Do You Need a Finalized Test Score Before You Hire an MBA Admissions Consultant?

Originally published on February 21, 2024. Updated on February 27, 2025.

We love this time of year because we get to connect with so many aspiring MBAs. As we talk to applicants, a common question comes up:

“I’m planning to retake the GMAT or GRE. Should I wait until I have my final score before hiring an MBA admissions consultant?”

We get it—tackling one thing at a time seems like a logical approach. But in our experience, waiting until your test scores are finalized isn’t always in your best interest. In fact, starting early with an MBA admissions consultant can give you a strategic advantage by helping you refine your story, strengthen your application, and stay flexible as your plans evolve.

Thought Partnership and Soul Searching Take Time

Many applicants underestimate the soul searching required to craft a compelling and differentiated story—one they’re truly excited about. This process doesn’t happen overnight. It often takes months of focused work with an MBA admissions consultant to:

• Uncover your unique value proposition
• Address any weaknesses in your profile
• Hone your career goals

And let’s not forget—the MBA application process is time-consuming. If you’re applying to three to six top programs (which most applicants do), expect multiple iterations of your resume, essays, recommender materials, and application forms. It’s common to go through 10 to 15 or more versions of essays alone.

Starting early ensures you have ample time for thoughtful reflection and multiple rounds of feedback—setting you up for success.

Maximize Your Investment and Your Time

Hiring an MBA admissions consultant is a significant investment. But whether you start six months before your deadlines or three, the cost remains the same. So why not make the most of it?

Even if you haven’t finalized your target school list, you can still:

• Refine your story and post-MBA goals
• Identify ways to strengthen your leadership profile
• Perfect your resume and recommender materials, which won’t change much based on school choice

Further, by getting started early, you leave yourself a cushion in case life gets unexpectedly busy. Applicants often realize they don’t have as much time as they thought given spring graduations, weddings, summer vacation plans and unforeseen work demands. Pace yourself while there are fewer demands on all parties involved.

An initial consultation can help you map out your timeline and next steps.

The Testing Process Can Take Longer Than You Expect

You might feel confident that you’ll only take the GMAT or GRE one more time before hiring an MBA admissions consultant. But in reality, many applicants end up taking the test three to four times due to factors like:

• Test anxiety
• The learning curve of the new GMAT Focus Edition
• Unpredictable score fluctuations

While your test score is important, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. It doesn’t make sense to spend 75 percent of your time on test prep and only 25 percent on the rest of your application. Instead, reverse that approach—spend more time refining your story, essays, and overall candidacy while keeping test prep in perspective. In fact, there are several common misconceptions about GMAT and GRE scores that can impact your strategy.

If you’re still unsure whether retaking the test is the right move, ask yourself these five key questions to determine if a higher score will significantly impact your application.

A strong MBA admissions consultant will help you adjust course as needed. So if your score turns out differently than expected, you’ll already have an expert thought partner to reassess your school list and refine your approach.

Every applicant’s journey is unique, and we’d love to discuss the best timeline for you. Book a free 30-minute consultation to explore how we can support your MBA application process—whether you’ve finalized your test score or not.