690 to 680...now what?

Question

680 (Q42, V40) I'm pretty disappointed...I really felt I was going to do better this time, especially in the quant section, but I ended up doing worse than last time. I'm not sure what to do now. I think this is more a blow to my ego than anything else, I never had to try when it came to tests, I was just good at them and this time I really tried. I will write a proper debrief later after I get over being upset, but now I'm just looking for some perspective.

I was only planning on applying to 2 schools in R1 (Kellogg and Duke) since those were the only two applications I would be able to get done in time with GMAT study. I was also planning to apply to Stanford, Berkeley, and Booth in R2. With my quant score so low, is it even worth it to apply? I know GMAT is only one factor, but I want to feel I have the best chance possible, and right now I don't. I don't think I have any other weaknesses on my application besides the lack of math skills, good gpa, work experience, EC's, clear professional goals and I know my essays are going to be good but I am still considering taking it a 3rd time. That would mean I have to apply to all in R2 and spend a significant amount of time continuing to study. I feel I can make the time to finish all applications and study more before then, I just don't know if I can handle the disappointment if I fail to do better next time and was looking forward to having all this behind me. Any advice?

aries · Answer

Give it another shot....I am sure you can improve with the experience. All The Best.

Financier · Answer

By any means retake The Test.

whiplash2411 · Answer

I think that you should take everything here with a grain of salt. Think about goals realistically. Going from a 680-690 to a 700+ is not that hard, but you need to make sure that you are focusing your efforts on rectifying your weaknesses and not just replaying your strengths. So for that, you need to ask yourself - where am I going wrong? Is there a realistic chance that I'll do better if I were to retake? What kind of effort will I have to put in to the preparation in order to make my goals realistic?

Answer these questions - assess strengths and weaknesses, focus on a time period of action and see if it's feasible. A 10 point jump is okay, either side. It doesn't matter. It's up to you to decide if you want to stick with this score (and it's a very good score nonetheless) or if you want to retake (after assessing risks and rewards).

Keep one thing in mind - Don't get dejected because every other debrief is a 700+. That's because most people who score lower don't write to share their experiences. Your score is not bad. If you feel that it could be better and you're willing to take the risks associated with the preparation and postponement to the next round, then you should do it. But this is something only YOU can decide. And until you can, treat all opinions expressed here, including mine as mere opinions. Not as the final word.

Hope this helps.

Financier · Answer

Whiplash2411 ,
You are right that whatever he decides he should decide HIMSELF and that 680 is agood score, but I just want to point out one thing:
Even the most professional MBA consultants keep saying that 680 and 710 make big difference for every school (other things being equal).

Very true, Financier. But at the same time one must estimate his/her skills efficiently, given the time and effort that you can afford to put in to improve your score. And I think in her situation it would definitely be better to accentuate her experiences and expertise and form a better application with this good score, than take the risk for getting a greater score but ending up with a not-so-great score.

And like I said, it's up to her to evaluate the risks and rewards.

kissthegmat · Answer

690 is great score and I think with this score and strong apps you can go to any school.

Michmax3 · Answer

Thanks guys...I'm feeling a bit better about it now. The school only takes the higher score right?

I've heard from many people that a 690 won't automatically get you in the reject pile, you will still get a further look at the rest of your application, which I feel is pretty good. Plus I'm somewhat hoping that being in marketing (really strong work experience) and female might slightly work in my favor. I think my plan is to continue to submit R1 applications for Duke and Kellogg (these schools seemed to be less GMAT score focused to me anyway, not sure if I'm correct in that), then work on my R2 applications and if after I am close to finishing them have a few weeks left or more until deadlines, decide to try again.

Michmax3 · Answer

This is so true...I have to remember to not let others scores depress me, It's hard to control the perfectionist in me.

supereco87 · Answer

maybe at your second time you had worse circumstances like you were more unlucky, more nervous, less concentrated and motivated!! maybe the second time you underestimated the test expecting a higher score than at the first try...i am sure you didn t loose smartness;-)
good luck

lfa · Answer

The same exact thing happened to me. I got a 690 the first time, 48Q 39V (got sleepy by the time I got to verbal since I couldn't sleep the night before) (ie never take an 8am!). 4 months after that I got a 680, 42Q 41V.

I wish schools would just take your 2 highest subsection scores. But then again, everybody would have a higher score haha.

Anyway, I also decided to retake it again to feel more confident.

Whiplash, loved your comments. Thank you. So true.

Good luck michmax! You're definitely not alone =]

tarn151 · Answer

MichMax3, I'm glad I came about your post. I just took the GMAT for the second time last week and I've found myself in very similar situation to that of yourself, 690 the first time and for the second.... well, I decided to make a post out here like you did and here's my story https://gmatclub.com/forum/690-the-first-time-so-i-take-it-again-here-s-my-story-107528.html :wink:

By the way, I'm planning to apply to the same exact schools that you are. Seriously, the five schools you mentioned are the five that I've had my scores sent to. After reading my post, let me know if you're interested in chatting on strategies for your applications. I'm not applying until next Fall, so we won't be competing anyhow :beat

tarn151 · Answer

One other thing... the post that you see on the right hand side of this forum (550 to 750... How you can)  https://gmatclub.com/forum/post706285.html#p706285  provides some awesome guidance. You should check it out if you haven't already.

Michmax3 · Answer

Wel hopefully I won't have to come back to that...putting the GMAT behind me. I've submitted most of my applications and I've just been really trying to play up my work experience and career goals and hopefully that will be enough to get me in somewhere. I was talking to a consultant who put it in perspective for me. He said the schools have two concerns regarding GMAT, they want to know can you keep up academically and do you bring down our averages, and a really good gpa in school shows you can do well academically and yeah a 690 does bring down their average GMAT a little bit, but the 3.8 brings up their average gpa so as far as numbers go you're a wash, and you will at least get a second look. I liked that, seems to make sense and gave me a bit more confidence to apply. I'll let you know if it works out and happy to help with any tips I can share

tarn151 · Answer

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

In my case, my only concern has been my quant scores. With scores that put me in at an average of 60th percentile in quant, I just can't get it out of my head that it could be a detriment. Being that I'm not applying until next year, I think it's best for me to just give it one more shot.

Like you said, it may not matter at all and my 690's (and hopefully yours as well) may be good enough. Best of luck to you. I'd love to hear how things go.

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