Help with accepting/cancelling scores

Question

I would like some people to help give me some insights, as I am new to this.

I have been studying for almost a week, and took my first official GMAT today to see where I stand. Of course, my score was very bad (520) and I need a 700+ by the end of March. I am ready to study many hours each day until then.

Today I accepted my scores because I was not sure if I would receive my scores if not. I saw them on the screen, and accepted them so I get the unofficial paper. I also thought that if I cancel I will not get the AWA score, so I accepted.

My problem is that I am not sure if I should have cancelled. I dont want anyone seeing this score. I did not select any schools in the beginning when it asked as I knew for sure I won’t be sending this score. However, I am not sure if nobody sees this score or how it works.

Can someone please give me some insight? I also purchased an enhanced score report to get some more insight as to where I am. I am not sure either how this fits into the whole picture and if I can still use it when I cancel.

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi RickyD10,

If you would like schools to not see your 520, then I would go ahead and cancel your score. If for any reason you need to use your 520 at a later date, you can reinstate the score.

RickyD10 · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

What about the grading of the AWA, will I still get it?

Also, could I used the enhanced report on a cancelled test?

Thank you

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RickyD10,

To start, you CAN order an Enhanced Score Report, even for a 'cancelled' Score. Most Business Schools do NOT care if you take the GMAT more than once, so having more than one Official Score likely won't impact your applications at all. Assuming that your 2nd Official Score is significantly higher than your first, you can actually use that improvement to your advantage (as the two results would help to prove a number of positive character traits: you have the capacity to learn and improve, you don't give up, etc.).

If you've studied for just one week, then a 520 isn't too bad of a performance (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). That having been said, raising a 520 to the point that you can consistently score 700+ will likely require at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Based on your current timeframe though, you'll have no more than about 5 weeks of additional study time, meaning that there will likely be a limit to how much you can improve. By extension, if you truly "need" a 700+ Score to get into your first-choice School, then you'll almost certainly need to push back your Test Date.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on your timeline and your goals:

1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 520?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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.

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

Felixvalentin · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC ,

would you be so kind and also help me interpreting my ESR report? In my prep with the official MBA mocks during the two weeks preceeding test day I scored 700, 760 and 710 in this order. In the actual test, however, I was only able to score 660. I'd like to find out what exactly the problem was but cannot really find any irregularities on my ESR. I'd highly appreciate your help!

Thanks in advance

RickyD10 · Answer

Hey Rich,

Thanks for your very detailed and thorough answer.

For study materials, I have started using Magoosh.

As for the business schools I want to apply to, I am aiming to apply to Stanford, Harvard and UPenn. Since I just graduated from Undergrad in December, I qualify for their deferred enrollment programs, which all have due dates in round 3, around April 1st time.

My Quant score was 36 (27th percentile) and my Verbal was 25 (39th percentile). I have cancelled my scores today, like suggested, and have received my ESR. If it would not be too much to ask for, I would love your feedback and analysis on that report if you would like to look it over for me.

I am really eager to achieve a 700 by the end of March (scheduled on 27th) and am ready to do whatever needs to be done using all my time until then.

Best,
Ricky

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Felixvalentin,

Yes - I'll be happy to analyze your ESR for you; you can feel free to PM it to me directly.

Hi RickyD10,

Before you can include attachments with your posts/PMs, you need to have at least 5 posts in the forums (right now, you have just 3 posts). If you post just twice more, then you should be able to include your ESR - and you can feel free to PM it to me directly if you would rather not post it publicly. If you would rather not go through those extra steps, then you can email me your ESR (to [email protected]).

Since you are interested in some highly-competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. 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/

Unfortunately, "cramming" rarely leads to great results on exams such as the GMAT - and with a Score Goal of 700+, you will almost certainly need more than another 5 weeks of study time to hit that goal (regardless of how much time you studied in that shorter timeframe). While I understand that you would probably prefer to apply to School sooner rather than later, you have to remember your REAL Goal: to get into your first-choice School. Each applicant gets just one shot at establishing a good 'first impression' - and you do not want to waste that opportunity by 'rushing in' an application that isn't fantastic.

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

RickyD10 · Answer

That makes perfect sense, thank you for clarifying this Rich.

I guess I will see where my score goes. I will be taking another GMAT in mid March (~10th), then 16 days later will take my last one. If my progress in mid-March is good, I believe I can keep improving to get that 700+ score. If not, I will just not apply (I do not want to apply with a score below 690 - let me know if you think this is a good cutoff).

RickyD10 · Answer

I will PM you my ESR report now. I feel like if I brush up my math, I can do well. I did IB in high school, so I did a lot of this math and much more advanced. It is just all not fresh in my mind now.

Thanks,
Ricky

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