Atlanta, Georgia has several options for Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) preparation courses. Veritas Prep has been profiled in Business Week magazine and is the largest GMAT-exclusive test prep company with classes in over 70 locations worldwide. Their admissions consulting service has former admissions officers from top 20 business schools. The Stetson School of Business at Mercer University also offers a very extensive GMAT study course. The University of Georgia offers a GMAT preparation course, while Emory University offers a nighttime study course.

The GMAT is a challenging examination. It tests a student’s quantitative abilities, verbal reasoning and analytical writing skills under timed conditions. Because of the diverse skills required to attain a high score, with 800 being the highest possible score, students who dedicate themselves to extensive GMAT preparation have a tremendous advantage over their lesser-equipped counterparts.

A GMAT study course is intensive and rigorous. Students learn a deconstructive approach to confidently approach the exam, and they then apply these techniques to practice questions, inside and outside of the classroom. Generally to be competitive in the selection process, your total score should be approximately 450. Other considerations include previous college performance and professional experience. This information is given as an indication of your competitiveness in the selection process, and it does not represent the total admission evaluation.

The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (or GMAC) and is required for admission to most U.S., Canadian and European business school MBA programs. Also, the GMAT results can be used for admission to a business PhD program, such as Harvard Business School’s DBA program. Many test-takers have been working for several years and some are still in colleges. However, the GMAT exam does not test any specific knowledge in business or other subjects. Rather, it tests the “mental intelligence” and the ability to make decisions under timed pressure.