Hi All,

I gave my GMAT yesterday. It went horribly wrong . Feel so horrible about it because, my preparation was good enough to not give me that score (wouldn't want to share the score). I used to score between 650 - 680 on MGMAT and GMATPrep. All thanks to my last minute change in strategy. I decided to get the first few questions right no matter what. My Quant went horribly wrong and hardly had any time for the last 7-8 questions.

Anyways, the reason I am writing this is, I need your suggestions/inputs on what next. I have no issues taking up the exam once more. But want to get expert opinions on my high level profile what it means to apply next year. My worry is around age vs admission year.

Gender : Indian Male
Current occupation/Industry : Information Technology (My understanding is, this is one of largest application pools)
Age : 29
Other involvements : Own and maintain a mango farm; Own and maintain a Stocks related to group which is doing pretty well in terms of overall activities. Also into investments in stocks
Social Service: Been involved with a NGO for the past 2 years

My target was to get into at least any of the top 20 if not top 10 schools.

I have two options in front of me.
1. Prepare again and give GMAT in about a month and prepare for my application for R2 with the remaining time.
2. Take enough time and prepare for GMAT. Apply next year i.e in 2013 and get into the class starting 2014.

I am ok to go with option 2. But then that would mean, I will be 30 yrs old when I apply and will be 31 when I get into MBA. Personally, that is not a problem. What I am not sure of is, how my age will affect my admission.

Any thoughts or suggestions on the above is much appreciated.
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If you feel that your score went down mainly because of the change is strategy, you can certainly take GMAT again in a month's time and apply in R2. You can fine tune your preparation a bit in this month and perhaps try to hit the 700 mark. Even a 680 or so should be fine for the top 20. Until and unless you have some big plans for the next year in case you don't join a B school, I don't think you should postpone your application just because of the GMAT score. If you like the status quo (except for a little lower than desired GMAT score), go ahead and apply this year.

As for the age issue, I agree with the instructor above. There isn't much difference between 29 and 30 (except in your head). It's similar to 690 and 700 difference in GMAT! I don't think it will make much difference to the B school. They are going to be more busy focusing on other aspects of your life i.e. what did you do in these 29/30 years. Whenever you apply, you will need to convince the adcom that it is the right time to apply. If you feel that this year is the right time, then you should apply this year.
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Karishma
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor
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