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TX20004
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TX20004
Hi Guys,

Recently took the GMAT FE and underperformed a bit. (94th in Data; 60th in Quanr; 86th In Verbal). 635 overall.

I have a good profile with internships at MBB, BB IB and Buy side, as well as good grades (top 5% in my undergraduate).

I am targeting schools such as LBS/LSE/HEC.

Should I retake the gmat or should the profile be enough for admission?
Hi TX20004,

Your strong internships at MBB, BB IB, and buy-side, plus excellent academics, definitely boost your profile. However, your GMAT Focus score of 635 is on the lower side for top schools that you are targetting like LBS, HEC. I would definitely encourage you to retake the GMAT and aim for a score of 685+ to strengthen your application and stay competitive.

Feel free to book a free call with our MBA experts for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at team.mba@theredpen.com or +91-7780769732.
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Hello TX20004,

You should retake the GMAT considering the schools you are targetting are extremely competitive.

All the best!
TX20004
Hi Guys,

Recently took the GMAT FE and underperformed a bit. (94th in Data; 60th in Quanr; 86th In Verbal). 635 overall.

I have a good profile with internships at MBB, BB IB and Buy side, as well as good grades (top 5% in my undergraduate).

I am targeting schools such as LBS/LSE/HEC.

Should I retake the gmat or should the profile be enough for admission?
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Thank you for sharing the details TX20004! From what you've outlined, you bring a compelling mix of academic strength and competitive internship experiences. Being in the top 5% of your undergraduate class demonstrates strong intellectual rigor, and internships at MBB, a bulge bracket investment bank, and the buy-side set you apart significantly; these are not easy feats and show you can thrive in high-pressure, elite professional environments.

A closer look at your 635 GMAT FE score reveals a notable weakness: the 60th percentile in Quant. While your Data Insights (94th percentile) and Verbal (86th percentile) sections are good, Quantitative reasoning remains a core competency for academic success, especially in consulting and finance. For schools like LBS, HEC Paris, and even LSE (depending on the program), a Quant percentile in the 70s or higher is often expected. Therefore, a retake would significantly improve your candidacy and help de-risk your application, particularly if you can boost the Quant score while maintaining your strengths in the other sections.

For the LBS MBA program, the average GMAT Focus score is likely around 645. While they take a holistic approach to admissions, a lower score in a core area like Quant could raise concerns unless offset by exceptional work experience or quantitative achievements elsewhere. You can take a look at this blog on How to Write Winning MBA Essays with Examples. HEC Paris, while a bit more flexible, still favors candidates with strong quantitative aptitude and clear, well-articulated goals. At LSE, especially for MiM or MSc Finance programs, you may be in a decent position even with the current score, though again, the quant concern remains. You can also take a look at other EU programs such as IE, ESADE, ESMT Berlin, and RSM.

That said, we would love to learn more about a few key pieces of information and about your journey that would help refine your application strategy and assess your chances better. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Feel free to join our next coffee session on: INSEAD Sept 2026 Intake.
TX20004
Hi Guys,

Recently took the GMAT FE and underperformed a bit. (94th in Data; 60th in Quanr; 86th In Verbal). 635 overall.

I have a good profile with internships at MBB, BB IB and Buy side, as well as good grades (top 5% in my undergraduate).

I am targeting schools such as LBS/LSE/HEC.

Should I retake the gmat or should the profile be enough for admission?
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Your profile is solid and makes you a competitive candidate at the programs you're targeting. However, as you likely expected (and can see from the other comments above), your current GMAT FE score is going to be a hindrance. I'd look to bump your score up to a 665+ (focusing on improving your quant). Now, I'm not going to rehash everything that is said above. What I will say is that even with an improved score, your success in this process is going to come down to building insightful, authentic applications that tell your story and show an insightful fit with each program. I'd love to know more about your background, goals, etc. to better understand and shape your overall application narratives.

If you're interested in discussing your profile or application strategies, please feel free to reach out and schedule a free initial MBA Admissions Consultation: https://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact
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I recommend to retake, your quant score may go up
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Focus on Quant section and give again
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You need good GMAT score to get into LBS, give your GMAT again you have much time
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good but MFA doesnt seem to competitive tbh average gmat score was 698 last year (classic not focus) and believe stronger other aspect can make up for it.
bhargavhhhhhhhh
You need good GMAT score to get into LBS, give your GMAT again you have much time
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It would be better to retake.

All the best!
TX20004
Hi Guys,

Recently took the GMAT FE and underperformed a bit. (94th in Data; 60th in Quanr; 86th In Verbal). 635 overall.

I have a good profile with internships at MBB, BB IB and Buy side, as well as good grades (top 5% in my undergraduate).

I am targeting schools such as LBS/LSE/HEC.

Should I retake the gmat or should the profile be enough for admission?
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Hi

Thanks for sharing your profile. It definitely stands out.

You’ve got a strong academic background (top 5%) and some great internships at MBB, BB IB, and on the buy side. That’s an impressive mix and puts you in a solid position for top schools like LBS, LSE, and HEC.

Now, about the GMAT FE score:
  • A 635 overall is a bit on the lower side for these schools, which tend to be quite competitive.
  • Your Data (94th percentile) and Verbal (86th percentile) scores are very strong, and that works in your favor.
  • The Quant score (60th percentile) might raise a few eyebrows, especially for schools with a quant-heavy curriculum or finance focus.
  • Since the GMAT FE is still relatively new, schools will likely look at section scores individually, not just the overall number.

So should you retake it?
If you believe you can improve the score, particularly in Quant, and push your total into the high 600s or beyond, then it’s definitely worth considering. It will make your application more balanced and ease any concerns the adcom might have about your quant readiness.

That said, if you’re running close to deadlines and not confident about a major improvement, you can still apply. Just be sure to use the rest of your application to highlight your quant ability through academics or work experience. Your overall profile is already quite strong, so it may still carry you through.

If you’d like help with your applications, feel free to reach out to us at LemonEd. We work closely with candidates on strategy, storytelling, and school selection.

Good luck!

Prashant Pinge, ISB ’02
Founder & Principal Consultant, LemonEd
🌐 http://www.LemonEd.in | ✉️ info@LemonEd.in | 🔍 Free profile evaluation
LemonEd is a boutique MBA admissions firm helping applicants gain admission to the world’s top B-schools.