Worth doing GMAT/GRE in Gap Year? (UK)

Hi everyone,

Previously was recommended the idea of taking the GMAT during my gap-year - but now wanting to re-evaluate and think if there is anything I'm either missing out currently, or if I can re-plan this to be better at all.

(I am also aware that the GMAT is introducing a new 'focused' version which is slightly shorter, which will be the new standard I would do).

My original plan was:

- Current Gap Year (potentially take GMAT within this year, allowing me to use score for 5 years) -> go through undergraduate at a target IB university -> simultaneously try follow spring into summer into FT pipeline -> when in final year, apply to Harvard 2+2 programme, using valid GMAT score from gap-year.

Main concerns & questions lie as follows:

- If my plan to apply to Harvard fails, I then have only 2 years remaining of being able to use the GMAT scores and may likely find myself re-taking it to then renew the 5 year expiry. I'm also quite unsure of any other similar deferral MBA schemes like this (where I can apply in my final year of undergraduate study) - which makes me unsure on if it's even worthwhile taking this early. Thoughts?

- I have contacted some target universities, but as someone applying at the undergraduate level I'm unsure how someone trying to include a GMAT score into their application on UCAS would look. Assuming it will look good (if I do well of course) and differentiate my profile slighlty, but also worry it may be slightly excessive and may not even be considered in my profile. Waiting on a response from universities to solidify this.

2 Comments
 

Aspernatur culpa fugiat dicta sit sunt doloribus. Sapiente cupiditate consequatur quis consequatur consequatur in. Dolorum rerum tempore doloribus. Atque ut numquam voluptatem enim ad exercitationem doloremque et. Commodi sunt vero sequi enim. Quo enim debitis cum blanditiis a recusandae iste. Voluptas pariatur perferendis molestiae ratione eos sed.

 
Most Helpful

Nulla enim ad minima tempore quia quam consequatur quia. Omnis blanditiis perspiciatis sed explicabo sequi id est. Rerum deleniti ex placeat fuga inventore.

Hic quam unde ea nulla. Praesentium eveniet rerum repellat quasi. Excepturi quia et aliquid.

Ullam in sit ad. Velit illo aperiam est architecto ex libero. Et cum ratione est aut commodi consequatur enim ex. Fugiat et nisi necessitatibus voluptas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”