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joelbr
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. Updated on: 02 Oct 2016, 19:35
Originally posted by joelbr on 26 Jul 2016, 09:36.
Last edited by joelbr on 02 Oct 2016, 19:35, edited 1 time in total.
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
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. 26 Jul 2016, 11:12
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Hi Joel,

First off, 640/650 are strong scores (they're right around the 80th percentile overall), so either could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. You're ultimately asking Admissions questions though, so 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/

Many Business Schools place a higher value on an applicant's Quant Scaled Score, so if choosing between these two scores, it would likely be more beneficial to your overall application to submit the 640.

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

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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joelbr
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. 26 Jul 2016, 11:28
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi Joel,

First off, 640/650 are strong scores (they're right around the 80th percentile overall), so either could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. You're ultimately asking Admissions questions though, so 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/

Many Business Schools place a higher value on an applicant's Quant Scaled Score, so if choosing between these two scores, it would likely be more beneficial to your overall application to submit the 640.

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

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Thank you for your response and input. I will review the link to get a better idea about my options going forward. I did speak with admissions at Ivey (Western) in Canada, and they said there would be no need to rewrite the exam unless I wanted to (a) obtain more in potential scholarships or (b) apply for consulting/investment positions at reputable companies. I asked similar questions to Rotman (University of Toronto), but their response was much more vague. I do get that the overall application matters - the score is the only thing I feel somewhat shaky about.

1) I want to apply to Ivey, Rotman and Queens in Canada and I was hoping to apply to some of the good schools in the US but their average GMAT scores hover around the 700-720 range.
2) I plan on applying this year
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. 26 Jul 2016, 23:17
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joelbr
Hi all,

I'm seeking an expert opinion on my Official Scores versus my practice CAT Scores and whether I should rewrite the test (yet again).

On my practice CATs (I purchased all of the GMAC exams) my average score was approximately 690. I was hoping for slightly higher scores in order to apply to the good schools in the USA, but I live in Canada and was also considering our schools which have much lower GMAT score averages. In short, I was content with that score.

However my official scores didn't pan out as well as I hoped. I wrote on June 20th and received a score of 650 (37V, 42Q, 4I, 5AWA). My quant/IR were much lower than expected (I was averaging 47-49Q, 6-7IR).

I decided to write the test again immediately (mid-July) and, again, my score was disappointing (640, 32V, 47Q, 5IR, 5.5AWA). I improved in every category except for verbal, which was a massive drop. Had I maintained roughly the same Verbal score as my first test, I would have been sitting at a 680/690.

I talked to some of the Canadian schools and they suggest using the 650 and potentially rewriting the exam after acceptance for scholarships and competitive jobs post mba. I'm also thinking of resigning early from my current job (I work really long hours and some weekends) to have more time and energy for the test and the applications.

Does that sound wise? Should I just try again and go for the US schools?

Thanks,

Joel

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I almost never suggest people to leave their job to prepare for GMAT and to write applications. It is hard to explain why you needed to leave your job for something that most people are able to manage while working. Late working hours and lots of travel usually sound like excuses until and unless your profile truly justifies it. I would suggest you to retake in the next 2 months and start working on your apps simultaneously. You can take the help of a consultant in case you feel you will not be able to research enough for your applications because of shortage of time. You will know exactly which direction to think in and how best to frame your answers for each school. And yes, you should definitely try for the US schools too - you are limited only by your ambition (or lack of it).

Get a free profile evaluation done here:
https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#-school/
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. 27 Jul 2016, 09:33
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joelbr
Hi all,

I'm seeking an expert opinion on my Official Scores versus my practice CAT Scores and whether I should rewrite the test (yet again).

On my practice CATs (I purchased all of the GMAC exams) my average score was approximately 690. I was hoping for slightly higher scores in order to apply to the good schools in the USA, but I live in Canada and was also considering our schools which have much lower GMAT score averages. In short, I was content with that score.

However my official scores didn't pan out as well as I hoped. I wrote on June 20th and received a score of 650 (37V, 42Q, 4I, 5AWA). My quant/IR were much lower than expected (I was averaging 47-49Q, 6-7IR).

I decided to write the test again immediately (mid-July) and, again, my score was disappointing (640, 32V, 47Q, 5IR, 5.5AWA). I improved in every category except for verbal, which was a massive drop. Had I maintained roughly the same Verbal score as my first test, I would have been sitting at a 680/690.

I talked to some of the Canadian schools and they suggest using the 650 and potentially rewriting the exam after acceptance for scholarships and competitive jobs post mba. I'm also thinking of resigning early from my current job (I work really long hours and some weekends) to have more time and energy for the test and the applications.

Does that sound wise? Should I just try again and go for the US schools?

Thanks,

Joel

Posted from my mobile device
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If your job doesn't mean much to you, feel free to call it quits and focus on your applications for a few months. Some people need more time to study for a test than others; if you're looking to apply in Round 1, you're running out of time. Make sure you can find a job after completing the applications though.

Your score is on the low end for top 50 schools in the US. If you can get into the 700's, not only will you be more likely to get accepted to the very top programs but you will also be eligible for more scholarship money for slightly less prestigious programs. I have posted about the value of a GMAT score increase here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-much-is-a ... 21496.html

If you decide to re-take, make sure you know how to prepare the right way this time. If you post your ESR, I and others will be able to help you analyze your performance and give you more specific advice on how to study.