720 on the GMAT today - best V ever, worst Q ever

Question

I completed the GMAT today for the first time. I did four pratice tests (Kaplan, Manhattan, GMATPrep, PR) during the last two weeks, and the strange thing with today's result was that I scored better than ever on the verbal (97 %) but worse than ever on the quantitative (78 %). On the pratice tests, I usually scored better on the quantitative part, and I was never below 90 % on that part. Therefore, I'm very dissapointed with the quantitative result. I got in trouble with the time and had to rush through the last 6-7 questions, which probably hurt me a lot. However, overall, the result was just as good as I hoped (720). 

My background is very strong in quantitative areas, having completed a MSc in Engineering + work experience in related fields. Is there any reason for me to re-take the exam to get a better score on the Q-part? Do the business schools look more at the overall score or on the individual parts?

bmwhype2 · Answer

if there is no deadline, i personally would retake.

emoryhopeful · Answer

I think you're golden. 720 is a great score. Plus, you have a quant heavy background so your quant score won't mean very much. You're fine, onto the next stage.

asdert · Answer

what were your scores on the cats?

rajpdsouza · Answer

I think it's a bad idea to retake. You have a strong quant background so adcom know you can handle the work. It's only people like me (BA in Psychology) that they care about quant scores for. :lol:

BCC145 · Answer

Congrats! 720 is a great score.

As for retaking, I would say depends on your background. If you are from a super-competitive applicant pool (e.g., Indian/Male/IT) then you might want to consider retake (and I don't mean to offense anyone here please). Otherwise, apply away!

I echo other posts here that your Q score won't be a problem. You are already proven in this area with your MSc E and work experience.

tennisgurun · Answer

Thanks a lot! After a good nights sleep, I am starting to feel very good about this score and I'm ready to get on with the next step.

I have some advice for future test-takers (especially those with SC problems): 

On the first practice test I did, I had most difficulties on the sentence correction part. I posted a comment about that here and was recommended to read the Manhattan Sentence Correction book. A few days later, I ordered the book from Amazon. I didn't have a lot of time so I just read it through once. But it surely did wonders to my ability to spot mistakes on the SC-part. When I was doing the test yesterday, it felt as if the SC-part was the least difficult part of the test. Almost right away, I could eliminate three of the answers and just concentrate on two of them. I am sure the increased ability on SC-questions is what took my Verbal score to a new level. Good luck to the rest of you!

Darden2010 · Answer

Hey tennisgurun, what are your raw scores for quant and verbal? My score is also not balanced, but the other way arond

I got 49 Q and 36 V

tennisgurun · Answer

I got 45 Q and 43 V. Sounds pretty balanced by those numbers, but not looking at the percentiles...

Darden2010 · Answer

ok so this balancing thing is a no win situation
If you have balanced raw scores you have unbalanced percentiles, and if you have balanced percentiles you have ublanaced raw score.

for example I have somewhat balanced percentiles but unbalanced raw, while you have really balanced raw but unbalanced percentiles

)

... funny

) ... funny

antihero · Answer

tennisguru, my score is almost exactly the same as yours. I scored 45q and 45v which put me in 77% and 98% precentile respectively. I also have a math heavy background with Bachelors and CS and Minor in Math.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

720 on the GMAT today - best V ever, worst Q ever

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards