Naomi O’Donnell couldn’t have got into Imperial College Business School without the GMAT Online Exam, an at-home version of test for candidates applying during the coronavirus pandemic
With many GMAT test centers still closed by coronavirus, the GMAT Online Exam is helping business school candidates complete their applications during the pandemic.
Naomi O’Donnell has always wanted to study an advanced management degree to kick-start a career in consulting. She wants to work in the luxury and fashion department of a Big 3 consulting company like McKinsey, or as an internal consultant for historic luxury firms like LVMH and Richemont.
With previous experience in marketing and fashion, and a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Lausanne, the Master in International Management program at Imperial College Business School seemed like the perfect fit.
To apply, Naomi took the GMAT—the world’s leading business school admission test—in a test center, but she wasn’t happy with her score. Then, her native Switzerland entered coronavirus lockdown. It was only by retaking the GMAT online that Naomi was able to land a place at her top choice business school.
BusinessBecause caught up with Naomi to find out more about her online test-taking experience.
Why did you decide to take the GMAT Online Exam?
By March 2020, everything was closed in Switzerland [due to COVID-19], including GMAT test centers. As the months passed, taking the exam online started to seem like my only option if I wanted to go to school in September.
No. Imperial informed me about the online version when it came out and suggested the idea.
Do you feel your GMAT score was reflective of your abilities?
I did as I would have expected on the mathematical segment, but I do not believe my English capabilities were reflected in my score.
I took the test in the middle of the day, thinking that it would be sunny all day so I did not have to turn on the lights. After the math half of my exam was done, it became completely dark and cloudy, resulting in me doing the English part in almost total darkness because I was not allowed to leave my desk to turn on the lights. Reading long texts on a computer screen in the dark was very tiring and I believe that I did not perform as well as I would have wanted due to that.
Student Reviews
Imperial College Business School
Innovative, Immersive and an Excellent Curriculum
The MSc Strategic Marketing course opens many avenues into the business world at Imperial. The coursework consists of group-based assignments, individual reports, and sometimes, examinations. The Careers team helps you with your CV, Cover letters, and other job application support. Imperial truly lives up to its name!
Very applicable courses
I enjoyed studying here for my master degree as I could feel that I was surrounded by very clever people, and I did learn a lot of knowledge that I could directly put into use into my current internship
Diversity and Professional Development
Imperial College London is an innovation hub with expertise across multiple industries. The international student body exposes students to endless cultures and experiences. Furthermore, the Careers team at Imperial is second to none as directors help guide students to the career paths of their dreams.
Business School
Imperial college business school has amazing facilities, amazing staff. I particularly like the business school cafe although it would be nice if they added a few more power sockets in the open space and heating for winter.
The course is really good too. Very interactive classes and highly diverse environment.
Career Services
Very strong university with good quality faculty and a very strong career services team that prepared students well for the jobs market.
Very nice facilities in the city center. Good sessions organised with employers.
Chinese students majored in English- now strategic marketing
My undergraduate major was English back in China and now an MSc student in strategic marketing at Imperial. For Chinese students who share similar experiences with me, you can get as much/deep as you want about marketing with some challenging group works and inspiring lectures. At the same time, if you just want to get the degree anyway with less effort, it's possible as well... ...
Academic Modules and Environment
The program at Imperial College Business School is exceptionally informative and beneficial for students. Each session is not only engaging but also inspiring, fostering a dynamic learning environment. I appreciate how the content is carefully tailored to cover complex yet practical topics, ensuring that we can apply what we learn in real-world scenarios. We have several classes each week, and the structure includes a mix of group and individual assessments. This approach not only enhances our understanding but also encourages collaboration and critical thinking among peers.
