Entwhistle, your score jump is phenomenal. If you see my score patterns, I've got 640, 640, 710. I just wrote the test last week and mucked up Math again (M42, V45).
I know I can do better and its just nerves, do you think I should sacrifice my first round apps, and instead go ahead and rewrite to bump up the 710? This will require a concerted effort on Quant with a relative who will help me out, so I have a distinct strategy in mind. Maintaining a V45 will be difficult, and I have to realistically be prepared for a potential 2 point drop in V, but my Math will have to compensate. Learning from your experience would be excellent.
Also, I wanted to share Wharton's perspective on this topic. I posted my situation on their website yesterday and got this response from a moderator today:
Click on this link or read copy-paste below:
https://engage.wharton.upenn.edu/MBA/for ... .aspx#9073Does Wharton accept my best GMAT score?
From: Ashwin85 Aug 08, 2011 Posts 2
Hi
I've written the GMAT thrice. My current progression is 640, 640, 710. My last score (written last week) is highly unbalanced with a 59% percentile in Math and 99% in Verbal. I want to retake a 4th time, but have to be prepared for the worst case scenario that my score may drop if Verbal goes down.
Could someone please advise me on Wharton's policy for GMAT retakers? Does it consider only the highest of the last 3 reported scores, or the last score it gets? Thanks!
A.
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Re: Does Wharton accept my best GMAT score?
From: victormlee Aug 08, 2011 Posts 1,425 In reply to
Wharton considers all GMAT subscores (verbal, quantitative, and AWA) for all test administrations within the last five years. Generally speaking, Wharton AdCom will focus more on the highest subscores achieved across all administrations of the exam. The entire portfolio of scores may be examined, too, however.
For example. someone who took the GMAT three times and focused only on getting a high quantitative subscore on the first, a high verbal subscore on the second, and a high AWA subscore on the third - at the expense of other subscores - would probably not be perceived in as good as light as someone who was able to obtain balanced, high(er) scores across a single administration. While such theoretical individuals would not be compared in a heads-up comparison, AdCom would likely wonder why there was such a discrepancy in subscores in the example I provide, above.
Also, again generally speaking, a pattern of significant progress over time can be a good thing. All else being equal, AdCom would likely give more credence to more recent scores. Note, though, that there is probably a natural limit to how many GMATs one should take. After a certain point, AdCom may begin to wonder if one is improving more as a result of increased familiarity with the test or due to genuine intellectual advancement. Scores obtained within a relatively short period that exhibit large discrepancies may also lead to closer examination of other application materials to see which subscores are more likely to be a true reflection of current ability and which ones - if any - are more like "flukes" (be they good or bad fluke scores).
Without the subscore percentile breakdown of your previous two GMAT administrations, I will be shooting in the dark a bit, here. But I can comfortably say that a 59th percentile math subscore will raise a lot of concern on AdCom's part. And, with two previous GMAT scores of 640, I would guess that, if your scores were previously balanced, it would be unlikely that you exceeded the 75th percentile on both subscores; correct me if I am wrong. Taking the GMAT a 4th time might raise questions about your self-awareness and judgment if it turns out that you cannot significantly improve your quantitative subscore (to a point much closer to the 80th or higher percentile). If you feel that such an achievement will be difficult, there are at least two options:
1) If you are still set on applying to Wharton, consider other ways in which you might be able credibly to demonstrate quantitative aptitude. This is important, as the Wharton MBA program tends to be a particularly more analytical and quantitative program than many of its peer programs.
2) You might also reassess whether Wharton is the best fit for you. If quantitative problems or coursework give you trouble, you might find yourself struggling in class, which would be a disservice to both you and Wharton. A different program might be a better fit. Applying at a later point in time when your quantitative skills have been further developed might also be a superior option.
Some food for thought...
-Victor
WG '11
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06 Aug 2011, 23:50
GMAT requires three months of systematic preparation. I'm not saying you have to slog it out. It's more about smart work than hard work. More often than not, people who form a study plan and stick to it tend to achieve their target scores as opposed to people who go around studying in a haphazard manner. So if you are ready to put the effort, I would encourage you to take the test again.
