Early Career Candidate - Help Pls

Question

I received a 710 (49Q, 38V) on the GMAT yesterday.

I'm a senior at a top-5 USNWR non-ivy university with around a 3.5 GPA in economics. I'll be entering economic consulting after graduation, which I intend on doing for 2-3 years and then returning to b-school. I've also taken the introductory accounting class for MBA students at my school's b-school (one of the M7) since undergrads are allowed to do so and received an A. I should also add that I'm an Asian-American male if that changes anything.

Right now I'm wondering if I should retake the GMAT to try to improve my verbal. Is a 710 is more of a "check a box" kind of deal for the M7 schools?

Admissionado · Answer

Well with a 710 which is high enough to be good for any school (even if it wont knock their socks off) the question is: Can you get higher? And how much effort will it take you to do so? If you think you can get even 20-30 points higher, then sure. Go for it. I mean why not??? It can only help. And average GMAT scores go up every year. So every little bit helps.

Cheers,
Jon

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

710 is certainly a good score, but if you look at the ever rising scores for the top programs pursuing a higher score will only help you especially considering your demographic. You have the time and probably the aptitude so I would try aim tim improve your score a bit more to maximize your competitiveness and try to kick butt every day at work. This will be an important factor as well come application season

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Vatreni,

It's good to see you are starting out early. The question you pose however is rarely answered in isolation - GMAT is just one factor in your profile. Given your background though, it may have a bit more impact.

We've created a  Profile Builder package  for folks in exactly the situation you are facing. So check it out.

Cheers,

CriticalSquare · Answer

I'd recommend giving it another shot before you start working full-time especially if you've only taken it once or, as Jon mentioned, you're confident you can do better based on practice test results. Check out some tips on the GMAT offered by our friends at The Economist  here .

ARINGO · Answer

Hello vatreni, As an early career candidate you might want to consider programs that allow deferred enrollment - https://aringo.com/Deferred-Enrollment/ If you can improve your GMAT, that would definitely help. Good luck!

VeritasPrepEdison · Answer

Hi Vatreni,

As most have advised, if you can easily improve your GMAT score, you should retake it. Given that you are taking up classes, I believe it will be easier for you to do so compared with applicants who have been out school for a longer time.

Aside from this, try to get involved with leadership/teamwork opportunities at work and outside. Doing so in an international setting can only help. These will enrich your experiences and also your profile.

All the best!
Edison

WyseGyde · Answer

Vatreni,

It's a real luxury that you're thinking about this so far ahead of time.

When considering retaking the GMAT, ask yourself these three questions:

1)  Would retaking the exam help?  - Moving from a 760 to a 780 might not make much of a difference, but in your case moving from a 710 to a 730 or higher for the M7 schools you're targeting could prove significant.

2)  Do I have time?  - For people retaking the exam shortly before an application deadline, they have to consider whether to trade time spent on their application in exchange for GMAT prep time. You are so far ahead of the curve that you definitely seem to have time.

3)  Can you do better?  - You certainly seem confident that you can do better. And if you were ever rejected by a program while you thought you could do better on the GMAT but didn't retake it, you may always have those "what if" questions following you.

Good luck as you continue down this path and please let us know if we can help you in any other way.

Jason
 https://www.WyseGyde.com

vatreni · Answer

Thanks for the advice squad.

Retook it last week with minimal prep the two days before because I was swamped with work and upped to a 730 (48Q, 42V). Just glad I hadn't majorly forgotten stuff, and I don't think it's really worth retaking it now.

VeritasPrepEdison · Answer

Thank you for the update. Wish you all the best going forward!

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