katgirl82 wrote:
I received a 630 (42Q, 34V) the first time I took the GMAT 2 months ago. I studied my butt off and took it again a 2nd time a month later. I received a 480!!! (27Q, 29V). I honestly don't know what happened! Maybe it was nerves or burn out.
Although the schools I'm applying to say they take the highest score, won't they see both? How much will I get dinged when they see that I did not improve but rather seriously bombed the 2nd time around? Will they care?? Should I take the GMAT one more time in December? I'm worried that if I can't get higher than a 630 on the 3rd try that the schools will think that the 630 was a fluke rather than the 480 score! Please advise!!
katgirl82,
Since the 480 is so out of whack from the 630 they may give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you took it while running a 110-degree temperature or the like. The lower score would probably only hurt you if their choice was between you and someone else who was identical to you but had no iffy second score. An unlikely scenario. The 630 may be fine depending on which schools you're targeting. If you're aiming top 15 or 20 then you may want to take it again. Yes, there is some risk, but just make sure you are as prepared as you can be. I personally would probably study like crazy and give it one final go (unless a 630 is competitive at your target schools).
Good luck,
_________________
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com
labraham@accepted.com
310-815-9553
JUST PUBLISHED! MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools
Follow Accepted on Twitter
Friend Accepted on Facebook
Subscribe to Accepted's Blog
close
