Are MBA Programs Hard? What to Expect and How to Survive

If you ask someone who just finished their MBA if business school was hard, you’ll probably see a smirk and a quick "it depends." MBA programs have a tough reputation, and for good reason—they cram a lot into a short time. But hard doesn’t mean impossible.

Most people trip up not because the material is impossible to understand, but because there’s just so much coming at you at once. Classes pile on reading, presentations, and projects. Meanwhile, group work can turn into a scramble to match everyone’s schedules. And if you’re working part-time or full-time, your calendar will look more like a game of Tetris than a class schedule.

Here’s the deal: if you can stay organized, ask for help when you need it, and don’t let yourself fall behind, you’ll find ways to make it through. A few tricks and some honest prep can go a long way. If you’re even a bit curious about business school, it pays to know what really makes it hard—and how tons of students still come out the other end with their sanity and friendships intact.

• What Makes MBA Programs Challenging?
• Time Management and Juggling Priorities
• Surviving the Curriculum: Classes, Cases, and Exams
• The Social Pressure: Networking and Group Work
• Tips to Make It Through (and Enjoy It)

What Makes MBA Programs Challenging?

There’s a reason so many people Google “MBA difficulty” before applying—these programs are known for their intensity. The work itself isn’t rocket science, but there’s a lot to handle. You’ll face a fast pace, a heavy workload, and a ton of group projects. It’s not just memorizing concepts; you’re expected to think, discuss, and actually apply what you’re learning, often with tight deadlines.

One huge challenge is the sheer volume. It’s not uncommon for a single week to involve multiple readings, three or four group meetings, and a midterm thrown in for good measure. Early mornings and late nights become your new normal, especially if you’re juggling work or family commitments on top. Business schools keep you busy for a reason—they want you to learn to prioritize and manage time like a pro.

The program structure usually has a mix of case studies, presentations, and exams. Case studies aren’t just stories—they’re tricky because you have to analyze the numbers, come up with arguments, and defend your view in class. It’s a stretch for people who haven’t had much experience thinking on their feet.

Here’s a quick look at what you might juggle in a full-time MBA during a typical week:

Networking also adds to the pressure. Most people know they need to build professional connections, but squeezing in events and coffee chats when your calendar is crammed isn’t easy. For introverts, this might even be tougher than the academics.

So, what really makes these MBA programs tough? It’s the combination of relentless pace, teamwork demands, and the expectation that you’ll handle it all like an up-and-coming executive—without burning out. The hardest part isn’t learning business theory; it’s learning to perform under pressure, every single week.

Time Management and Juggling Priorities

Ask any MBA student what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same thing: time. Add up heavy MBA workload, networking demands, social events, and job hunting—suddenly, 24 hours a day feels too short. Even the smartest folks struggle, not because the work is mind-bending, but because there’s just way too much of it, all at once.

Full-time MBA programs usually throw students into a fast-paced grind. For instance, you might need to read four case studies, finish a group project, prepare for a finance quiz, and squeeze in a networking event—all in three days. It’s no wonder that a 2023 GMAC survey found MBA students spend an average of 40–50 hours per week on schoolwork, and some weeks push past 60 when recruiting season or major projects hit.

Now, if you’re doing a part-time program or juggling a job, the multitasking gets even wilder. You might switch from client calls to group chats for a marketing class, then rush to pick up groceries before midnight. MBA schools won’t tell you how to balance it all, but students share what works for them. Here are a few practical tactics:

• Block off specific time slots. Treat your calendar like a boss. Block out study time, group meetings, and breaks, just like you would for meetings at work. Color-code if you have to.
• Prioritize ruthlessly. Not all assignments or events are equally important. Learn to distinguish between what’s urgent, what’s important, and what’s just noise.
• Lean on your peers. Good teams split tasks and keep each other accountable. If you try to do everything solo, you’ll drown.
• Limit distractions. Phone in another room. Social media off. Tell family or roommates your “do not disturb” times ahead of crunch weeks.
• Don’t skip sleep. Pulling all-nighters feels heroic at first, but it wrecks your productivity long-term.

It’s easy to imagine you’ll make time for everything, but most students learn the hard way that you can’t. The real skill in business school isn’t just cranking through assignments—it’s learning what to drop when life gets nuts and how to team up so no one carries all the weight. Remember, survivors of tough business school routines come out with stronger time management skills, which ends up helping way beyond the classroom.

Surviving the Curriculum: Classes, Cases, and Exams

The heart of any MBA program is the curriculum. Right away, you’ll notice there’s no hiding from the mix of core business classes—finance, accounting, strategy, marketing, and leadership—no matter your background. Most programs kick off with a heavy first semester so everyone gets up to speed fast. If you’re rusty on math or don’t come from a business background, the first few months can feel like getting shoved into the deep end. Don’t panic—it’s normal. Schools offer tutoring or review sessions for folks who need to re-learn the basics.

Case studies are the signature style. Instead of just reading textbooks, you work through real-life business problems and figure out what you’d do if you were the CEO. These cases take longer to read than you might expect—most folks spend three times as much time prepping for case classes than for lectures.

Group projects aren’t just busywork—business schools use them because almost no job in real life is solo anymore. The tricky part is balancing your workload with four or five others who all have their own schedules and work styles. If you’re the type who likes working alone, you’ll have to get comfortable with group meetings, late-night emails, and sometimes pulling more weight than others. The upside? You get better at teamwork and real negotiation skills.

When it’s time for exams, don’t expect just multiple choice. Many MBA programs use open-ended questions or ask you to write up mini-cases right on the test. Sometimes you even get presentations or group assignments instead of a sit-down exam. The biggest mistake people make is trying to memorize everything. Professors want you to show you can apply the concepts, not just spit them back. Stuff like Porter’s Five Forces, break-even analysis, or building a SWOT chart comes up again and again. Make a cheat sheet of formulas and frameworks, and practice using them until it’s automatic.

Here’s a snapshot of how your workload might stack up per week during an intense core semester:

That’s 38 hours—before you even think about recruiting events, networking, or social stuff.

• Stay on top of your reading—falling behind even a week can make catching up brutal.
• Don’t skip case discussions, even if you’re lost. You learn more by jumping in than by sitting quiet.
• Find a study group that works for you. Two heads (or five) really are better than one, and your future friends will drag you over the finish line when you’re running on fumes.

The curriculum is definitely a grind, but with the right strategy—and a few shortcuts from classmates who’ve survived before you—it gets manageable fast.

The Social Pressure: Networking and Group Work

This part of MBA programs messes with more people than you’d think. The actual classwork is just half the game. The rest? It’s the push to network non-stop and figure out how to work in groups where nobody is quite like you.

Most business schools pride themselves on connections, especially the big-name ones. So there’s a real pressure to constantly put yourself out there—talk to guest speakers, attend mixers, and build your LinkedIn before you even finish your first month. Many students admit this can be as draining as exams. About 70% of MBA students report that the pressure to network feels "the same or higher" than academic pressure, according to a 2023 survey from MBA Insight.

And then there’s the group work. Group projects are baked into the core of most MBA programs. You don’t get to choose your team; usually, you get paired up by the program so you learn to handle different personalities. Sometimes, someone won’t pull their weight, someone else might dominate, and scheduling can turn into a nightmare. This doesn’t mean you’re doomed, and honestly, some groups become tight friends, but it’s the rare team that never has issues.

How do you deal? Here’s what helps most students survive the social gauntlet:

• Don’t try to network with everyone—pick a handful of people with similar interests and build real connections.
• Set clear ground rules early in your group projects. This means deadlines, division of work, and keeping each other updated.
• Keep your ego in check during team debates. You’ll learn more by listening than by always trying to win.
• If someone’s not doing their part, don’t wait—talk to them or your professor early. Small problems get huge fast if ignored.
• Use school events and alum chats with a goal in mind—ask smart questions, follow up, and don’t just collect business cards for show.

Remember, these social parts of the MBA experience are as valuable as the coursework. You’re not just learning finance or marketing; you’re learning how to get stuff done with other people. That’s what makes or breaks MBA graduates in the real world.

Tips to Make It Through (and Enjoy It)

Most folks tackle MBA programs with a bit of anxiety, but you can seriously boost your odds with a game plan. The key? Don’t just survive—find ways to enjoy the ride. Here’s how:

• Get organized fast. Before classes really kick off, set up a digital calendar. Block out time for studying, group meetings, and any other important deadlines. If you’re balancing a job, color code those windows so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Build your crew early. The connections you make can help you with group projects or just share handy notes. Find folks who work differently from you—you’ll get better results and probably learn a lot faster.
• Talk to professors and alumni. Professors actually want to help, especially if you show up with smart questions. Alumni usually remember the drill and can suggest shortcuts or warn you about what really eats your time.
• Pace yourself with readings. Nobody reads every word of every case study. Focus on the main points and jot down your own summaries. That’s usually enough to keep up during class discussions.
• Don’t skip networking stuff. A big part of the MBA experience is meeting future colleagues or even business partners. Even if you’re not a natural networker, just showing up gives you a head start.

To give you an idea how students split their time on average, check out this real breakdown from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) 2023 survey:

You don’t need to ace everything, but keeping those hours in mind can help you spot when you might need to say no to something.

Most importantly, don’t lose your sense of humor. Everyone flubs a presentation or forgets a reading at some point. Shake it off, learn, and move on. If you treat your MBA workload like a team sport—help each other, share wins, and even the epic fails—you’ll actually enjoy the process a lot more.