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Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant)

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isti
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Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   23 Mar 2016, 07:16
Hi,

The first time I took GMAT, I scored 530 (Q39, V25). I know I messed up on the verbal because I didn't time myself well.

I decided to retake it and I focused both on verbal and quant while preparing again. However i put more emphasis on quant since I knew I wasn't doing really good on it from what I saw on my practice exams
My second attempt- I scored 610 (Q39, V34).

Now I'm a female electrical engineer, with an undergrad GPA 3.9/4.0. I was among the top 5% percent of my graduating class and I got As on all of my calculus and statistics courses back on school.

So, I'm really confused- why am I performing so badly on quant??
I just don't understand, despite going through all the prep materials, focusing on my weak areas and frequently taking practice exams, I continue to score bad on my quant.

My target schools are Rotman, Schulich, Rotterdam. Their average GMAT is around 650 and I'm 40-60 points lower.

I was wondering, if my good performance on my undergrad calc and statisitcs courses will help to leverage the low quant GMAT score?
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greenzie
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Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   23 Mar 2016, 07:32
Which school did you go to for UG? If you're from a good school then it might have some impress factor with GPA 3.9. I'm definitely not an expert but I would say not likely that your UG classes would leverage low Quant score. The other way around would be more likely.

GMAT is highly comparable as almost everyone takes it. It's a pity that you didn't show any improvement in your Q score in your second GMAT. The adcom might think that's it, that is the maximum level of your quant capability. It will then bring a question why did you perform so well on quant subjects in UG but cannot replicate it on GMAT, even after 2 attempts? What about your practice tests?

However, if your other areas of application are very strong then you still might have a chance especially as female engineers are generally not an over-represented group.

Good luck!
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   23 Mar 2016, 07:49
Thank you for your reply greenzie.

That is exactly what I am worried about- the adcoms thinking why i performed so well on my undergrad courses and show no improvement on GMAT quant =(. In fact I don't know myself. I don't know why I can't seem to crack the quant. Math has always been my strong courses in college. But i think its the high school that I'm not great at. I guess i always need more time to solve the problem. but there is always the time constraint.

I graduated from SUNY Buffalo. I know its a state school, its not that great which further adds to my worry.

even if I do decide to retake the GMAT, to be honest I don't know how I can study differently to improve my quant score .My practice test scores showed scores of low 40s on Q as well. So I'm basically just not doing well on the quant. I'm not sure what i need to do now, stick with the 610 and work on other aspects of my application? Or just take the plunge and retake it again?
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   23 Mar 2016, 08:31
I have just been to the open day for RSM (Rotterdam) and their average GMAT is 640 so you're not much lower than average and you might have a chance if you really focus on your essay. How many years of WE do you have? The minimum is 3 but for a good chance they recommend to have at least 4 years. It is a very international program (as most European programs) even maybe too international. The last year's class only have 2 Dutch out of 100 students.

Regarding your GMAT, are you thinking of maybe having a tutor or subscribe into GMAT courses if you ever retake again? Maybe it will help. I am guessing it's probably only your time management when doing the questions. Maybe the time constraint made you panic?
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   23 Mar 2016, 22:38
I have 4 years work experience in pre-sales and engineering design. During the course of 4 years I have worked on high budget projects providing electrical designs and proposing electrical products from brands like Eaton, Schneider Electric for various commercial and industrial projects.
Thanks for that info, I didn't RSM's avg was 640. RSM is definitely on my list of schools. I have just taken my second attempt GMAT on Monday. At this point, I don't know if i have the energy or the resolve to sit and study again. I work 11 hrs 5 days a week. Only time i get to study is during the weekends.
Time management is always a problem in Math. I keep thinking if I have more time I know I can solve the problem.
If I do decide to retake, you're right, I 'll probably need take some GMAT quant classes =/
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   24 Mar 2016, 04:00
If you are not planning to apply this cycle, I would take more time to practice gmat till May/June and give it one more try. Graduating with 3.9/4 GPA from engineering is impressive, but low quant score on GMAT would put the quality of your undergraduate education under question.
I think you can improve from Q39 if you practice a bit more.
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2016, 18:05
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isti wrote:
Hi,

The first time I took GMAT, I scored 530 (Q39, V25). I know I messed up on the verbal because I didn't time myself well.

I decided to retake it and I focused both on verbal and quant while preparing again. However i put more emphasis on quant since I knew I wasn't doing really good on it from what I saw on my practice exams
My second attempt- I scored 610 (Q39, V34).

Now I'm a female electrical engineer, with an undergrad GPA 3.9/4.0. I was among the top 5% percent of my graduating class and I got As on all of my calculus and statistics courses back on school.

So, I'm really confused- why am I performing so badly on quant??
I just don't understand, despite going through all the prep materials, focusing on my weak areas and frequently taking practice exams, I continue to score bad on my quant.

My target schools are Rotman, Schulich, Rotterdam. Their average GMAT is around 650 and I'm 40-60 points lower.

I was wondering, if my good performance on my undergrad calc and statistics courses will help to leverage the low quant GMAT score?


The honest answer is that "you can't leverage a low GMAT". And since we are a few months away from application, and you have the time, really the only option that makes sense is for you to continue studying and get a higher GMAT. With your 3.9 it's obvious that you are very intelligent, and I'm sure you can do better on the GMAT. So don't put yourself at a disadvantage. Retake.
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2016, 18:39
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isti wrote:
Hi,

The first time I took GMAT, I scored 530 (Q39, V25). I know I messed up on the verbal because I didn't time myself well.

I decided to retake it and I focused both on verbal and quant while preparing again. However i put more emphasis on quant since I knew I wasn't doing really good on it from what I saw on my practice exams
My second attempt- I scored 610 (Q39, V34).

Now I'm a female electrical engineer, with an undergrad GPA 3.9/4.0. I was among the top 5% percent of my graduating class and I got As on all of my calculus and statistics courses back on school.

So, I'm really confused- why am I performing so badly on quant??
I just don't understand, despite going through all the prep materials, focusing on my weak areas and frequently taking practice exams, I continue to score bad on my quant.

My target schools are Rotman, Schulich, Rotterdam. Their average GMAT is around 650 and I'm 40-60 points lower.

I was wondering, if my good performance on my undergrad calc and statisitcs courses will help to leverage the low quant GMAT score?


As mentioned above, definitely retake it. For someone with a 3.9, I am convinced you can figure out the test. Given your performance on it so far, I recommend you look into tutoring. If you would like to discuss those options in more detail, send me an email: scott@personalmbacoach.com. I predict there are a number of tricks you could benefit from learning. Once you learn how to better navigate the test, combined with your academic ability you should be able to improve.

Best,
Scott
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Re: Great GPA. Low GMAT (Particularly quant) [#permalink]
27 Mar 2016, 18:39

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