study for the GMAT’

I would not suggest taking time off to study for the GMAT, even if you have a high pressured job and are having difficulty finding time to study for the GMAT. Most people who are applying to business school are working in demanding jobs. Hence, if you quit your job to study for the GMAT, you may look like you are unable to handle pressure. Admissions committees will then wonder whether you can handle the intense environment that typifies most business schools. It’s much more advisable to give yourself (a) a longer period of time to study (b) try to see if you can take short breaks from work to study. For example take a week of vacation – combined with a weekend at either end it will give you a solid 10 days of focussed study time.

2. ‘I hate my job, and I plan to quit to go to Business School anyway – why not quit now’

In this instance it may seem compelling to quit your job; however it’s important to remember that getting into Business Schools requires you to demonstrate your unique skills and achievements in your application. So if you quit your job and start focusing full-time on your application, you will have fewer instances to showcase your skills and achievements at the workplace – for both your written application and your interview. It will of course raise the same questions as described above with regards to quitting your job to focus on the GMAT.

3. ‘ I want to change jobs, and now seems like a good time to do so’

If you are planning to change jobs then think about what new skills and responsibilities this new job will give you. For example, if your new job provides you with more leadership responsibilities, a greater breadth of experiences or more depth of experience then that in fact could be a very good reason to quit your job. It will be important for you to also assess whether or not this new job change seems logical in light of your goals and reasons for going to business school.

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How to prepare for GRE? – A step-by-step Guide

 
GRE- Graduate Record Examination

Planning to go for your Masters abroad? Most graduate schools require you to take standardized tests, the most common being GRE and GMAT.

All these years, students who are applying to business school or planning on taking up a management program have been taking the GMAT, while most other programs require you to usually take the GRE. Things have changed a bit now and most business schools also accept GRE, giving you the choice of which test to take, making it important for you to choose the right test that plays to your strengths.

GRE                              VS                             GMAT
Accepted in most graduate schools and an increasing number of business schools.	Accepted in most business schools.
Consists of: Analytical section-75 mins (this including two essays) 2 Verbal sections- 30 mins each 2 Quantitative sections- 35 mins each Experimental section- 30 mins (either math or verbal)	Consists of: Analytical section- 30 mins (one essay) Integrated Reasoning section- 30 mins Quantitative section- 75 mins Verbal section- 75 mins
Costs- $195 Computer/paper based	Costs- $250 Computer based
Time allotted to take the test is 3+ hours	Time allotted to take the test is 3.5 hours
Scores are valid for 5 years	Scores are valid for 5 years

Besides these there are also some other differences between the two standardized tests.

The GRE’s verbal section focuses more on vocabulary while the GMAT’s focal point is more towards grammar, logic and reasoning skills, making the GRE favorable towards students with a strong knowledge of English. Your math abilities also play an important factor in deciding which test to take. The GRE emphasizes on quick number sense and number manipulation while GMAT requires you to create a systematic approach in order to answer word problems.

If you are still confused its best to take a practice test for each exam so you know which test is more suited for you. Also do not forget to check the website of your desired universities to make sure you are taking the right test.

Also you can take the GRE test once in twenty-one days, up to a maximum of five times within a year from your first GRE testing date.

GRE Test Dates and Registration

The GRE is administered at prometric test centers, throughout the year, in almost all major cities in India.

To make it in time for your application deadlines, make sure you choose a date well in advance. It usually takes approximately two weeks for your GRE scores to reach your desired universities. You are allowed to choose four institutions to send your GRE scores to as a part of your test fee. These will be chosen on the day of the GRE test.

Also you can take the GRE test once in twenty-one days, up to a maximum of five times within a year from your first GRE testing date.

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British Council launches IELTS awards for 2015

The British Council announced the launch of the British Council IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Awards for 2015. To mark the milestone of the IELTS 25^th anniversary, this year's awards is being extended to offer ten awards to Indian students to help fund the cost of studies abroad.

 The British Council IELTS Awards will give a total of Rs 3.9 million in educational awards to students from across South Asia-including for the first time, students in Bhutan and Nepal.

"The British Council IELTS Awards aim to help Indian students pursue the opportunity of a higher education abroad, once they have taken the initial step of proving their English language ability with IELTS," said Sarah Deverall, Director Examinations India & Customer Service South Asia, British Council. "As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for IELTS, we have increased the number of awards for Indian students from eight to ten, while for the wider SAARC region, we are now extending the awards to Nepal and Bhutan, where IELTS is also a key part of their journey to international study opportunities."

Over the past five years, 40 students from across India have received British Council IELTS Awards for a diverse range of courses around the world, including dramatic arts in the United Kingdom, law in the United States and engineering in Germany, among many others.

Deepika Pradyumna from Bangalore won the British Council IELTS Award in 2012 and went on to study for her MSc in Molecular Medicine at University College London in London, UK.