Is retaking really worth it?

Question

Hi,
I have taken GMAT recently and scored 660 (Q47,V34,IR8,AWA not available yet).This is somewhat consistent with CATs on gmatprep as I scored 660(Q44/V36) and 680(Q45/V38),but I'm a little disappointed since a slightly higher verbal score would have allowed me to score near 700.I am thinking about retaking but i'm also wondering if a higher score with a different split would actually help me.For example, suppose I score 690/700 after retaking with a Q45/V40 split and lower IR.Would this actually improve my chances? I guess that schools usually tend to look to Q scores more cautiously than they do with V scores, hence my question.

For any context, note that I have something like <20 days to study again and I actually feel it would be difficult to improve, that's why I also fear that a retake may actually hurt my Q score(I've never scored Q47 in gmatprep and I took 2 Q tests from gmatclub and scored 42 and 44) while probably boosting V score (I really mismanaged time on test day, having 13 minutes left for the last question). I am planning to apply to top 10-30 schools in EU for a MiM and my score should exactly match their averages.

Any advice is kindly appreciated. Also,if I have posted in the wrong sections I apologize and ask moderators to move in the right one.

bb · Answer

Interesting demarcation point. 20 days. You mean you studied fewer than 20 days? or longer than 20?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi tatosh,

First off, a 660/Q47 is a strong score, so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. You're ultimately asking Admissions questions though, so you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

If you do choose to retest though, then we have to examine how you approached your prior studies and it would help to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
4) What application deadlines are you currently facing?

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

tatosh · Answer

Hi bb and Rich and thanks for your replies. Let me answer to your questions. I meant that I have more or less 20 days left because I'm still attending undergrad and when the courses will start(no later than 4 March) I won't have any time to continue studying.I've actually been studying from mid-october to late november 2 days a week, then everyday for approximately less than a month(from January until last week).I used mainly OG and Q and V guides and the material on the site(which is really outstanding by the way).I don't know yet which schools I'll apply to as I'd rather focus myself on the ones I'm actually likely to be admitted.I also forgot to mention i'm Italian and, for little I know, very few people take the exam in the country.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi tatosh,

If you do not have a specific list of Schools that you want to apply to, then it's difficult to assess how 'competitive' your current GMAT Score actually is (or the type of GMAT Score that you might "need" to properly apply to some of Schools that you might want to attend).

From what you describe, your studies have been somewhat "light"; many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and will often spend 15-20 hours a week (or more) on their studies during that time. Based on your CAT Scores and Official Score, you are clearly a strong critical thinker - so focusing on the proper Tactics might be all that you really need to lock in a 700+ Score.

Given your limited timeframe, you might choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. 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.

1) Are you planning to apply to Business School sometime soon (re: in the next couple of months) or later on?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi tatosh,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. First off, I realize that your plan is to select schools based on your final GMAT score; however, I’d actually push for a GMAT score based on the schools to which you want to apply. In other words, why make the decision now to go to a lower-ranked school just because you did not have the time to properly prepare for the GMAT? If you find that you don’t have the time to work on your GMAT because of the beginning of the semester, then set down your GMAT prep and come back when you are ready. I’m confident that if you follow a realistic and thorough study plan, you can achieve any score you want on the GMAT.

Feel free to reach out with further questions.

Good luck!

AjiteshArun · Answer

I don't think you need to worry about any of these things at this stage. It is not a given that your quant score will drop, so do as much as you can to get a higher score. Cancel your second attempt if your score does drop.

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