With a 700, Should I Retake the GMAT?
Many candidates work hard to prepare for the GMAT, yet they are disappointed with scores in the 620-700 range, rather than the hoped-for 710 or above. If a score is beneath 660, most candidates will go back to the drawing board, prepare again and try hard to improve it, knowing that a 660 or lower can cause an automatic rejection at many top MBA programs. But when the score is 700, I often hear candidates struggle with a question about whether to re-take the exam. What is my advice, they ask.
There is no hard-and-fast rule here. The best advice will be very candidate-specific. The ideal answer depends on the profile of the candidate (gender, age, citizenship, ethnicity, industry, etc.) and how strong the candidate’s overall record is (GPA, undergraduate institution, alternative transcript, professional successes, community leadership, etc.). It will also depend on when the candidate is applying. In Round 2, things are often more competitive so you should ideally have a strong GMAT score. If you are applying within an Early Decision pool, an accelerated MBA program, or another special program that tends to have less demand, you likely can have more latitude on the GMAT score.
So, while it is difficult to give general advice about whether to retake a GMAT test if you score between 680-700, here are some guidelines to consider.
A score of 700 can keep many candidates (depending on their profile) within shooting range of top MBA programs, including those like Wharton, Columbia, Booth and Tuck. So, in considering whether to re-take the test, you must think about the impact if your GMAT score goes lower. First, check the online application forms of your target schools. Do they ask for your three most recent GMAT scores, or just the highest score you want to report. If you only have to provide your highest score, there should be no drawback to taking the test again. If you score lower, the school will not see that score before they render a decision on your application, as you will report the higher score.
However, if you must report the most recent score or the 2-3 most recent scores, taking the GMAT again with a 700 already in hand can be risky. If your score goes down and you also have a lower-than-ideal GPA, the second low score can be interpreted as providing "evidence" that your lower-than-ideal GPA was an accurate indicator of your abilities and potential. You will then potentially have two weak spots in your application. In such a risky situation, if you decide to re-take the GMAT, make sure you have already taken a prep course that has helped you understand how to test well on the GMAT. Make sure to also take full mock tests and project your score, and re-test after you are consistently scoring in a higher range that you find acceptable.
Best wishes,
Dr. Shel (Shelly Watts)
President, MBA Admit.com
mbaadmit@aol.com
