Last visit was: 22 Apr 2026, 16:50

It is currently 22 Apr 2026, 16:50

Toolkit

Practice Tests

Business School and MBA

The B-School Applications

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Apr 23
When to Stop Studying for the GMAT and Start Working on Your MBA Application
10:00 AM EDT
-
10:30 AM EDT
Admissions committees evaluate the GMAT/GRE in context — your background, your representation in the applicant pool, the strength of everything else in your file. The same score works for one candidate and falls short for another with identical numbers.
Apr 23
ISB Interview Call Guarantee Module
12:00 PM PDT
-
01:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Apr 24
Live Coffee Chat- MBA profile enhancement: How to fix your gaps in 4 months
08:30 PM IST
-
09:30 PM IST
Join us for a Live Coffee chat with Jenifer Turtschanow where we talk about enhancing your MBA profile and fixing gaps in just 4 months.
Apr 25
Begin your MBA admissions journey with a free 1-1 strategy call
11:00 AM EDT
-
01:00 PM EDT
Looking to secure a coveted spot at a top business school? Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants, including top B schools alumni and industry leaders, is here to help turn your dreams into reality. Let’s kick-start your journey to success!
Apr 29
MBA Class of 2028: AMA with Juno's Founder
08:00 PM EDT
-
09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.

Back to Forum

Create Topic

Accepted but retaking the GMAT

1 2 3

mbahunter

Joined: 10 Dec 2007

Last visit: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 65

Own Kudos:

Schools:UNC class of 2010

Posts: 65

Kudos: 3

26 Jan 2008, 07:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

First time 690 45Q 38V

I never ever scored anything other than 45 on the Q, not less and not more. I still feel I can do better though, I am aiming for about 47-49. The verbal is where I sucked it up, I was always above 40 and usually above 42. The real GMAT I totally lost my composure in both the verbal and quant sections and wasted about 3 or 4 mins in each section just trying to calm down. This time around I have nothing to lose b/c I am already in at owen and UNC with a WL at Duke. I think I'll be much more focused and my best will come out. I have 4 weeks until the big day....any advice people???

ps I am retaking b/c I was informed that recruiters heavily rely on your GMAT score and that 700+ is literally magic for getting an interview........

clobo

Joined: 26 Sep 2007

Last visit: 05 Aug 2008

Posts: 264

Own Kudos:

Posts: 264

Kudos: 4

26 Jan 2008, 07:57

Kudos

Bookmarks

Good luck mbahunter. I agree with you that retaking can't hurt if you don't factor in the $250 dent the GMAT exam makes to your pocket book. Also, have you got any feedback from Duke as to why you were waitlisted? Their response might play a role in whether you retake or not.

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

209

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 209

27 Jan 2008, 00:28

Kudos

Bookmarks

I guess it depends on the school, but at some schools, GMAT scores don't even come up until (maybe) during the interview.

L.

manylander

Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Last visit: 27 Jun 2020

Posts: 184

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Marketing & General Management

Schools:University of Michigan - Ross 2010

Posts: 184

Kudos: 6

29 Jan 2008, 09:47

Kudos

Bookmarks

This weekend during a top 25 school's open house I heard directly from the career services director that, unless you are from the very top schools (H/S/W/MIT/Chi/NW/Col etc.) especially the top 4 strategic consulting firms (BCG,Booze,Bain,McKinsey) ask them to send canditates only with 730+ .

As for myself, I barely make the cut, but if I get an admit and go to a great but not elite program, I will still retake the GMAT. Who knows how the cutoff point will change in the future?

Hope this helps

skaballet

Joined: 19 Nov 2006

Last visit: 13 May 2011

Posts: 254

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 1

Location: Washington, DC

Schools:Ross 2010

Posts: 254

Kudos: 19

29 Jan 2008, 10:17

Kudos

Bookmarks

I've only ever heard of IB or consulting firms using GMAT scores. However, a lot of schools require companies to reserve some slots for bidding. So even if your GMAT score was not stellar, you could still get an interview and I just have to believe that if you ace the case (in consulting) your GMAT score will matter a lot less.

mbahunter

Joined: 10 Dec 2007

Last visit: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 65

Own Kudos:

Schools:UNC class of 2010

Posts: 65

Kudos: 3

29 Jan 2008, 10:33

Kudos

Bookmarks

Well, good thing I am studying geometry right now...730+ wont come easy, but it sure as hell wont hurt to try

manylander

Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Last visit: 27 Jun 2020

Posts: 184

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Marketing & General Management

Schools:University of Michigan - Ross 2010

Posts: 184

Kudos: 6

29 Jan 2008, 11:11

Kudos

Bookmarks

Quote:

True.But why not make it better and look more attractive. That is if you have the desire to study and potential to improve to mid 700 level?

Big-O

Joined: 25 Aug 2007

Last visit: 29 Dec 2009

Posts: 47

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Consultant

Schools:HBS '10

Posts: 47

Kudos: 43

Updated on: 29 Jan 2008, 15:16

Originally posted by Big-O on 29 Jan 2008, 11:44.
Last edited by Big-O on 29 Jan 2008, 15:16, edited 2 times in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

Definitely at consulting firms, the first screen (because its easiest) is marks and GMAT, unless you've done something really really cool that grabs the consulting reading your package. As a result, you need to figure out if you're a 'vanilla consultant' and need to pass the first screen based on marks and GMAT, or if you're someone whose done something really, really cool in your life, that you can describe.

If you're getting an interview at H/S/W with a sub 700 score, then you've got something that makes you non-vanilla.

Don't retake the GMAT - focus all your efforts on knowing yourself to have an awesome interview. I think that once you're at the interview stage at HBS, your application is less important.

I know many, many analysts from the top 3 consulting firms who wrote the GMAT and ditdn't get 730. I also believe that McK/BCG/Bain are looking for really inspiring people to help with the consultant diversity irrespective of the GMAT.

Case in point: McKinsey two years ago designated a partner who was a priest, and had no formal business training.

And please, don't edit my posts and substatively change the meaning of what I'm trying to say. mNeo, you took out the critical content that I was trying to convey.

manylander

Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Last visit: 27 Jun 2020

Posts: 184

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Marketing & General Management

Schools:University of Michigan - Ross 2010

Posts: 184

Kudos: 6

29 Jan 2008, 12:15

Kudos

Bookmarks

I am telling what I heard at a top 25-40 (different rankings) school that has a 670 average.
Intention is to answer someone's question with information directly from a respected career services department.

EDIT (mNeo): Edited the post. We all should play nicely guys

djhouse81

Current Student

Joined: 30 May 2007

Last visit: 13 Aug 2009

Posts: 485

Own Kudos:

Posts: 485

Kudos: 72

29 Jan 2008, 12:22

Kudos

Bookmarks

This topic has been discussed quite a bit in the past. We have learned from those who are already neck-deep in b-school that the GMAT can play a role. Experience, schmoozing, even what you wear may play bigger roles, but the GMAT can still be a factor. The GMAT levels the playing field across the hundreds of elite through ultra-elite b-schoolers who want the coveted IB/MC jobs. However, I would say that 730+ is a little extreme. From what I have heard from students and career services offices at b-school, 700+ gets you on the closed interview list. Furthermore, b-school career services offices tell students to put their GMAT score on their resume if it a 700 or higher.

riverripper

Major Poster

Joined: 10 Apr 2007

Last visit: 20 Aug 2022

Posts: 4,306

Own Kudos:

806

Given Kudos: 5

Location: Back in Chicago, IL

Concentration: General/Operations Management

Schools:Kellogg Alum: Class of 2010

GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 4,306

Kudos: 806

29 Jan 2008, 12:29

Kudos

Bookmarks

I think that you have plenty of time to study and retake it now, so you should if you feel that it will help. I believe it was Aau who was saying that she had a friend at school who was studying to take it while at school. Doing that has to be very stressful...and as terrible as it sounds a GMAT score definitely matters to some companies. To worry about interviewing well you need to get the interview first. Without a 700+ you may not make it onto some closed lists just because of that.

solaris1

Joined: 05 Aug 2007

Last visit: 09 Aug 2011

Posts: 1,431

Own Kudos:

223

Given Kudos: 22

Concentration: General Management

Schools:NYU Stern '11

Posts: 1,431

Kudos: 223

29 Jan 2008, 12:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

Would anyone actually applying for consulting positions be able to confirm whether there's a semi-official GMAT cutoff? I've also heard (through the grapevine) of this same 730+ bar that manylander was referring to earlier.

Perhaps it's only specific to consulting? I know for a fact that some i-banks ask for SAT scores during undergraduate recruiting, so possibly they're interested in GMAT scores as well.

manylander

mbahunter

Joined: 10 Dec 2007

Last visit: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 65

Own Kudos:

Schools:UNC class of 2010

Posts: 65

Kudos: 3

29 Jan 2008, 12:48

Kudos

Bookmarks

The person I talked to at a top 15 school said the cutoffs were 700 for major consulting firms and every single one asked for college and graduate transcripts...not just GPA's and your SAT, LSAT, GRE, and ACT, its assumed everyone has taken the SAT or ACT so if you dont put one down the companies assume its b/c you did not have a good score

I have a 690, while the difference btw that and a 700 means jack s**t, if it gets me an interview then its worth every minute of studying....

Big-O

Joined: 25 Aug 2007

Last visit: 29 Dec 2009

Posts: 47

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Consultant

Schools:HBS '10

Posts: 47

Kudos: 43

29 Jan 2008, 15:17

Kudos

Bookmarks

I'll confirm it.

I worked for a top 3 management consulting firm.
I never sent in my transcripts, but they did ask for my GPA.

mbahunter

mNeo

Current Student

Joined: 22 Apr 2007

Last visit: 04 Sep 2009

Posts: 1,034

Own Kudos:

Posts: 1,034

Kudos: 30

29 Jan 2008, 15:36

Kudos

Bookmarks

Responding to the previous post of Big-O. Your post was reported "offensive" by manylander. So I just removed the "offensive" parts from your post (And manylander's). The only other option that I had was to delete your post. I wouldn't have to edit your post if it wasn't offensive to some people in the first place. Hope you understand.

manylander

Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Last visit: 27 Jun 2020

Posts: 184

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Marketing & General Management

Schools:University of Michigan - Ross 2010

Posts: 184

Kudos: 6

29 Jan 2008, 17:51

Kudos

Bookmarks

Big-O,

You are missing the point. As I mentioned in my first message, the GMAT becomes important if you are not from H/S/W etc. The consulting firms know that if you made it to H/S/W, they do not need to worry about your score.

However if you are from say, Purdue/GTech/Maryland/PennState type of a school, then they ask your GMAT. Because these schools are not as selective as the top bunch but still have applicants with significantly high scores. The acid test for those schools become the GMAT for this case. A 650 admitted to H/S/W is not regarded the same with a 650 that attended to those.

As for other examples, extreme or not, I don't remember saying or even coming close to saying "You can't get into top SC/MC firms without a high GMAT". Many people are recruited to those companies in many different levels and capacities. Not everybody going to SC/MC firms is an MBA. I am guessing you are thrown off by comparing a subset (MBA's from non utra elite) to the universal set (all potential applicants to SC/MC firms from various walks of life).

You can find similar remarks about GMAT cutoffs in other posters' messages too.

Big-O

Joined: 25 Aug 2007

Last visit: 29 Dec 2009

Posts: 47

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Consultant

Schools:HBS '10

Posts: 47

Kudos: 43

30 Jan 2008, 09:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

I still stand by what I said. If you think you're consulting profile is 'vanilla', then the GMAT matters. However, a Penn State MBA whose done something really incredible and unique, is an exception to the GMAT bar.

... And if you found my post 'offensive', then you'll have to get a bit thicker skin if you want to make it to a top 3 firm, let alone a b-school program ;-)

manylander

However if you are from say, Purdue/GTech/Maryland/PennState type of a school, then they ask your GMAT. Because these schools are not as selective as the top bunch but still have applicants with significantly high scores. The acid test for those schools become the GMAT for this case. A 650 admitted to H/S/W is not regarded the same with a 650 that attended to those.

manylander

Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Last visit: 27 Jun 2020

Posts: 184

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Marketing & General Management

Schools:University of Michigan - Ross 2010

Posts: 184

Kudos: 6

30 Jan 2008, 10:48

Kudos

Bookmarks

Quote:

... And if you found my post 'offensive', then you'll have to get a bit thicker skin if you want to make it to a top 3 firm, let alone a b-school program

Don't worry about my skin, it is thick enough. :war

As for your famous "non- vanilla" example, this time the one at Penn State (you keep talking outliers as opposed to norm BTW), who do you think will fare better in the elimination process?

1) "Vanilla" from Penn State with 760? (quantity only)
2) "Non-Vanilla" from Penn State with 650 ? (quality only)
3) "Non-Vanilla" from Penn State with 760 ? (both)

This goes back to the age old question "Quantity or quality? " The all-encompassing answer will be how about both ?

So all in all, don't try to deter people with potential from retaking the GMAT. If they have time, resources, potential and desire, the worst case would be nothing will change. Best case is jumping from example (2) to example (3).

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

209

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 209

30 Jan 2008, 23:54

Kudos

Bookmarks

djhouse81

From what I have heard from students and career services offices at b-school, 700+ gets you on the closed interview list. Furthermore, b-school career services offices tell students to put their GMAT score on their resume if it a 700 or higher.

At the risk of repeating myself, the above depends on the school. At the school where I am right now, we do not include GMAT scores on resumes or applications for jobs. We get invited (or denied) to interviews without having disclosed this information. I'm not sure whether it will come up during interviews (I'll be interviewing starting next week) but so far, no GMAT.

L.