Why I Took the GMAT Before TOEFL: A Study Abroad
Strategy Breakdown
Let’s just get one thing straight, applying for higher
studies abroad especially in the US (I have only one reference — That’s Me!)
isn’t about getting the perfect score on a few exams. It is a strategy game.
Think Hunger Games but for Universities. I guess, that was too dramatic. But my
point is, if you are juggling different tests, application deadlines and life’s
constant chaos, the order in which you take the exams, then apply for the
Colleges, request LORs and so on, can make or break your momentum.
Just because I was a crazy mess, doesn’t mean you have to
be. So, let me give you a breakdown of why I chose to take the GMAT before
TOEFL, what I learned from it, and whether or not YOU should do the
same.
🎯 The Original Plan: GMAT
First, TOEFL Later
I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate program in the U.S. Something
that combined my technical background in Engineering, my academic background in
HR, my work experience in L&D with my love for research and teaching. Most
programs required two things:
- A
strong GMAT/GRE Score (mostly GMAT for business programs).
- A
TOEFL Score to prove English proficiency.
Naturally, I felt “Let me get done with the toughest exam
first.”
Spoiler alert: GMAT will crush your soul!
This is just me being real, no fluff.
⏳ Why I Prioritized the GMAT
1. Higher Weightage in Admissions
For many Graduate Programs, especially in Business or
Organizational Strategy, the GMAT is seen as a core indicator of your
analytical and verbal reasoning skills. Although TOEFL is seen as more of a
formality like a checkmark that you’re fluent enough to survive grad
school but it is important nonetheless.
Therefore, for me, logically it made more sense to dedicate
my energy to the exam that would really help me.
2. GMAT Prep Time is WAY Longer
I planned a solid 3–4 months of GMAT prep. Between Verbal
Comprehension, Quant strategies, and Data Sufficiency (which I absolutely hated
by the way), it was like training for an academic marathon. It was tough and
totally drained me by the end of each week even though I had a clear-cut
strategy and study schedule. In the initial days it felt like a LOT!
TOEFL, on the other hand, seemed more like a sprint, a quick
weekend getaway. It felt intense like any other high tension, quick rewards
exam, but manageable if you are like me who spent her entire academic years in
English Medium Schools and Universities.
3. Valid for Longer
The GMAT score is valid for 5 years, while TOEFL is
valid for only 2, from the date the test is taken. So even from a
shelf-life point of view, it made sense to do the GMAT early and push TOEFL
closer to the application season.
🧠 What I Learned (the
Hard Way)
By the time I finished the GMAT, I was exhausted, both
mentally and physically. It seems like my willpower had drained and I was
working away on leftover fuel. I didn’t realize how much brainpower it would
require from me to complete one exam. Although, trust me I was relieved this
was over but now I had something else waiting for me. The ‘Sprint’ that I
thought was easy and kept it at the back of my mind was now slowly creeping
upto me. TOEFL was now just two weeks away.
Why the “Two week margin”? Well, that’s because I had to
start applying for my Universities, if I wanted to be considered as an early
applicant. Which I did.
That’s how I ended up doing a two-week crash prep for
TOEFL and scored a 105. (Yes, I wrote a whole blog on how I did it. You
can read that here.)
If I could go back, would I space things out more?
Absolutely. But I don’t regret doing GMAT first — because it gave me the
confidence and rhythm to handle the rest of my application.
📌 Should You Take
GMAT Before TOEFL?
Here’s a decision-making guide for you: If you are
✅ Applying to business/PhD
programs that require GMAT- You can give GMAT first
✅ Strong in English but rusty in
quant- You can give GMAT first.
🟡 Struggling with
verbal/analytical writing- Maybe TOEFL first for a confidence boost
🟡 Facing tight timeline
with rolling deadlines- It really depends on the school deadlines on which
tests scores they want first along with your Application.
❌ Just understanding Tests in
general with no clear plan yet- TOEFL first might make more sense
|
Your Situation |
Take GMAT First? |
|
Applying to business/PhD programs that require GMAT |
✅ Yes |
|
Strong in English but rusty in quant |
✅ Yes |
|
Struggling with verbal/analytical writing |
🟡 Maybe TOEFL first for
a confidence boost |
|
Tight timeline with rolling deadlines |
🟡 Depends on school
deadlines |
|
Just understanding Tests in general with no clear plan yet |
❌ TOEFL first might make more
sense |
💡 Final Thought: Know
Your Bandwidth
Let’s be real — if you’re aiming for a 115+ TOEFL,
you’ll likely need 2–3 months of focused prep, especially if English is NOT
your first language. But if you’re in a time crunch like I was, and you already
use English daily, then a strategic, focused 2-week push might just be your
last resort.
Of course, you can retake tests and come back like an
experienced candidate who knows better, however these exams are usually very
expensive and not everyone can go through multiple attempts. Moreover, the
mental toll it takes to get through them is something that should be kept in
mind.
No one path fits all. But if you plan well, stay honest
about your bandwidth, and prep with intention, I am sure you will make it
through.
One exam at a time.
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