GMAT : Graduate Management Admission Test
Its basically a gloabally accepted standardised exam and accepted by most of the colleges worldwide. It gives a comparision of the student on an equal footing no matter where the student has studied so as to find out better candidates amongst the applicants.
Cost is about 250 us $.

Check the link www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT. You'll find everything you need to know about GMAT.

See my answers below

Can anyone guide me on

1) why do you need a GMAT
- It's a requirement, that's all. Highest score is 800. 50% at score of 500. Generally, the average is 600 +

2) what is it's purpose
- It's less a test of your intelligence and more an easy way for schools to weed out the weakest candidates.

3) how can i do it
- Buy some prep books/ take a prep course. I suggest Princeton Review. Then, the best way to prepare is to drill yourself over and over again with the sample test on mba.com or gmat.com. To do the actual test, sign up on mba.com/gmat.com

4) where can i do it
- If you're talking about the GMAT test, check it out on mba.com /gmat.com for the best location.
- If you're talking about the MBA---anywhere basically. US, Europe, Asia--- whatever your post MBA career goals are.

5) what is the cost to do it
- GMAT? $250 USD worldwide.
- MBA? Loads of money....depends on where you're going

HI Paul.

The GMAT test is used to detect how a person will be able to manage mainly the analytical courses in a MBA programme. I am sure you would like to know if your so many thousands of hard earned cash will get you through a programme or whether you will struggle or even fail. If you score below 500 on a GMAT it does not mean that you will fail a MBA, but I can tell you that you will find a lot of the programme very difficult to get through and I would reflect on whether it is the right time for you to do a MBA. It is also seen as a safety net by schools, ask a school how many students fail there MBA each year and I bet the percentage is below 5% and most is due to personal reasons and not exams. Also the GMAT helps a school with the rankings and some schools will not take anyone onto the programme unless they have above 600 or more on the GMAT. You do the test by going to, www.gmac.com and reading up about the process and costs involved, I suggest you spend 6 weekes practising for this test unless your excellent at maths and puzzles. The GMAT is only valid for 3 years.

Can anyone guide me on
1) why do you need a GMAT
2) what is it's purpose
3) how can i do it
4) where can i do it
5) what is the cost to do it

Thanks in Advance

Regards
Paul Joseph</blockquote>