The basics

Some postgraduate programmes at LSE require prospective students to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) scores along with their application.

Check carefully if your chosen programme requires you to submit scores from either of these tests. Your test scores must be less than five years old when submitted. It’s important to research your chosen programme because some postgraduate programmes require either the GRE or the GMAT, some require a specific exam, and some programmes recommend submitting your scores but it’s not required. Make sure you’re fully aware of what’s required of you before you crack open the books and get studying!

Find out more about specific information about GRE/GMAT exams for LSE applications.

Start studying

It’s important to not underestimate the amount of time that you’ll need to prepare for the GRE/GMAT exam. They’re standardised tests, which means that you won’t only need to familiarise yourself with the content, but also the specific format that each exam uses.

There are a few main methods that people use when preparing for the GRE/GMAT and you can also combine any of these as you see fit. The first option is to self-study for the exam – you can find online exam prep materials and get started. This can be helpful because it allows you to set your own pace and focus on the specific aspects that you know you need to work on the most.

Another option is to follow along with an online learning programme where you can work through specific lessons and mock exams based on a curriculum that the company has created. There are many programmes online (at various price points, including no cost), so you can choose the one that best suits you.

The third option is to join a prep course or work with a private tutor. Depending on what you choose, you can either work in a group with an instructor or work independently with a tutor. This can help keep you on track and give you real-time feedback on your studying. A prep course also has the benefit of a group environment, which means collaborative learning and some solidarity from your group members if things start to feel stressful.

Online exams

LSE accepts online versions of both the GRE and GMAT exams. One thing that is important to note – online exams often have very specific requirements for the set-up that you’ll be using to sit the exam. In order to avoid stress, check if there are any specific requirements ahead of time so that you can prepare your space accordingly. The plus side of taking the online version of the exam, though, is that you’re in (hopefully) a more comfortable environment than a test centre might offer. There are also testing locations around the world, so if you prefer an in-person option, you can make the decision that will best suit you.

Tips on test day

On the day of your exam, try and stick to the basic pre-exam things that we all know about: getting enough sleep the night before; eating a nutritious meal; and taking some time to get yourself into the right headspace. You’ve done all the work to prepare for this exam, so remember to take a deep breath and trust your preparation!

Remember to check LSE’s information about the GRE/GMAT exams and check with your department for exact requirements for your chosen programme.