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Hi Advait08, I have the same questions as you. Did you manage to get an answer? Posted from my mobile device

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Timosius

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Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A)

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28 Aug 2020, 07:27

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Hi Timosius,

On the surface, your profile looks very competitive and quantitative. Insead puts great stress on international experience and from this angle, you seem to have a great shot at the school. For your concern about GMAT score, you have got a perfect score in your college and with a quantitative background, it does not seem much of a problem. Also, if this helps you comfort, we have recently helped a candidate, with a 670 gmat, get invited to Insead interview(awaiting results) and that too in R3! So, you stand a fair chance at the schools considering all these aspects. Having said that, if you feel you have the potential of doing better, you should go for retake, because as it goes, the higher, the better (maybe you want to work on your calmness because you are doing good at mocks and may want to reach your potential). You are welcome to hop on a call with us for any of your concerns, we are here to help you

Feel free to book a free session with us as per your convenience.

Cheers!
Kashish Garg
Community Manager, MBA and Beyond

On behalf of
Shantanu Sharma, INSEAD Alumnus
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Timosius

Hi all,

I am applying for the September 2021 intake. Preferably, I would like to apply for Round 1 (deadline: 11 September).

Recently I have taken the GMAT and scored a 690 (Q44/V41). Whilst I scored Q48/Q49 on the practice tests, something about taking the actual test makes me nervous. As a result, I made some silly mistakes in the quantitative section, resulting in a lower score. Would you advise me to retake the GMAT to aim for a higher quantitative score? I am a tad bit frightened that the quantitative score can be a dealbreaker, even though I have a highly quantitative background.

Background: I am 28 years old and from Western Europe. Graduate degree in Engineering (4.0 GPA). Whilst studying at the university, I had my own retail company for 5 years. Since graduating, I have worked as a Strategy Consultant for 2.5 years (highly focused on analytics) at a large well-known consulting firm. Furthermore, I have a high degree of international experience (worked and lived in South Africa for 6 months; worked on projects in the United States, United Kingdom and Serbia; briefly studied in London; travelled to around 30 countries in South-East Asia, South America and Europe).

Thank you for your analysis. Much appreciated! I will probably book another session in that case.

Advaintage

Joined: 20 Jan 2015

Last visit: 20 Oct 2021

Posts: 32

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Location: Singapore

Concentration: Technology, Marketing

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 610 Q44 V30 Verified score

GMAT 3: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

GMAT 4: 680 Q49 V34 Verified score

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

Products:

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

Posts: 32

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04 Nov 2020, 09:57

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Hi,
I am in the process of writing the INSEAD MBA application for R2 and have a couple of questions for INSEADadmissions.
1. In the International exposure section, there is a need to fill in end date for the program, and that does not exceed the current date. However, I am currently working full time at international location, and will quit my job only if and when I am joining INSEAD. What should be the end date I should write?
2. What are the certificates INSEAD expects under 'Results and certificates' part for Supporting Documents section? (Do we attach our degree certificates here)

I know these are slightly technical questions, but appreciate your help.

Regards,
Advait

aushmanchowdhury

Current Student

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Schools: ISB '23 (A) Fuqua '24 (WD) Darden '24 (A) Tuck '24 (D) Tepper '24 (WL)

GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V40 Verified score

GPA: 3.8

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13 Jan 2021, 00:13

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Hello,

Also I have done my undergrad in a University in India for 4 years where the language of instruction was English. Do I need a TOEFL score in this case?

Regards,
Aushman

Advaintage

Joined: 20 Jan 2015

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Location: Singapore

Concentration: Technology, Marketing

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 610 Q44 V30 Verified score

GMAT 3: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

GMAT 4: 680 Q49 V34 Verified score

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

Products:

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

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13 Jan 2021, 00:16

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No, you dont. Ensure the college transcript explicitly calls out that the medium of instruction was English

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cmldps

Joined: 24 Apr 2014

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13 Jan 2021, 00:24

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Hi Advait08,
I have the same questions as you. Did you manage to get an answer?

Advait08

Posted from my mobile device

Advaintage

Joined: 20 Jan 2015

Last visit: 20 Oct 2021

Posts: 32

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Given Kudos: 65

Location: Singapore

Concentration: Technology, Marketing

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 610 Q44 V30 Verified score

GMAT 3: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

GMAT 4: 680 Q49 V34 Verified score

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

Products:

Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (A) Kellogg '23 (WL) Ross '23 (WL) Sloan '23 (D) Stanford '23 (D) Booth '23 (D)

GMAT 5: 760 Q50 V41 (Online) Verified score

Posts: 32

Kudos: 97

13 Jan 2021, 00:28

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I didnt get an answer, so I juat filled in the latest available date.
Under certficates section, therea is nothing called out explicitly, so you may use it as per your liking.

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cmldps

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13 Jan 2021, 04:01

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Thanks! I will do the same then.

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Neham406

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18 Jan 2021, 10:26

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Hi, i wish to understand if i should retake my GMAT or current profile and score is competitive enough for admissions and scholarships?
I have 690 (Q 47, V37). Female, CA and IFRs diploma. I have been working in hong kong for 3 years now. Have almost 6 years of work experience- 3 years india and rest in hong kong. Have been working with a very diverse community. Strong academic background: CA final rank, Gpa of 3.7 in SRCC, DU and High school topper.
I wish to apply for january 2022 intake so not sure if have enough time for a gmat retake.
Thank you.

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MBAandBeyond

MBA and Beyond Consulting

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22 Jan 2021, 03:04

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Hi Neham406,

From the details you've provided, your profile looks quite competitive. Your academic background does exhibit a high potential in you and your undergrad institution is one of the most reputed ones in the country. Therefore, a low GMAT may not have a very adverse impact on your profile.

I do not have any detail of your work-ex, the leadership experiences and your impact which are some of the most important criterias. But you do tick the box of international experience and diversity (as you've worked with a diverse community) which INSEAD stresses on. So, assuming you have all the aspects very strong, you may not need to take GMAT.

Also, if it comforts you, we have, in the last year, converted a candidate with a 670 GMAT score in the third round of INSEAD. So, you need to work extensively on the story you're going to project and on digging in deep your fit to INSEAD. If you want a better opinion over this, we would love to connect with you and hear your story. Feel free to connect with me as per your convenience.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma, Linkedin
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Testimonials
Email: shantanu@mbaandbeyond.com
What s app: +65-97158525

Neham406

My3Mac

Joined: 06 Jun 2020

Last visit: 05 Nov 2021

Posts: 7

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Location: India

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V39 Verified score

GPA: 3.19

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GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V39 Verified score

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22 Jan 2021, 03:23

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Hi,

I'm an insead aspirant and plan to apply in round 1 for Jan 2022 intake. I'm a career switcher (from finance to consulting). I will have 8.5 years of work ex as on matriculation and my GMAT score is 730 (Q50 V39). I work for Moody's as a credit analyst and interact with internal international teams but I don't have any international work ex.

I already have MBA from an Indian bschool (NMIMS Mumbai) where I was in the top 10% of the class.

MBAandBeyond wanted your opinion on my profile.

Thank you😁

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MBAandBeyond

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27 Jan 2021, 00:02

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Hi My3Mac,

First of all congratulations on scoring 730 in GMAT.

It’s difficult to evaluate your profile on limited details you shared on your profile description. I would love to do more valuable analysis for you but for that, I would need you to share more information about your work experience.

To give you some more context, INSEAD looks for the following attributes in your application:

1) Ability to contribute
2) Leadership skills
3) International Motivation
4) Academics

The plus point is you have a strong GMAT score and a big brand in your CV. Also, when INSEAD says it looks for international motivation in your application, it nowhere implies that you need to step out of the borders and live abroad. What it means is you should have global awareness which needs to be reflected in your life aspirations. Exhibit the experiential examples in your profile so that the aforementioned attributes can be reflected from your profile. I believe your 8.5 years of experience will definitely help you dig some interesting stories that can help you stand out from the crowd.

But, a career switch after almost 8 years of work-ex can make your profile unreasonable to a full-time MBA. I am keen to know the motivations behind your goal of switching to consulting. Also as you are doing your second MBA, you have to put forth substantiate and persuasive reasons to adcoms as to how this MBA from Insead makes sense for you.

Happy to evaluate deeper once you share more details. Alternatively, if you’d like I am happy to hop on a call with you sometimes this week to discuss your profile in further detail. Feel free to book a free session with us as per your convenience.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma, Linkedin
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Testimonials
Email: shantanu@mbaandbeyond.com
What s app: +65-97158525

My3Mac

Raphi

Joined: 26 Sep 2013

Last visit: 14 Jul 2021

Posts: 16

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Location: United Kingdom

Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.9

Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

Posts: 16

Kudos: 8

25 Feb 2021, 09:20

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Hi everyone,

Following my GMAT score of 740 (Q48 with 67% percentile hopefully doesn't disqualify me...) I'm on the home stretch of finalizing my application. Super excited and hopeful, though some work left to do.

I'd appreciate any input on the following

- The two referees I'm 'recruiting' are both ex-bosses. One of whom just left my current firm very recently, so that person's not my direct boss any longer --> would this be considered a sufficient 'current' referee? This person was an MD and is a luminary in the market and I'm banking heavily on their very positive feedback - unfortunately, since they've left while I have a very good standing at my firm I just feel that no one else has worked closely enough and long enough with me to give this input.
When have they left? technically about six months ago, but due to gardening leave it looks like it's been more recently.

Raphi

Joined: 26 Sep 2013

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Location: United Kingdom

Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

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Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

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03 Mar 2021, 05:21

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Answering my own question here - I checked with INSEAD directly already. As long as the referee was a supervisor within 6 months of the application they typically accept this as equivalent to 'current.'

MBAPrepCoach

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03 Mar 2021, 12:04

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Excellent ralphi thank you so much for researching that and sharing it with the group. By the way, regarding the 67%, I am a little worried because they state their minimum standards as 70-75%; if retaking the exam is out of the question, I would recommend that you do MBA Math to give them enough security that you will be able to keep up with the breakneck pace of the course. You might even mention t his is your plan and see if you get a hot or cold response.

Raphi

Raphi

Joined: 26 Sep 2013

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Location: United Kingdom

Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.9

Schools: INSEAD Jan 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

Posts: 16

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03 Mar 2021, 12:39

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Now you have me more worried than I was before

.

I could definitely get more (I missed a few I could have usually solved because of the proctors interruptions and stress and was scoring higher on Q in prep). I was quite conscious it's not above the 70% threshold and INSEAD cares about the balance heavily. I was strongly hoping that because I went from 640 - 740, because my GPA (including exchanges at top universities) is quite high, and because I'm 67% (vs. 50%), so not way off, this should not be a major weakness.

Would appreciate additional opinions on this (even if these also are I should consider re-taking...)

hykhan

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Location: Canada

Concentration: Healthcare, Entrepreneurship

Schools: Judge '23 (M$) INSEAD Aug 22 intake (A)

GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V39 Verified score

GMAT 2: 720 Q48 V41 Verified score

GPA: 2.8

WE:Project Management (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)

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03 Mar 2021, 12:47

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Raphi

Now you have me more worried than I was before

Will INSEAD still keep the 75% requirement for Quant? I would imagine they would be a little bit lenient considering the competition is just that much tougher specifically in Quant. If your verbal is high, and the rest of your profile looks good, I'd be hopeful they would look over it.

Based on what I've seen in the past on here/other forums, sometimes the admission officer can come back and subtly hint that you need to raise your score etc.

MBAPrepCoach

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Farrell Nelson: MBA

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03 Mar 2021, 12:55

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Sorry Raphi my objective is not to worry you, but to help you get into INSEAD. If you can retake do so, if not, do MBA Math at minimum and really really articulate the diversity you would bring to the class. Given that application volumes are high right now, you will face competition from those with a similar profile but a better test score. If you can set yourself apart successfully from a diversity standpoint, there will be less upwards pressure on your test score but you still need to meet minimum standards for them to feel reassured that you will be successful in the classroom. Make sure to highlight evidence of quant readiness in addl info (grades, CFA)

Raphi

Now you have me more worried than I was before

flick150

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16 Apr 2021, 21:41

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Hi

The INSEAD application contains the following sentence:

In cases where applicants have taken a test more than once, or have taken both the GMAT and the GRE test, they must report all valid scores as part of the application.

I've taken the test multiple times but have seen very marginal improvement in my scores. Is it mandatory that I submit the scores for all the tests that I've taken?

tinytiger

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16 Apr 2021, 21:47

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flick150

Yes you do, some say it’s a bit of a sly move by INSEAD but you should submit all official scores you’ve gotten, unless you’ve cancelled some of those scores.

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02 Sep 2023, 04:33

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