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I Scored a 680 on the GMAT. Is it Enough for Round 2?

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I Scored a 680 on the GMAT. Is it Enough for Round 2?

Studying for any standardized test can be a tough chore --- and the fact that it may very well determine what business school you get into can make it even more daunting. Many candidates come to me after having studied long and hard hours hoping for a score in the 700s, but are disappointed to find that their score landed in the 600s. Even if it’s a few points off from the 700s, the difference between “6XX” and “7XX” can be discouraging. If you scored in the 600s, should you retake the exam?

If only there was one hard and fast answer! Unfortunately, the truth is that the answer to whether you should retake the exam is dependent on what your profile and credentials are. What is your gender, age, ethnicity, industry and citizenship? If you didn’t score excellently on the GMAT, how does your GPA look? How about your transcripts or your track record in the workplace? As you can see, there are many different aspects to consider when evaluating a candidate’s profile, which makes giving accurate general advice very difficult. This fact aside, let’s go over some guidelines that might help you determine whether retaking the GMAT is the best step for you:

First of all, a 680 is a very commendable score! In fact, I have seen many competitive candidates accepted to top MBA programs like Harvard and Wharton with a GMAT score of 680. But what would happen if you took the GMAT and scored lower? How would that affect your application? If you receive a higher GMAT score, your application will be even stronger! But, if your second GMAT score is less than your first, the admissions committee may wonder whether the second score is a more accurate reflection of your abilities. This may be especially true if you have a lower-than-ideal GPA: the second lower GMAT score may be taken as "evidence" that your lower-than-ideal GPA was an accurate indicator of your abilities and potential. In this case, retaking the GMAT could damage your application more than it could help you.

The takeaway from this is that re-taking the GMAT with a score of 680 can be dicey. If you do decide to retake the GMAT, make sure that you have adequately prepared to ensure a higher score. This could be done by taking a prep course, for example, and taking a multitude of full mock tests to ensure that you are consistently scoring in a higher range so that there are no surprises when the actual test takes place.

You will also want to note that many schools nowadays will ask only for your highest score – not your top two or three. In this case, the risk of retaking the GMAT would be lowered significantly.

With all this in mind, remember that 680 is a very strong GMAT score and many students matriculate with a 680. Your profile can be strengthened with a high GMAT score, but you can also continue to establish your excellent skills and potential through references to your strong performance through your essays and recommendations.

 

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Best wishes,
Dr. Shel (Shelly Watts)
President, MBA Admit.com
https://www.mbaadmit.com
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