gmat retake?

Question

I just finished the gmat and I got a 690. I'm planning to apply for this admissions cycle, so time is limited. Should I retake? Earliest I'd be able to retake is 12/23 or 12/24, and most R2 applications are due by early-mid January (5th-15th)

Here's the breakdown:

Q: 43 (61%)
V: 41 (93%)
Total: 690 (87%)

My primary concern is that my quant is much too low. I was practice-testing between 70 and 80%, so I'm not sure exactly what happened. Do you think that an adcom will see this and reject thinking I can't handle the math in a bschool curriculum?

Schools I'm looking at:
Duke (fuqua)
UNC (kenan flagler)
USC (marshall)
UCLA (andersen)

Thanks

nelz007 · Answer

Great score congrats but from the videos I have watched with various admission consultants giving info they mention an 80/80 split is ideal I think you will have to improve quant to around 80 percentile but you could ask admission consultants to help you out.

ask-admission-consultants-124/?fl=menu

the video links are available here

gmat-club-s-10-years-1-000-000-posts-milestone-learnmore-141955.html

Click +1 kudos if my post helped

working4theman · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

Other items of note:

I worked for 5 years in the IT industry doing software development at a finance firm.

In undergrad majored in IT, but it wasn't engineering - so I only have a couple actual math courses on the transcript. Calc, in which I got a B and Stat (B+). I have a few engineering classes that may LOOK like they're math-y, upper-level econ classes (i minored in Supply Chain) that i got As in.

What do you think?

Admissionado · Answer

I would not suggest retaking in December. First, it will likely not leave you enough time to complete your applications well, which at this point is far more important. Secondly for the schools you suggested, a 690 is pretty good. So, take your shot! and leave the GMAT alone.

working4theman · Answer

Do you think it's worth writing a personal statement/optional essay explaining why my quant scores are so low? I'm really very concerned that they'll not want to admit based on that. I'm not sure how to put this, but I'm betting that there are a lot of other white american males that are applying with higher quant scores.

jumsumtak · Answer

As Jon pointed out, you would be better without retaking it. The only reason I say this is because, you will compromise other parts of your application.
If you retake your GMAT on 24/25 Dec. you will be left with 10 days to write essays, talk to recommenders, fill in online application, collect your documents etc. And all this during the new year.

All your concerns are genuine. Bluntly speaking, yes your quant score is low and you know that for yourself. 
What you can do: If you are hell bent on applying this year and want to apply in more than 1-2 schools, start with your applications right away. Address the quant score in your optional essay and the steps you will take to enhance your quant skills (some class/online course etc.)

Saying that, there are may people who get in with that score. Your overall score is pretty good!

Or

If you can delay applying a year (very unlikely:)) or you feel you have a great story and might have a good shot in R3 then do retake your GMAT. 
There was a very recent vid titled "should I never apply to R3" as part of 1000000 posts celebration. you may want to go through that.

Good luck with your apps.

ManhattanReview · Answer

We recommend not taking the test again -- your scores are high enough and your quant abilities can be demonstrated through other aspects of your candidacy.

You need to start focusing on preparing your application. As your scores are good enough, you have to make sure your essays, recommendations, interviews, etc.are top notch. These are not easy to accomplish as candidates invest a lot of time, energy, money and resources into preparing strong applications that showcase their candidacy in the best light. This is much more work than most people expect.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

working4theman · Answer

Thank you so much for the responses. I did a lot of forum-hunting and was spooked by the emphasis that a lot of programs appear to put on quant.

I am also thinking about changing slightly to the following schools in light of these facts:
-Duke Fuqua (reach, but my dream school)
-USC Marshall
-UC Irvine Merage
-Penn State Smeal (undergrad alum / safety school)
-UC Dublin Smurfit - (I currently live in dublin and this is the best b-school in Ireland)

The only thing is that I'm still thinking about applying to UNC Kenan-Flagler. It looks like they put a lot of emphasis on GMAT, though. Not sure whether it's worth the effort. Any advice would be appreciated!

aerien · Answer

UNC looks to be in the right range for you, IMO.

Posted from my mobile device

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

gmat retake?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards