Got a 750. Retake using GMATClub only, or add Knewton GMAT?

Question

Just got a 750/98% (quant 49/83%, verbal 44/97%) on my first attempt on the GMAT. Target score was 770, so I'm planning to retake with a new target of 780.

I would like to hear thoughts on whether I should use Knewton GMAT to supplement my regimen of GMATClub Tests (for quant) and CR Bible (for verbal).

I know GMATClub Tests will improve my quant because I only got them 2 weeks prior to the test date, and my performance started to improve rapidly right up to the test date.

My criteria to evaluate Knewton is the quality/rigor of the product in taking a 750-scorer to 780+. Cost is not an issue since their money back guarantee would issue a refund for any score less than 800 (as long as I complete the course).

I've tried a lot of other stuff -- OG, Kaplan Premier/CATs, Manhattan CATs -- and found myself plateaued around 750.

CA88 · Answer

First of all congrats on the 750. That is an amazing score. Why even re-take the GMAT in the first place? What are your goals?

justnorth · Answer

Thanks. The quant percentile (83%) is on the low side for those MBA recruiters that look at GMAT scores, even though the overall 750 should be more than sufficient.

fixed: quant percentile

souvik101990 · Answer

Knewton GMAT wont much help to overshoot your quant to 51
Try gmatclub tests and grockit.

gurpreetsingh · Answer

If I were Adcom I would definitely reject your application when I see you retaking after 750 with decent quant and good verbal score.
I do not want to de motivate you but retaking after 750 shows negative aspect of your personality which could go against you in the application. The adcoms would think instead of improving the things in the application this guy spent more time studying gmat just to prove something.

Scoring 750 already has proven your ability to score well in the academics, now better spend precious time and money on your application.

AbhiJ · Answer

Hi, Could you please post a debrief with the books tests that you used. A lot of us are struggling to get a 730. Now coming to your question a Q 51 depends on luck. So you should try to improve in verbal couple of points and ensure to hit Q50.

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BM · Answer

Congratulations on the fantastic performance, justnorth! Like other members who have replied on this thread, I do have some concerns about a retake. But I will directly respond to your question first.

I would not advise taking a prep course to increase your math score two points. It's definitely not worth the time or money. Besides, Knewton probably isn't designed to raise your score to that level (as souvik101990 mentioned). A 49Q suggests that you can obtain a perfect score on your own. So the GMATClub Tests are highly recommended. Also, look into Jeff Sackmann's Extreme Math set. Try to find any weaknesses in your math (geometry, timing issues, etc.) and focus on those. You will have to be extra observant here, since your weak points will be more subtle and harder to detect than for someone who scores a 36Q.

As for the retake itself, I am against it. Perhaps you can spin it and say that while a 750 is great, it doesn't truly represent your potential. One could counter that retaking is not only risky (your score can go down or not change), but it also shows your inability to let go. You can rebut this, but your argument for a retake so far is this:

I'm not sure that you fully appreciate the scores and their relationship to the corresponding percentiles. A 49Q is a 49Q, which is amazing. In fact, it's so amazing that it's almost indistinguishable from a 51Q. You're putting too much emphasis on the quant percentile, which the admissions office doesn't really pay attention to. The emphasis should be squarely on your performance, which is most reflected in the actual score - not the percentile. And what about verbal? You mention the Powerscore CR Bible (an excellent guidebook, by the way), but it seems that most of your attention is on math. If you truly want to improve you performance, then the majority of that should probably come from verbal, since that section has the most room for improvement.

My only other concerns are similar to those of gurpreetsingh. Your strategy could be a turn-off to some adcoms and take away from other equally important aspects of your application. Essays and recommendation letters play an equally important role in the application. But I have already taken up enough of everyone's time. I don't mean to tear down your ambitions. Just make sure that you're doing this for the right reasons and that you feel good about it. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

souvik101990 · Answer

Well maybe the guy wants to be a GMAT instructor!!!
Who knows! 
Or may be he wants to impress his girlfriend, who is in love with Ron Purewal or Jose Ferreira!

justnorth · Answer

Appreciate all the input.

bmillan01 and souvik, thanks for the leads. If others have suggested practice sets, courses or strategies 
that could help others, do share.

We have plenty of threads on the merits of retake so I won't get into it here other than saying I appreciate the feedback and considered each of them in my decision.

Posted from my mobile device

CA88 · Answer

haha justnorth I wish I had this same "problem" you have

justnorth · Answer

Hey Abhi, best of luck on your GMAT journey. I'm waiting on my IR/AWA scores before I post a detailed debrief in the Share GMAT Experience section. Here's the cliff-notes version. Let me know if you have questions.

Quant:
-  Studied  using OG, Kaplan Premier, Kaplan 800.
-  Practiced  problems using GMATPrep (bought the extra problems) and GMATClub Tests. 
-  Tested  using GMATPrep Exams, Kaplan CATs, and Manhattan CATs.
- Among these, I found OG/Kaplan Premier to be the best study guides, and GMATPrep & GMATClub Tests the best for practice.

Verbal:
-  Studied  using OG, Manhattan SC, and PowerScore CR Bible.
-  Practiced  problems using GMATPrep (bought the extra problems) and the CATs below. 
-  Tested  using GMATPrep Exams, Kaplan CATs, and Manhattan CATs.
- Manhattan SC and CR Bible were great resources.

I've heard great things about the Manhattan series, but didn't try them out other than SC.

Best of luck!

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