The MBA is certainly one of the most desirable degrees globally.

But to earn it in the US, you must take the Generat Management Aptitude Test, or GMAT exam.

With so many applicants, a high GMAT score is a great way to boost your profile.

But how should you prepare for the test?

Aman Bansal and Rahul Abrol, representatives from Top Careers and You, participated in a chat last week and answered questions on this exam and the MBA in general.

For those of you who missed that chat, here's part one of the transcript.

sunvin asked, Are there any B-Schools in US which gives some 50 % financial aid for people with 2-3 years work Exp ?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes! It's possible depending upon your academics, GMAT score, Work Experience and Admission essays.

Ash asked, Hi, i m a commerce graduate with frist class score and an MBA(Finance and Marketing) from bangalore university with a frist class score. Currently working and have 1yr exp in s/w firm.I want to do an MBA from usa top universities around 2009.I had a very poor score in 12th. will affect my admission procedure? Do i need to take any other certification do make my position strong? What do you recommend me to do in the next couple of years so that my application will be strong enough?

Aman Bansal answers, Your chances are fair, 12th score will certainly be a question but if other credentials are in place you can make it.

vikram asked, I have finished my engg with an aggregate of 70%. I have work exp in an reputed MNC. I have 640 GMAT score. With the above I am looking into coll in the US who are in the ranking of 30-50. What are my prospects?

Aman Bansal answers, Vikram your prospoects are good! Please concentrate on your admission essays and interview [if reqd.].

Mass asked, sir, what is this best advise for approachin GMAT? I need strategy and help.

Aman Bansal answers, Just keep in mind GMAT is adaptive so first question are very important for your score. Then prepare all the section well and must take some diagnostics before appearing.

Vidhya asked, Hi, I am working as a HR consultant with a MNC HR firm. I have done my Post grad and have a total of 17 years of education with 3 years of work experience. Am preparing to take my GMAT on 6th August. I have scored around 58 percent during my school and college days. Would it affect my studies? I am also physically challenged. How good are my chances to survive there. I also want to know abt the off campus accomodation.

Aman Bansal answers, Your score will be one important factor. So target a good gmat for top universities.

siva asked, hi Aman, i have 1+experence in IT field, i want do MBA in IIMS, how much minumum cutoff percentage has foe genaral catagery? also give the suggions for improving VA..

Aman Bansal answers, IIMS the CAT cutoff should be 98%. Read as much as you can.

Vivek asked, Hi, how much time would you suggest one should put in for GMAT prep before appearing for the exam. The total time(in months) and daily basis.....lets say 5 days a week.

Rahul abrol answers, one should prepare for 3 months and then give 20-22 mock exams. daily you must study 5-7 hours.

niks asked, do us universities require 4 0r 3 years of formal education ???

Aman Bansal answers, 4 years in the US.

Vamsi asked, May i know hen which month will be appopriate to take GMAT if i want to apply for fall season?

Rahul abrol answers, you must take gmat in september 2007

shweta asked, are there any universities who take 15yrs education for MBA???Is work experience a mandatory factor for admission in us?

Aman Bansal answers, Shweta, there a few univerties. Work experience is important and almost mandatory in top schools.

madhunrsa asked, I am Madhu did BE (civil) and ME (Remote Sensing) from IIT (Roorkee). I have ten years of experience in remote sening, GIS and GPS. What is the best MBA specialisation for my profile and suggest the good MBA colleges in USA.

Aman Bansal answers, Madhu, for you technology management could be a very good specialisation

jaded asked, hi I have three years of work ex , but the probem here is that out of the nine months of work ex i have is of tcs where i had broken the bond and not paid the money . Will this effect in my visa processing ? I have a scoe 0f 760 in GMAT

Rahul abrol answers, if you have other work experience certificate, then it will not matter

Vidhya asked, is 3 years of work exp sufficient Aman?

Aman Bansal answers, 3 year is good experience.

wharton asked, HI.. I got 700 in GMAT.. Did bachelors in Computing from National University of Singapore.. Total Work experience = 4+ ( 2 years in Siemens, Singapore and 2+ years in Deuche Bank, Singapore). What are my chances to get admission to top tier US B-Schools ?

Aman Bansal answers, Your chances are good, concentrate on your admission essays, resume and interview

Sai asked, I have 6 days to go for my GMAT. Any last minutes tips?

Rahul abrol answers, study your basics and stay cool

AJ asked, Hi What are the option we have for 1 year Full time MBA in india or abroad(India prefered)

Aman Bansal answers, ISB

Chandan asked, Sir, I m plannig to go for MBA in US. I hav to start preparing for GMAT..as im working i dont hav time to join coaching..can u plz suggest me good books which i can buy for self study

Aman Bansal answers, Kaplan, 800score.com, manhattan review

vikram asked, For GMAT, preparing from Official Guide and Kaplan Mock Tests sufficient?

Rahul abrol answers, you must first study basics then give tests and study Official Guide

Vishal asked, How long does it take for the GMAT score to reach a particular school?

Rahul abrol answers, 15-20 days.

Kaarthik asked, Hi, I am want to pursue MBA in MIS in US universities. My GMAT score is 580 and having 2 yr of work exp in IT.aiming for July 2008. Which university is good in this course and what about the JOB propectus after this course ?

Aman Bansal answers, I would strongly suggest to retake GMAT.

gurdeep asked, hi, i am a female canditate with GMAT score 670 and work experience of 6 years in PSU. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING A GOOD SCHOOL.

Aman Bansal answers, Gurdeep your chances are very good.

Navdeep asked, how is GMAT comparable to CAT in terms of difficulty level.

Aman Bansal answers, CAT is a linear exam and GMAT is adaptive

sandeep asked, I am working in a startup for past one year, i am planning to take up GMAT soon and apply for MBA at INSEAD, UCB, ISB,& Kelloggs. What are the chances of getting with work experience of about 2 years at the time of applying?? Should i gain more work experience before applying?

Aman Bansal answers, You're below the average work experience in these schools. So you should wait.

Chandan asked, for how long gmat scores are valid.

Rahul abrol answers, 5 years.

Mahesh asked, hi, i have more than 13 yrs of work experience in banking and software. i plan to do a one year MBA in ISB. What is the GMAT score i should aim at for an admission in ISB

Aman Bansal answers, Mahesh 700+

Anuj asked, Hi Aman, after having an experience of 3 years in IT, should one go for 2-year regular MBA or one year full-time executive MBA ?

Aman Bansal answers, 2 years should be the choice

gyaneshwar asked, Dear, I'm working as a software developer. and have 5 years of work experience. will it be right to do an MBA. if yes, what should be the specialization. or should i continue doing M.Tech?

Aman Bansal answers, Gyaneshwar depending on what do really want to do in life take your decision both fields are good.

ansuman asked, I have already written CAT 2wice.How tough is the prep of GMAT ?

Rahul abrol answers, quant in GMAT is easier than CAT, but verbal is tough. 

austin asked, just want to know that what are the job prospects of doing MBA from an AMBA accredited management school like sheffield.

Aman Bansal answers, Chances are fair but nothing can be ascertained.

krisna asked, I have around 2 years of work experience that i can show. i am considering the option of a degree from ISB. I have completed a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from IIT K.Do you think it is a school which is suited to my profile ( since the average job experience there is around 4-5 years).

Aman Bansal answers, Krishna you should keep your options open globally and take a rational desicion

Chandan asked, Sir, one more question i hav done my Grad in BMIT and Post grad in MBA-Marketing and IT. and hav work experience of abt 2yrs now..which subject shd i take up ..i want to go to colorado university denver..plz guide..nd how much mini scores are reqd for GMAT to get into US.

Aman Bansal answers, 630+

vikky asked, hi, I am ebgineer with close to 3 yrs experience. I am planning to pursue career in Managament. My age now is 25. If I start preparing GMAT by now, I am planning to give my exam somewhere November. If done, can I use this mark to apply for GMAT in ISB??. Alos, my apprehension is I may have to lose my current job rite?. At this age, is this advisable??

Rahul abrol answers, average experince in ISB IS 4-5 Years

ARD asked, Hi, I'm looking forward to an Executive MBA from the top Univs in US. How much exp is required for an Exec MBA? How does it compare to the normal MBA? I have class X (88%), Class XII (91%), Engg (82%), 3 yrs in Oracle India, 6 months as an IT consultant and past 6 months as Proj Manager in a software firm.

Aman Bansal answers, good profile. Take the GMAT and apply to top schools.

Vivek asked, how does it affect my chances for US universities if i have been working solo in IT field or with a team of 2-3 personnel.Lets say the nature of my job has been such that I do not work with teams though I am working with an MNC

Aman Bansal answers, Yes vivek working in team is important but at the same time it is just one out 100 other things

Vivek asked, what abt full time MBA from UK.....what is the time of course, exam required and whichi are the best universities ?????

Rahul Abrol answers, 2 years.

vicky asked, Hi, I have more than 5 years of experience in telecom operations. I have applied for canadian immigration 2 yrs back for which i am expecting immigration by next year.I am also preparing for GMAT registered with 800score.com, from where should i go for Executive MBA(i.e from canada or India).

Aman Bansal answers, If you're sure of immigration then i recommend you should wait and apply

Archit asked, What are the chances of placement after doing MBA from ICFAI, Hyderabad?

Rahul Abrol answers, good

jumpme asked, please tell me i am too confused that after breaking the bond, i have recommendation from my current employer and previous employer.Will this help me in any way , where in the first company TCS [Get Quote] i dont have any recommendations

Aman Bansal answers, I think you should apply. if 2 employers can give a strong recommendation then you should not worry.

Srikrishna asked, Hi, Im a MBA aspirant, just starting to know more about the Exams and B-Schools. I have a work ex of 3 Years in IT Field. What would u suggest me to do as a first step to the Examinations Preparation to start from Stratch?

Aman Bansal answers, Please take the complete information about the exam and then a diagnostic test, thereon start preparaing

cdad asked, Cna you explain the three sections of GMAT and how to prepare for each?

Rahul Abrol answers, 1. quant ability 2. verbal ability 3. critical reasoning first clear your basics, join some coaching centre and give mock tests in the end

vicky asked, Well I have given some pre-GMAT tests where i have scored 590. What is the minimum for ISB or If i go for some canadian university what is minimum score needed to get in there.

Rahul Abrol answers, for isb average score is 730

adi asked, sir can work experience in my fathers office be eligible 4 me take mba in new zealand

Aman Bansal answers, Yes it is

kishor asked, Which month would be the best time to take GMAT?

Aman Bansal answers, If you're targeting US, latest september.

shirajs asked, Sir, When do you suggest to apply - in first round/2nd rnd or 3rd rnd ? and wat's the best session sep-oct or jun-july ?

Rahul Abrol answers, june -july

shirajs asked, Whats the score that we shud luk fwd to for applying in INSEAD and also the work exp?

Aman Bansal answers, 4+ years of work experience and 710+ on the GMAT. 

vikky1 asked, am I not eligible to ISB with 3 yrs of experience?. If not, which best Bschool I would be eligible for.

Aman Bansal answers, try greatlakes in chennai.

spradeepkumar asked, Dear Aman Bansal, i am now preparing for the CAT (since i have Very less Expeience of 1 year), Do I Need Seperate Coaching For the GMAT , which i may take up in Next year . Which Sections of GMAT Are more difficult than CAT.

Aman Bansal answers, I recommend separate coaching.