Help on score to use

Hello, qqgmat. Congratulations on earning two fine GMAT™ scores. I would submit the second one, hands down. The total score is about the only thing that counts, as far as schools are concerned. I say this somewhat frequently in the forum, but the IR section never took hold. Even at a school such as Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton, a 5 is good enough. I have helped one client get into his choice M7 school in a similar situation, only his second IR score was even lower: he went from an 8 to a 4. That did not matter a whit. Until IR is truly integrated and is made to be a part of the total score (as there was some discussion about on the GMAC™ end a year or two ago), no one will take it too seriously.

Some schools may require you to report all GMAT™ scores, at least the ones you have accepted. I am not sure about the specifics at H/S/W, but you could pose the question to admissions consultants in that dedicated forum: Ask Admission Consultants.

A GMAT™ score is not everything. Provided your application package, including work experience, academic performance, and essays, was in place, the difference might not be pronounced between a 730 and a 740. At the same time, when you shoot for the stars, you had better aim high. With that in mind, again, I would submit the 740.

Best of luck to you. If you do make it in to any of those select programs, please take the time to inform the community as to what you may have done right.

- Andrew