NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 26 Apr 2024, 11:11 It is currently 26 Apr 2024, 11:11
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
jonathancpaul
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: Johnson '19 (S) Tuck '18 (S) McCombs '19 (II) Cornell 1-Year MBA (II)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
GMAT 2: 700 Q44 V41
GPA: 2.66
WE:Operations (Internet and New Media)
Send PM
Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink] New post   19 May 2016, 09:29
Hi Everyone,

so here is my story.

A while back I took 2 gmat practice tests without studying to see if I should even bother with the exam.

Gmat Prep 1: 650 Q36 V42
Gmat Prep 2: 670 Q45 V37

Then I started the Manhattan prep course and slowly started to dive into the materials. Over the next 10 weeks I took a few more practice tests and they went as follows:
MGMAT: 620
MGMAT: 630
MGMAT: 670
MGMAT: 630
Day before official exam... Gmat Prep (Retake): 700 Q46 V40

Official Gmat Test #1 700 Q 47 V 39

I was ok with this score but not thrilled so I was registered again for 2 weeks later.
I took 2 tests in between

Gmat Prep 750 Q49 V44
Gmat Prep 700 Q48 V38

Official Gmat Test #2 700 Q44 V41 I was so bummed. I thought I would for sure improve especially because I had posted that 750. I am taking the test again in 2 weeks time and im trying to develop good strategies to get over this hump. I would be happy with a 730 and im just looking for the best ways to improve when youre already at the 700 level. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jon
User avatar
L
EMPOWERgmatRichC
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Posts: 21846
Own Kudos [?]: 11668 [0]
Given Kudos: 450
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink] New post   19 May 2016, 10:29
Expert Reply
Hi Jon,

To start, a 700 is an outstanding score (it's right around the 90th percentile overall), so you should apply to any Business Schools that interest you. By extension, a retest is probably unnecessary.

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +-30 points of actual ability. Your Official Scores show that you essentially performed the same each time (+- a few Scaled points), which isn't much of a surprise since you only spent about 2 weeks between Exams. At your current scoring level, the GMAT becomes really 'sensitive' to little mistakes - if you make too many, then there's a limit to how high you can score.

1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
2) When are you planning to apply?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
avatar
jonathancpaul
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: Johnson '19 (S) Tuck '18 (S) McCombs '19 (II) Cornell 1-Year MBA (II)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
GMAT 2: 700 Q44 V41
GPA: 2.66
WE:Operations (Internet and New Media)
Send PM
Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink] New post   19 May 2016, 10:43
Hi Rich,

thanks for your note. The reason I place such importance on doing better on the GMAT is because of my low undergrad GPA which is a 2.9 in economics (started out far worse freshman year and had an upward trend but a 2.9 nonetheless). I am in strategy and operations at a large tech company (think aws, akamai, limelight) and am on the verge of my second promotion (in 4 years which is above the normal pace here). I want to get into a school with good investment banking placement so my top choices as of now are UNC Kenan Flagler, Mccomb, Darden, Tuck, and Johnson. I feel like my GPA, and the lack of diversity i provide being a american white male will hold me back from getting into any of these programs. Would be interested in hearing what you have to say though.

Planning to apply this coming fall to at least 3 schools in round 1.
User avatar
L
EMPOWERgmatRichC
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Posts: 21846
Own Kudos [?]: 11668 [0]
Given Kudos: 450
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink] New post   19 May 2016, 19:58
Expert Reply
Hi Jon,

Since you've named some specific Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

ask-admission-consultants-124/

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
User avatar
L
AjiteshArun
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Posts: 5183
Own Kudos [?]: 4654 [0]
Given Kudos: 632
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1:
715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Send PM
Re: Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink] New post   19 May 2016, 20:32
Expert Reply
jonathancpaul wrote:
A while back I took 2 gmat practice tests without studying to see if I should even bother with the exam.

Gmat Prep 1: 650 Q36 V42
Gmat Prep 2: 670 Q45 V37

Day before official exam... Gmat Prep (Retake): 700 Q46 V40

Official Gmat Test #1 700 Q 47 V 39

Gmat Prep 750 Q49 V44
Gmat Prep 700 Q48 V38

Official Gmat Test #2 700 Q44 V41 I was so bummed. I thought I would for sure improve especially because I had posted that 750. I am taking the test again in 2 weeks time and im trying to develop good strategies to get over this hump. I would be happy with a 730 and im just looking for the best ways to improve when youre already at the 700 level. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
It's hard to say, but it looks like you're relying mostly on your "natural ability", especially in verbal (42, 37, 40, 39, 44, 38, and 41).

Was that 750 on a "fresh" GMATPrep? If not, get both exam packs. One 750 (in isolation) means that you are probably capable of getting that kind of score, but you'll feel better taking the exam again if you have a string of 700+ scores (right now you have just one score above 700).
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Plateauing at 700 need to figure out how to break through [#permalink]
19 May 2016, 20:32

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions