690 GMAT: HELP!!!

Question

Hello,

I am a recent graduate of Duke University looking to apply to business school in two to three years after working healthcare.

I took the GMAT yesterday and was mildly disappointed to receive a score of
690 (45 Math, 75 percent / 39 Verbal, 87 percent).

My practice test scores were: ManhattanGMAT - 700, 700, 660, 710 /
Kaplan - 720 / GMAT Prep - 710, 710

I am mildly disappointed in my score as I am looking to attend
top-tier business schools such as Tuck, Booth, Harvard, Columbia, and
Duke.

Basically, I am looking to find out whether it would be advisable to
take the GMAT again next month.

My other statistics include an undergraduate GPA of 3.558 (Economics
and Psychology double major) and I was involved with a student-run
company during school.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Steel · Answer

You're looking to apply two to three years from now?

I generally side on the "don't retake" side of the fence. In your case I'd say the following:

1) At 690, your score isn't going to get you in to a school or keep you out (and a score rarely "gets you in" anyway - though I'd argue a very low score could keep you out). Your score is good enough that your essays and work experience will be the driving factor in your application. Your academic background is certainly good enough that "academic rigor" is not going to be an issue (which is what the GMAT is used to help level the field for).

2) In all honesty - if all your practice tests are putting you in the 700 range - a month is not going to make a large difference in your score. You have 2 years between now and when you're applying. I'd suggest take the 690 in your pocket - focus on your career - and when app time comes around, you can make a more informed decision given your situation and experience. When the time comes to apply - if you do decide to retake (which I don't think is even necessary to begin with) - then you'll have nothing to lose and a full time frame with which to play with (and who knows - perhaps a less competitive environment within which to take the exam - since the past 2 years have been the most competitive GMAT years ever).

MGN11 · Answer

Steel,

Thank you for the advice.

I am looking to apply to business school in two to three years.

If I decide to retake, it would be on the basis that I know I can score a 700/710/720 and it would potentially make my application that much more secure. I am worried that having a '6' in front of my GMAT score might be reason to keep me on the outside when applying to some of these top schools.

On the other hand, it is only one or two questions and is not really indicative of any lack of ability.

In terms of taking the test down the road, one thing I would stress is that I really want to get this done now. I am concerned that I will fall out of an academic mindset two to three years down the road and that I may not be able to score as high.

Any other thoughts?

Jerz · Answer

There really is next to no difference between a 690 and a 720 in terms of chances of getting admitted. I'm with steel - focus on your career and putting together solid essays, and don't worry about retaking the GMAT.

mba111 · Answer

If you have $250 to spend, and the will to study more, why not retake it and try to get an extra 30 points? There's no harm in it since you have plenty of time, and it could do you some good. Some banks/consulting firms weed people out by their GMAT score, and the cutoff is usually 700, meaning you'd be out. So if you got the money and motivation, go for it. It might not be a big deal for getting into school, but it could be a big deal during recruiting, depending on what you end up recruiting for. It would also be good to get the math score above 80th percentile...

MGN11 · Answer

I already have a job so I am no longer concerned with recruitment from banks/consulting firms.

Is the 30 points as small of a difference as some of you say. I look at the US News and World Report Rankings, and most of the schools I would like to attend have average GMATs of 710.

sam77sam7 · Answer

The popular (and almost certainly correct) wisdom is that there is not really a difference between a 690 and 720. I truly believe this is probably correct in the mind of most AdComs.

However, I am of the mind that you need to maximize the areas of the application that you can control. At this point, you can't control your GPA, or Undergrad experience. You are young enough that you can still control your work experience to a large degree, as well as your rec letters, and (obviously) the quality of your essays. The additional thing you can still control is your GMAT score. With that in mind, I say work a couple years and then tackle it again. If you apply with a 690, and don't get in, you will always have a voice in your head saying "what if I had a 730? would it have made a difference?" It may not have made a huge difference, but I would rather eliminate that voice than have it nagging me.

~Sam

MGN11 · Answer

Do most business schools average the two GMAT scores or take the highest?

I worry that in the event I score the same or worse, my application would be much more damaged than it would if I had one 690.

ElleBee · Answer

Most top business schools take the highest. You should always check the schools' websites directly to see their policies, but I don't actually know of a single one that averages (I just said "most" in the previous sentence to cover myself in case I'm wrong!).

Class2012 · Answer

690 should be ok to get in but if you are targetting a career in MC post MBA,a high GMAT score is needed since MC firms look at GMAT also.

isa · Answer

I agree. If you're concerned about the score and you have the time to retake, then retake it. I agree that you shouldn't sacrifice essay time for gmat studying with your score, but it sounds like you have a couple of years ahead of you so I don't see the harm.

mim3 · Answer

Hey Matt,

First of all, a 690 is a good score, so congrats. I'm going to go against the grain a bit here and suggest that you retake the test. You should really try to crack the 80th percentile barrier in quant- I understand that that's one of the boxes to check at the top schools. If you're testing in the low 7's in basically all of your other practice tests, you have the ability to get a better score. Given that you have a VERY long time before you have submit an app- give it another shot if you don't mind putting down the $250 for the test. The pressure is off the next time around and you'll have the experience of the first real test under your belt- that's what did the trick for me. It sounds like you've got great qualifications otherwise and would be a very strong candidate for all the schools you're targeting if you got the score up. I think it'd be a uphill battle to get into HBS with a 690.

Best of luck!
-Fellow Dukie

PS- In the 2-3 years that you have between now and the time you apply, don't forget about all of the extra-cirrics and peripherals that schools are going to want to see.

MGN11 · Answer

All of these posts are terrific!

I am 99% sure that I will give the test another shot now.

One last question though: if I end up taking the test a certain number of times (say 3 or 4) do schools begin to frown upon my application?

ElleBee · Answer

Hey Matt,

Based on what I've read (and I tried to find it for you, but to no avail...it was an interview with Admissions Deans from HBS, Columbia, and I can't remember the others, but they were all elite schools) usually 4 is the max without it being frowned upon.

Good luck!

unhedged · Answer

I've heard a school that recommends no more than twice. I can't remember which one at this point though.

mim3 · Answer

Re: the number of times it's ok to test without it detracting from the app... I think it depends on the school but it's generally cool to test up to 4 times. I must have read the same thing that ElleBee did- I can't seem to find it either though.

riverripper · Answer

I know people who took it 5 and 6 times. I dont think it really hurts you to take it over and over, its more of how much are you going to spend on it. Yes if you take it 6 times and never improve it will look bad but a lot of schools only care about self reported until you are accepted at which point its too late for them. A school definitely gets more gmat scores than applications and they get some scores years before those people actually apply...all thanks to the 5 freebies.

MGN11 · Answer

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to thank everyone who posted on this thread a month ago regarding my GMAT score.

I took the test once more several days ago and was pleased to score a 710 (49 Q - 87th percentile, 38 V - 83rd percentile) - 92 percentile.

Hopefully, this will put me in the range for the business schools that I am targeting in the future. My decision to re-take was largely driven by many of the responses I received here, so once again - thank you!

MGN

tvrs09 · Answer

Hi,

I have recently taken GMAT and scored 690(Q49 V35)
The score is frustratingly close to my expected score of 710.
I have a work experience of 2.5 years.

Academic profile :

X- 93.5%
XII - 91.1%
Graduation - CGPA of 8.98

What are my chances of getting into top 50 B -schools?
Do you suggest me to retake GMAT?
What are the B-Schools that i can aim for?
How is the course Business Analytics in top 50 US B-Schools?

Please provide your valuable suggestions.

Cheers!!

Admissionado · Answer

Awesome! I twas the right choice, and actually I think it will make a world of difference,

Best of luck,
JF

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