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Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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Concentration: Finance, Finance
Re: 4 Takes?
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05 May 2012, 11:21
Here are my thoughts on your situation:
1) Not all schools only consider your highest score. So I would look at each of your school's individually.
2) The older the score the less weight it carries. Especially the 2008 score
3) Multiple scores can be looked at negatively, but ultimately, taking the test 4 times with a 720 as your last score is better than taking it 3 times with a 680 as your end score. So if you can pull out the score you are hoping for, a retake can be done. But Adcoms will wonder slightly why you were unable to achieve your 720 the first time you took the test. It can potentially show poor planning. Anything over 2 takes can show that you might be "fishing" for a high score since it is possible to have a great day and score 30 points above your potential since the test is only accurate to about plus or minus 20-30 points of your true average score. But if you are able to accomplish a true upward trend, with your last score being a 720, then it shows that you actually improved. So this isn't as bad as a 620, 680, 650, 710.
4) Since you are targeting top schools you are going to have to retake the test anyways. Although a 680 is a solid score, your score is very unbalanced, and with a low quant your 680 isn't as strong as a 680 with a strong quant and weaker verbal. Your goal should be to get that Q up to a 47+ and keep that V41, then you should hit your goal. So concentrate your studying on your quant, and stay fresh in verbal.
Good luck with the retake!