Just finished GMAT #2 yesterday - 650 (Q42/V38). Took GMAT #1 about 50 days before, and got 590.

Let me preface by stating that I consider myself just a normally intelligent person. I am definitely NOT 770 material. I know that. Can I get a 700? On a good day, maybe. But many of the scores you guys and girls are getting are simply amazing!

I studied hard for GMAT #1 for about 4 months (2-3 hours each night after work + weekends). I took the Kaplan tutor course. First time through, I only used Kaplan - barely any OG11. That was a huge mistake. Suffice to say, I was very disappointed with a score of 590.

Studying for test #2 for 50 or so days, I mainly focused on Quant with the OG11. Going into my first GMAT, I was pretty confident as i scored 640 & 660 on the GMATPreps. However, I think I was nervous on test day, and got shaken by some hard Q questions, and that carried through the entire math section.

Yesterday's test I was more prepared for. Overall, I felt that the test was very manageable. The Quant was definitely harder than in practice, but not impossible. Quant is definitely my weaker area, but I think I can do better than Q42. I had recently been scoring in the 680 range with Q47ish on MGMAT prep tests.

Here is my question for all you Gmat gurus: I know that 650 is decent score, but should I consider taking it again? I am just worried about a score decrease.

Applying to: Berkeley PT, Santa Clara PT, Kellogg (longshot - I know), (Stanford - ya I know).

Good luck to all (especially us regular guys)!

I dunno bout the other schools. 650 is a good score. But Stanford and Kellog are def. a long shot.

Verbal looks solid. Quant is a bit low. I've heard that Quant is more important to colleges than verbal. In fact the other day I called Emory U. to see what a college advisor thought of my score (Q47, V31). She said that the high quant def. played into my favor, but reccomended I try again for a higher verbal. (just tryin to see if Emory could be a fail safe).

Anyway not to get too far off track here. Essentially you have to decide what you really want. Are stanford and kellogg the type of schools you really want to go to??? If so, then id say give it another month or two. Its hard to stay motivated, but if you think deep and decide these are the schools you really want and you will settle for nothing less. Then go for it.

For me Emory U seems to be a bit of a stretch, but I think I could do it right now if I wanted to b/c of my GPA.

However, this isn't really what I want. Not sayin Emory is a bad school at ALL. Very good school indeed. But I really want to go to the very best of the best.

I don't know if going to harvard, stanford etc... will get me farther than say Emory or OSU etc... but its what I want so Im gunna do it.


You have to decide how much it really means to you.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I have decided to jump back into the ring one more time to shoot for the 700 (while starting my applications).

Obviously the Quant is my weakness. Do you guys have any suggestions as far as studying for Q? I have made Q47 in practice tests, so I know I can improve. Any thoughts or suggestions on focus points to get into the high 40s in Q?

GMATBLACKBELT - good luck to you. I am sure that you will improve your score.