What qualifications will I need to get into a management education course?
Best of both worlds: academic and professional achievement
Most management courses require applicants to have a mix of solid work experience and a good academic track record. However, some will be more flexible than others.
For example, there are a few MBAs which admit those with relevant qualifications but without professional experience. Also, many others with academic entry requirements carry the rider 'or equivalent'. Just what will be accepted as 'equivalent' varies from one institution to another, and from one individual to another; perhaps an advanced diploma plus relevant work experience will count.
Most decisions about who to admit are made by course coordinators. They (rightly) look for people who are enthusiastic, persistent, and determined, and are usually open to persuasion. Remember that they'll be looking at what you can add to the course and its classes as well as your ability to succeed.
Also note that some 'postgraduate' courses often admit non-graduates. This doesn't mean that non-graduates will be admitted straight into an MBA program. But they do stand a good chance of getting into a graduate certificate course and, if they do well they will be able to carry that as credit toward the MBA.
The GMAT— what is it and where is it done?
A number of business schools use the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) as a way of testing the academic abilities of people whose formal qualifications don't measure up.
The GMAT is a test of verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning skills. Developed in the US, it is now a global industry, administered in countries from Albania and Algeria to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Now computer administered rather than on paper, the GMAT takes around four hours.
A tiny few of the tens of thousands who take the test each year score a perfect 800; most Australian business schools expect a score of between 600 and 635. Here the smart move is to do a practice run and see whether you are likely to get the score required; if not, get some coaching.
Tests can be taken year-round in Melbourne and Sydney, and just once a year in Perth. For details and bookings see the Graduate Management Admission Council website.
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