Create a separate entry for each program, even at the same school
For a useful comparison, note the exact degree, program track, and admissions requirements. “Finance” may refer to a specialized degree or a concentration within a broader program. Looking only at a general school page may hide what each application actually requires.
At HEC Paris, the MiM and Master in International Finance pages list the GMAT, GRE, and TAGE MAGE. This overlap may allow you to use the same score for both applications if you meet the other requirements. It does not mean that the programs have the same prerequisites or that one preparation plan covers every application component.
Identify what belongs to the curriculum and what belongs to the test
HEC’s Master in International Finance distinguishes a Business Track for applicants with a business background and some finance and accounting fundamentals from an Accelerated Track for applicants with backgrounds including economics or science who lack that same preparation. The page also says the interview may include technical questions. These details apply to this specific program.
Review your transcript and course content to document what you have learned. “I like numbers” does not identify which concepts you have studied. Conversely, struggling with a timed question does not prove that you lack every prerequisite for a program. Keep two inventories: academic knowledge and skills observed on the test.
Sort your questions into four decision categories
Fill in the framework using your programs and links to their official pages. A blank cell is a question to ask, not implied permission. The framework does not rank programs by assumed difficulty; it helps identify the work you need to do.
| Category | What to check | Resulting action |
|---|---|---|
| Academic prerequisites | Degrees, previous coursework, and possible tracks. | Gather documentation and clarify ambiguous cases. |
| Admissions test | Accepted exams, score validity, and delivery. | Choose a suitable test appointment and prepare for its format. |
| English proficiency | Accepted certification or documented waiver. | Assess this separately from the management test. |
| Application and interview | Personal-response questions, recommenders, and stated technical content. | Prepare a program-specific response and focused review. |
The pitfall
The pitfall is treating a test score as a substitute for prerequisites
A test score does not automatically prove that your degree or coursework meets an academic requirement. Do not dismiss an eligibility question because you expect to earn a higher score. The institution must confirm whether an equivalency or special track is possible.
Nor should technical preparation become an endless review of finance. Start with the program’s stated requirements and your actual knowledge. Studying advanced concepts to impress a panel while neglecting application materials and instructions creates an avoidable problem.
Separate three areas of work within one project
In a fictional example, Léa is finishing a science degree and comparing a MiM with a specialized master’s in finance. First, she checks which track in each program fits her degree. Then she chooses a test accepted by both and prepares for it based on an assessment. This work concerns test performance, not a promise of admission to either program.
At the same time, Léa reviews the knowledge needed for the specialized program and prepares to explain her change of field. Her MiM application presents broader goals and reasons for exploring several functions. The facts about her background remain consistent across applications, but their selection and connection to each program differ.
Before booking another test, she considers which of these three areas of work still needs attention: eligibility, format preparation, or program goals. This helps her avoid spending all her time on the activity whose progress is easiest to measure.
Key takeaways
- Compare specific programs, not just school names.
- Separate academic prerequisites, the test, and any technical preparation.
- You may be able to take one test for multiple applications without making the applications identical.