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hnguyen1987
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 01 Jun 2012, 21:36
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Hello,

I just took my second GMAT today and received the exact same score as my first exam in both the quantitative and verbal sections. I studied inconsistently throughout 30 days, but am still pretty disappointed that my score did not go up! During the test ALL my questions were geometry or number properties. The quant section seemed considerably harder, while I breezed through the verbal with 15 minutes to spare (with time to double check all my answers).

I ended up getting another 680 (Q43 65% V40 89%). In my practice exams I have gone from 510 -> 750 on MGMAT and the Prep tests. Honestly I believe that I can get another 20-30 points, but I will have to dedicate time to learning the new GMAT as well.

At this point, I really have two options:
a) Apply to my dream schools (top 10) and slam the rest of the application out of the park or
b) Take 1-2 months to learn the new GMAT format in hopes of gaining 20-30 points

What is everyone's advice?

Thanks for any input!
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AbhiJ
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 02 Jun 2012, 03:16
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hnguyen1987
Hello,

I just took my second GMAT today and received the exact same score as my first exam in both the quantitative and verbal sections. I studied inconsistently throughout 30 days, but am still pretty disappointed that my score did not go up! During the test ALL my questions were geometry or number properties. The quant section seemed considerably harder, while I breezed through the verbal with 15 minutes to spare (with time to double check all my answers).

I ended up getting another 680 (Q43 65% V40 89%). In my practice exams I have gone from 510 -> 750 on MGMAT and the Prep tests. Honestly I believe that I can get another 20-30 points, but I will have to dedicate time to learning the new GMAT as well.

At this point, I really have two options:
a) Apply to my dream schools (top 10) and slam the rest of the application out of the park or
b) Take 1-2 months to learn the new GMAT format in hopes of gaining 20-30 points

What is everyone's advice?

Thanks for any input!
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2-3 months for 20-30 points is a bit less IMO. If you can improve by 50+ points than retaking would be worth it.Its possible to improve by 50 points in 2-3 months.
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hnguyen1987
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 02 Jun 2012, 21:29
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I have two major concerns:

1. What if I totally flub the new integrated reasoning?
2. Is my time better spent doing applications?

Then again, I am in no rush to apply to business school...

Is my current score going to automatically get me eliminated from the top 10 schools?
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 03 Jun 2012, 09:37
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hnguyen1987
I have two major concerns:

1. What if I totally flub the new integrated reasoning?
2. Is my time better spent doing applications?

Then again, I am in no rush to apply to business school...

Is my current score going to automatically get me eliminated from the top 10 schools?
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No it won't. You need to have something more substantial in your profile to make up for it.
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hnguyen1987
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 03 Jun 2012, 09:43
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Thanks for the help. If that's the case, I think I will apply to some choice of schools first. If I don't get in, then I'll retake. Oh cruel world...
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 04 Jun 2012, 13:44
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I am in the same boat but will 30 points really get you to top schools. I saw a profile with 750, 3.7 GPA rejected from UT Austin - this is good school but no Harvard or Stanford. So 700 is not the key. The entire point is how you separate yourself from the herd.
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Asianguy1987
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 04 Jun 2012, 21:02
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I had the same thoughts about the GMAT; I have co-workers who got into Kellogg with 660, while others who have failed with 770. It's truly a mystifying acceptance process...

I still have 1 - 1.5 years until I plan to apply to business school. Since my family obligations have subsided, I will probably pursue some extra-curriculars of interest.

Is there anything else that can be recommended?
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Asianguy1987
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20-30 Points Worth Retaking? 18 Jun 2012, 21:08
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I've decided to take the GMAT a third time, with a few major changes. Can someone tell me if I'm sounding crazy? Are 3 attempts viewed unfavorably? At this point, I realize that I have the 680, but I want to get 700+, preferably 720, for myself.

Instead of 30 days, I am planning to relax for June and then go all out July and August, and then take the third attempt in September

* Plan to take the test on a Monday, rather than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, since work screwed up my second attempt
* Spend 1 month to refresh all the MGMAT Math + Verbal, and then 1 month to focus only on hard math problems

My Verbal is consistently 90%+, so I just need to raise my Quant from 64% to 76%+.

Anyone have any feedback or advice?
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