Kicking myself!

Question

So I took GMAT yesterday. It was my first time, I wasn't expecting to be nervous but eventually, looking at the size of the computer,I was thrown off. My choice of section was Q-V-IR-AWA. first two questions I read, simply couldn't understand. Guessed on 2nd question. But finally,i regained my comprehension from 3rd question and started doing better. I had 4 minutes left for last 2 questions.the 2nd last question was a beautiful one and I simply couldn't get it. There was no option. But the question was beautiful. I had spent 3.5 min and still couldn't figure it out, finally guessed and moved one when I had 10 seconds for the last question, which obviously was a guess again.

Then comes my Verbal section. I feel I was doing very well. But 2nd passage was so long and confusing! There were so many unrelated ideas.. I simply couldn't comprehend it. That passage an incomprehensible CR question before cost me a lot of time. After the horror show, I had 11 questions remaining with 10 minutes to go. Needless to say, those 10 questions are a blur. I skimmed, marked an option and moved on.

Then comes IR- I was simply uninterested. But I did 9 questions. Guessed on 10th, then wondered if i will be penalized more for wrong answers or leaving them out. Because, you see, never bothered to research about IR. And was so happy to have run out of time!

No time to relax because here comes AWA and I have written more in this post than I ever did for my AWA practice. But I knew about the format. So I wrote the first and last para. But the prompt was so lengthy, it took a lot of time to sort out all the threads and arrive at a construction for the essay. So I think I got some 350 words in there. I feel I did ok. Should not get below a 4.

So I see my scores now.. Q49, V37, IR5 - 710. I am told, on this lovely forum, that this score is enough to score an interview from my target college. So I am thinking not to retake the exam.

But then comes the night and I solve that 2nd last question from quant in my sleep. I wake up with such a frustration! It really was a beautiful question, the one I should have solved in 2 min! Aah!

I know I have a 740 in me. Now I know the size of the computers, I feel I can comprehend a little better now that the initial anxiety is gone. I can definitely aim for Q50/51 and V40.

But is it a good idea to spend 27000 INR to satisfy my ego, or work on my applications? Is there any other benefit of scoring a 740 on gmat?

Thankyou for reading this long post you lovelies!

Posted from my mobile device

dee1pug1 · Answer

Whether 710 is enough or not will largely depend on which school / country you are targeting and what profile / gender / nationality / pedigree is.

IMHO, if you believe 740 is in you, then just shake yourself up, and get that score out of you. The 27k will be worth a lot more if you make that step-up. It will contribute to a stronger defense, though what else ammo you have will also influence your success - your GPA, CV, experiences, ECAs, recommendations, essays and of course, how you perform in the interviews.

Best wishes.
Dee
 Freelance MBA Admissions Consultant, double-MBA (India and UK), SRCC-alum

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Gratz on the 700+ score. If you decide to retake, consider getting the ESR. May provide some helpful insight. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, working on your solving approach may help boost your score a bit. Had a 6-hour student who went from a V41 to a V45 in about 10 days, for example. Perhaps work with a study buddy who is really strong on Verbal. You could teach them Quant in exchange.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

MBAGuide · Answer

PN14 This is an interesting read because I can relate to what you were confronted with

A few years ago, I too wrote on this forum about my experience taking my first GMAT attempt. If anything, my first unfortunate/unsuccessful GMAT attempt familiarized me with exactly what to expect the next time around - the infrastructure, the small dingy test booths, old bulky desktops, keyboards with hard keys (you had to press twice to type anything), a tiny notepad for calculations (I could list many more). But this experience helped me to prepare mentally for the next attempt, because I could picture the exam venue every time I sat for a mock exam, and my brain was not shocked when I was in the same exam center the second (and last) time. Now, as for the idea of considering retaking the GMAT, this is my candid take on it. A high GMAT score of 740 (with Q50 or above) and above can give you the valuable flexibility to apply to particularly competitive, globally top-ranked schools (abroad), should you decide to do so at some point during the application season. The human mind is naturally inclined to set ambitious goals, and what may have seemed like a tall order before the exam, such as achieving a 700+ score for your target schools (IIMs), has now transformed into a desire to achieve a remarkable 740 score. Tomorrow, you might be inspired to add another school to your list of target schools. At the same time, you also need to keep an eye on your preparation for applications and interviews. I would also add that IIM A has a strong academic focus and therefore tends to take your academic records, such as your GPA and academic performance, very seriously. Therefore, consider your academic record in your decision to retake the GMAT. It might also take you significant effort and time to prepare your application and for interviews. There are more cases where applicants with high GMAT scores and subpar applications/interview performances are not accepted to a top B-school than cases where applicants with strong applications/interviews and good GMAT scores are not successful. India's best PGPX program is looking for highly motivated, well-rounded applicants who have strong communication and interpersonal skills. In a class comprised of some of the brightest minds engaging in the case study method, students are expected to describe their experiences from a unique perspective - both personal and professional. When the renowned faculty and unique classroom pedagogy challenge students to develop interesting insights and perspectives on business problems, students must be able to reflect on their own actions, successes, and failures, and bring up the qualities they have demonstrated in dealing with a variety of situations. You will gain insight into a similar pattern of questioning during interviews, which you must prepare yourself for. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi PN14,

To add to the other replies on this thread: I would definitely take the GMAT again if I were you. You can take your time, and you can focus on other things, but if you're confident that you can get a 740 (or more!), why not give it a shot?

PN14 · Answer

MBAGuide , thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice reply. I appreciate your candour. What were your scores in first and second attempt? AjiteshArun and every one who wants me to retake the exam, I am being stingy about the 27k that I will have to spend on another gmat. Do you have to imagine my response to a 1.7 crore MBA in abroad vs 0.33 crore MBA from India?

On a serious note, even if I do score a top global MBA college, I really wish to settle in india and vacay abroad. So I am not sure if I am motivated enough to get an MBA abroad. I won't be able to repay the loan. So I am thinking about IIMA PGPX and be done with it. Are there better options that IIMA in India? If you guys feel there is a lack in my reasoning or there are better options I am unaware of.. that have better RoI than IIMA, then please do enlighten me. Ps- I am 32 year old female with 7.5 years experience in PSU/GoI as an Officer Posted from my mobile device

JHR2021 · Answer

PN14  Hi think you should try getting a higher score if you can get it. 27k isn't a big deal, you talked about RoI in other context, but I'm just using that here, you know +30 score addition for 27k is the best RoI you can get.
Regarding studying abroad- I think the cost won't be that much if you can score a big scholarship which you can with 740 on gmat plus female plus a unique background compared to applicant pool from India. So total cost won't be $200000 for you, I'm sure you will get north of $100000 from at least one T15 school if not more. So again accounting for 3 years of post-MBA salary in US, your RoI will significantly increase. I hope I helped you a bit.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi PN14, You're absolutely right. You already have a great score, and no one can say that stopping there is the wrong decision. That's why I put the "If I were you..." bit in.

Again, if I were you, I'd apply to ISB and to schools outside India as well. As JHR2021 mentioned, many schools offer scholarships, so that's something to consider as well. Also, having options is usually a good thing, even if you end up choosing IIM A in the end. All the best.

PN14 · Answer

AjiteshArun , thankyou for the feedback! I do like the balance in your advice. I can definitely work on my applications, research more colleges and revisit retaking gmat in a bit.

Thankyou  JHR2021  for the insight! Will research more!

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi PN14,

If a higher GMAT score gets you into your top program of choice, then for sure, give the GMAT another shot. However, if what you are saying is accurate, and 710 is all you need for your top choice, then I think you can close the book on the GMAT!

Businessconquerer · Answer

You mentioned the fees in INR so I am going to assume that you're an Indian candidate.

Historically speaking, a difference between a 710 and a 740 is a ranking band jump. 740 doesn't get you into a top 5 easily, unless of course the profile is brilliant.

You're going through a frustration when I made a jump from 700 to 780 (what happened on test day made headlines in GMAT Club's moderator chat (I used to be one) because just like this post I made a late night post at 3 AM and it was extreme- YEA! OF COURSE, I WAS FRUSTRATED). And for what it is worth, you can do two things in parallel, usually my clients keep preparing for the GMAT while I ensure we help them with their applications.

Either way, retake. Not for your self satisfaction but because if you can do it, it will push your application up a lot.

If you want to talk about it, I am all ears, because ultimately GMAT is only essential for admissions and is in no way your life's purpose. Quite honestly the easiest competitive test I have taken in my life. Patterns are so obvious.

If you want, we can -   Schedule a free profile eval call

Pretty sure, you're still frustrated. There's nothing more disappointing than getting less than what you're worth. I know it all too well. Been there my whole life.

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Kicking myself!

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