Myth Busters - The 80/80 Split

Question

I've heard many people talk about the 80/80 split adcoms like to see. If judged only by the number of references it gets, it appears to be true; however, I would greatly appreciate a/some link(s) to some external sources showing that adcoms do look for this. Additionally, I would like to know what significance it has in the admissions decision. Is a low- to mid-700s with the 80/80 split viewed more favorably than a score in the same range or even higher but heavily favored to one side?

sarzan · Answer

Sorry, but whats the 80/80 split?

agold · Answer

I've been researching this, as I have a 710 with 70% Quant. It is definitely NOT a hard cut off. For example, I believe most schools will see my Quant score and then they will go look at my academic transcripts. They will look for evidence of quantitative coursework as well as the grades in this coursework. They will also take a look at the kind of work I have been doing and see if it involves quantitative analysis. If either of these are true, I believe my application would meet the quantitative ability threshold.

If I had a 70% Quant score, and I was a History major who never took any math classes and currently worked as a history schoolteacher - I'd have problems at a handful of schools like Wharton and MIT.

You truly have absolutely nothing to worry about with a 79th percentile. They just downscaled the percentiles and a whole ton of people are going to be applying with Q47/79th percentiles and I will find it very difficult to believe that these will be discounted very much by the Adcoms.

jallenmorris · Answer

Terp - that's funny you talk about history majory (maybe you saw my profile) that I was a history major in undergrad and am 1 year out of law school. About 95% of my education has been focused more on verbal than on quant. I hope the adcoms see the 47/79% quant and don't let it worry them about my quant abilities.

As for what is the 80/80 split. It is believed ( and reinforced by som adcoms) that they like to see a person's score balanced between Quant and Verbal. Some peopel will get a 750 on the GMAT with a Q44 (72%) and V46 (99%) for a 730. They love to see the 730, but the lower quant score might make the adcoms question the person's ability to succeed in the first year with all of the finance and accounting classes that really build on a solid quantitative base.

kidderek · Answer

jallenmorris,

I think you're still feeling the effects of gmat hangover. You have  NOTHING  to worry about in regard to your gmat score. I know it's tough, but it is time let it go.

Time to fry the bigger fish -- essays and apps.

jallenmorris · Answer

kidderek,

you're right. It is hard to let it go! it's been my "baby" for 3 months now.

kidderek · Answer

We've all been through it. I was pondering whether I should retake to try to squeeze another 20-30 pts, but I realized it wasn't worth it (read: I got lazy).

As for the 80/80 split. It's nice to have, but also realize it's definitely not a minimum. So you needn't worry at all.

VictoryMBA · Answer

jallenorris...we have very similar stats/bakgrounds. Did you take any math courses in college besides the one to satisfy the lower division requirements? I took one college level math course...eek (what can I say, I was a History major). As long as my GMAT score is ok though, then I won't be in any trouble right?

jallenmorris · Answer

That's the way I understand it. I believe the adcoms want to make sure that you have the knowledge or at least ability to learn the level of quantitative analysis required for for the first year. I think it's a benefit for those of us that are used to writing and analysis with words as I think it takes longer to learn language than it does math skills. That's my take on it. I have also heard people say that you want to get a good balance between the Q and V scores. A Q51 is awesome, but I believe the adcoms want a good V score to go with it.

solaris1 · Answer

Jallenmorris, I went through the same predicament as you a few days after finishing with 99%ile in Verbal and an 81%ile in Quant. This 80/80 split thing had me a little freaked out, considering I'm a liberal arts major myself who did poorly in college math classes and barely scraped through in Quant.

Unless you really feel you had a bad day and can raise your overall GMAT score by 30-40 points minimum, don't spend any time thinking about an extra scaled point or two in your quant section. Focus on your essays and overall application execution, and if you have the time complete a course in Accounting, Statistics or something like that at your local community college. An "A" in that course would assuage any potential academic concerns the admissions committee may have.

For what it's worth:

https://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr_page=3&ch_id=255&article_id=22204699&cat_id=3071

Manbehindthecurtain · Answer

I hope you are right, because I'm at the next level Quant below you. 710, Q42, V46. Took it twice and improved from a 680 with a Q39 the first time. Funny thing is, I focused on quant by about a 80/20 mix the second time around, and barely pulled into the 40s. My background is in Finance and Treasury, so I'm hoping that stands for enough to avoid too much quant worry.

ko · Answer

Obviously some schools are probably more hung up on the 80/80 split than others, but I think it's safe to say that it's a general guideline, not a hard rule. A good friend of mine is starting at MIT Sloan this fall - he had a 710 GMAT with a quant that was about ~70%-tile. The rest of his application was strong, but not crazy-amazing. I'm sure there are hundreds of more people like this, even in the competitive environment that was last year.

Manbehindthecurtain · Answer

The more people I talk to about the process, the more I am starting to believe that once you manage through all the necessary statistics, the most crucial part is how you communicate your experience. It is encouraging to have these conversations, as I didn't spend my summers running a business to save baby seals. There's a bit of self actualization going on through the process, and communication and marketing seem to be more and more important once you knock out the known requirements. (GMAT, work history, etc).

Just my speculation, but I'll take all the confidence boosters I can get.

jallenmorris · Answer

What would you consider "crazy amazing" ? Can you give us an example of what a normal, not over-the-top application is in your eyes? This will help me judge my own EC/WC against what you're saying. I know it's possible for "normal" people to get into those Top 5 schools, but few kid themselves into thinking it's easy or a lock.

Manbehindthecurtain - i get the same sense that it seems you do. Once a person has a competitive GMAT score, all of the other aspects of the application become VERY important. It's about communicating the skill sets we already have. Although, I'm sure there are some every year that don't tell the whole truth about their experience or how much of an asset they truly were in some of the successes listed on their applications.

ko · Answer

I'll PM you for the sake of my friend's privacy.

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