Retake with 710 (Q48, V40, IR5) ?

Curious: how were the questions trickier? Were they questions on material that you did not study? (maybe like combinatorics or probability)

Overall: 710... that's pretty awesome... a great score for everyone except maybe Harvard, Stanford, Wharton... (and even then 710 is in their ballpark)

Your scores seem to be within your range of how you've been testing, so I'd hesitate to retake it again...

IR: do you want to go into investment banking or consulting? You may want to retake... some firms would like to see minimum IR of 6. But then again, you can retake the GMAT after you've been accepted somewhere...

Q: percentile-wise, they are many more people scoring at the top, so that's why a 48 looks "bad"... but overall, it's a top score

V: You hit the top of your range... your GMAT score is more heavily tilted by V... so, let's say you get a Q of 49, but settle to the median of your range on V... 38 (ok, 37.5)... V38, Q49... guess what, 710! Or maybe... Q50, V37.. 710!

When do you want to apply? Early-decision? May want to just stick with the 710 and start focusing on apps.

That said, 710 at many of the top schools says "ok, he is on our range.. now what can he bring to the school as a person and experience?" etc. I'd assess other areas of your app too before making a decision. I doubt a 710 instead of a 730 will place the other areas of your app in a more negative context in most instances.