ds632 wrote:
Hi, I know this may sound absurd to some of you guys here but I'm seriously wondering whether I should retake my GMAT.
As a quick point of introduction, I am a fresh college grad who will be working at a top tier consulting firm (not MBB, but think of OW, Deloitte) starting this fall.
So here's the thing -- my verbal came out to be higher than what I expected/usually got from practice tests, while my Quant was significantly lower. Also, the low IR is kinda alarming as well.
My stats are as follows:
undergrad: lower-tier Ivy (think of Cornell, Brown)
GPA: 3.89
strong ECs
international student, female
While I don't plan to apply to b-schools until a few years later, I just want to get over with GMAT asap before I start work because I don't think I can push myself to study for it while working. With current GMAT score at hand, do you guys think I should retake, esp. to maximize my chances at top b-schools such as HBS/Stanford/Wharton? While I know that 740 isn't a bad score at all, I can't stop thinking that I could've done better in math...
Hi ds632, to ruin the punch line early: I wouldn't retake it. This is a question of looking at the scenarios:
Scenario 1: You score the same or lower. This doesn't help you in any way, and can only hurt you.
Scenario 2: You score higher: Great, but what does a 760 show that a 740 doesn't? Not too much. Sure you could have potentially done better on the math, but let's say you retake it and get a marginally higher score. Do you foresee any situation in which this is a make-or-break decision for a school? The IR doesn't seem to be an issue either, 6 is pretty good!
I think the only way you take this exam again is if you apply to Harvard (or wherever) and they tell you to get a higher score. Otherwise, the GMAT is great, the GPA is great, the profile looks exemplary. I think you're pretty much done.
That being said... if you just want to prove to yourself you can get a higher score... no one will stop you! It's unnecessary but it might just be fun! *Disclaimer: I find this exam much more interesting and fun than most people*
Hope this helps!