Hi Stacy,

I got 740 on the GMAT (q49, v41) with a score of 5 in AWA and an inexplicably low score of 2 in IR.

I am applying for fall 2013 and the deadlines are not very far. I am not sure whether I should retake the GMAT and avoid any possible damage that the IR score can do to my application.

The dilemma is that retaking GMAT takes a precious 3 weeks of time away from my application, but, I also do not want to be rejected because of IR. I am an undergraduate degree in engineering from a prominent institute, a FRM charter holder, and a CFA Level 3 candidate. Calculations and charts were never a problem, but this IR score needs to be blanketed somehow.

What is the exact skill set that is depicted by the IR section, and, if you do not recommend a retake of GMAT, then what are the possible things that can substantiate this skill set in my application?

Please also note that I am targeting Kellogg and Booth.

I have 3 years of work experience in data analytics with one of the big 4, post which I switched my career to financial services and joined a Hedge Fund as an analyst. I have a year's experience there.

Best,
Rishu

P.S.: My community involvement is zilch and that I think will be more prominent in getting me rejected than the IR. Is there any way to make up for that on the application?

Thanks Stacy,
Really appreciate your prompt reply.

I was wondering that if I happen to finish my application by second week of December and retake GMAT towards the end of December, then, given that AWA and IR scores will arrive after R2 deadlines have passed, will they still consider my new scores?

I am applying to Kellogg and Booth and both of them are highly competitive programs. Specifically, I am concerned about Booth, which has a very high quantitative inclination. I might be lucky with the uncertainty going on around how to use the IR scores, but 2 definitely stands out from the rest.

Just worried about IR forming a primary basis of rejection - is there a remote possibility of that happening? An opportunity to retake after finishing the application will be great.

Best,
Rishu