Last visit was: 29 Apr 2026, 21:02 It is currently 29 Apr 2026, 21:02
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
Europe2011
avatar
Joined: 14 May 2010
Last visit: 18 Mar 2015
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
2
Location: US
Concentration: Finance
Schools:Said, Judge, HEC, Cornell, Darden, Columbia, Notre Dame, NYU, Kellog, INSEAD, Emory
GPA: 3.1 overall 3.6 in major GPA
WE 1: Consulting at Big 4
Posts: 7
Kudos: 2
GMAT Disapointment !!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Dec 2011, 11:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have taken the GMAT for the second time and score way below my practice exams. I am applying for round two and wanted to know if you guys believe I should retake it or not.

GMAT Prep: 590
Day before exam: MGMAT 660
Real GMAT: 450

2 months later and after some studying:
MGMAT during study period but no studying for a week: 620
GMAT Prep 1: 560
GMAT Prep 2: 550
Real GMAT: 490

I am usally not a great test taker, but I certainly did not expect scores lower than my lowest practice scores. I have done multiple other practice exams ranging 550s to 600s from MGMAT and GMAT Prep. I need to go to school in Sept 2012 and need to go to a top 20 program. Any thoughts on what to do?

Thanks much.
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 29 Apr 2026
Posts: 43,173
Own Kudos:
83,753
Given Kudos: 24,683
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 43,173
Kudos: 83,753
GMAT Disapointment !!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Dec 2011, 12:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Well... I don't know that you can get into a top 20 with 490 - that may be a tad low.
The 50th percentile is 540 or so.

If you are serious about getting a top 20 program, I would retake and perhaps look into next season as the R2 deadlines are in 2 weeks. So, it is either Non-top 20 this year or Top 20 next year

I would suggest a course or tutoring or something that can effect a change. No need to waste any more $250's on the test.
avatar
slickJ
avatar
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Last visit: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
5
Posts: 11
Kudos: 5
GMAT Disapointment !!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Dec 2011, 12:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I would keep taking it until you get closer to your practice tests.
User avatar
faro
User avatar
Joined: 27 Jul 2011
Last visit: 02 Jan 2018
Posts: 191
Own Kudos:
65
Given Kudos: 85
Location: United States (CA)
Schools: Consortium (A) Stanford '14 (S) Tuck '14 (M) Yale '14 (A) Consortium (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q44 V46
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V44
GPA: 3.49
Schools: Consortium (A) Stanford '14 (S) Tuck '14 (M) Yale '14 (A) Consortium (A)
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V44
Posts: 191
Kudos: 65
GMAT Disapointment !!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Dec 2011, 16:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I would think long and hard about what happened that you were so far below your practice scores. Try to remember what held you back the most and address those issues.

You have to wait 30 days before you can retake, most school's 2nd round deadlines are in January and the 3rd round is tougher to get into. Some schools let you take the GMAT again after applying and give them an update.

I would work on putting togetehr an awesome application, and maybe in the essay for anything else you want to say, explain your score and that you will get it up and will send it in once you do.
User avatar
Belyok
User avatar
Joined: 27 Jun 2011
Last visit: 21 May 2017
Posts: 70
Own Kudos:
9
Given Kudos: 2
Status:INSEAD - Class of July 2013
Location: Moscow, Russia
Concentration: Management of Technology/ General Management
Schools:Berkeley Haas, Stanford, MIT Sloan, INSEADw/$$
GPA: 3.9
WE 1: Five years in hi-tech in sales/marketing roles
Posts: 70
Kudos: 9
GMAT Disapointment !!!!!!!!!!!! 30 Dec 2011, 23:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The main advise would be not to go to the real test before you start getting at least 680 on a regular basis on your practice tests. A score below 680-690 will not get you to the top 20 programs, so it would be just another waist of money.
If I were you, I would consider private tutoring and retake.
Moderator:
bb
Founder
43173 posts