What do you mean "when is the best time to take the GMAT?" Business schools don't care when you take it, as long as the scores aren't several years old. Basically, take it when you think you're ready. Give yourself some time to prepare. Now, the earliest you can probably hope to start a course is Jan 2010, unless you're thinking of heading to one of those dodgy business schools that will accept anyone. Then it probably doesn't matter when you take the GMAT or how well you do.

Good luck,
Alan

Thanks for ur reply what i mean to say the best suitable time as right now I am having experience of 7 months. How many more months will i add to my profile?
One more question is it safe to do mba , considering the factor of recession at this point of time.

Seven months won't be enough experience to help your application, I'm afraid. In fact, until you have at least two years of relevant experience, you're not very attractive to GOOD MBA programs. If you ask me (and you did), I would wait another year or so before applying. Then you'll have something interesting to say at your interview. Oh, and why not use that time to study on the side and ace the GMAT?

About the recession - b-school applications are up everywhere. People seem to think it's a good time to do an MBA, though I'm hesitant to make such a huge investment right now. Fact is, NOBODY knows for sure.

Thanks for your reply Alan.
Agreed 7 months won?t be enough to get into a good college. I also want to utilize this time for my GMAT prep but the concern is how to start ?
Iam having a good command over maths and data sufficiency, so my only concern would be Verbal.
What are the best books available in the market, also kindly tell me is there any online site for online test?

Thanks and regards

There is the princeton review "cracking the GMAT book" which can help you get a good basic understanding of the test:

http://www.princetonreviewbookstore.com/gmat-book.html?isbn=9780375428586

they also have a DVD out.

another good one is Kaplan "GMAT 800" book which is a bit more complete and has some good practice Questions.

There are lots of online free test sites - just google for it.

For Verbal score it is best to take a course - that way you can practice with people and get your language skills running.

the best advice i can give you is - practice, practice, practice

Good luck,

Andy

Thanks Andy.......

hey,
There is doubt about the work ex.. I currently have 10 months of experience. I will write GMAT in next 6 months and will start applying . so the time I apply I have a work ex of 14 months and by the time I will join a b-school I will have 2+ years experience.
How does theses b-school look at the applications?
Are there any chances.. of getting into a decent b-school if I start applying when i will have 14 months of work ex?

very valid point raised by you but what i feel it depends from college to college and the type of exp u have

Yes work experience of two years mean TWO YEARS when you are applying it will be near about two n half or three years when you are entering university. Mind you two years is MINIMUM requirement of good Universities if you read historical averages they are much higher then two years. ( five years seven years) After all candidates need to pile up money as well (exception family business LUCKY GUYS)