How low is too low for quantitative

Question

Hello Scott and Omari,

I just took the GMAT and am not pleased with my quantitative score and am wondering if I should retake the test. My overall GMAT was 690 (91%), Quantitative 41 (64%), and Verbal 44 (97%). I was graduated from Brown University with a degree in Biology (GPA 3.79), and I had course work in calculus (A), biostatistics and data analysis (B), Physics (B), and honors thesis research (A). I have worked for four years as an analyst at an environmental consulting firm. My understanding is that having a quantitative academic and work background can mitigate a poor quantitative score, but I am not sure I have enough. The schools I plan to apply to are Harvard, Yale, Columbia, UMich, and Berkeley. Given these schools, should I retest?

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

truthringer · Answer

Tough call. Based on the information provided, you're competitive (>50%)at Michigan and Yale, 50/50 at Berkley and <50% at HBS/CBS. So depending how comfortable you are with those odds at those schools, and how much of a burden it would be to retest and complete apps, should drive your decision.

fisch1764 · Answer

I have a follow up question. What kind of score increase on the quantitative would merit a retest?

Thanks again for you help.

mjcalla · Answer

What did you end up doing and what were your reasons? I am in a very similar situation as you and trying to decide what is the best course of action. 

I scored a 700 with 96% on verbal and 70% math. I am an engineer and was surprised about the math score. I think the low math score was more a time management issue than working the problems, b/c I studied the math section. I just took the test last week and thought of re-testing this next weekend to try to raise the math, but the risk of a lower overall score is concerning as is having two scores rather than just one. 

Thanks for your thoughts Mike

truthringer · Answer

If the original poster thought he/she could boost the quant score up to the 70% that would probably merit a retest.

Schools take the top score, so the main risk of retaking the exam is expending time in preparation that could be used on other areas of the application.

How low is too low for quantitative

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