Should I try again? (Low verbal :( )

Question

Hi All,

I recently gave my first attempt (after about a months irregular practice). I scored 710 (AWA awaited, IR 8, Q 50 and V 34). I am targeting top 10 B-schools and wondering if lower score in verbal can hamper my chances?

Thanks,

P.S. (30+ male, Indian, engineer from IIT, 8 years work experience (5 in USA+Singapore, 3 in India), good grades with 3rd rank in my batch, reasonable extracurricular and working in manufacturing industry for one of the top 3 companies in the world .)

KarishmaB · Answer

V34 could be a red flag for the top schools. Many Indian male engineer profiles will have a similar GMAT score. To give a boost to your profile, a good (V40+) verbal score would be desirable. 
Also, you have quite a bit of work-ex so focus on that in your apps. Interesting essays will help you rise above the competition.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi KD0182,

With a 710/Q50, you have a GMAT score that would make every Business School happy, so if you're looking to *really* improve your applications(s), then you're probably going to have to focus your energies onto the other parts of your application. This is also meant to say that if you were to be rejected by a Business School, then it would NOT be because of your GMAT score.

Top Business Schools are remarkably competitive - they receive LOTS of applications and most (if not all) of the applicants are qualified. As such, you have to be MORE than just qualified, you have to STAND OUT. A slightly higher GMAT score is NOT going to help you stand out that much because it's just a number (and plenty of the other applicants have a 700+ score too). To make sure that you're presenting yourself in the proper way(s), you might consider working with an Admissions Expert. While they can't guarantee you anything, they can certainly make sure that you've presented your overall application in the strongest way possible, which might be exactly what you need to get into your first choice Business School.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

manyatpr · Answer

Hi KD0182,

GMAT is not the only criterion a school judges an application on. Make sure you put across a solid application to offset any doubts.Let us know if you have any further queries and we would be happy to help.

www.manyagroup.com

JTuquero · Answer

HI KDO182 I agree with manyaabroadtpr - remember that the GMAT is not the only element in your MBA application. As you think about retaking the exam, consider the following: how much time and energy can you devote to prepping for the GMAT, what is your approximate net gain (how much do you think you can improve), and is your current score good enough to get you in to your target schools. Here's a blog post that discusses this decision making process a bit more: https://econgm.at/1SxI5f. Thanks, and I hope this helps! Jessica

OptimusPrep · Answer

You should def. improve your verbal score to have realistic chances....

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manyatpr · Answer

Hi KD0182,

Here are some tips you can follow to improve your verbal.

You need to have a good vocabulary to understand the GMAT CR and RC passages. However the RC passages require that you are able to understand the words used in the context of the passage.Hence it would be best if you start reading articles, science journals , business tabloids and read them online and figure out for yourself if you can understand the language and the main idea present in the passage. This would be a better way to tackle vocabulary on the GMAT.

For CR, you need to understand & gauge what question types you are getting wrong most frequently. Then, you can work on & practice the question types you are facing problems with.It is important that you take complete tests so that you get acclimatized to sitting for approx. 4 hrs.

Moreover, if you are targeting to score high in Verbal, it is important that you get to the Verbal section stress free. So, make sure that you don't carry the stress & pressure of the previous sections to the Verbal section.

Lastly, it is essential to work on the pacing of the questions & how much time you spend on each question.Do leave enough time to attempt the last few question & don't rush through these.

Hope this helps.Good Luck
www.manyagroup.com

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi KD0182
You should go ahead and give GMAT another shot for 3 reasons:
1. The average GMAT score of top 10 B-schools is around 730. So you don’t not want to be out of the game in the very beginning because of a low GMAT score.
2. You want to be confident that you have kept your best foot forward – Because you have mentioned that you took the first test with only a month’s preparation.
3. You will remarkably increase your chances to receive scholarships from B-schools ranked in the middle e.g. Emory University (Ranked 20th)
Shirupa 
CrackVerbal

Should I try again? (Low verbal :( )

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