Received 710 - 45V/43Q: Quant Too Low?

Question

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum so I am not entirely sure that this is the correct place to pose this question, but yesterday I took the GMAT and received a 710 (45 Verbal - 98% / 43 Quant - 65%). From the very limited research I have done it seems as if a split like mine is not particularly ideal. Should I retake the test? I am pretty bad at quant, it is not like I just blew it and bombed... the most I have gotten on a practice was 70%. So with a retake I am not sure I can get it up particularly higher.

The other problem is I took virtually no math classes in undergrad. However, I am currently working in finance and can therefore show some quant aptitude. What other steps should I be taking?

siyer · Answer

The Should I Retake GMAT Thread - Retaking GMAT Strategies advises not to retake if you already have a 700+ score. I can't post links yet. But you can navigate to the top of this page (Self-Prep --> Retaking GMAT)

Dreamy · Answer

Excellent verbal score. Here is the thread 
 should-i-retake-gmat-thread-retaking-gmat-strategies-83339.html

kissthegmat · Answer

710 is a great score and I won't suggest you to retake..

Jeanette · Answer

I think you guys are a bit quick here. There are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What schools are you shooting for?
2. Are you in a profession that shows a good grasp of quantitative skills? Did you do an undergrad degree in something that shows a good grasp of those skills?
3. Do you think with review you could up your quant score?

The first question is obvious, but worth stating: if you're not looking to go to the very top schools, your score, including your quant is perfectly fine.

The second is less so. If you were an art history major who went on to work at a museum, I think it would be a mistake to simply dismiss this as "oh, well he got a 700+, he shouldn't retake." But if you use math regularly or you've done well in math type classes before, I wouldn't worry too much about it -- your time is better spent writing good essays.

The third is also pretty obvious. If you're unlikely to improve your quant more than a couple points even after study, don't bother.

artkin76 · Answer

1. I am shooting for the best. At this point, since I will be paying for it myself, I want to go to top 5.
2. I work in finance and deal with numbers (real ones, not x, z, q, p, haha) everyday. I am an analyst in Private Wealth Management. My undergrad degree was in political science and history and did not really take any quant courses so that hurts.
3. I think I could get it up to about the 70th percentile, but probably not much higher.

Jeanette · Answer

Then don't retake. It's probably a slight negative to your application, but who doesn't have a negative somewhere? You work with numbers regularly, and that should dispel any worries about not being able to handle the courses.

artkin76 · Answer

Thanks for the input Jeanette, it is much appreciated. I am also considering taking CFA Level 1 before applying (I am not applying this round - got to save up some more money). It meshes with what I am doing currently for work and I am guessing it will help assuage any fears about my quant capabilities. Do you think something like that would help?

Jeanette · Answer

Can't hurt, especially if you're doing it for a work-related reason!

suyashjhawar · Answer

I feel its a good enough score.Work on your application bro and i am sure you will reach your destination!All the best ahead.

dokiyoki · Answer

If I were you, I wouldnt retake. 710 is good enough. I would rather work on my essays ! All the best

kissthegmat · Answer

Yes, working on essays is better option than retaking GMAT, 710 is a good score!

Dawgie · Answer

700+, you are fine. Essays time, I'm sure you will be fine though!

-Dawg

bhuvana · Answer

i wouldn't suggest a re-take.time to focus on applications ,ur 700+ score places u in a safe zone.

shaselai · Answer

although your quant is low but it is passable. Your verbal is very strong and it is probably a breath of fresh air compared to many others with high quant and lower verbal. If you only want to retake to justify you can do better at quant i am not sure that is good idea unless you want to get 760 or so because of other legitimate reasons (low gpa, top 5 etc.). 710 is very competitive

greatman1234 · Answer

In full agreement with jeanette

710 is fine ...just work towards your essays

best of luck for your apps and CFA!!!!!!!!!

lawgirl · Answer

We're sort of in the same boat - although you got the verbal score I thought I would get (instead of the 41 I did get...sigh). I'm going with my 690 because the highest I got in practice in quant was 44, which isn't a big enough jump to warrant taking it again, and I don't have another year to play with. I'm going to talk up my math abilities as much as possible. Let us know how it goes!

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