This Changes Nothing: Affirmative Action and the GMAT

Last week the Supreme Court ruled on a case, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. Like with everything else, the analysts and pundits have since picked apart the ruling to determine what it “really” means. My two cents: While the ruling was pretty vague and nebulous, the Supreme Court decision was consistent with the path that our country is already on. It changed nothing – the consideration of race/ ethnicity in admissions will come to an end in the near future so get ready.

When the Court addresses any hot button issues, such as they did last week when handing down decisions in cases that considered affirmative action, gay rights and voting rights, there are lots of discussions about the broad implications to our nation. Of course, that makes sense, but what is lost in the theoretical conversation is the practical action that we need to take now in light of the ruling. So just for a second, let’s ignore what the potential impact to our country will be and instead focus on the here and now for those of us who are in the midst of accessing different opportunities.

Fisher addressed undergraduate admissions, but of course it will effect education at all levels. At the MBA level, much of the discussion on race-conscious admissions centers on the GMAT. We often see Black and Hispanic applicants who have profiles that are generally comparable to other candidates, but with lower GMAT test scores. While I think it is in the best interest of MBA programs and their students to continue to have a race-conscious admissions process, Black and Hispanic applicants have to perform better on the GMAT. It’s my opinion that lots of these candidates are not maxing out their scores. Not everyone is destined for a 650 GMAT score, but leaving even 20 points of the table is a big mistake.

There are many reasons that Black and Hispanic candidates tend to score lower than White and Asian candidates on the GMAT and other standardized tests. Here are a couple of thoughts on ways to address them to get the best possible GMAT score:

1. Mindset matters!

I hate to even write that minorities tend to score lower on the GMAT because those words continue to stick in the collective psyche. If you hear messages over and over that you are bad at something, you will internalize that and actually be bad at it. We need to let that go. Unless you have a diagnosis related to a lower ability to test, assume that you have created a self-fulfilling prophesy by deeming yourself a poor test-taker. I am not suggesting that you haven’t performed well in the past on standardized tests. Instead I’m suggesting that something other than some inherent test-taking flaw is the cause. As many candidates before you have done, you need to throw the “poor test-taker” burden off your back and find a different approach. Face the GMAT head on and figure out how to get up in it, around it and through it.

2. Learn to the test.

Have you heard about elementary schools that “teach to the test”? Children are required to pass high-stakes tests to move to the next grade or for a school to get funding so essentially teachers are focused on that instead of more broadly preparing students with a well-rounded educational experience. While this is horrible for third graders, it’s great for pre-MBA candidates. Figure out what you need to learn to excel on the GMAT – this will vary from person to person. Learn to the principles and to the format of the GMAT test. You may need to go back to Algebra fundamentals or revisit multiplication tables (let’s keep it real, some of us didn’t really get it right the first time). Another example – the GMAT is administered via computer so practice using a computer.

3. Get on a winning team.

For many of us, when we struggle with something, we seek out others who are struggling with the same thing. We want people around us who can empathize with us and we will return the favor. When it comes to the GMAT, it’s important to know that others are in the same situation and maybe even to find opportunities to connect, but balance that with inserting yourself in circles of people who are where you want to be. Being in a high-performing peer community pushes you to excel and frankly strengthens your mindset. It’s that adage of “if she can do it, so can I”. If he has that background and did well on the GMAT, I can also do well on the GMAT.