Non native english scores?

Question

Hi!

I am a 26 years old spanish engineer and I would like to apply to an MBA in the top business schools in the US.

I took the GMAT last week and I got a 690, I am not sure if I should repeat it or not, I am doubting a lot. I got a Q47 and V37. I am happy with my quantitative and I think that, to improve my score, I need to improve my verbal, but I do not find this easy at all.

SC is a nightmare for me, even if I can speak english without difficulty (TOEFL 113/120), is difficult to find the traps in the paragraphs. With CR and RC I am ok, I usually answer right to those.

My question is: Do you think I should repeat it? and, most important, any non-native english speaker can explain his/her experience? I am sure the verbal section is more difficult for non-native, what score did you got, what methodology did you follow?
Do you think that schools take into account if you are a foreigner and, therefore, your score in the verbal section is lower? I don't think so, but just to be sure...


Thanks!!

kidderek · Answer

690 is a very good score, congrats. Are you asking if schools are more lenient towards non native speakers? It really wouldn't be fair would it? Can you imagine a school full of incompetent students full of excuses?

I wouldn't worry about the gmat score unless you are aiming for a top 10 school.

seni · Answer

Kidderek, thanks for answering. Of course I already knew before asking that non-native speakers could not have any special help of any kind. But your answer reinforces what I supposed.

690 is good, specially a first attempt after studying only one month and a half. I am happy with it. I think I will apply like that and, if I am not accepted, I will repeat the GMAT again.

Thanks!

pelihu · Answer

As I understand it, the opposite might be true. According to quotes in Montauk, verbal scores of non-native speakers might be more important because these applicants need to prove that they are competent.

The same applies to other aspects of an application. For example, an engineer might be able to explain a slightly lower quantitative score by pointing to past math experience; but that same engineer might have no other background to offset a marginal verbal score.

So, the verbal portion of the GMAT is a way for non-native speakers to show that they can cut the mustard.

seni · Answer

Interesting... Thanks Pelihu!

harryl80 · Answer

I think that since your 37 is over 80% percentile, it should be fine (at least that's what I read).

But I got a 38 being non-native as well. I moved to Canada at a young age, so I never really learned "proper grammar". Most of what I do in SC is what "sounds right". 

Not the best, but that's how I did it.

gmahn · Answer

Seni,

I'm Spanish too and I got a 97 percentile in verbal, but I have a lower TOEFL score than yours (111), so, I guess it's about trying and working hard. If you want to go on practicing, I would recommend you to study with LSAT, which can help you a lot.

Depending on your selected universities, that can make the difference.

Good luck!

todakdw · Answer

I'm a non-native speaker of English too. (Although I do think it is the language I am most comfortable with, even more than I am with my native tongue!) My TOEFL was 119/120. (30 on Reading/Writing/Speaking and 29 on Listening)

My VA was 42. Yes, SC was the pain point but ManhattanGMAT's SC guide was a wonderful book that polished my SC skills!! I recommend it highly if SC is the one question type that's preventing you from getting a > 90 percentile on the Verbal section.

lepium · Answer

I'm an international as well and Spanish is my first language. I scored V42 Q46 = 710. I took a local course and it helped (my pre-course preps were around 650 and my pre-exam were 720 - 730, which is consistent with my score). Apart from the course, I think that reading regularly in English also helped my vocabulary and reading speed for RC. For the rest, take a course or learn here. 

On your second question, I know from sharing experiences with others that the typical Spanish speaking test taker will show a greater Q bias than my own. scores. Your 47Q 37V is consistent with the data I have on distributions of relatively high scores for Latin Americans.As long as your TOEFL is OK, I would not worry. I know people who have gotten into all Ultra - elites and some Elites with high 30s scores in Verbal, mostly with 7XX scores, but some with 660s+. However, if you wish to raise your score that's your call. In my experience, V is much more difficult to improve than Q after a certain point. Q is all about practice while for V, once you reach your ceiling, you need to work on the fundamentals (grammar, etc.) and improving takes much more effort. For eg., you may improve your V to maybe 38 - 40 (maybe some more) by practicing, but after that, you'll need to invest some serious time working on your English skills, unless you think your test date performance was truly below your reasonable expectations.

Disclaimer: some programs put more emphasis on English skills (HBS to name one) and for those programs you will need to raise your V score, apart from having an adequate TOEFL.

Hope it helps. L.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Non native english scores?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards