Admission/Cancelling the score/Retaking the exam

Question

Friends,

I took the GMAT yesterday and I scored 660 (Q44, V38), a result that is disappointing for me. My recent mocks range from 680 to 720 and I feel deep down that I can reach the 700 mark, which is my goal. Surely, there is room for improvement in Quant since I was getting 46-49 in those latest mocks.

I am going to apply for master's degree at:

- Bocconi (CEMS MIM or Finance)
- St. Gallen (SIM or Finance)
- Erasmus Rotterdam (CEMS MIM)

The average GMAT results for those B-Schools are +/- 700.

I believe my overall profile is quite good because I have business experience (8 months in VC), comprehensive engagement in extracurricular activities at my university and international background (bachelor's at Warsaw School of Economics, exchange at the National University of Singapore).

Do you think I should cancel the 660 result and retake the GMAT in 2 weeks?

Thanks!

sivatx2 · Answer

If you know your weak areas in Quant, yes, in two weeks, you'll achieve the desired score, by practicing those areas. Do you where you're weak, or which questions were difficult for you to answer in the exams? You may check your ESR. If you are not planning to attempt more than few attempts, you don't have to cancel your score.

sritamasia · Answer

Do not CANCEL the score. Keep it as is.
Take the GMAT once again surely because you're applying to dream schools. 
If incase your GMAT score does not improve(God forbid) then you should consider applying to the schools with the current score or even applying to a few lower-ranked schools. Do not worry too much about Average scores because the word Average has a reason. If I were you(from Poland with such a profile), I would put extra effort into my applications.

All the best!

Admissionado · Answer

konrado00 :

Why not keep this score AND retake the exam in 2 weeks?

This way you at least have the 660 banked (even if it's not meeting your potential) and then you'll have one more chance at crossing that 700 threshold, or at the very least a slightly higher score.

I am not an expert but I believe these programs will likely consider your highest score as that's most beneficial for them and you.

Obviously get other opinions, but it sounds like you'll always wonder "what if" if you don't take the exam again, independent of whether you keep your 660.

Good luck,
Admissionado

konrado00 · Answer

I was thinking about cancelling my score, retaking the exam and in case the retake goes badly (e.g. 650), I would not accept the new results. Afterwards, I would retrieve the 660 score and apply with this score to those universities.

Is it possible and does it make sense?

Thank you for extremely informative answers!

Posted from my mobile device

Is it possible and does it make sense?

Thank you for extremely informative answers!

Posted from my mobile device

crispychicken · Answer

Why would you cancel it? It's a decent score. It plays no negative role in your retake.

If you retake in two weeks and you score higher, you demonstrate a drive to improve.

If you score lower, then you're gonna hate that you cancelled it.

If you end up not being able to get your new score in time, you're going to hate it even more.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi konrado00

You're correct that you can un-cancel the score but 660 is nothing you need to hide.

About your retake, you really need to get a proper assessment of why your score (especially quant) is below your target level. Most likely, it's due to Test Taking Skills (not concept gaps). The key is that just doing practice problems isn't going to efficiently surface your gaps and allow you to tackle them.

We offer a FREE Testing Simulation Assessment Session (live in a practice test with a Performance Coach). You'll get all the critical answers you need about what your true gaps are (and also an option for coaching to directly target them in just a few hours -- allowing you to hit upcoming deadlines for R2)

konrado00 · Answer

I am straight after the retake. I managed to score 680 (Q47, V35), so there is progress. Nevertheless, I am quite disappointed because I did not reach my goal and I performed worse than usually in verbal.

Does anyone know whether 680 is a satisfactory result for the master's degree at:

- Bocconi (CEMS MIM or Finance),
- St. Gallen (SIM or Finance),
- Erasmus Rotterdam (CEMS MIM)?

AdeftConsulting1 · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question, your 660 is descent score, your experience is quite good, you need not to cancel your score, we would suggest you now you know your areas of improvement you should work upon it and retake the exam, focus on hard and smart work and I believe efforts never gone vain. Or if in any case your score doesn’t improve then nothing to worry You have a series of things to concentrate, you have to stress that now you need to Build the profile, get your strategy aligned with the right course/college, ensure your profile adds to your short term and long term goal.

Hope, this is informative answer for you, if you are still unsure we are happy to chat with you further
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvpEReMgpX4

Admission/Cancelling the score/Retaking the exam

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