How do you explain a bad test taker

Question

Hello,
 I want to mention my low GMAT score in my optional essay. I am just not a great test taker. But I don't want to just say that, any suggestions?

Thanks!
Vibha

rhyme · Answer

Why not? You can say you are not the best test taker as long as you back up HOW therefore, the score does not reflect your true abilities. 

Maybe you did great in academics undergrad? Or you got an A in classes based on class participation and not rote memorization (which is what hte GMAT is all about)?

LolPwn3d! · Answer

This is what all the kids that ride on the short bus rationalize their awful test scores.

pelihu · Answer

Well, person is just a moron, but anyone can figure that out in 2 seconds by just looking at his name.

I would say that the only effective way to explain a below average GMAT is to show a representative example from your past. The best would be if you had a lower than average SAT score, but were still able to excel and get very high grades in a very rigorous environment.

But honestly, I would guess that nearly everyone trying to apply with a below average GMAT will have extremely similar explanations. So unless you can point to something specific in your own past, it will probably be a hard sell.

Check out this link for some tips:

https://www.accepted.com/mba/lowstats.aspx

rhyme · Answer

There's no need to be rude.

gmatmba · Answer

Also, how many times did you take gmat? you should show that you tried your best by taking it more than once...

rhyme · Answer

Oh yes very good point. I was talking to a honest student reader at an ultra elite and he told me "I cant tell you how many people get a 690 and think its good enough and take it once." -- dont focus on the 690 part, but rather - his point was that taking it once and saying "oh well" isn't the kind of person they want. They want someone who really tried.

For the record, I know someone at Kellogg with a 550, so it can be done.

vibha · Answer

Thank you all for the good advice. I took it twice and ended up with a 640. Obviously not stellar. I'm am shooting for GSB PT. Their average is 660. I also am aiming for some other schools FT which have higher averages. Is it better to take an example like the SAT/college one that was mentioned or simply point to my stronger GPA and class performance?

VeritasPrepMike · Answer

Kind of hard to explain away a bad GMAT score. After all, they let you take it more than once. I think the "I'm a bad test taker" isn't a great one and certainly not something you should try to use as an excuse. After all, I think the most likely response is, "well, work harder".

Austen2442 · Answer

Geez. I would just explain that you retain more knowledge from visual experience rather than memorization. Explain how you excel beyond the tests.

How do you explain a bad test taker

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