Graduate Admissions Tests

Options for Individuals Who Fail the NCLEX Failing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) can be a stressful experience, but it is important to know that you have options. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which administers the exam, allows candidates multiple opportunities to retake the test. Understanding the policies, procedures, and steps to take after failing can help you better prepare for your next attempt. Retaking the NCLEX Exam If you do not pass the NCLEX on your first attempt, you are allowed to take the…

Understanding the NCLEX and Its Pharmacology Component The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized exam that determines whether nursing candidates are qualified to practice as licensed nurses. There are two main versions of this exam: the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical nurses. Both versions include questions related to pharmacology because medication administration and management are critical skills for safe nursing practice. Pharmacology questions on the NCLEX test your understanding of drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and safe…

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a critical step on the path to becoming a licensed nurse. Whether you are aiming for the NCLEX-Registered Nurse (RN) or NCLEX-Practical Nurse (PN), success on the exam is essential. Preparing for the NCLEX can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to find high-quality, free resources. This guide is designed to simplify your search and help you make the most of your study time. In this first part, we’ll cover key background information, essential official materials, and useful community resources to help you…

Understanding Failure in Nursing School Nursing school is known for being tough. The coursework demands a lot, and the tests often feel even more challenging. It’s normal to face failure during this journey. However, it’s important to understand that failing a test doesn’t make you a failure as a person or a future nurse. Failure as Feedback, Not a Judgment Think of failure like a dashboard warning light in a car. When the light comes on, it signals that something needs your attention, not that the car is worthless. Similarly,…

Choosing a career as a registered nurse (RN) places you at the center of one of the most dynamic and essential sectors in today’s society — healthcare. Nursing combines science, compassion, and technology to create a unique professional path that offers both personal fulfillment and a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you imagine yourself working in a busy hospital emergency room, a calm outpatient clinic, or in a more unconventional setting, the possibilities in nursing are diverse and continually expanding. Nurses play a critical role in patient care, acting…

The GMAT Focus Edition was not developed in a vacuum. It is the result of years of feedback, data analysis, and strategic forecasting by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the organization responsible for administering the exam. As graduate management education evolved, so too did the needs of both business schools and applicants. Increasingly, admissions committees began emphasizing skills like data literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking over more traditional language mechanics or esoteric math content. The original GMAT, although widely respected, was seen by some as increasingly misaligned with the…

HEC Paris holds a distinguished position in the world of global business education. With its rigorous curriculum, deep connections to the European business ecosystem, and a diverse student body, it is a top destination for ambitious professionals looking to elevate their careers. For many candidates, one of the most common and pressing questions is about the GMAT score: what does it take to be competitive, and how does that number fit into the larger admissions process? In this section, we begin by understanding the place of the GMAT in the…

When considering an MBA, many applicants look for a program that not only delivers world-class education but also offers a global network, diverse perspectives, and career mobility. INSEAD stands out as one of the few institutions that offer all of this within a compact one-year format. Often referred to as “The Business School for the World,” INSEAD attracts thousands of applicants from across continents who are drawn by its international footprint, rigorous curriculum, and unparalleled diversity. With campuses in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and a new hub in San Francisco,…

The GMAT is more than just a test of quantitative skills and verbal reasoning. It is a test of strategy, pattern recognition, and mental discipline. Every test-taker, regardless of their starting point, must find a way to track progress, reinforce learning, and sharpen weak areas. Among the many strategies available, the creation and use of an error log stands out as one of the simplest, most powerful, and most underutilized. In this section, we will explore what an error log is, the psychology behind its effectiveness, and how it lays…

It’s easy to assume that admissions to top MBA programs function like a numbers game. You score a 770 or 780 on the GMAT or GRE and that golden ticket to HBS, Stanford GSB, or Wharton is yours. But each year, hundreds of applicants with scores in that upper range are quietly rejected, while others with lower scores are welcomed into the incoming class. That contradiction might seem confusing on the surface, but it actually reflects something deeper and more nuanced about what MBA programs are really seeking: a community…

Gaining admission to a globally recognized MBA program such as the one offered by London Business School demands more than just a well-written resume and strong professional background. Among the various application requirements, the GMAT or GRE score stands out as a crucial metric for the admissions committee. While LBS emphasizes a holistic review process, your performance on these standardized tests can have a major influence on your candidacy. To properly approach the LBS application, it’s essential to understand what the GMAT and GRE measure, why they matter to LBS,…

Over the last decade, business school admissions have undergone a series of gradual changes, but few transformations have been as visible and consequential as those made recently to the GMAT and GRE exams. The revised versions—officially rolled out in late 2023—have not only changed the format and length of the tests but have also redefined what these exams are intended to measure and how they reflect the evolving priorities of graduate programs and test takers alike. The new GMAT Focus Edition and the shortened GRE are both direct responses to…

For decades, the GMAT and GRE stood as dominant gateways to graduate programs, especially MBA degrees. They were lengthy, high-stakes exams requiring extensive preparation, often dictating the trajectory of an applicant’s future. But by late 2023, both the GMAT and GRE underwent transformative revisions. The GMAT Focus Edition was launched to replace the traditional GMAT, and a new, shorter GRE format emerged. These weren’t minor updates. They were fundamental shifts in how each organization envisioned the future of standardized testing. To fully grasp the significance of these changes, it’s essential…

The Columbia Business School MBA program is globally recognized for its rigorous academic standards, real-world orientation, and unique access to one of the most vibrant business hubs in the world: New York City. For students looking to study abroad, the CBS MBA offers a distinctive opportunity to immerse themselves in both academic growth and a deeply connected business ecosystem. This section lays the foundation for understanding what makes the CBS MBA program a compelling choice, particularly for those aiming to develop a globally minded, analytically strong, and professionally agile career….

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a standardized exam that plays a crucial role in the admissions process for graduate business programs across the globe. Administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT is designed to assess a candidate’s analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning skills. Business schools use GMAT scores as a significant component in evaluating a candidate’s readiness for the academic challenges of MBA programs. The test lasts three hours and thirty minutes and includes four distinct sections that collectively aim…