Ok so I've had 1.5 years of consultancy experience and want to go for the MBA. When is the best time to do this ..and also, would it be worth studying/doing the GMAT now well before application into the programme? No doubt there will be quite a lot of practice in order to get the requisite 700+

There are loads of differing opinions on MBAs and a lot may depend on what type of work you have been doing, and what you are looking to get out of it, but my view is 3 years minimum work experience to make it worthwhile. I certainly don't think 1.5 years is enough, but keen to get other points of view.