GMAT Score Selection: 760 IR 5 vs 740 IR 8

Question

Hi Everyone,

I took the GMAT twice in the last couple months and was luckily able to achieve my target scores within the two tries. I cancelled both scores in case I might want to give more tries, but eventually decided not to.

Can you please share your opinions on which score I should reinstate between these two: (1) score 760 IR 5, and (2) score 740 IR 8. This is assuming that the AWA scores will be similar.

Additionally, if I choose to reinstate/submit the 760 score, would there be a natural/smart way to show the admissions committee that I was able to get a better score on the IR section on my second attempt?

Happy to share my personal experience in preparing for the test if anyone is interested.

Thank You!!

bb · Answer

Awesome scores! Congrats!

Schools Adcom don’t care about the IR score. Nobody cares about IR scores. They are not published in the class profiles and they’re not included in the rankings. Your 760 is addressing the tiny mouse in the room and eliminates any doubts about your academic abilities.

Use the 760

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi taehwan91,

First off, a 760 is an outstanding Score, so you can comfortably apply to ANY Business Schools that interest you. Many Business Schools have publicly stated that they do not use an applicant's IR score when evaluating an application, so you likely have nothing to be concerned about as far as your IR Score is concerned. However, if you're interested in what a specific School/Program thinks about the IR score, then you might consider contacting the School to ask. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

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

mcelroytutoring · Answer

Great scores! What were your Quant and Verbal subscores (out of 51) on the respective tests?

It's important to consider that some business-school adcoms put more emphasis on the Quant score, or even the Verbal score, so your individual Q/V subscores are a vital yet missing piece of this decision.

GMAT Quant + Verbal Composite Score Conversions and Percentiles (updated for 2020)

Another idea to consider: why not send both?  That strategy would make your GMAT "Frankenstein score" aka "superscore" 760 with an 8 on IR, and would allow you to send your two highest subscores on Quant and Verbal. Prestigious business schools such as  Wharton  and  UCLA  are now known to consider your Frankenstein score, for example—your best individual section scores on Quant and Verbal from any attempt.

I agree with the commenters above regarding the relative importance of the IR section (and AWA, for that matter), but I think we can all agree that an IR 8 still looks better than an IR 5, and that a 740 composite (97%) is almost as good as a 760 (99%).

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Gratz and all the best! If you're really concerned one thing you could would be to casually reach out to your intended uni(s) to ask what their thoughts are on such a matter.

AjiteshArun · Answer

I think you should go with the 760. All the best.

mcelroytutoring · Answer

If you're applying to Wharton or UCLA, for example, then you should definitely consider sending both the 740 and the 760: both Wharton and UCLA are now known to consider your Frankenstein score (best individual score on Quant and Verbal from any exam).

https://www.reddit.com/r/MBA/comments/j ... om_wharton

MBAYYYY · Answer

Hi McElroyTutoring, Is there any substance apart from the Reddit thread regarding UCLA considering 'Frankenstein' scores? I've score two 710's with very different breakdowns, though the best combined would be a 750. On the flip side, if they were to consider my worst Quant score (a 42) then that could have negative connotations too. I've received an interview already (with the better Quant exam score) but I'm wondering if I should submit my other GMAT score at this late stage... Any advice? Thanks!

mcelroytutoring · Answer

Hi  LondonGMATTER ,

From an admissions perspective, the GMAT—like the LSAT, the GRE, the SAT and the ACT—has become  a game of bests, not averages . Although this policy is not yet officially in writing on the school websites, we have verbal confirmation from representatives of adcoms at both UCLA and Wharton that they do indeed consider your "Frankenstein score"—aka your best Quant and Verbal scores from any sitting, also known as a "superscore." In some cases, the Frankenstein score could even be considered to include your scores on IR and AWA!

I think it's unfair to say that your Frankenstein composite is a 750, though: it's more like a 710 with a high Quant score on one exam, and a high Verbal score on the other.  For example, I consider my GMAT superscore / Frankenstein score to be 770, Q50, V48, IR 8, AWA 6, even though Q50/V48 in one sitting is usually a 780 or 790 composite.

In other words, I would Frankenstein the best Quant and Verbal subscores, but keep the highest individual composite / total score, since it's unfair stats-wise for UCLA to add those two scores together to create a 750 composite, but it does show your potential on both sections, albeit on different attempts: the very reason why Frankensteining exists.

MBAYYYY · Answer

Hi  mcelroytutoring  ,

Thanks for your reply. In your opinion, is it worth reaching back out to the AdCom at this stage (3 weeks before decisions) to give them this update or do you think it has no bearing and if anything I could come off as pushy/needy?

Ultimately that's what I'm trying to figure out at this stage.

Thanks very much!

Ultimately that's what I'm trying to figure out at this stage.

Thanks very much!

mcelroytutoring · Answer

No problem! : )

You can always call UCLA to confirm the superscore / Frankenstein policy if you see the need to do so, but there's no need, in my opinion—just go ahead and send the second 710 score as well (the one with the higher Verbal score). Worst-case scenario, the school doesn't see the other score in time, and it has no effect. Best-case scenario, it helps raise your Frankenstein score, due to your superior performance in Verbal on the second exam.

As far as Frankenstein GMAT scores are concerned, your highest GMAT section score on Quant and Verbal is all that matters, regardless of any lower scores (either section or composite) to which they are attached.

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GMAT Score Selection: 760 IR 5 vs 740 IR 8

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