Question About Sending Scores

Question

I am taking tomorrow and I am not entirely sure whether it is in my best interest to send my scores to schools. I won't be applying until next fall so it is not urgent that I get them out. I have heard from many that the score is self reported and you do not have to submit an official score report until you are admitted; so in case things don't go as planned tomorrow, I am thinking it would be better to not send off a bad score (b/c technically the adcom's don't see it until you have been admitted based on your self-reported score). I know if I end up having to retake anyway they'll see it on my official report, but for the self-reporting part on the application, I am told that applicants should only put your best score. Is there any reason why I would chance it and send scores off ? The way I see it, I would just be giving a potential low score when I don't have to, but I have been a bit confused about the score reporting.

If anybody can offer some insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

If anybody can offer some insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

bb · Answer

If you are not applying this season, then you probably won't be able to send them for next season this far in advance, though it may be worth a shot.

I believe schools wipe their DB/depository and if you send a score this season, you will have to resend one next season (now that scores are electronic, it is less stringent but I believe the old rules still apply).

As to sending a bad score to the school - it does not really matter. They will see the "bad" score either way, even if you retake with a better score.

So, at the end, go ahead and send; you may as well save yourself $29 per school. Worst case scenario, you will have to resend them.

hookemhorns612 · Answer

Thx for the reply

I am still unsure regarding if The adcoms would actually see that score in considering my app (considering I take it again later). Is it not a possibility that I have to retake but the adcoms still only see my best score which is self reported?

Maybe I'm over thinking... But would rather no bad scores are seen until after a decision is made and then I send an official report to verify self reported scores.

Thx again

hookemhorns612 · Answer

Not going to send scores just in case to play it safe.

bb · Answer

They will see ALL scores from the last 5 years. They use the one you report to make their decision but they do know (consciously or unconsciously) your other scores. The report you send is just manually compared by an admit against the self-reported score.

Lolcat33 · Answer

There is another option which is widely considered as a bad one. At the end of the test, you have an option to cancel your scores before you get the chance to see them. If you are hundred percent sure that you would score considerably lower from what you need then cancel it.

However, you should do that in a wild scenario, such as: you were attacked by a bear on your way to the test center, you randomly puked during the test, Chuck Norris gave you a visit during the test, etc. If your goal is, say, 740 points and you hypothetically score 610, it is better to see where you stand. You will probably have an idea what you will need to improve. Imagine if you scored 610 and canceled your score but thought that you were somewhere along 680...that could hurt you quite a bit. It is all bunch of buts and ifs but you get my point.

As you can see something wild has to happen in order for you to significantly under perform. Get some sleep, make a decision ASAP and stop thinking about it, otherwise it can make you very nervous during the test. Relax.

I have seen countless number of people on this forum who scored on first attempt somewhere along low 600s and made it later into the 700s and got admitted to HBS, W, or any other school. The point is, adcom does not care about your score as long as you score well eventually. Technically, you could score below 600s and still end up in the 700 but that would require quite a lot of work...at least that what experienced GMAT people from this forum are saying.

p.s. I am not telling you this from my experience but from what I have read on this forum over a long time.

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Question About Sending Scores

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