GMAT score cancellation advice

Question

Hello,

I gave my GMAT test day before and unfortunately scored really less.
In all my mocks I scored more than 650 and ended up getting only 530 in my main test.
But i've realised that I made many errors in my preparation.
I'll be making a separate post so that experts can guide me through it.

I plan to apply to the top European B-schools for MiM intake of 2020

Since I've gotten very less, I have decided to retake the test with better preparation after a few months.

So, i wanted to know if i should cancel my score or keep it.
Would it have any impact on my B-School admissions if I don't cancel them or if i kept the score, Would it work in my favor when i show improvement in my second attempt?
Would a single score of 650+ look better than a score 530 and a score of 650
I am inclined towards cancelling my score right now, as GMAC provides the option of reinstating score later if needed.

Thank you in advance

Businessconquerer · Answer

Go Ahead and cancel it
A 530 is as good as a 200

If you want guidance plz list every single thing that you've used in your prep and we can guide you better. 650 is scorable

Prajwalds · Answer

Thank you.
Yes I'll be putting forward everything soon

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Prajwalds,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

You might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

As far as whether you should cancel this Score or not, Business Schools generally do not care if applicants take the GMAT more than once. That having been said, individual European MiM Programs might have a different perspective on this issue though, so the safest move would probably be to cancel this Score.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Prajwalks,

Did you end up canceling your score? Do you need any advice regarding your retake?

hellothere88 · Answer

hi, on the GMAT official report that is sent to school, number of attempts that is cancelled is also included, will this affect badly on the applicant? I just knew this, I thought schools would not have visibility on the number of attempts cancelled

bb · Answer

Whatever is your source of information, you want to change it and not learn from there again because it is unreliable. It is incorrect. First of all, There are different reporting processes for Online and Test center Tests. The online tests do not show up on the school reports - only the score you choose does. For the Regular Test Center exam, the process is outlined below on mba.com. Anyway, the blanket statement that you have learned is incorrect in both versions of the test. https://www.mba.com/frequently-asked-qu ... #question2

hellothere88 · Answer

Hi one can actually download your official score report. All the exams taken will be in one table where the cancelled scores have exact dates and 'C' on them. This is the first time I download my official report

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

No. The score report that schools receive is very different from what you get. You are assuming that what you’re downloading, is also available to business schools. That is an incorrect assumption. The score report that business schools receive are different.

For example, the report schools get includes the text of your AWA essay. Does your “official” score report include the text of your essay?

The score report sent to schools also includes your picture taken at the test center. Does your “official” score report have it?

Moreover, score report that you receive also lists all of the universities that you have sent scores to. That information is not visible to business schools.

And finally, just like the FAQ states on mba.com, Business schools do not see Test Center scores that were canceled.

bb · Answer

The sample report you attached has a score from 2013. 
That is also not reported to business schools. Scores older than 5 years are not reportable but will be visible to you for 10 years - that's another difference between the "user" and "school" version of the report.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Everything  bb  said is accurate. The "official" score report sent to schools will now show your canceled GMAT attempts.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

I have a lot of clients who get very focused on things like the number of attempts, the cancelled score visibility and other details that ultimately don't affect how most AdCom's perceive your GMAT score.

The GMAT has been around a long time and it's fair to say that the AdCom's put a lot of stock in it's ability to measure your academic ability and how well you will cope with the rigors of a challenging Top MBA program. They will focus heavily on your best score (because it demonstrates that with focused prep and effort, you have the potential to excel in a challenging testing environment that needs the same reasoning skills as MBA studies and even business management does).

I'd suggest not worrying to much about the past scores and visibility of cancelled scores and simply focusing on getting your score to your target and make all those past score irrelevant.

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