HELP! 700 GMAT Score. Should I retake?

Question

Hi,

I would like to ask for feedback on my dilemma. I got a 700 on my GMAT (Q49 V37), a true shame since I was performing over 42V on my Prep Tests.

I am Latin American, from Argentina, and have always worked in small companies (a personal career choice), and haven't got impressive extracurriculars (I work in an organization that grants scholarship to children who can't afford to maintain themselves and go to school) as I read on the Forum.

Should I retake the test? I am late to apply to many B-Schools and, if my grades are good enough, I would prefer to focus on my application process.

Thank you very much!

GMATPill · Answer

This is a close call. We would lean slightly towards not retaking. You've reached the target range for top schools and while it is possible for you to do better, you also run the risk of scoring the same or lower -- which wouldn't look so good. Focus on developing your application story and work with what you have.

At 700, we would only recommend a retake if your imbalance is extreme -- but that's not the case in your situation.

At 700, we would only recommend a retake if your imbalance is extreme -- but that's not the case in your situation.

rtbs15 · Answer

Thank you very much for your answer! I will go for that.

Posted from my mobile device

OptimusPrep · Answer

I agree. Most students think that the GMAT is the only application criterion. Although it seems to be the most important one it is not the only factor Business Schools take into consideration...

If your application is good and the GMAT score 700 you have realistic chances to get into a great school. Don't retake the GMAT if you are too short on time and focus on your application...

Good luck!

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Some of the things you should be focusing on communicating to the admissions committee in your application:
1. Leadership experiences - both at work and outside of it
2. Communication and interpersonal skills
3. Interesting personal stories and insights
4. Goal clarity - why MBA, why now, what afterwards and so on

And if you are certain that you want to join an MBA program in 2015, spread your chances. Apply to a mix of ambitious, reach and safe schools.

Regards
Gowri

Gowri N Kishore
Admissions Coach

rtbs15 · Answer

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I will take your advices.

OutOfTheHills · Answer

I am going to go against the grain in this thread.

How motivated are you? If you are lacking any motivation or have any doubts then you should not retake the GMAT because you likely won't put in the kind of efforts necessary to  ensure  a better performance. However, if you are not lacking motivation, then you should evaluate your currently schedule and determine whether you have the time to devote to more studying. If you do, then you should definitely 100% take another stab at the test.

On my first try, I scored pretty close to the average GMAT score of the top business schools. However, I was disappointed by the score because I had been scoring far higher on my practice tests. I felt like this score did not reflect my abilities and would nag me for a long time if I just left it as it is. So I studied intensively for an additional month and finally got the score that fell within the range of what I had been scoring on my practice tests. I am now incredibly happy I didn't settle. I actively avoided threads like yours because I knew the standard advice was to just keep the score and use my time on the other parts of my application. I knew advice like this, while well-intentioned, would discourage me and make me have doubts. Advice like this also introduce fears and doubts I would not have otherwise. I feel like this is a cookie cutter response that may be harming a lot of students who have both the desire and the drive to achieve a far better score.

I think you seriously underperformed your verbal section. You are not a V37, you are a V40+. If I were you, I would schedule a retake ASAP and spend all my free time studying this section.

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

You didn't tell us where you are applying. If you are not targeting the absolute top schools, you're probably much better off focusing on your applications. 700 is an excellent score! Most of my students would love to be facing your "dilemma."

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HELP! 700 GMAT Score. Should I retake?

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