First, I wanted to thank the GMAT Club community at large. The documents and other experiences posted here were invaluable.
I took the GMAT yesterday and scored 650 (Q44, V35). I am very proud of this score. It may not be the best of the best, but I studied hard for this test. Now, I'm considering if I should apply to schools with this score or re-take it.
I started studying in January with Kaplan's book to get a feel for what GMAT studying would entail. I also started by taking the official preptest by GMAC. I scored a 480.
Kaplan wasn't working for me. So, I decided to do the self-study on demand option by
Manhattan GMAT. I went thru the entire series and realized that the passive approach wasn't helping either. I needed a tutor but couldn't afford one. I, then, considered taking Veritas and went to the first class as a trial. Again, realized that the classroom option wasn't for me either.
By this time, it was May. I had originally planned on taking the test in June. But, of course, that didn't work out. I had taken a couple of
MGMAT tests and was scoring around 600. A huge improvement from my 480! However, not where I wanted to be.
I looked at various tutoring options. But, most were very expensive. So I looked at other prep options and found Master GMAT. I really liked the online tutoring feel. I couldn't fool myself or the system if I got a question wrong. I logged over 100 hours into it. I finished by July. All of August, I focused on the 3 official guides. I completed every single question. During the week leading up to the test, I took a test every day, except the day before. I also focused on all the questions I initially got wrong. The last official GMAT preptest I took was on Thursday (test on Saturday), and I scored a 710! I was beyond ecstatic. Of course, there were 3 questions that I had seen previously but I was still excited. I might actually have a shot.
On test day, I breezed thru the AWA. I almost ran out of time on the QUANT, which completely screwed me up for Verbal because I kept thinking I'm sooo screwed. But, to my surprise, I got a 650.
Now, I'm applying to Wharton, Darden, Tuck, Duke, and Georgetown.
My profile:
GPA - 3.59
Undergrad - Ivy in New York
Grad - MA from Ivy in New York
AmeriCorps VISTA experience
Currently working in international development in the States
Overall 2 years.
Volunteer experience: leadership in fundraising
Should I retake the GMAT? It's such a huge load off my shoulders. I know that I can study and probably score a little better. While, I currently do about 20% statistical analysis at my job, I come from a humanities background with little quant. But is it worth it for 20 extra points?
Any help you guys can provide.
Thanks!