Should I Retake the GMAT Taking the GMAT is a fairly big decision in itself. You are probably applying to business school, or just want to take the test out of the way. Regardless of whatever your score is, it is easy to get intimidated by people with 760 and above spending the application season without a top school admit. What does that really mean? Does the GMAT not matter as much as people think it does? At the same time, per GMAC Research , retaking often brings value. On average, a person can gain 30 points by retaking. This could be explained by being more comfortable with the environment, knowing what to expect, and having a better stamina and time management. Also third and fourth, fifth, sixth attemps have paid off for a number of folks. (attached is the latest GMAT retake research by GMAT former director, Dr. Rudner) When you should REALLY retake You are from an overrepresented applicant pool The GMAT score for overrepresented applicant pool tends to be higher on average. WHY? Probably because with most career trajectory and undergrad performance largely similar, the GMAT can act as a great differentiator. To support this hypothesis, I analyzed the GMAT Club app tracker (post if you want me to add charts), and found less than 5% of Indian applicants, a massive pool, have a GMAT that is less than 760. While that is incredibly discouraging for most people, it also tells you how competitive this b school admission season really was. Your GMAT score is less than 50 points of the school median Most schools publish their median GMAT score. It is no surprise that every year schools report a higher GMAT average or median for their graduating class. If your GMAT score is 680, and the GSB Stanford median is 722, it is highly unlikely for you to get an admission, especially if you come from an applicant pool which traditionally applies in large numbers. Your GMAT Prep score and actual GMAT score are wildly different It is probably (albeit not likely), that you had a bad day. If you have been consistently scoring 740+ on GMAT Prep and GMAT Prep Exam Packs (be careful not to dilute those question pools by attempting lots of official questions from the forum), and on test day you find yourself getting a score less than 700, it could be possible that it was an exception. GMAC notes that standard deviation for GMAT Prep scores is around 50 points, and if you are on the higher end of that deviation, you should probably give it another shot. You have not REALLY studied The internet is flooded with questionable GMAT resources ranging from "free downloads" and "you won't believe how I scored 760" type articles. A great way to score 700+ in the GMAT has always been following official materials and studying from reputed prep companies. Check out GMAT Club partner review page before you choose to sign up for a course. If you want to buy books, check this thread asap for verbal and quant Your score is not balanced Often B Schools look to see a balanced GMAT score. What does it mean? Well, in GMAT terms, at least 80th percentile in both sections (this has become a hurdle for quant, which offers a 77th percentile for a respectable Q49). Check out the latest percentiles from GMAC . Note that for a greater overall score, verbal plays a massive difference, meaning that if you score 90 percentile in verbal and a 80 percentile in quant, your score will be higher than if you had scored the reverse. You are waitlisted with a less than median GMAT/you want $$$ from the schools Often the only waitlist update that schools accept is an improved GMAT (looking at you, Ross), and retaking the GMAT is absolutely essential. The same goes for scoring some extra scholarships. You are an Indian IT Male You are doomed. Blame your parents. When you are better off NOT retaking You have the score If your score is well balanced, around or higher the median of your peers (not the class average - that is deceptive), and you have not really researched enough to write those stellar essays, you should focus your time and energy on research and some more. You have a great undergrad GPA Some peopel are just not naturally great at testing. The GMAT is an evalauator of your academic performance which stands as an indicator of how you will perform in business school. If you have proved academic prowess (straight As in undergrad or stellar coursework), you may get an admit without the best GMAT in the class. You have exhausted most prep materials To quote Ross admissions "do not make a sport out of taking the test". If you have exhausted everything, how do you plan to improve? If you are still set on taking the GMAT, focus on quality instead. Maintain an elaborate error log and review mistakes rigorously. Best GMAT Retake Stories Massive SC improvement 730 to 760 - retake success Attention really matters 170 point improvement Journey from 490 to 700 From 550 to 690 to 750 From 420 to 700 to Wharton 570 to 760 in 3 months 640 to 770 by billyjeans 500 to 700 From a year long battle from 670 to 730 4 Attempts with 580, 600, and finally 710 GMAT Retake Disasters 4th Attempt - 540 Better prep but score dropped Bitten Twice From 580 to 540 by JohnLewis From 720 to 690 by Pathfinder - currently attending Wharton From 560 to 510 by Mediamindy From 610 to 570 after 3 months of studying 680 to 620 by Noboru 740 to 710 by MCM 6 months to go from 690 to 690 GMAT Retake Recommendations I have scavenged the forum and other sources to find some efficient and great advice for retakes. Choose the ones that seem to be most applying to your situation

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Should I Retake the GMAT

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ScottTargetTestPrep

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01 Mar 2023, 11:22

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flman98

Hey Everyone,

I took the GMAT for the first time a couple weeks ago and got a 760 (49Q 45V 7IR 6AWA). I know it’s a competitive score, but I got 770s and 8IRs on both practice tests. Is it worth retaking?

For some background, I’m a US Army intel officer from West Point targeting M7s (Sloan #1). I won’t be applying until fall 2025, so I’ve got some time on my hands. Attending a top MBA program is huge/long term goal for me, so I don’t feel weird about working hard for marginal gains. However, I’m wondering if my time might be better spent somewhere else (CFA exams?).

Posted from my mobile device

Did you end up retaking your GMAT?

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21 Nov 2023, 00:03

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Hello everyone,

I gave my official GMAT test(2nd attempt) yesterday and got the same score as in 1st my 1st attempt. My 1st attempt was partially without preparation, but in this 2nd attempt, I took the TTP's 6-month course as well for my preparation and actively engaged in GMATClub's questions. I isolated myself from social media; I uninstalled WhatsApp for 6 months since May this year and my FB account was deactivated for over 4 years since my 1st attempt. Between my 1st and 2nd attempts, I didn't study much during the pandemic period. I have struggled a lot with my Verbal questions in both the official tests. My current job profile has been a huge hindrance for me to concentrate as well since I was working for 12-13 hours a day and even during weekends. I was only able to do my preparation during weekends and while I was taking paid leave to study. I have strictly informed my manager today, although, that I wouldn't be working beyond my shift timings. I should have done this before rather than giving more importance to my work.

Score received in both my official attempts: 460 (Q42 and V10 in 1st attempt) and (Q40 and V14 in yesterday's attempt)

Resources I used during my preparation:
TTP for Verbal: I performed well (not great) in the easy questions in the TTP's question sets but struggled a bit with medium and got butchered in hard ones. I don't know whether this test isn't for me.
TTP for Quant: I surely got almost all the questions correct, 60-80% of the questions in medium level and 50-70% in hard level ones.

GMATNinja's tutoring videos: I watched the GMATNinja team's Quant & Verbal videos in the playlist (able to solve the 1st 6-7 questions out of the total questions in each of Quant's videos, but Verbal I struggled with especially CR & RC).

Official Guides.

I would urge every expert on this forum to please provide a resolution on what can I do to improve my GMAT score. I have seen so many positive debriefs about students scoring from low 300s to 700s, I want to be such an example too. I am determined to crush this test at any cost now. I would need significant improvement in Verbal since I am finding it difficult to understand the dense passages in RC. I have subscribed to the Economist today based on the debriefs that I have seen previously. I have seen students recommending some non-fiction books. Could you please suggest a list of 5-10 such books that would surely augment my verbal skills? Finally, for Quant, I am sure I would need even more practice and I promise I will deep dive into the Quant mega-thread available in this forum and Official mocks for both Quant & Verbal. But any additional advice is highly appreciated. Do you also recommend meditation or any other ways to improve cognitive thinking? If so, could you please suggest some? I want to give everything before my 3rd attempt. I will be targeting the Focused version of GMAT since I am burnt out way too much now. I will start my preparation in 1st week of January.

ScottTargetTestPrep
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Regards,
Biswadeep

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22 Nov 2023, 20:35

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Biswadeep20

I would urge every expert on this forum to please provide a resolution on what can I do to improve my GMAT score.

Hi Biswadeep.

To increase your Verbal score, you probably need to practice a lot more, in addition to reviewing concepts and doing general reading to improve your reading skills.

When practicing Verbal, seek to get a lot out of every question by doing much of your practice untimed and carefully analyzing each question choice by choice.

For some key tips on how to improve in Verbal, see this post.

How to Master GMAT Verbal

Score-Quest

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23 Nov 2023, 00:38

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Biswadeep20

Hello everyone,

I gave my official GMAT test(2nd attempt) yesterday and got the same score as in 1st my 1st attempt. My 1st attempt was partially without preparation, but in this 2nd attempt, I took the TTP's 6-month course as well for my preparation and actively engaged in GMATClub's questions. I isolated myself from social media; I uninstalled https://gmatclub.com/chat for 6 months since May this year and my FB account was deactivated for over 4 years since my 1st attempt. Between my 1st and 2nd attempts, I didn't study much during the pandemic period. I have struggled a lot with my Verbal questions in both the official tests. My current job profile has been a huge hindrance for me to concentrate as well since I was working for 12-13 hours a day and even during weekends. I was only able to do my preparation during weekends and while I was taking paid leave to study. I have strictly informed my manager today, although, that I wouldn't be working beyond my shift timings. I should have done this before rather than giving more importance to my work.

Score received in both my official attempts: 460 (Q42 and V10 in 1st attempt) and (Q40 and V14 in yesterday's attempt)

Resources I used during my preparation:
TTP for Verbal: I performed well (not great) in the easy questions in the TTP's question sets but struggled a bit with medium and got butchered in hard ones. I don't know whether this test isn't for me.
TTP for Quant: I surely got almost all the questions correct, 60-80% of the questions in medium level and 50-70% in hard level ones.

GMATNinja's tutoring videos: I watched the GMATNinja team's Quant & Verbal videos in the playlist (able to solve the 1st 6-7 questions out of the total questions in each of Quant's videos, but Verbal I struggled with especially CR & RC).

Official Guides.

I would urge every expert on this forum to please provide a resolution on what can I do to improve my GMAT score. I have seen so many positive debriefs about students scoring from low 300s to 700s, I want to be such an example too. I am determined to crush this test at any cost now. I would need significant improvement in Verbal since I am finding it difficult to understand the dense passages in RC. I have subscribed to the Economist today based on the debriefs that I have seen previously. I have seen students recommending some non-fiction books. Could you please suggest a list of 5-10 such books that would surely augment my verbal skills? Finally, for Quant, I am sure I would need even more practice and I promise I will deep dive into the Quant mega-thread available in this forum and Official mocks for both Quant & Verbal. But any additional advice is highly appreciated. Do you also recommend meditation or any other ways to improve cognitive thinking? If so, could you please suggest some? I want to give everything before my 3rd attempt. I will be targeting the Focused version of GMAT since I am burnt out way too much now. I will start my preparation in 1st week of January.

ScottTargetTestPrep
JeffTargetTestPrep
MartyTargetTestPrep
bb
GMATNinja
GMATNinjaTwo

Regards,
Biswadeep

Hi Biswadeep,

It's clear that you're committed to improving your score. When it comes to GMAT prep, it's essential to focus on the basics before diving into more complex strategies or supplementary materials like reading non-fiction books or The Economist. While these activities can be beneficial in the long run, they aren't immediately necessary for boosting your GMAT score.

Your current approach might benefit from a slight shift in focus. Concentrate on getting a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts. You can achieve this through any good test prep company or even self-study materials like the Manhattan guides. The key is to thoroughly complete your chosen material and ensure you have a strong grasp of the basics.

Once you're confident with the fundamentals, you can start practicing with the official guides. Considering your scores, it seems there might be some gaps in your fundamental understanding, particularly in Verbal. Don't get too caught up in the dramatic score improvements others have made; focus on your own journey and progress.

Practicing without a solid understanding of the fundamentals can be counterproductive. It's like trying to build a house without laying a proper foundation first. No matter how much effort you put into practicing, if the basic principles and concepts aren't well understood, it becomes much harder to make significant progress. So, before diving back into practice questions and tests, take a step back and invest time in solidifying your grasp of the fundamental concepts. This will make your practice sessions far more effective and will likely lead to a more significant improvement in your score

You're already putting in the effort, which is commendable. Now, it's just a matter of redirecting that effort more effectively. Finish your test prep material thoroughly, make sure you're comfortable with the fundamentals, and then move on to practice and analysis. You've got this, and with a more focused approach, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goal score in your next attempt.

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30 Nov 2023, 19:55

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Hi Biswadeep,

Feel free to reach out to us on live chat, and we can figure out what's going on with your GMAT score.

Biswadeep20

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06 Dec 2023, 12:54

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MartyMurray

Biswadeep20

I would urge every expert on this forum to please provide a resolution on what can I do to improve my GMAT score.

Hi MartyMurray,

Thank You Murray for your advice. I have started reading recommended books that I found on this forum to increase my reading & comprehension skills.

MartyMurray

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Biswadeep20

Hi MartyMurray,

Thank You Murray for your advice. I have started reading recommended books that I found on this forum to increase my reading & comprehension skills.

Great. You could also read articles from the following publications:

• Smithsonian

• BBC History

• Life Magazine

• Economist

• The New York Times

• New Yorker

• Archaeology Magazine

• Science Magazine

• Scientific American

• Science Daily

• Astronomy Magazine

• American Scientist

• Atlantic Monthly

• Physics Today

• Wall Street Journal

• Harvard Business Review

• Harvard Magazine

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14 Dec 2023, 17:20

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hi
GMATNinja
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or anyone PLEASE give me advice on whether i should resit the GMAT

Demographic: Canadian, Undergraduate degree in Finance and economics, female age 22. I just graduated from my undergraduate studies last month.
Education: Bachelor's in economics and finance from McGill University, GPA 3.77/4.0
GMAT: 680
Workex: I have done two previous internships in wealth management as well as real estate investments at a prominent bank and pension fund.
Int'l exposure: Prior to moving to canada i used to live in the middle east and have extensive exposure travelling, have done multiple study programs abroad as well
Extra Currics: Have been involved in federal youth political organizations, have my own podcast, was the director of operations at a non profit financial literacy club throughout mcgill, was a member of the investment club at mcgill.

IMPORTANT: please keep in mind i am applying for masters in finance programs and NOT MBA programs, therefore I'm looking for specific advice as to whether my GMAT, given my profile; will be good for the masters in finance programs at schools including LBS, HEC, Yale, Columbia and Booth. I was honestly only aiming for a 700 so thats what i would be aiming for if i resit it, therefore mainly a 20 point increase.

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14 Dec 2023, 17:28

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hihi_1220

Consider writing a profile-review. You could include the schools and program you're targeting as well as any other queries you have. If you're thinking of retaking, the ESR may be worth checking out.

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

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GmatKnightTutor i have written one and havent received a response

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The GMAT is important for business school admission because it helps the admission committee to evaluate your academic potential, compare you with other applicants, and predict your success in the program. However, the GMAT is not the only factor that matters. Your work experience, essays, recommendations, interviews, and other aspects of your profile also play a significant role in your admission chances.

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Updated on: 01 Apr 2025, 16:08

Originally posted by RetaketheGMAT on 21 Dec 2023, 11:57.
Last edited by RetaketheGMAT on 01 Apr 2025, 16:08, edited 1 time in total.

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hihi_1220

Hi

The retake decision ultimately comes down to two things:
1) The score expectations of the schools you're targeting
2) The reasons why you fell short of your target score

The first one can be answered with a bit of research.
The latter needs a proper diagnostic session -- you need to understand your exact gaps both in terms of concepts and test taking skills (ie. solving approach). When we do our free diagnostic session with potential clients who are retaking, we find that the majority of the time the issue is more test taking skills rather than concept gaps.

Let me know if you'd like to discuss your challenges and setup the free diagnostic session.

Best of luck

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GMAT is a very important factor for admission, i think one can invest one more year for the bright future. i guess it is too big of a decision to hurry

dm6998

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25 Aug 2024, 23:14

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I have a Verbal 70 percentile but a Quant 85 percentile and DI 94 percentile score. I feel like I can go ahead and apply with this but should I genuinely retake to try a bit better in Verbal? I feel Quants and DI sections would be weighed more than verbal at B-School. Hope I'm not thinking in the wrong direction

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GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83 Verified score

GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51 Verified score

GRE 1: Q170 V169 Verified score

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26 Aug 2024, 20:42

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dhwanilm98

Hi dhwanilm98,

Your 655 is unlikely to be seen as a 655+ score just because your Q and DI percentiles are higher than your verbal percentile. However, that's still a very good overall score.

All the best for the application process.

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Hello All

Need help!

I have a 690 ( Old GMAT ).

Academic credentials :
UG - 9.52/10, PG - 9.32/10, 12th - 96.7, 10th - 9.7

Work Ex - Accenture Japan ( 2.7 years )

Target Schools - ISB, NUS, NTU

Would you suggest to retake ( I do not want to :' ) ?

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Hi everyone,

I’m in a state of shock and could really use your insights to figure out where I went wrong with my GMAT preparation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of my journey:

I am not bad at Math but I always felt I am stronger in Verbal when it comes to GMAT.

Background & Initial Prep (Pre-December 2024)

I left my full-time job on December 5, 2024, due to long hours interfering with my GMAT prep.
While working, I completed Magoosh videos, quizzes, and question banks over 3-4 months.

Full-Time Prep (December 5 – January 11)
Focused on revising concepts and solving MBA 150-question sets for Quant, Verbal, and DI (450 total).
Transitioned to MBA Mock Exams (1-6, totaling 12 exams).
Initial scores: 455–505
By early January: Average ~555

Actual GMAT on January 11: 555 (49th percentile – 76Q, 76DI, 80V)
Only 3 Quant answers wrong, yet scored 76Q – found this surprising but was content given the effort.

Second Attempt Prep (January 26 – March 22)
Took a 15-day break, resumed prep on January 26 (45 days full-time).
Strengthened weak areas:
Used e-GMAT (2-month subscription) for Quant (found it too lengthy to complete).
Completed MBA 1000-question bank (all sections), averaging:
75% accuracy (Medium)
65% accuracy (Hard)
Last 10 days: Reviewed all 12 previous mocks, analyzing each question and concept.

Mock Scores Before Second Attempt:
e-GMAT mock (late March): 415 (vs. 545 on Jan 26)
HSE Paris mock (days before exam): 515

Actual GMAT on March 22: 515 (78V, 76DI, 72Q)

My Confusion & Concerns
Score Drop Despite More Prep: How did I score lower (515 vs. 555) after dedicated full-time study?
Quant Regression: My Quant score dropped (72Q vs. 76Q) despite fewer mistakes in the first attempt.

Questions for the Community
Has anyone faced a similar score drop after intense prep?
I’m feeling lost and would truly appreciate any suggestions or insights. Thank you!

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01 Apr 2025, 16:22

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Hi musaraza175

Keep a few things in mind:

1. The GMAT is unlike any other test you've taken before -- the reasoning challenges that are layered on top of quant, verbal and DI questions test additional skills that you wouldn't have seen in any other studies prior.

2. Everyone's journey to GMAT 'success' is different because it is NOT a test of knowledge recovery (although there is some element of that). It IS a test of skill building -- some of us are exposed to similar reasoning challenges in our work and non-work lives, others aren't. So some of us have a longer way to go than others

3. It seems like you've got the 'quantity not quality' problem with your prep so far. It's clear that you've done a lot of studying (especially practice problems and practice tests) but it's not clear that you've actually identified your critical test taking skill gaps and are doing practice that fills those gaps.

4. A score drop after additional prep isn't unusual because it only takes a couple of questions moving from the correct column to the incorrect column to change your score.

I'd focus on a couple of things: deeper diagnostics on what your exact gaps are. You can try to do it on your own but a GMAT coach would really be able to help with that because they'll have an expert outside view of how you're approaching Q V and DI problems. That doesn't mean you have to get further coaching sessions -- although they will speed up the fix process -- you can just use a coach to refocus your study plan to better target your gaps.

DM is you want to have a more personalised specific conversation about this.

musaraza175

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04 Feb 2026, 08:07

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Thank you for sharing

AryakiSekera

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14 Apr 2026, 13:03

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souvik101990

Should I Retake the GMAT

Taking the GMAT is a fairly big decision in itself. You are probably applying to business school, or just want to take the test out of the way. Regardless of whatever your score is, it is easy to get intimidated by people with 760 and above spending the application season without a top school admit. What does that really mean? Does the GMAT not matter as much as people think it does?

At the same time, per GMAC Research , retaking often brings value. On average, a person can gain 30 points by retaking. This could be explained by being more comfortable with the environment, knowing what to expect, and having a better stamina and time management. Also third and fourth, fifth, sixth attemps have paid off for a number of folks. (attached is the latest GMAT retake research by GMAT former director, Dr. Rudner)

When you should REALLY retake

You are from an overrepresented applicant pool
The GMAT score for overrepresented applicant pool tends to be higher on average. WHY? Probably because with most career trajectory and undergrad performance largely similar, the GMAT can act as a great differentiator. To support this hypothesis, I analyzed the GMAT Club app tracker (post if you want me to add charts), and found less than 5% of Indian applicants, a massive pool, have a GMAT that is less than 760. While that is incredibly discouraging for most people, it also tells you how competitive this b school admission season really was.
Your GMAT score is less than 50 points of the school median
Most schools publish their median GMAT score. It is no surprise that every year schools report a higher GMAT average or median for their graduating class. If your GMAT score is 680, and the GSB Stanford median is 722, it is highly unlikely for you to get an admission, especially if you come from an applicant pool which traditionally applies in large numbers.
Your GMAT Prep score and actual GMAT score are wildly different
It is probably (albeit not likely), that you had a bad day. If you have been consistently scoring 740+ on GMAT Prep and GMAT Prep Exam Packs (be careful not to dilute those question pools by attempting lots of official questions from the forum), and on test day you find yourself getting a score less than 700, it could be possible that it was an exception. GMAC notes that standard deviation for GMAT Prep scores is around 50 points, and if you are on the higher end of that deviation, you should probably give it another shot.
You have not REALLY studied
The internet is flooded with questionable GMAT resources ranging from "free downloads" and "you won't believe how I scored 760" type articles. A great way to score 700+ in the GMAT has always been following official materials and studying from reputed prep companies. Check out GMAT Club partner review page before you choose to sign up for a course. If you want to buy books, check this thread asap for verbal and quant
Your score is not balanced
Often B Schools look to see a balanced GMAT score. What does it mean? Well, in GMAT terms, at least 80th percentile in both sections (this has become a hurdle for quant, which offers a 77th percentile for a respectable Q49). Check out the latest percentiles from GMAC. Note that for a greater overall score, verbal plays a massive difference, meaning that if you score 90 percentile in verbal and a 80 percentile in quant, your score will be higher than if you had scored the reverse.
You are waitlisted with a less than median GMAT/you want $$$ from the schools
Often the only waitlist update that schools accept is an improved GMAT (looking at you, Ross), and retaking the GMAT is absolutely essential. The same goes for scoring some extra scholarships.
You are an Indian IT Male
You are doomed. Blame your parents.

When you are better off NOT retaking

You have the score
If your score is well balanced, around or higher the median of your peers (not the class average - that is deceptive), and you have not really researched enough to write those stellar essays, you should focus your time and energy on research and some more.
You have a great undergrad GPA
Some peopel are just not naturally great at testing. The GMAT is an evalauator of your academic performance which stands as an indicator of how you will perform in business school. If you have proved academic prowess (straight As in undergrad or stellar coursework), you may get an admit without the best GMAT in the class.

You have exhausted most prep materials
To quote Ross admissions "do not make a sport out of taking the test". If you have exhausted everything, how do you plan to improve? If you are still set on taking the GMAT, focus on quality instead. Maintain an elaborate error log and review mistakes rigorously.

Best GMAT Retake Stories

Massive SC improvement
730 to 760 - retake success
Attention really matters
170 point improvement
Journey from 490 to 700
From 550 to 690 to 750
From 420 to 700 to Wharton 570 to 760 in 3 months
640 to 770 by billyjeans
500 to 700
From a year long battle from 670 to 730
4 Attempts with 580, 600, and finally 710

GMAT Retake Disasters

4th Attempt - 540
Better prep but score dropped
Bitten Twice
From 580 to 540 by JohnLewis
From 720 to 690 by Pathfinder - currently attending Wharton
From 560 to 510 by Mediamindy
From 610 to 570 after 3 months of studying
680 to 620 by Noboru
740 to 710 by MCM
6 months to go from 690 to 690

GMAT Retake Recommendations

I have scavenged the forum and other sources to find some efficient and great advice for retakes. Choose the ones that seem to be most applying to your situation

1 2 3 4

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Should I Retake the GMAT

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