Should I retake? 730 but 60%ile Quant.

Question

Hi guys,
Just did my first real GMAT;

V 46- 99%ile
Q 46 60%ile
IR 8
Total  730  96%ile.

I'm currently in a 6 month lull period before I start my first job as a consultant for one of the big firms, so figured it was good to do it now whilst I had spare time. I did two practice tests (from the official GMAT guide,) getting  750  (99% V, 73% Q) and  740  (98% V, 73% Q). My problem is will top business schools be put off by low Quant score? I'm actually really frustrated because haven't spent a second practising verbal outside of practice tests, whereas spent a long time on Quant, so really frustrating to see the score decline since my first 'baseline' test.

I'm fairly confident I would never drop below a 98% verbal, had 20 mins left there today, but always end up with seconds left on quant. Feel like if I could spend another month really focusing there I'd improve it, but will it matter to the top schools?

Appreciate any feedback,
George

souvonik2k · Answer

IMO 730 is a very good score and there is no need to retake the GMAT.
Infact Q 46 is not a very low score as such.

akela · Answer

Hi  Queen6suited ,

I think if you take gmatclub tests, you'll get at leat Q49.

pushpitkc · Answer

Hey George,

If you can push your Quantitative score to Q49-50 and maintain your Verbal score, 
you could be looking at a 99th percentile(760+ score) and that will definitely make 
a very big difference at any program! So, my advice to you will be to invest in 
whatever you think will help you achieve a good score in Quantitative.

From my own experience, the GMATClub tests/GMATPrep(EP1 & EP2) tests
are really good for practice and will definitely help you achieve your target score.

Hope that helps you!

cxa0897 · Answer

If you have a strong quant background, ie. physics, math, engineering major and work as an analyst or data science kind of role, I don't think any school would question your math ability. However, as a male (white?) in consulting, a 730 is probably not going to cut it at the very top schools, doubley so being in big 4 rather than MBB. Given the trend of averages creeping up a few points per year, I also wouldn't doubt a few schools posting 740+ averages by the time you are going to be applying. I hate to say to retake a 730....but I think it is your best bet to separate yourself from the rest of the consultants, especially since you have the down time to study hard right now.

You should also pick up some strong extracurriculars that last years, not just a few months before applying. Try to move into leadership with them and make an impact. Consulting hours are tough, but if you can manage that it will look very good. Good numbers are a great start, and one or two solid ECs can really round everything off.

You should also pick up some strong extracurriculars that last years, not just a few months before applying. Try to move into leadership with them and make an impact. Consulting hours are tough, but if you can manage that it will look very good. Good numbers are a great start, and one or two solid ECs can really round everything off.

AjiteshArun · Answer

While 60% is the overall (global) percentile for Q46 right now, schools generally do not focus on percentiles (they tend to look at the scaled scores) and they try to compare candidates from similar backgrounds. So unless you're from a country where Q48+ is the norm (China, India...), a Q46 will not be considered "low". That said, you're in a very good position to get an even better score, and I'd definitely take the exam again if I were you.

ss3617 · Answer

Hi,

Before you retake, I suggest you strengthen your fundamentals and pace. Take CATs and once you start scoring q49/50 consistently, you can retake GMAT.

But IMO 730 itself is a good score and you can get admitted anywhere with right application

Taz1307 · Answer

Dear George,

First thing which college are you trying in? If you are trying for a college which looks at overall percentile then 730 is a decent score, but if you are trying an Ivey league college , that also focussing on areas like networks and technology management then maybe you may have to ask them. I think the time you spend on pondering over the question of giving it or not wjhy dont you just write to few profs and students and they do reply. Then only think of giving a second go on GMAT

Best wishes

mollad · Answer

I don't think that the Schools focus on percentile.

Taz1307 · Answer

Depends on the course, As the pool is large and it is totally on the college, if we look at the flow of admissions

Queen6suited · Answer

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I am white male from the UK, and job is with ACN. I have an undergrad in Economics from a red brick university in England, but not elite tier.
I think I will be retaking for reasons above, have a lot of time and I understand basically every maths question, it's just implementation and timing, I finished all the questions but was quite often answering very quickly to make up time. Will check out the courses recommended, my only study for this test was completing all the official gmat hard and medium questions from the 2018 guide (plus the two practice tests.)

For anyone who pm'ed me about the verbal, I'd love to help but think I'd be useless. I didn't prep at all for verbal bar the practice tests, and CR and RC I just can kind of figure straight off by reading the text (haven't actually ever dropped a point on these two #brag). The sentence correction I have absolutely no understanding of the official gmat reasoning for what's right or wrong, but tend to just read the sentence in my head with all the options and get it by process of elimination. Not sure why I can do the verbal so well and the maths so bad, but I have read constantly since I was a kid, and last five years I effectively ran my own business within which critical reasoning and kind of abstract thinking was really crucial, so have been used to making arguments and trying to second guess how people would attack them.

Hopefully will post here again in Dec with a much improved maths score!

cxa0897 · Answer

Haha I get pm's all the time about my verbal score and have no idea what I did. I feel like I can barely read sometimes and haven't picked up a book outside of school in probably 15 years.... Critical thinking and knowing the nuances of the language from being a native are huge factors. The rest is pretty much grammar and luck I guess.

akela · Answer

Queen6suited Check out these posts also: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-prep-so ... 46146.html https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... 0(Part%203)%20-%20Linkback%20to%20Part%201

rahul99 · Answer

From my point of view, High Schools does not focuses on Percentile system, You can try GMAT Online for good preparation. Best of Luck.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Should I retake? 730 but 60%ile Quant.

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards