fydrmd wrote:
Hi Everyone!! Just finished my 2nd attempt today and wanted to reach out for advice regarding my scores. Much to my dismay, there was no improvement and I still scored the same thing - 710 - on this 2nd attempt.
1st Attempt: 710 - V44 Q44 IR5 AWA6
2nd Attempt: 710 - V41 Q46 IR7 (still waiting for AWA)
Not sure if I should cancel my 2nd score since it’s still 710 or if it’s worth keeping since at least my Quant and IR improved? I honestly don’t have time or bandwidth (both mentally, financially, and emotionally haha) for a 3rd retake given my workload. I’m also set on applying for R2 this application cycle but haven’t given much time preparing my essays since I’ve been focused on the GMAT, so I'd like to use the last few months of the year working on the rest of my application.
For context, my background is a bit non-traditional. I'm a licensed MD that pivoted to more upstream within healthcare - I now work in the Strategy and Business Development team of a healthcare holding company. I feel like my academic track record is pretty solid - graduated Magna Cum Laude in undergrad, and scored in the 99th percentile in the national medical admissions test. Since I'm an MD, my work XP is on the shorter side ~ 3 years in total, 4 if you consider my year-long medical internship at the hospital (equivalent to PGY1) as work XP.
Was hoping to at least score around 730 or 740 to make up for my non-traditional background and lack of work experience. I know 710 is not necessarily a bad score but I'm scared that scoring 710 twice will look bad to the AdComs since there's no improvement in the overall score. That said, thinking if I should cancel the 2nd score or not.
Would you guys suggest I cancel my 2nd attempt or keep it? Will it look bad on my application that there was no score improvement and that my verbal went down? Any advice or inputs would be highly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
fydrmd I advise applicants to consider GMAT scores in the quantitative and verbal sections individually. Admissions committees evaluate your performance along with that of your peers (from your demographic group) on a bell curve. For example, a Q49+ score (>75th percentile) is considered borderline elite for overrepresented populations at top business schools. If your quantitative score meets this threshold, the admissions committee is confident that you can handle the academically demanding curriculum.
On the other hand, for native English speakers, a high score on the verbal section works very well with the adcoms as that underscores the applicant has the expected level of acumen in this section. So, if you come from an underrepresented ethnic group, your 710 with a V44 is really solid. Your verbal score is more likely to reflect your ability to participate in discussions in a truly diverse group at schools that place a high value on discussion-based pedagogy. Your interview performance will matter a lot.
Understanding your demographic information such as nationality and work geography would be valuable. Regarding your GMAT score, if you choose not to retake it, your second attempt score should be better, although you must showcase your exceptional verbal performance in the first attempt in the optional essay. To be candid, schools may have reservations about your readiness for quantitative and finance-intensive subjects. Therefore, it's crucial to emphasize the proactive steps you plan to take to prepare for an MBA. It's advisable to work with an expert who understands the concerns admissions committees may have about your profile, despite its distinctiveness, and integrate solutions into your application narrative.
Get candid personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. We do not cap discussion hours with our applicantsAanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
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19 Sep 2023, 05:44
