Re-take gmat

Question

Hi there,

Wanted your opinion on if I should retake gmat. Following are my gmat scores

1. July 2014 - GMAT score 570 ( VA 20 QA 49)
2. Nov 2014 - GMAT score 540 ( VA 17 QA 50)
3. Nov 2015 - GMAT score 570 ( VA 20 QA 49)

Between my 2nd and 3rd attempt, I have practiced a lot of VA from Manhattan study mat and appeared for Manhattan mock tests but have seen no improvement.

I am currently working with one of the best consulting firms and have about 5 years work experience. I am confused if I should take another shot at GMAT.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi crack1991,

Your GMAT scores are remarkably consistent, which means that you continue to 'see' (and respond to) the Test in the same general ways each time you take it. Since your immediate question is whether you should retake the GMAT or not, you have to define your long-term goals:

1) What Business Schools do you want to apply to?
2) When do you plan to apply?

If you want to score at a much higher level on the GMAT, then you're going to have to learn/practice some new Verbal tactics (which will likely require that you invest in some new practice materials). Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

crack1991 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thank you for your reply!

Yeah that's where I am failing to understand what is going wrong in my preparation. What will your suggestion be on how to assess my preparation?

I am aiming to do a 1 year MBA course from either the below
- ISB
- INSEAD
- NUS

I plan to apply at the end of this year for these schools. Do you think its a good idea for 4th attempt?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi crack1991,

Given the Schools that you've listed, a higher GMAT score would definitely help your chances (which means that you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle the Verbal section of the GMAT). If you're not going to be applying until later on this year, then you have plenty of time to study and improve, which is good.

Since your last Official GMAT was in November, it would be a good idea for you to take a new FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections), so we can get a sense of your current skills, strengths and weaknesses. Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss your study plan going forwards.

1) How long did you study before each attempt at the GMAT?
2) What materials did you use for each attempt?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

crack1991 · Answer

Sure. Let me take a full length CAT and post my scores here -

1) Attempt 1 - I used only Official guide ( studied for about 3 weeks before exam everyday maybe 2 hrs)
2) Attempt 2- I used official guide, aristotle SC, OG verbal review ( studied for about 3 weeks before exam everyday maybe 2 hrs and weekends 7 8 hrs)
2) Attempt 3- I used official guide, aristotle SC, OG verbal review and manahattan study material ( studied for about 4-5 weeks before exam everyday for ~5 hrs).

I would want to apply end of this year as I already have 5 years work ex now.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi crack1991,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak scores', so since you studied for such a relatively small amount of time before each of your Official GMATs, then you likely have not put in enough time and effort yet to have scored higher. You've also taken a 'book heavy' study approach; many Test Takers who study in that way end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and that's likely a part of what's happened to you as well. This is all meant to say that you'll likely need to invest in some new, non-book resources (and spend more time with them) than you have in your prior studies.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

crack1991 · Answer

Thank you for that! I think that makes sense to me! Can you suggest me some non-book resources to improve VA?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi crack1991,

Based on everything that you've described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, but your goal should not be to 'rush' through that material - with your Official Verbal scores, you need to make sure that you understand the content and the Tactics necessary to score at high level in the Verbal section. If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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