Last visit was: 11 May 2026, 20:01 It is currently 11 May 2026, 20:01
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
avatar
Andreas1990
avatar
Joined: 27 Jan 2014
Last visit: 02 Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Posts: 2
Kudos: 1
 [1]
Should I take the GMAT once again? 27 Jan 2014, 10:36
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi everyone,

I took the GMAT one week ago and get a quite embarrassing score, the total score is to my satisfaction(760 Q51 V41), however, I only get 4.5 for my AWA and 5 for the integrated reasoning, I know the AWA and IR scores are not below average, but they are just not good enough.

I am not a native speaker (I am Chinese), and my target schools are only those ranking top 15, do you think I should take the test once again to pursue better AWA and IR scores? Somebody told me it is absolutely unnecessary since admission council would not take the AWA and IR too seriously.

Honestly, I am not very good at the IR part, because there is too much information to digest for a non-native speaker, if I take the test for another time, the outcome is likely to be T750-780 IR 6-7 and AWA 5-5.5. Although I have never got a score lower than 750 in my prep tests, there is still a chance I would go awry in the next test, here is the risk.

Apart from that, is it advisable to get my AWA rescored? I believe my essay deserve a better score. What is the possibility of an decrease in my score?

One additional question, my undergraduate major is law and I am now working at a prominent PRC law firm, and my major practice area is PE investment, merger and acquisition and some security matters. Just wondering does it look odd for a lawyer to apply to MBA programs? I am not very interested in my work and legal practice in China is not like that in the United States.

Thanks, your replies would be very much appreciated.
User avatar
mikemcgarry
User avatar
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
Joined: 28 Dec 2011
Last visit: 06 Aug 2018
Posts: 4,474
Own Kudos:
30,911
 [1]
Given Kudos: 130
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 4,474
Kudos: 30,911
 [1]
Should I take the GMAT once again? 27 Jan 2014, 11:29
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Andreas1990
Hi everyone,

I took the GMAT one week ago and get a quite embarrassing score, the total score is to my satisfaction(760 Q51 V41), however, I only get 4.5 for my AWA and 5 for the integrated reasoning, I know the AWA and IR scores are not below average, but they are just not good enough.

I am not a native speaker (I am Chinese), and my target schools are only those ranking top 15, do you think I should take the test once again to pursue better AWA and IR scores? Somebody told me it is absolutely unnecessary since admission council would not take the AWA and IR too seriously.

Honestly, I am not very good at the IR part, because there is too much information to digest for a non-native speaker, if I take the test for another time, the outcome is likely to be T750-780 IR 6-7 and AWA 5-5.5. Although I have never got a score lower than 750 in my prep tests, there is still a chance I would go awry in the next test, here is the risk.

Apart from that, is it advisable to get my AWA rescored? I believe my essay deserve a better score. What is the possibility of an decrease in my score?

One additional question, my undergraduate major is law and I am now working at a prominent PRC law firm, and my major practice area is PE investment, merger and acquisition and some security matters. Just wondering does it look odd for a lawyer to apply to MBA programs? I am not very interested in my work and legal practice in China is not like that in the United States.

Thanks, your replies would be very much appreciated.
Show more
Dear Andreas1990,
I'm happy to respond. :-)

My advice: DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT retake the GMAT. It's true: adcom places far more emphasis on the main GMAT score than it places on IR or AWA. Your IR & AWA scores are adequate --- not so low that they raise a red flag. They're fine as is. My suggestion: rather than worry about getting your AWA rescored, write a stellar application essay that is inspiring and grammatically flawless. All adcom wants to know from AWA is: can you write well? If you can demonstrate this in a solid essay, that gives them all they need to know about your writing.

It doesn't look odd for a lawyer to apply for an MBA. Someone with a background in law is going to understand all sorts of nuances to the business world that other people miss. It makes you look like an intelligent and highly educated person who is ambitious to learn & grow in new ways. There's nothing wrong with that!

Does all this make sense?
Mike :-)
avatar
gambelda
avatar
Joined: 12 Jan 2014
Last visit: 31 May 2014
Posts: 83
Own Kudos:
25
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States
Schools: Ross '16 (WL) Booth '16 (D) Duke Fuqua (D) Anderson '16 (D) Marshall '16 (A) Kellogg MMM '17 (D)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V44
GPA: 3.92
Schools: Ross '16 (WL) Booth '16 (D) Duke Fuqua (D) Anderson '16 (D) Marshall '16 (A) Kellogg MMM '17 (D)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V44
Posts: 83
Kudos: 25
 [1]
Should I take the GMAT once again? 29 Jan 2014, 13:20
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mikemcgarry
Andreas1990
Hi everyone,

I took the GMAT one week ago and get a quite embarrassing score, the total score is to my satisfaction(760 Q51 V41), however, I only get 4.5 for my AWA and 5 for the integrated reasoning, I know the AWA and IR scores are not below average, but they are just not good enough.

I am not a native speaker (I am Chinese), and my target schools are only those ranking top 15, do you think I should take the test once again to pursue better AWA and IR scores? Somebody told me it is absolutely unnecessary since admission council would not take the AWA and IR too seriously.

Honestly, I am not very good at the IR part, because there is too much information to digest for a non-native speaker, if I take the test for another time, the outcome is likely to be T750-780 IR 6-7 and AWA 5-5.5. Although I have never got a score lower than 750 in my prep tests, there is still a chance I would go awry in the next test, here is the risk.

Apart from that, is it advisable to get my AWA rescored? I believe my essay deserve a better score. What is the possibility of an decrease in my score?

One additional question, my undergraduate major is law and I am now working at a prominent PRC law firm, and my major practice area is PE investment, merger and acquisition and some security matters. Just wondering does it look odd for a lawyer to apply to MBA programs? I am not very interested in my work and legal practice in China is not like that in the United States.

Thanks, your replies would be very much appreciated.
Dear Andreas1990,
I'm happy to respond. :-)

My advice: DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT retake the GMAT. It's true: adcom places far more emphasis on the main GMAT score than it places on IR or AWA. Your IR & AWA scores are adequate --- not so low that they raise a red flag. They're fine as is. My suggestion: rather than worry about getting your AWA rescored, write a stellar application essay that is inspiring and grammatically flawless. All adcom wants to know from AWA is: can you write well? If you can demonstrate this in a solid essay, that gives them all they need to know about your writing.

It doesn't look odd for a lawyer to apply for an MBA. Someone with a background in law is going to understand all sorts of nuances to the business world that other people miss. It makes you look like an intelligent and highly educated person who is ambitious to learn & grow in new ways. There's nothing wrong with that!

Does all this make sense?
Mike :-)
Show more

You got a 760 and you go to a public forum to tell people how upset you are with it? :roll: :roll: :roll:
avatar
Andreas1990
avatar
Joined: 27 Jan 2014
Last visit: 02 Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
1
Posts: 2
Kudos: 1
Should I take the GMAT once again? 29 Jan 2014, 18:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gambelda
mikemcgarry
Andreas1990
Hi everyone,

I took the GMAT one week ago and get a quite embarrassing score, the total score is to my satisfaction(760 Q51 V41), however, I only get 4.5 for my AWA and 5 for the integrated reasoning, I know the AWA and IR scores are not below average, but they are just not good enough.

I am not a native speaker (I am Chinese), and my target schools are only those ranking top 15, do you think I should take the test once again to pursue better AWA and IR scores? Somebody told me it is absolutely unnecessary since admission council would not take the AWA and IR too seriously.

Honestly, I am not very good at the IR part, because there is too much information to digest for a non-native speaker, if I take the test for another time, the outcome is likely to be T750-780 IR 6-7 and AWA 5-5.5. Although I have never got a score lower than 750 in my prep tests, there is still a chance I would go awry in the next test, here is the risk.

Apart from that, is it advisable to get my AWA rescored? I believe my essay deserve a better score. What is the possibility of an decrease in my score?

One additional question, my undergraduate major is law and I am now working at a prominent PRC law firm, and my major practice area is PE investment, merger and acquisition and some security matters. Just wondering does it look odd for a lawyer to apply to MBA programs? I am not very interested in my work and legal practice in China is not like that in the United States.

Thanks, your replies would be very much appreciated.
Dear Andreas1990,
I'm happy to respond. :-)

My advice: DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT retake the GMAT. It's true: adcom places far more emphasis on the main GMAT score than it places on IR or AWA. Your IR & AWA scores are adequate --- not so low that they raise a red flag. They're fine as is. My suggestion: rather than worry about getting your AWA rescored, write a stellar application essay that is inspiring and grammatically flawless. All adcom wants to know from AWA is: can you write well? If you can demonstrate this in a solid essay, that gives them all they need to know about your writing.

It doesn't look odd for a lawyer to apply for an MBA. Someone with a background in law is going to understand all sorts of nuances to the business world that other people miss. It makes you look like an intelligent and highly educated person who is ambitious to learn & grow in new ways. There's nothing wrong with that!

Does all this make sense?
Mike :-)

You got a 760 and you go to a public forum to tell people how upset you are with it? :roll: :roll: :roll:
Show more

As I said, the main score is fairly satisfactory, I am just wondering whether I should retake GMAT for better AWA and IR scores, as you can see, my scores in these two sections are merely at the average level. No intention to make a show.
User avatar
chromium73
User avatar
Joined: 08 May 2011
Last visit: 21 Oct 2024
Posts: 216
Own Kudos:
93
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Concentration: International Business, General Management
Schools: Wharton '16 (M)
WE:Analyst (Finance: Venture Capital)
Schools: Wharton '16 (M)
Posts: 216
Kudos: 93
Should I take the GMAT once again? 29 Jan 2014, 22:05
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Anything less than an 800 is wildly unacceptable and you will be doomed to an online MBA program
User avatar
BM
User avatar
Joined: 28 Sep 2009
Last visit: 07 Jun 2015
Posts: 1,501
Own Kudos:
1,201
Given Kudos: 432
Status:Graduated
Affiliations: HEC
Concentration: Economics, Finance
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V44
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V44
Posts: 1,501
Kudos: 1,201
Should I take the GMAT once again? 30 Jan 2014, 06:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Okay, guys. With the exception of mikemcgarry's excellent reply, I sense some negative energy going on here. Let's try to actually help Andreas1990 and, if necessary, provide constructive criticism.

First and foremost, Andreas1990, congratulations on your wonderful performance. I think that your overall score is great and there is no compelling reason for a retake. The risks, at least in my opinion, outweigh the benefits. It would probably be better to invest what remaining time and energy that you have on the rest of the application process.
avatar
GMarc
avatar
Joined: 23 Jan 2014
Last visit: 03 May 2014
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
20
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V45
GPA: 4
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V45
Posts: 13
Kudos: 20
Should I take the GMAT once again? 30 Jan 2014, 06:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If you retake the GMAT it will most probably harm you candidature. Your AWA and IR scores are not that important and are still quite good. What will be way more important is the essay you write and what you have to say during the interview so get focus on these parts which will be at least 10 times more important than your AWA and IR scores. If you retake it and (it is not even sure) you get an even better score, then they will just think you don't know what the priorities and cannot make coherent decisions in the time you invest in your application between all the different equally important part of the application
User avatar
Black5tar
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jan 2016
Last visit: 30 Sep 2019
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
15
Given Kudos: 5
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 600 Q47 V27
GPA: 3.5
GMAT 1: 600 Q47 V27
Posts: 44
Kudos: 15
Should I take the GMAT once again? 13 Jan 2016, 20:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Like Andreas1990, I am a Chinese as well. Unfortunately there is a stereotype about our facility with the English language and we do need to use extra effort to overturn this perception.
Moderators:
gchandana
200 posts
MBAACCOUNT2025
General GMAT Forum Moderator
474 posts