bartthecartoon wrote:
I recently took the GMAT and after very little prep I got a 710 (42V, 45Q, 5.5AWA). My only prep consisted of an outdated GMAT prep book which my school's library had for free use online, and I only studied for a couple of weeks. I am certain that I could do better with better materials and with more effort on my part, but I'm wondering if I should bother?
I know that my quant score was a little weak, but perhaps my undergraduate education can supplement that? I go to a large state university and have a 3.9 GPA (finishing a 2 degree, 5 year program in 3 years), in the honors program with a triple major in finance, economics, and managerial economics (with enough accounting electives to take the CPA exam). On top of that I have taken some quantitative classes which I believe demonstrate my ability to handle the coursework of an MBA program: calc 1, 2, 3, linear algebra.
I'm just wondering if it would be worth the additional time and cost to take the GMAT again? I almost feel like my time and money would be better spent on becoming a CPA or CFA.
Sooo.... basic math rules have not changed in a realllyyyyyy long time... neither have SC rules. Outdated book is hardly to blame for your "poor score" ... To be perfectly honest if a school is going to accept or deny their deciding factor is unlikely to be your GMAT score. 710 vs 750 in the eyes of an adcom is esentially the same from what I have heard.
CPA is a minimum 6 month ordeal. I passed all 4 parts in the first try and scored above 80%. Its not a tricky exam unlike the GMAT. You have 4 books you basically need to memorize and you take the exam. The books contain a lot of content and they require a lot of time to get through them and understand memorize and apply the content.
I cannot speak to the CFA but my friends that are taking it are struggling. So I would say its a similar ordeal where you need to invest a lot of time.
From what I can see you may be focusing your efforts in the wrong area. You look strong academically. Your GMAT score is high. What about work experience? Or extra curriculars? Maybe you should focus your efforts there instead if you happen to be light on them.
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28 Jan 2012, 13:22
