How many times can I take the GMAT?

Question

The application deadline for the university I wanna go to is April 30th (September 2013 semester start).

I've only just started studying and practicing for the GMAT. I got a severe concussion a bit more than a month ago and couldn't do anything up to now. I'm still not supposed to do anything at all (tv, computer, even reading) but I have to get started otherwise I'll never make it. Thing is I also have my bachelor degree paper to write and I have my uni exams in January so I really need to get going.

How many time can one take the GMAT? I've heard several people say that you can take as many as you want but after 3-4 tries, the school will be suspicious. How so? Do you have to send the scores of all the GMATs you have taken? I would have thought that you simply have to send the best score. Why is it that you have to send all your scores?

I need a 680 score so I might have to take more than one. Also, do you have to wait a certain amount of time between your tries or can you just go back when you want?

I thinking of taking one around the 25th of december, and if it's not good enough, one in february or march, or both.

At the moment, I can only study small periods of time, I have a lot of trouble concentrating. I've only just started working on the math section. I'm thinking that I might be able to take my first GMAT test between the 20th-30th december.

thanks

lesliehh · Answer

It is just GMAC's policy I guess. You can't really do much about it so don't worry about it?

You can take it once every 30 days, or is it 31 days. Around that. 4 or 5 max per year I think.

I don't know if you are aware of this thing called GMAT Prep. It is the closest thing to the real exam and is supposed to get you a real good approximation to the final score.

swissstud · Answer

Thanks for the info!

Gmat prep, is that a specific test or can you find that in any GMAT prep book? I have 3 study books:

-The official guide for GMAT review : the only study guide with more than 800 past GMAT questions - and their answers - by the creators of the test / from the Graduate Management Admission Council 
-Cracking the GMAT / Geoff Martz and Adam Robinson (Princeton Review)
-and a french book

I tried to do a diagnostic test in the official guide book, only did math, I hadn't studied for anything, I didn't do too well, after 10-12 questions I stopped, I got about 3 right. I then studied the math theory that was a bit further in the book, learned about all the different terms (intergrer, factor,... I've never done math in english before so some questions I didn't even understand the question). So I reviewed the theory, sets, probabilities, etc... stuff I haven't done in years, just a refresh. Just to give you an example, I'm doing advanced econometrics at uni at the moment, I haven't reviewed my probabilities theory in 2 years. So I reviewed all the math, started doing practice questions again and it's going much better, so far I managed to answer every single one.

lesliehh · Answer

You download it here:  https://www.mba.com/the-gmat/download-free-test-preparation-software.aspx

swissstud · Answer

Wow thanks a lot!

So do you guys study, do the test, and repeat till test day?

Also, what do you think of my plan? Taking the Gmat in december, one february or march, or both? I need 680 minimum so I might need to take it at least twice.

GMATPill · Answer

Hi swissstud,

Why would you want to plan multiple GMATs ahead of time?

We recently had a student who took his 4th and final GMAT attempt  with great results  (finally).

But why force yourself to study so hard/long and sacrifice other parts of your life? I'd recommend doing a full practice test in test-like environments with  GMATPrep software  in place of an actual test.

Learn from your mistakes here so you can improve on them for the real thing. At least shoot to do well on the first try. Otherwise, you're just planning for failure on the first round.

RoyHalladay · Answer

I know there are some schools who will look at your highest section scores. For example, if you took the GMAT twice and scored a (48Q/35V) and then scored a (46Q/36V), they would consider your score as (48Q/36V), but it wouldn't convert to the equivalent total score. I cant remember which school it was. Does any one know if this is standard or only at a few schools?

swissstud · Answer

Hey man!

So you're saying I should just give my all time best the first time and not already plan on taking 3-4 GMAT in advance, even before my 1st one? Yeah that sounds reasonable, plus I barely will have time to do a second one so it's 1 strike and I'm out really.

I'm scheduled my test on the January 10th 2013. The uni I wish to apply to has its application deadline on April 30th, so really, I can only take one test. Might as well give it my best. I have 40 days to study everything.

With my PCS (post concussion syndrome) it's not easy studying but I'm trying to get as much done as I can.

I'm not really following a specific plan. I just opened the official GMAT book (red one) and started studying.

So how should I go about with this?

I've been studying the math sections for quite some time now. Did 230 test questions, got 150 right, now I'm going back and doing the ones I got wrong.

Should I take a practice test online with the official software and then see what I should do?

I seriously don't want to mess this up. I need a 680 score. Anything less and I can't apply.

Cheers

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