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5 years
India
2025
Female
Score: 650 GMAT Classic
Pre-MBA industry: Other
Post-MBA industry: Other
ISB
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
2 years ago
6 Aug 2023 09:08
2 years ago
6 Aug 2023 09:08
25 years old female based out of Mumbai, India

Completed Bachelors in Management Studies in 2018 and have cleared CFA L2 exam

I’ve worked in following roles
1. Information specialist at an MNC (backend IB) for one year
2. Buy side equity research analyst at an AIF for 2.5 years
3. Currently business valuations associate at a Big4 firm (have been working here since 15 months)

Post MBA I’d like to work in buy side equity research or private equity (i.e., a role that focuses on core research).

I’m keen on pursuing MBA from ISB and I currently have a GMAT score of 650 but I’m working towards attaining a score above 700. However, I’m facing major blocks with achieving my target score. I’d really appreciate if an expert could guide me on the way ahead.
Comments 2 comments
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2 years ago
06 Aug 2023, 14:26
Congrats on having a Big4 brand on your resume and getting CFA L2. Surprisingly I have seen many CFA folks struggle with GMAT. I think that's in part due to difference in timing? I can't really say why as I have not taken CFA but I have seen many strong CFA candidates get bogged down with the GMAT.

Looking at the averages at ISB, I think you want to bump yourself up a bit higher. It is somewhat hard to give you pointers for the GMAT - are you struggling with arithmetic or comparisons. I would suggest figuring out your weaknesses and then looking specific area help and posting it in the forum as you will get much better answers with more actionable advice.

-BB
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2 years ago
11 Aug 2023, 10:58
Have come across quite a few candidates like you who have spectacular profiles but tend to struggle on the GMAT. If you feel that you have hit a plateau (a common phenomenon with a lot of the test takers) think about swapping the GMAT with the GRE as that can be a better bet from a score point of view. I have seen multiple candidates bomb on the GMAT and eventually go on to kill it in the GRE. Give it a serious thought and let me know how it works out for you? Would love to hear your experience as this is an active and developing topic.