Disappointed with 660 (86%) Q49 (90%), V31 (62%): Retake?
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19 Dec 2005, 14:10
I took the GMAT this morning and received a disappointing 660 (86%) Q49 (90%), V31 (62%) score. I did well on AWA. My target schools are Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Michigan and MIT Sloan, all R2 with deadlines during 1st week of Jan '06. I was targeting a score of 700 at the minimum and above 80% on both Q and V.
A brief background:
* 29/Indian/Male/Mechanical Engineering
* Undergraduate GPA: 3.90 / top 0.5% of graduating class / India
* Graduate GPA: 3.96 / top school in USA
* 4.5 years solid FT work + 2.5 more years PT research experiences
* Extensive community experience & recognition at the highest levels
* Demonstrated leadership and impact
* Strong essays (in progress) & hopefully strong recommendations
* Honors and distinctions at work, school and community
* Need MBA for business skills as I climb the corporate ladder
How will my low score impact my application to the top schools? All schools insist that GMAT score is just one determinant in the application. The average GMAT score to these schools is usually in the 700-710 range; hence I was targeting more than 700.
Should I retake GMAT? My R2 applications are due on 3/January. Since I took GMAT today (still December), I cannot take GMAT again in December. So, I will have to take GMAT on 3/Jan, come home and complete the applications. Would retaking the GMAT improve my score?
While working fulltime, I will have to devote time to the essays & to filling application forms in addition to further preparing for the GMAT. I would have loved to use all my free time just for essays and applications, but, due to my low GMAT score, find myself in a situation where I may have to take some time off from these to prepare for the GMAT. What will the payoff be?
Time is clearly a penalty if I retake the GMAT on 3/Jan. Will I be able to improve my score by 50 or 60 points? On verbal, I tend to be slow. I had studied less than I wanted to for today's test; will 14 days of more practice help?
Will my low score impact the way my credentials are viewed? Should I take the GMAT? I will appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!