The GMAT is NOT an Intelligence Test

Introduction

Charles from GMAT Ninja here. I've been teaching for more than 25 years, and one of the things that always breaks my heart is when I see somebody struggling on the GMAT. They often conclude they're not smart enough for business school. If that's running through your head, I have two things to say.

First of all, these exams are never meant to be, and have never been designed as, intelligence tests. They're tests of very specific skills, tested in a very specific way, often multiple choice. Your ability to fill in multiple choice bubbles is not intelligence and will never measure intelligence. That is not what it is.

Second, and maybe more importantly, business schools do a great job of figuring out who will be a capable business leader. They have all this information about you: GPA, academic transcript, work experience. They're going to focus on these. Yes, your test score matters. Schools need to know that you can handle the coursework, but the test scores are just one part of the picture. The best business leaders I've met don't necessarily have the best test scores, and business schools know that.

So if the word "dumb" is running through your head, please turn it off. Remind yourself that these are not intelligence tests.

Keywords

• GMAT
• Intelligence Test
• Specific Skills
• Multiple Choice
• Business Schools
• GPA
• Academic Transcript
• Work Experience
• Test Scores
• Business Leaders

FAQ

Q: Are the GMAT and other similar exams tests of intelligence? A: No, these exams test very specific skills in a specific format, often through multiple choice questions, and are not designed to measure intelligence.

Q: What other factors do business schools consider besides test scores? A: Business schools consider a variety of factors, including GPA, academic transcripts, and work experience, to determine a candidate's potential as a capable business leader.

Q: Should I feel inadequate if I struggle with these exams? A: No. Struggling with these exams does not reflect your intelligence or potential for success in business school. It simply means these tests measure specific skills that you may need to work on.