MBA is not only a degree that offers you a job at an international company but also it provides you with many opportunities to explore different aspects of your personality. Every student has their own aspirations and goals in life and MBA is one such degree that helps you achieve those goals. If you are already a student and are planning to study MBA, then you might be thinking about going abroad for higher studies. In that case, it is very important that you choose a good MBA program abroad as well as course structure in order to get quality education with international exposure.
In today’s world, there are so many options available for students who want to pursue their education abroad but with so much confusion surrounding this topic most students fail to choose the right program because they do not have enough information about what they should do or how they can get into top MBA programs abroad with a fee that fits within their budget.
At Scholar Strategy, we get a lot of queries from students about pursuing MBA in their career but there are two most common issues that they all face:
You have decided to study abroad but haven’t found the right place to do it from
You have the right place but don’t have the budget for it
While there are a lot of universities abroad to pursue your MBA from, here is a list of those Top 10 highly ranked and affordable universities as per the Financial Times Ranking 2022 that will give you a complete package of high quality education, good placement opportunities and an international exposure all within your budget.
Top 10 Highly Ranked and Affordable Programs for MBA Abroad
The search doesn’t get over here. Once you have finalized your dream university and program, it is highly important to choose an MBA specialization that will add value in your journey. The right specialization can help you gain practical experience while also developing specific skills that will help advance your career path. Be sure to have a clear understanding of the specialization you need for your career here:
Hopefully, these tips will help you come to a decision. The idea here is that you can invest your time and money into getting a good MBA education, but what really matters at the end of the day is whether or not it will help you advance your career. And to that end, having a low-cost education with a high ROI should be your main goal.
1.92 lac students appeared for CAT 2021. Only 3000-5000 will make it to IIMs. Rest 1.87 lac can beat themselves for not making it or they can explore one of the other options.
It is a brutal competition indeed. Many people take gap years just to prepare for CAT and if you don’t make it to top 2.5%, you have no chance of making it to schools like IIMs. There are some very talented, smart and intelligent people in this pool. So, in this post, we explore the way forward for anyone who couldn’t clear CAT.
Let’s get right into it. Here are the immediate next steps to consider:
1. Think what you wanted to do after the MBA and try it directly.
Most people don’t seem to realize that most careers don’t even require an MBA (especially roles in startups).
2. Get work experience
If MBA is crucial for your career goal (read Investment Banking, Consulting, Finance), get good work experience and go for an MBA later with a better profile. B Schools always value great work experience, so your time is not wasted.
3. Take GMAT instead
Honestly, if you are looking for better options after CAT, there is nothing better than GMAT. With the amount of preparation you do for CAT, you can easily get great scores in GMAT. There are many schools in India (and of course all abroad) that accept GMAT scores including IIM A, B, C, XLRI, SP Jain etc. Plus GMAT score is valid for 5 yrs. You can check out our GMAT guide to learn everything about cracking the exam.
4. Use CAT score to apply abroad
You don’t have to delay your MBA plans. Use your CAT score to apply to other schools. For example, HEC Paris accepts CAT score for some of its Master’s programs
Do I need to say that please don’t take a drop? Ok, let me say it. Please never take a drop 🙂 There are solid options that you can try instead of CAT, so, get going.
Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and not making it to IIM most definitely will not kill you. Many people who did not make it to IIMs are thriving in their careers. So can you.
Whenever you are applying to a business school or a management oriented program, you might have to evaluate the merits of taking GRE vs GMAT.
Before you make up your mind about the most suitable aptitude test to enhance your chances of getting into an MBA program, you should get familiar with the differences between GRE vs GMAT.
The most fundamental difference between GMAT and GRE is that GRE is used in the admission process of many different graduate school programs while GMAT is limited to business oriented programs. However, there are several other factors that you must make yourself familiar about.
In this detailed guide, you will get to know about all the major differences so that you are able to make the best choice.
GRE vs GMAT: Popularity
More than 1200 business schools accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) all over the world. GRE is typically considered the test that is suitable for creative individuals. Similarly, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is accepted by all business schools because it has been considered one of the most reliable ways to assess the applicants by the business schools for a long time now.
GRE Structure
GRE consist of three major sections:
Analytical Writing
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
The score range for the analytical writing section of the GRE is 0 to 6, while both the verbal and quantitative reason sections have the range of 130 to 170. These three sections are scored separately and not combined into a single score.
Candidates take the GRE on a computer. It is a section-level adaptive test which means the applicants’ scores on the first section will affect the difficulty of the questions on the next sections.
The GMAT aims to assess the applicants when they are applying to a business school like an MBA program. Unlike GRE, GMAT is used only by business schools. There are four main sections of the GMAT:
Analytical Writing Assessment
Integrated Reasoning contains
Quantitative section
Verbal section
The candidate will get a composite score in the range of 200 to 800. The scores from the analytical writing and integrated reasoning are not included in the composite score.
There are several differences between GRE and GMAT in terms of the duration, pattern, sections, registration fee, and other such factors. These differences between GRE and GMAT are tabulated as follows:
Differences
GRE
GMAT
What is the duration of the test?
3 hours and 45 minutes
3 hours and 30 minutes
What is the total number of essays?
2
1
What is the total number of sections?
6
4
What are the marking criteria?
Verbal and quantitative reasoning sections have score ranges of 130 to 170, and the total score is between 260 to 340.
Composite scores are given in the range of 200 to 800
What are the registration charges for these tests?
$205
$250
When should you take GRE or GMAT?
When you want to get admission in a business school graduate program like MBA
When you are not sure about the kind of graduate program, you want to get admitted to.
How long are the scores of GRE and GMAT valid?
Five years
Five years
How do the candidates take the test?
Computer-based test. Paper-based tests are also available in selected regions.
Computer-based test
GRE vs GMAT
GRE vs GMAT Quantitative Section
Quantitative Section of the GMAT
The quantitative section of the GMAT mainly focuses on problem-solving and data sufficiency questions. Candidates typically have to solve equations, graphs, evaluate different types of data, and apply data in different situations.
Quantitative Section of the GRE
On the other hand, the quantitative reason section of the GRE typically deals with the candidates’ skills in algebra, geometry, data analysis, and arithmetic. Following are the major differences between GRE and GMAT in terms of their quantitative sections.
Differences
The differences between the quantitative sections of the GRE and GMAT are as follows:
Differences in Quantitative Sections
GRE
GMAT
Number of questions
20
49
Duration
60 minutes
105 minutes
Score
130-170
Quantitative: 0-6 Integrated Reasoning: 1-8
GRE vs GMAT quant
Generally, the quantitative section of the GMAT is considered to be more challenging than the GRE. The reason behind this conclusion is the fact that GMAT focuses on data sufficiency questions that are typically difficult for many students.
GRE vs GMAT Verbal Section
Verbal Section of the GMAT
The verbal section of the GMAT consist of the following three types of questions:
Reading comprehension
Sentence correction
Critical reading
Verbal Section of the GRE
The verbal section of the GRE consists of the following three types of questions:
Reading comprehension
Text Completion
Sentence Equivalence
Differences
Differences in Verbal Sections
GRE
GMAT
Number of questions
40
41
Duration
60 minutes
75 minutes
Score
130-170
0-60
GRE vs GMAT verbal
There are no significant differences between the kind of questions asked in the verbal sections of the GRE and GMAT. Yet, the difficulty level of the verbal section of GRE is little more than the GMAT because, typically, challenging vocabulary and reading passages are included in the GRE.
Differences between GRE and GMAT: Analytical Writing
Analytical Writing Section of GMAT
This section includes one essay that the candidates have to complete within 30 minutes. The task is given in the form of an argument, and the candidates have to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
Analytical Writing Section of GRE
In this section, the candidates are required to write two essays. One task is related to analyzing an argument, while the other one is associated with analyzing a task.
Differences
Differences in Analytical Writing
GRE
GMAT
Number of questions
2
1
Duration
60 minutes
30 minutes
Score
0-6
0-6
GRE vs GMAT writing
Even though there are two tasks in the analytical section of the GRE, the difficulty of this section on both GRE and GMAT can be considered the same.
GRE or GMAT: Which exam should you take?
The purpose of discussing these differences is to help you out in choosing the best test that you think you can ace and get admission to your dream university. You can easily narrow down your options by checking which business programs accept GMAT scores and which ones accept the GRE.
Generally, if you have a very specific goal of getting admission to a business school, you should consider taking the GMAT. Many business schools prefer the GMAT over GRE because it has questions directly associated with the skills you need to succeed in a business school graduate program.
Whatever your final decision can be, you can rely on our extensive guides to get high marks on the GMAT or GRE.
Taking the GMAT is a critical point in the academic lives of many people all over the world, including India. You need to be fully equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to prepare for the GMAT and ace it. It is quite understandable that you must be familiar with the concepts and their applications to succeed at GMAT.
However, the significance of the preparation phase cannot be understated when it comes to making sure that you can achieve an excellent score. Many people think that only reading a GMAT guide book or taking prep classes is enough to get high marks in this aptitude test. While all of these strategies will help you, you should also examine your specific situation and determine the best way to prepare for the GMAT.
Taking sufficient time to plan for GMAT will help you in the long run because you will have everything mapped out efficiently. No matter how intelligent you are, you must not take this preparation phase lightly. Both hard work and smart work will help you in acing the GMAT.
Once you are familiar with the fundamentals of GMAT, the next thing to do is to start preparing for it.
In this article, you will get the answers to some of the most common questions associated with preparing for the GMAT.
How long does it take to prepare for GMAT?
Generally, the following factors have the greatest influence on how much time it will take to prepare for the GMAT:
Your current level of preparation
Target GMAT score
Resources you are using to prepare for GMA.
To determine your GMAT baseline score, you can take the GMAT mini quiz or an extensive practice test. Ultimately, the exact amount of time can greatly vary from student to student.
How to develop the stamina to prepare for GMAT?
It is important to have enough energy and stamina through the GMAT exam to make sure you can achieve a high score on all of the sections. Many students tend to get exhausted by the last section of the exam. Hence, you have to be good at sitting for continuous 4 hours to succeed at GMAT.
Some important tips that you should follow in this regard are:
Attempt the 4-hour GMAT practices at least every two weeks.
Do not take breaks between these tests as you will not have such an option in the actual exam.
Attempt the entire practice test in one go and do not skip sections. It is always a good idea to follow the given order, so you are used to it by the time you take the GMAT exam.
Ensure that you are getting used to taking the exam physically as well as mentally.
Focus on improving your analytical and decision-making skills because you will have to make around 350 decisions during the exam.
Taking the GMAT exam can be strenuous for anyone, so ensure that you are equipped with the right skills to get through the exam, and practice is the best way to get these skills.
Should I take GMAT Practice Tests?
Definitely, yes! To prepare for GMAT and achieve a high score, you should never ignore the importance of taking GMAT practice tests regularly. These tests help you in measuring and tracking your progress, getting used to performing under time pressure, reviewing the missed problems, and fully understanding the errors you made. When you take GMAT practice exams regularly, you will not feel much pressure on the test day.
You can use the following resources to attempt GMAT practice tests:
It is important to note that the GMAT exam is not only a test of your intelligent quotient (IQ). Similarly, it cannot be limited as a test of one’s English skills, verbal skills, or mathematical ability. While these subjects do play a role in the test, the fact is that GMAT exam questions are unique and force the candidate to think creatively and apply relevant concepts to different questions.
Your real objective should be to develop critical thinking skills and mental math skills to get a good score in all of the sections. Moreover, you must be able to perform well under time pressure and apply your skills to GMAT questions without getting overwhelmed during the exam.
How can I avoid procrastination as I prepare for GMAT?
Getting started with preparing for any exam, including GMAT, can be challenging for many people. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that procrastination is one of the major reasons why many candidates end up not scoring low on the aptitude exams.
Following are some of the useful tips that you should follow to avoid procrastination while preparing for the GMAT:
Take small steps towards preparing for GMAT by reading about the exam, pattern, syllabus, and other such important information.
Never plan a lengthy preparation session of 3 to 5 hours in one go, as you will end up burning yourself out and start procrastinating.
Watch the online lectures or attend a GMAT prep session to avoid procrastinating.
Make a study timetable and reward yourself when you achieve your goal of the day to ensure you stick to the timetable.
How Should I Create My Study Plan?
Once you have decided to prepare for GMAT, you should start the process by creating a timetable and sticking to it to ensure you are able to cover all of the topics and attempt practice tests to get used to taking such lengthy exams.
Online resources and books like GMAT Official Guide can help you in following a relevant study plan and prepare for the GMAT. You should divide your time as per the four sections of the GMAT:
Analytical Writing Assessment
Integrated Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
One thing that you should never do is create an overly ambitious timetable. It is common to get carried away and plan out long preparation sessions. However, this kind of timetable will end up overwhelming you and making you unproductive in the long run.
Therefore, you should create a timetable with small tasks, especially in the initial days of preparation, so that you are able to stick to it and remain committed to acing the GMAT.
Conclusion
These are some of the most important aspects that you should keep in mind when you are starting to prepare for the GMAT. Other than following these tips, you should always try to find your learning style so that you remain self-motivated throughout the process of preparing for the GMAT. You might like studying simple prep books, or you might be one of those students who only study in a class.
Whatever might be the case, you can excel at GMAT by following these tips and making sure you are preparing for the GMAT in the best way possible.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT exam) is developed and conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) all over the world to facilitate business schools in assessing the aptitude of the applicants at graduate-level. Whether you are aspiring to go for an MBA or an MEM degree, GMAT (or GRE) is required by almost all good schools.
There are several important aspects of the GMAT that the students must know about to ensure they are fully equipped with the required knowledge, skills, and experience to take the GMAT exam. This article will help you in getting familiar with all of these important factors like:
Structure of the GMAT exam
Mean scores
Preparing for the exam
Application process
Let’s look at these aspects one by one:
What is the GMAT Exam?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized aptitude test which the business students must take when they are applying to a business school. Like most of the other aptitude tests like the GRE exam, the GMAT is a computer adaptive test that has multiple-choice questions.
GMAT score, along with the overall academic records and work experience, plays an integral role in accessing the readiness of the applicants for an MBA program. The purpose of the GMAT exam is to evaluate the applicants’ command over grammar, algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and data analysis.
Measuring the ability to critically analyze and understand a wide range of written material is the most important part of a GMAT exam. Hence, having good analytical skills is the key to scoring a high score on the GMAT exam.
The GMAT exam is divided into four different sections. Yet, all of these sections require the same level of critical thinking and analysis skills. Candidates get the choice to choose a particular order in which they want to take the GMAT exam. Three options will be provided to you at the start of the test.
The four sections of the GMAT exam are:
1. Analytical Writing Assessment
This section focuses on evaluating the ability of critical thinking and communication of the ideas.
2. Integrated Reasoning
Integrated reasoning is meant to measure the applicants’ ability to analyze data available in different types of formats and extracting information from this data.
3. Quantitative Reasoning
This part of the GMAT exam is meant to evaluate the ability of the candidates to analyze data and draw conclusions from it with the help of reasoning skills.
4. Verbal Reasoning
As the name suggests, the verbal reasoning section is focused on evaluating your reading and verbal skills to ensure the candidates can fully understand the written material and correct it as per the English standards.
How many questions are included in a GMAT exam?
The entire GMAT exam is divided into four sections. Following is the detailed breakdown of these sections:
The four sections of the GMAT have different marking points, due to which it is important for the candidates to become familiar with these marking styles so that they are able to score higher on the exam. Following is the scoring system of four sections of the GMAT exam:
The analytical writing assessment section is scored from 0 to 6 with half-point increments.
The integrated reasoning section is scored separated on the basis of a 1 to 8 points scale.
Both the qualitative and verbal sections have a scaled score of 0 to 60. These scores are then combined to produce the final score on the 200-800 scale.
When you want to set a GMAT score goal for yourself, you should be looking at the mean or average GMAT score of the MBA programs you are going to apply to. It will be useful in obtaining a good baseline.
Every section of the GMAT exam has a different mean score as follows:
Verbal reasoning section has a mean score of 27
Quantitative reason section has a mean score of 39
Mean score for analytical writing is 4.4
Mean score for integrated reasoning is 4.2
You should know that for the MBA programs, your scores in the verbal and quantitative reason sections are considered to be having the most bearing on the final admission decision.
You can also rely on the following table to get familiar with the relationship between scaled scores and the candidates achieving them:
Percentile
Total GMAT Score
Top 10% of all test takers
710
Top 25% of all test takers
650
Top 50% of all test takers
580
Below 50th percentile of all test takers
570
It is worth noting that Indian applicants face a higher competition in MBA. Check this post to understand how the chances play up for Indian IT Male applicant.
What is the difference between GRE and GMAT?
A major difference between GMAT and GRE is that GMAT was developed especially for business schools, while the purpose of GRE is to cater to a wide range of graduate schools. Generally, the verbal section of the GRE is more challenging than the verbal section of the GMAT exam. On the other hand, the quantitative section of the GMAT exam is tougher than the same section of the GRE exam.
How can I register for the GMAT?
It is easy for the majority of the students to register for the GMAT online by using the portal of MBA.com, a website used by GMAC to assist candidates wanting to apply for MBA programs. Students with special needs will have to submit a separate accommodation request form before their GMAT exam is scheduled.
Why should I take the GMAT exam?
GMAT is a renowned standardized test that is trusted by a large number of business schools all over the world. Your GMAT score can be the make-or-break factor in getting admission to your dream school. High GMAT scores can certainly help the candidates in standing out during the admissions process because it is a great indicator of academic success in graduate business degree programs.
What is the registration fee for taking the GMAT?
In the majority of the countries, the registration fee for the GMAT exam is $250. It can cost more than $250 in some countries. However, the applicants also have the option of applying for a fee concession or waiver of the application fee, only if your business school is ready to make this request. It is quite expensive to take the GMAT exam, so you should only register for it once you are fully ready to take the test.
Which are the best GMAT Books for Preparation?
You can find a lot of books as well as online resources to prepare for the GMAT. However, you do not have to research them all as we have compiled a list of top 3 books you should use to prepare for the GMAT exam:
It is important for you to become fully familiar with the various aspects of the GMAT exam discussed in this article to ensure you are able to prepare for the test and achieve a good score on it to get into your dream business school.
If you have any inquiries or want to get more information about the MBA programs or standardized tests like GMAT, you can contact us anytime.
Scholar Strategy is India’s leading Study in USA guidance community. For last 9 years, our candidates have gone on to study at MIT, Stanford, UIUC, Cornell, Berkeley, CMU, and other top universities. Not only that, we take pride in helping our candidates be prepared for landing internships at companies like Tesla, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and more.
Are you harboring dreams of world class education and studies abroad for career opportunities? USA has been the leading destination for ambitious students worldwide. Here, we cover all the information you need to realize your dreams.
Why Consider Study in USA
History of Innovation
The United States of America is called the nation of explorers. It is the birthplace of many inventions that changed the world.
From inventors like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to industrialists like John D. Rockefeller were born in the US.
Cultural Diversity and Opportunity to Grow
The nation is renowned globally for its multicultural environment, its opportunities, and what has become a common phrase – “American Dream.”
Don’t know what the American Dream is?
Investopedia defines the American dream as “the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their version of success in society. It is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.”
The US is revered for its infrastructure that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. No wonder, it is the number one study abroad destination.
World’s Best Universities
It has some of the world’s oldest universities: Harvard, Stanford, MIT are all based in the US.
As per QS world rankings 2021, five universities in the Top 10 are all based out of the US.
American universities provide a great learning experience, opportunity to grow like no other country.
Recruiters of top-notch organizations pay high salaries to students of American universities.
The schools receive huge donations and are well funded to invest in research and development areas.
Courses to Target
Study in USA allows you to choose from a plethora of courses. The country will probably have a course/degree on every subject you can imagine.
MIT, the California Institute of Technology, John Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University are famous for STEM education.
Apart from STEM, courses on Psychology, Journalism, Medicine, Business & Management, Social Sciences are also top-rated.
Indian students mostly enroll in American university programs to study Engineering and Management. The courses like MS and MBA attract Indians applicants due to the high standard of education and the possibility of getting a high-paying job in the world’s largest economy–United States of America.
Undergrad
Colleges in the US offer a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Students aspiring to study at the undergraduate level in American colleges have to give the SAT exam.
The higher the score, the better are your chances to get an admission letter from schools like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
MS (Science & Engineering)
Studying MS (Master of Science) in the US is a dream for students passionate about Science and Technology.
It has the world’s best universities that offer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
The country is a leader in Research & Innovation sectors and is the home to many tech behemoths like Facebook, Amazon, and Intel.
Where did you find this article?
The chances are you found it on Google Search (or Gmail), Facebook, or LinkedIn–all of these companies were founded in the US.
MBA courses in the US are among the best in the world.
Studying at top universities in the US allows you to network with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and nationalities. A network built during your time at a B-School can be leveraged later when you are looking to form business partnerships.
As per QS global MBA rankings, four out of the Top-4 MBA programs are taught in American universities.
Most top American universities and colleges have the authority to decide their standard and admission criteria.
The most common aspect of applying to study in the US is standard competitive exams like GRE, GMAT, and SAT. GRE is usually accepted for admission in MS programs, GMAT for MBA, and SAT is the standard test students give for undergraduate courses.
The below sequence of steps may help you speed up your application process:
Decide five to ten universities you’re planning to get into for the subjects of your interest.
Search for ways to finance your education. This may include eligibility for a loan, scholarships, and grants. We’ve written a comprehensive article that will give you more clarity on ways to finance your education abroad.
Prepare for and give the English proficiency exams like TOEFL, IELTS, and degree-specific exams like GRE and GMAT.
Prepare for the colleges based on your exam scores.
Prepare and polish the documents common for admission in most colleges: SOP, Essay, Letter of Recommendations.
Appear for the personal interview with the admission officers.
If you receive an acceptance letter, confirm your intent to take admission to that university.
The universities require you to pay a non-refundable fee to confirm admission.
If you’re struggling during any phase of admission, we at Scholar Strategy can help you. Click here to contact us.
Main Challenges
Student Visa
The US government allows non-American citizens to enter the country only with a valid visa.
Without a relevant Visa, you won’t be allowed to study in the US if you’re an international student aspiring to study in the country. All your hopes of studying in the US will go in vain if your visa application isn’t approved.
The US government offers three student visa types, including F, J, and M.
F Student Visa: For study at the university level or to study English at an institute that teaches English.
J Exchange Visa: It is applicable for an exchange program at the university and high school level.
M Student Visa: It is applicable for vocational study or training in the US.
Before you can apply for an F, J, or M student visa, you must have an acceptance letter from an American university or higher education institute.
Please note that a good score in such exams doesn’t guarantee an admit and is just a tool to filter out applicants.
If you’re planning to study at these top universities, your work experience and extracurriculars help you stand out among the applicants.
Getting admission into a top school is a dream for many, but not everyone can pay the price to afford it–not talking only about money. The admission process is highly competitive. For example, The acceptance rate of admission to Stanford MBA is around 7 percent, and for MIT, it is 6.7 percent.
Cost of Study in USA
The cost of education is one of the critical factors that influence a study-abroad aspirant’s ability to choose a country, courses, and universities for foreign education.
The US is the world’s most popular destination for international students and the most expensive. The tuition fee and living expenses vary based on the student’s university choice and the university’s location.
The tuition fee for public universities and community colleges is lower as compared to those of private universities. The low cost doesn’t imply that public universities’ quality of education is lower than private universities.
For example, The University of California–Berkeley is one of the best schools globally despite being funded by the government.
Average fees at US universities 2018-19
Public two-year colleges
Public four-year colleges (in-state fees)
Public four-year colleges (out-of-state fees)
Private non-profit four-year colleges
Tuition & Other fees
$3,660
$10,230
$26,290
$35,830
Room & Board
$8,660
$11,140
$11,140
$12,680
Total (per year)
$12,320
$21,370
$37,430
$48,510
src: TopUniversities
The values given in the table above are an estimate, and the actual cost may differ based on the university and city you plan to study in.
Europe has some of the world’s oldest universities – Cambridge, Oxford, the University of Paris, to name a few. Many such universities have the best and globally renowned business schools. While the US is the most popular destination for international MBA aspirants, many European schools compete aggressively with American schools for top ranking spots.
In this article, we will uncover why you should consider doing an MBA in Europe.
Why should you do an MBA in Europe?
Europe is one of the most popular MBA destinations for international students. The reasons given below make it the ideal location to pursue your dream of getting an MBA from a top college.
Best MBA schools
Europe is home to some of the oldest and globally renowned universities. As per QS Global MBA Rankings 2021, Europe’s top 10 MBA schools rank within the top 25 globally.
Short course duration
Most of the top European universities offer MBA courses that students can complete in 12 months. Adding specific specializations may extend your course duration by a few months.
The time you will need to do an MBA in Europe with specializations is still less than in the US, where an MBA is usually 24 months.
International exposure
Top business schools provide you a global perspective on business and teach you critical skills that would enable you to work in some of the world’s best organizations with high salaries.
Studying at top universities in Europe allows you to network with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and nationalities. A network built during your time at a B-School can be leveraged later when you are looking to form business partnerships. Most of these universities have a strong alumni network, which can guide and mentor you, whenever you need assistance in the time of professional adversity.
Eligibility criteria for MBA in Europe vary based on the university and your native country.
Most European nations have their regional language, and universities teach the majority of the courses in their local language. International students aspiring to study in European countries have to prove their proficiency in the local language (usually by giving an exam) or have the option to enroll in courses taught in English.
MBA is one of the few courses with the language of instruction as English, keeping in mind the course’s global recognition and nature.
The standard eligibility criteria for admission to top MBA programs in Europe are:
The table below gives you the key information about an MBA at Europe’s top 10 business schools (data collated from the website TOPMBA).
QS Global MBA Rank
University
Country
Duration
Avg. GMAT
Fee (USD)
Avg. Work Experience
Avg. Salary(Post 3 months; in USD)
5
HEC Paris
France
15 months
690
70k-80k
6
128,206
6
INSEAD
France
10 months
710
90k-100k
6
105,900
7
London Business School
United Kingdom
21 months
701
100k-110k
5
106,837
9
IE Business School
Spain
11 months
685
70k-80k
7
93264
11
IESE Business School
Spain
19 months
681
90k-100k
6
123,662
13
Esade Business School
Spain
18 months
657
70k-80k
6
104,161
16
Oxford (Said)
United Kingdom
12 months
690
80k-90k
5
96,233
17
Cambridge (Judge)
United Kingdom
12 months
693
70k-80k
6
99,753
22
Imperial College Business School
United Kingdom
12 months
650
60k-70k
6
82,853
23
SDA Bocconi
Italy
12 months
665(source: The Economist)
60k-70k
6
120,760
Cost of an MBA in Europe
The course fee at most of the European business schools is less in contrast to American business schools. While a full-time MBA at a top B-School in the US will cost you around USD 150k, the average fee for the top 10 business schools in Europe is around USD 80,000. The comparatively short duration of an MBA in Europe also saves students time, reducing the opportunity cost.
There are many means by which students can finance their MBA abroad in regions like Europe.
Scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers by the universities are some of the common ways to reduce your education cost.
Click here to know more about financing your MS or MBA education abroad.
Job Opportunities
An MBA degree from a top business school comes with an excellent job assurance: regarding the quality of work and compensation.
European B-Schools is a top recruitment destination for global corporate behemoths looking to employ the best talent. Consulting companies like BCG, Bain & Company, and McKinsey & Company give more preference to MBAs from Oxford SAID, INSEAD, and IE Business School than many famous American business schools.
As given in the table above, the average salary for schools like HEC Paris and SDA Bocconi is higher than USD 120k. This amount is more than the average wage of an MBA grad at many American universities recognized for their MBA degree.
Immigration options
Besides the prospect of a good job, many European nations provide desirable work visa options compared to the US.
EU Blue Card work permit is one such option. As per the EU Blue Card Network, “The EU Blue Card is a work- and residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals. The European Blue Card provides comprehensive socio-economic rights and a path towards permanent residence and EU citizenship.” In layman’s terms, it’s the European version of the American Green Card.
Some countries like the UK allows graduates to stay in the country for 6 months after course completion. Students can utilize this time to find a job of their liking.
Conclusion
Europe is an ideal destination for an MBA if you aspire to study Business abroad at a school ranked among the best in the world.
While the US is more popular than Europe for an MBA, the fee and the opportunity cost in European schools are far less; yet, the quality of education is almost identical. The salary offered in the top European schools is similar in contrast to many famous MBA schools in the US and, in some instances, even more.
Book a call with Scholar Strategy NOW if you have finalized your decision to do an MBA abroad and need assistance with your application.
Our clients are studying at Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and many other top business schools.
TOEFL vs IELTS is one of the most common query for any study abroad applicant. These are two of the most renowned exams used to judge the test takers’ English fluency. Most of the applicants are non-native English speakers aspiring to study abroad in English-speaking nations or universities where the language of instruction is English.
Even though these exams test the applicant’s English proficiency, their structure and method of scoring differ.
This article will address the common “TOEFL Vs. IELTS” dilemma that troubles people who dream of studying in a foreign university.
What is TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an exam used to judge the candidate’s English fluency. It measures proficiency using 4 sections- Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Over 11,000 universities accept the TOEFL scores in over 150 countries. Most American universities accept TOEFL scores as proof of English proficiency.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is used to measure the test-takers’ English proficiency level. Most of the IELTS exam applicants are students planning to study abroad and people planning to migrate to a foreign country for work.
Types of IELTS
IELTS exam is categorized into 2 types–IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic measures an applicant’s ability to converse in English- the way they need it in a university and academic environment. A good score on the test reflects your skill to study in English-speaking nations or enroll in a course taught in English in foreign countries.
IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is recommended for those who wish to study below degree level or people who want to migrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The exam measures the general English proficiency that is needed for living abroad.
Most of the candidates who wish to study abroad give the IELTS Academic exam. For the rest of the text, the term “IELTS” would imply the IELTS Academic test.
IELTS Format
IELTS is conducted as either Paper-based or Computer-delivered.
The test measures your ability to communicate well in English and has 4 sections- Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Apart from the Speaking section, all the other sections are completed on the same day. The Speaking section can be conducted up to a week before or after the other sectional tests.
Unlike TOEFL, the IELTS candidate communicates with a human rather than speaking to an automated computer system.
IELTS Score
The score is categorized using a nine-band scale.
Band score
Skill level
Band 9
Expert user
Band 8
Very good user
Band 7
Good user
Band 6
Competent user
Band 5
Modest user
Band 4
Limited user
Band 3
Extremely limited user
Band 2
Intermittent user
Band 1
Non-user
TOEFL Vs IELTS
Here are some common factors that will give you a glimpse of both the exams and may help you decide on the TOEFL Vs IELTS dilemma.
EXAM
TOEFL
IELTS
Duration
About 3 hours long.
Around 2 hours and 45 minutes long.
Sections
Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Price
Cost is usually between 160 and 200 USD (USD 185 in India)
The cost differs across countries (INR 14000 in India).
Question type
Most of the questions in TOEFL are of the MCQ category.
Besides MCQ, many questions require you to frame/type your answers.
Category of text used for the Reading section
Primarily academic text is used, which is slightly difficult to read because of challenging vocabulary and concepts.
Has academic texts and articles from newspapers and magazines.
Scoring scale
Score on a scale from 0 to 120
Score on a scale from 0 to 9
Number of score reports that can be shared for free
4
5
The average score needed by American universities
74.4 (source: USNEWS.com)
6.5
Exam frequency
60 times in a year
48 times in a year
English accents used
North American, British, New Zealand, Australian
Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, British, American
Validity
2 years
2 years
TOEFL vs IELTS comparison
Which exam should you write?
You can use this 5-step process to solve the dilemma TOEFL Vs. IELTS-
Decide the countries and schools you aspire to get admission to.
Research which exam is accepted by most of the universities and countries you aspire to go to. Generally, most universities in the US accept the TOEFL score. In contrast, most schools in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK prefer the IELTS score as proof of English proficiency (some universities in these countries accept both TOEFL & IELTS).
Prepare for the exam that is widely accepted in the area you aspire to study at.
If both TOEFL & IELTS are accepted at your desired university, we suggest you give a sample exam of both the tests if you aren’t very confident about your English proficiency. This will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Suppose you get your target score, good for you. If you don’t, focus on the test that is more aligned with your strengths. For example:
In TOEFL, the Speaking section is conducted on a computer, while on IELTS, the Speaking section requires you to have a conversation with a human. If you are frightened of interviews, focus more on IELTS while improving your confidence on the side.
If your reading skills and vocabulary aren’t that good, going for IELTS will be a better choice since TOEFL’s Reading section primarily has academic text, which is slightly hard to read.
Conclusion
TOEFL & IELTS are among the most popular English proficiency exams students give as part of their journey of getting admission into a top university abroad.
While the sections in both the exams are the same, their structure and method differ.
We have tried to cover critical points that may help you decide which exam you should give.
While making any crucial decision in life, being self-aware of our strengths and weaknesses is of utmost importance.
The same goes for deciding the exam you plan to give. After deciding on your target universities, focus more on your strengths while simultaneously working to decrease the intensity of your weaknesses.
Ask yourself these questions while making the final decision-
What are my target colleges?
Which exam is accepted in most of my target colleges?
Which are my strengths and weaknesses in English?
If you would like to know more about these exams, there is no better resource than the exam’s official website- TOEFL and IELTS.
Are you already done with TOEFL or IELTS? Now is the time to focus on your application.
Book a call with Scholar Strategy if you aspire to study in universities like Harvard, MIT, and Columbia.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an exam primarily used to judge the applicant’s ability to communicate well in English — the way they need it in a university. It is a prerequisite for international students/non-native English speakers to apply for admission in many universities worldwide, where the language of instruction is English.
The exam measures the applicant’s English skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Students who are interested to pursue higher education abroad register for the exams like TOEFL.
ETS (Educational Testing Service) conducts and manages all the logistics associated with the exam.
TOEFL is conducted in two formats, i.e., TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and TOEFL Paper-delivered Test.
TOEFL iBT
This is the internet-based/online version of the exam. Over 98 percent of the TOEFL exams given have been taken online because of the easy availability of the internet today. This format has 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
TOEFL Paper-delivered Test
The TOEFL Paper-delivered Test is conducted 4 times a year for candidates who can’t give the online version of the test. ETS schedules the exam in locations where internet testing isn’t available. It is like TOEFL iBT but doesn’t include the Speaking section.
Since most of the candidates give the exam online, for the rest of the text, the term “TOEFL” would imply the TOEFL iBT test and not the Paper-delivered Test.
Why take TOEFL
The TOEFL exam scores are accepted by over 11,000 universities in over 150 countries.
Global recognition
Universities worldwide recognize the exam as a tool to measure a candidate’s readiness to study in colleges where the language of instruction is English.
As per ETS, here are some statistics that show the popularity of this test:
TOEFL is preferred by 9 out of 10 American universities.
Accepted by 100 percent of universities in the United Kingdom.
Most preferred exam to measure English proficiency for admission in France and Germany.
Widely accepted in top universities in Asia, including China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
The universities in Canada get more TOEFL scores than all other English proficiency tests combined.
IELTS is another English proficiency testing exam that is accepted in many of the countries. If you are confused between TOEFL vs IELTS and which one to write, you can read our detailed comparison here.
Flexible schedule
ETS conducts the TOEFL exam 60 times a year. The candidates can register for the exam on the ETS website, via email, or through a phone.
Earlier, it was only conducted at specific test centers. ETS has now introduced a new edition of the exam- TOEFL iBT Home Edition. This edition gives you the comfort of taking the exam from home under the supervision of a live proctor. The conducting body recently launched it in response to the closure of test centers across the globe because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can read more about the Home Edition exam here.
Ease of use & a good test experience
The most prominent advantage of the exam is that you can give it as many times as you want in a year.
The mandatory wait time between two consecutive TOEFL attempts is only 3 days. You can register online up to 2 days before the exam date.
ETS provides a free sample test to help you prepare for the exam
You receive unofficial scores for the Reading and Listening section the moment you are done with the test.
The applicants receive the TOEFL exam score within 6 days post the test date.
MyBest™ Scores: You can share your best overall score with universities by combining the highest section scores from all the tests given within the last 2 years
Eligibility
According to ETS, there are no specific eligibility criteria to appear for a TOEFL exam. The candidate should have valid ID proof to register for the examination.
The type of ID needed differs based on the citizenship and the test location preferred by the candidate. For applicants based out of India, having a passport is mandatory to register for the examination.
TOEFL Exam Format
The test has 4 sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. During the test, you will be evaluated by combining these skills. For example-
Read/listen and then share your response by speaking.
Read/listen to a question and then write your answer.
As per ETS, this is how the test structure looks like.
Section
Time Limit
Questions
Tasks
Reading
54–72 minutes
30–40 questions
Read passages and respond to questions
Listening
41–57 minutes
28–39 questions
Answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions
Break
10 minutes
—
—
Speaking
17 minutes
4 tasks
Talk about a familiar topic and discuss material you read and listened to
Writing
50 minutes
2 tasks
Read a passage, listen to a recording, type your response
Exam Fee
The fee of the exam varies according to the test location. Applicants planning to give the exam from India would have to pay 185 USD.
The below table lists the fee for additional services provided by ETS.
Item
Fees
Registration
Fees vary by testing location
Late registration
USD 40
Rescheduling
USD 60
Reinstatement of canceled scores
USD 20
Additional score reports (per institution or agency)
USD 20 each
Speaking or Writing Section score review
USD 80
Speaking and Writing Section score review
USD 160
Returned payment
USD 20
Click here to check the location-specific fee along with the addresses of the test centers in that location.
TOEFL Scores
A TOEFL score reflects your skill level to communicate in English. Each section of the exam is 30 marks each, which makes the total score of 120.
The score is valid for 2 years
You can view your scores online, or receive them by mail by selecting this option before the exam date.
You can send your TOEFL exam scores to up to 4 universities for free that you select before the test. Post the 4 free reports, ETS charges 20 USD to share your score with the university/agency of your choice.
What is a good score?
The idea of a good score is subjective and there is no single answer to this question.
ETS has set no passing or failing score. Many popular universities need you to have a required minimum score to apply for admissions.
If you get above the minimum required score, your odds of getting accepted at a university increase, and anything below the minimum score would act as a stumbling block during your admission process.
ETS proficiency level
ETS has provided a range of scores to help you better understand your ability to communicate in English.
The minimum TOEFL score needed for admission differs across universities and departments within those universities. Use the below format to Google search for the score you would need to get admission to your dream college.
[university name] [department name] “TOEFL score”
For example: If you want to know the score needed for admission into Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business department or MBA, the search query would look like this-
“Stanford Graduate School of Business TOEFL score” or “Stanford MBA TOEFL score”
This infographic by Magoosh will give you a brief idea of TOEFL scores required by some popular schools and will help you set the target score for admission into your dream college.
Summary
TOEFL is used to judge a candidate’s capability to study at a university in English-speaking nations. It is also a requirement in many colleges and courses across Europe and the world for non-native English speakers.
It is hugely popular among top-notch universities and has helped students get into their dream college. The exam is just a prerequisite to filter out applicants who are not fluent in academic English, and the test does not guarantee admission into top schools. Students should focus on their overall application as well, besides preparing for TOEFL.
We have tried to cover key points of the TOEFL exam but there is no better resource to know about it than the ETS website. Please click here to know more.
If you have already given the TOEFL exam and need help with your application, please book a call with Nistha. We have helped many students to get admission to schools like Harvard, MIT, and Columbia.
We can help you get into your dream school abroad.
TOEFL exam FAQs
What is TOEFL?
TOEFL is an English-proficiency exam that is primarily used to judge the applicant’s readiness to join a university abroad.
What is the fee for this exam?
The fee varies based on the test country/location. The applicant has to pay 185 USD if they are planning to give the exam from India.
What are the eligibility criteria for TOEFL?
The exam does not have the eligibility criteria per se. Indian applicants should have a passport to register for the test.
Can I give TOEFL multiple times?
ETS conducts the exam 60 times a year and you can give it as many times as you want. The only caveat is that you need to wait for 3 days before registering for the next attempt.
You can register online up to 2 days before the exam date.
What is considered a ”good” score in TOEFL?
You only need to score above the minimum benchmark set by the university you are targeting for admission. Generally, a score of 100 makes you eligible for admission to most top universities.
Which books are recommended for TOEFL preparation?
The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT® Test is considered a great resource to prepare for the exam.
Which is better- TOEFL or IELTS?
The exam which is widely accepted in the region/universities you are planning to get admission into is better for you. There is no point in giving an exam if it is not accepted at the university of your choice.
