Embarrased: Should I Apply With a Low GMAT? (470 & 460)

Question

Before I begin, I'd say I am pretty embarrassed about my performances on the GMAT.

I took it twice, and on both attempts I got 470 and 460. I can provide excuses such as that I was preparing while taking courses (as a student), not having enough time and so forth - but these are excuses. I don't know why I get such a low score, I put a lot of effort and I know I am worth more than it. But this is for another topic.

I am applying for MSF programs this January (2020). Most schools require a GMAT score. I am planning on starting my master's degree this coming fall (2021) or the fall after (2022). As an international student, I'd rather apply now, secure a spot on one of the schools, and then look for a job. If I get a job (OPT), I will postpone my admission by a year.

The applications are due by this January. Realistically speaking, I will not be able to improve my GMAT score from a **** 470 to at least 600 in 2 weeks. But my profile is pretty strong regardless: 4.0 GPA, one of the best students at my university, extra-curricular activities, some work experience, and a decent number of scholarships and recognitions.

I am facing a dilemma: I don't want schools to see my awful GMAT and assume that the rest of my profile is worthless. But at the same time, I don't have any other options (unless I find a job for a year that'll allow me to take the exam again).

Any advice? I know it might 'worth' the shot, but I cannot apply with such a horrible score. Even if I end up getting accepted, it will be a badge of shame that I will have to work so hard on fixing.

P.S, don't give up.

Thanks,

David

P.S, don't give up. Thanks, David

plaverbach · Answer

You might try to apply with gre! https://www.gmatninja.com/gre-vs-gmat Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Hi. Sorry about the score. It definitely does not match your capabilities. That's OK. I have seen many people miss the mark on their GMAT. This often infuriates MENSA folks - we had a few with an attitude who were humbled by the GMAT and there was some satisfaction in it, but more improtantly, it was proof that IQ, GMAT, and a lot of other things don't really have that much in common. So while your GMAT is not great, it is not a definition of who you are or what you are capable of. Some admissions directors have this absolute position as they have seen people strugle with standardized tests.

I am also sensitive to your situation with the OPT and finding work out of undergrad. You have a few options:
1. Apply as is - low chances of admission since you would have to present compelling reasons for your score being so low and if the school's average is 100 higher then they will be unwilling to take a hit for their averages. May even not consider you at all if your score is much lower

2. Can you take the GRE? There are a lot of possibilities with GRE with many schools accepting much lower GRE equivalents.

3. What are your feelings about taking the GMAT in Feb/March? Applying to later rounds?

4. Any programs that have gone test optional? Ross, Sloan, and Darden have provided waivers for applicants of BSchools. What about masters?

-BB

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi HWPO
At the outset, we are not critical about your score but by the fact that you are embarrassed by it.
Pls understand just like good days, bad days-there are good scores/score that can be improved.

So, we request you to focus on the following questions:

(1)Do you have a chance to appear in other rounds later for GMAT?
(2)Is there a possibility for you to appear for GRE?
(3)Assessment of your loopholes-Analyze the points that can be given a correction. For example are you fully prepared with the basics or you still keep going back to observe the concept videos/chapters before you solve a question and/or when you find yourself stuck at a question?
(4)How good you are at anxiety and pressure management? Are you able to solve every question under 2-2.5 min with precision?
(5)Have you taken enough mock tests? How have you been performing in them? Have you analyzed your errors?
(6)Have you done the OG?Are you confident that if any question is asked from OG ,you can answer it correctly under 2-2.5 min?
(7)Is your revision up to date?

Once you have assessed the above mentioned, you can have a broad idea of how to restart again. You may think of taking assistance of a mentor. Touching 600 is not impossible in the time limit, when you are aware of where you can fix the issue(if any).
This said, we urge you once again to understand that of all the things in the world, scores are the last things to feel embarrassed of.
If you create a "hawk eye" perspective of the concerns at hand, we are sure you will come out with flying colors and nothing could make us more happy!

Wishing you all the best.

Devmitra Sen

AM3 · Answer

David, thanks for your candour. I resonate with you because I'm in the same position, and I'm sure many more have been here. The responses you get here will help me and many more, so thank you. Shoutout to BB and Devmitra who've already shared some thoughts.

Best,
AM3

HWPO · Answer

First of all, thank you guys for these comments, I really appreciate it! I will try to respond to each one of you. Thank you, BB. I agree with your first paragraph. I don’t think my GMAT score resembles who I am. For instance, I took Calculus without taking Trigonometry before; I learned trig on my own (in two weeks) and was the best student, by far, in my calculus class. I believe the thing about the GMAT is that even though I put in the work and effort, I tend to lose some interest and I simply not good ENOUGH in this type of tests. 1. I feel, as I wrote in my post, that applying with such a low score will have a negative impact on my application. Say I don’t get accepted because of that score, then applying later in the future might be even harder due to that score? (those universities will see how much and whether I have improved, which might not be guaranteed). 2. I was not considering taking the GRE if I’m being honest. I can give it a try but at this point, I feel overall good about my GMAT journey (sounds counterintuitive). I mean, I am eager to crack it. I’ve got a lot of resources already, so many formula sheets I created — it’s there already. I don’t know whether shifting from the GMAT to the GRE will be efficient as I’ll have to start all over again. 3. I cannot apply any later than January, at least not for the schools I want. This is why I am hoping that if I find a job for a year, I can heavily prepare during that year and simply apply. 4. Some master’s programs waive the GAMT, yes. In this case, I am “good” but might not be 100% “good” because the GMAT is yet another measure that can help students get admitted. With that being said, even if I get admitted to some of those schools (that are still pretty recognizable and reputable), I will want to retake the GMAT as I want to see the fruits of my hard work. Thank you for your kind words sir. I will try to answer your questions: 1. As I replied to BB, I probably do not have any chances to appear in other rounds for fall 21’. I am preparing for the GMAT while being a full-time student, so while I said it was an excuse, it’s still pretty not the easiest thing in the world to do so. 2. I will check the GRE, but I feel pretty comfortable with the GMAT regardless of my score. 3. That’s something I might not be doing correctly: I don’t really know how to assess my weaknesses. I keep track of my error log by simply going over questions I got wrong and check whether an improvement has occurred. But I don’t really know how to link a specific question I got wrong to a topic I might be weak at. Does it make sense? I believe this could have greatly helped me. 4. I am slightly nervous, like everyone else, but I am not freaking out. I know how to mentally prepare myself. Obviously, there is a good chance I miss 3-5 questions due to pressure — it’s not something I am extremely worried about. Precision-wise, I feel I might not be the most organized person when it comes to solving a problem. I know 75-80% of the time what the question asks from me, but I sometimes do not know how to put my thoughts on the paper. It might be one of my ‘Achilles heels’. 5. I have not taken many mock tests, no. I was warming up everyday by taking GMAT club quizzes (5 to 10 questions) and then worked on OG question (10-15 questions). Then, if there were questions I didn’t get right, I saved them into my error log, and reviewed those questions on the weekends. I was able to resolve some of them. Those that I still couldn’t solve, I bookmarked under “error logs I am still not able to solve”. I feel my strategy was pretty decent. The last mock test I took before taking my most recent GMAT was pretty nice. I scored 550 and felt awesome. It still wasn’t the greatest score, but I knew I am reaching the 600 mark. 6. I have done many OG questions (2020 version). No, I am certainly not confident I can solve any of them. Shouldn’t it be obvious that we are not “supposed” to be able to solve each and every OG question? I am not trying to run away from responsibility, but I acknowledge that some questions are easier for me and some aren’t. 7. Not sure what you meant, but I try to revise some of the questions I got wrong on the mock test. In general, I keep re-writing formulas and tricks I have learned for better retaining. Say for example that the number of terms from 3 to 45 that are divided by 3 is: (45-3)/3 + 1 = 15. I will keep re-writing the equation for this a couple of times every now and then, to keep it fresh in my mind. I do it with at least 25-30 other equations. And again guys, whoever reads this post and relates, simply don’t give UP. You are better than this. I am serious.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

HWPO Hi again! Glad to connect back.

You have provided an elaborated response and we are confident that you must have also realized some key areas to work on(on a broad note). We are happy to provide you the following inputs! (1)On one hand we shall suggest you to leave no stone unturned and think through GRE as well and on the other hand, if you make up your mind to appear for GMAT only then we suggest you to pull up the gears and improve on all the aspects and full proof a target score. (2)You have mentioned it yourself "I might not be doing correctly: I don’t really know how to assess my weaknesses." You have also mentioned that you have taken the GMAT twice and you are yet to secure your target score. We suggest you take help of a mentor - anyone you feel and know are reliable and can guide you by analyzing your scores professionally. You have increased chances of knowing exactly where you need the guidance and hand holding. (3)You also mentioned "Precision-wise, I feel I might not be the most organized person when it comes to solving a problem." You may miss a few of the higher/advanced level questions but if the precision factor is not taken care of well in the easy/medium levels i t shall affect your score by a big margin. Hence accuracy and accuracy under pressure are key notes of a perfect delivery . (4)You take the daily quizzes and it is appreciable. However mocks give your mental senses a simulated testing atmosphere . When you do well, you feel confident and get the boost in the next mock and if you falter somewhere, you can analyze where you need to find the ground. Either ways, taking mocks is essential to full proof your prep. It keeps you on your toes and makes you feel on the line always. Hence we suggest you with all our experience to not negotiate with taking mocks on a fixed schedule and most importantly analyzing them . (5)You mentioned about the OG. You also mentioned some questions are easier for me and some aren’t.! And we totally understand this! That is the scheme of the OG. Having said that, it is those questions that are your speed breakers where you can go through and train your brain to think on. The more you think to figure out solution, the more your mind stays tuned to find solutions and look for them at the right data points. . So we suggest, practice-think on the speed breakers-Repeat on a loop . Exercise the brain cells there!

(6) You have mentioned I keep re-writing formulas and tricks I have learned for better retaining . That's amazing!! It is essential. We can suggest you here to organize this review/revision day and make sure that a weeks/half a week's work is revised on this day! Make it a habit to NEVER skip the Revision Day. Now that you know , you are not alone and you certainly have no reason to be embarrased of.. Gear up and REBOOT for a better, fun and target oriented journey. We wait to hear you clearing the GMAT and taking admission in your envisioned B-School!

Thanking You Miss Devmitra Sen(Math)

HWPO · Answer

Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I'd like to ask how I am supposed to evaluate my weaknesses? I keep track of my error log, but if I start going over each and every question I solved wrong in order to understand what I am doing wrong - I will not progress. That being said, I am not lazy, and I do try to understand what I am doing wrong, but it seems so easy to say 'evaluate your weaknesses'. Any practical example, please?

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey  HWPO ,

Before I start with the question and therefore your profile evaluation, I’d like to clarify that other than the GMAT score and GPA, there are lots of factors like your undergraduate specialization, extracurriculars, field of professional career, and achievements, that play an important role in securing an admission in a specialized masters program like MSF, since most schools prefer applicants with a relevant academic background or work experience in finance
That said, you have provided limited information for me to give you an accurate estimation of your chance acceptance in the top schools. Nevertheless, let’s begin with your profile evaluation.

Academically, your undergraduate GPA of a perfect 4.0 showcases your academic prowess which coupled with your international exposure will help differentiate you from the crowd. Moreover, the aforementioned scholarships and recognitions will further manifest your mastery in your academic specialization.

As far as your extracurriculars are concerned, you will need to highlight any endeavors that you took part in which showcase your ability to spearhead initiatives, impact others, and empathize with other people. B-schools are looking for applicants that are future leaders and highlighting such experiences and qualities will most certainly vouch for your abilities and thus strengthen your application.

Moving on to your work experience, you will need to highlight the major projects that you undertook and the relevant set of proficiencies that this experience helped you develop. Since for specialized programs like MSF, if your prior professional experience is related to the field of finance, it will add value to your profile and thus differentiate you from the cohort. Moreover, you will be competing against other applicants with extensive work experience hailing from the big four firms, therefore you will need to have strong brands present in your CV. If in case you don’t, then you will need to highlight why you chose these firms, how you have gone beyond the role, any initiatives you took, and any kind of impact created to showcase a strong profile.

Coming to your GMAT, an overall score of 470 is on the lower end, and therefore I would advise you to target schools that do not require GMAT or are waiving off the GMAT due to the present COVID-19 scenario.

Some of the top schools offering a waiver at the moment are - Northeastern, Fordham, Michigan Ross, UC Irvine, Imperial, Cass, and IESEG.

Having said that, if you want to know more about where you stand amongst the competition schools you can be targeting, you can take up a FREE Profile Evaluation that will give you a more accurate and personalized suggestion based on your inputs.

Click on the link below to avail your free evaluation:

https://www.mim-essay.com/profile-evaluation/  
 
Hope this helped!

Embarrased: Should I Apply With a Low GMAT? (470 & 460)

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