GMAT score 690 should I try again?

Question

Hello everybody.

I did my first GMAT test today, and the result is not really what I expected. I aim to reach 700 or above but in the end I couldn't.

I know it is not a big different between 690 and 700 and 690 is not a very low level. But I can't help feeling disappointed.

I am currently working and my job is getting busier from now to the end of this year. And I have to have my score before December 31st. So I am not sure in my current situation can I improve my GMAT score to 720-730 or better.

If you have some experience in improving GMAT score while working or any experience in evaluating GMAT score please share. Any comments will be welcomed and appreciated!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jessss,

First off, a 690 is a fantastic score (it's above the 85th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admission ... tants-124/

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Thus, someone who scores 690 on the GMAT could potentially score 720 without too much difficulty. That being said, if your 'ability level' is really closer to a 660 - and a 690 is the 'upper end' of your score range - then you would have to make some adjustments to how you handle the Exam before you could consistently score at that higher level.

1) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 690?
2) How did you score on EACH of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

jessss · Answer

Thank you so much for your answer
I got Q47 and V38. I am not an English native speaker so improve Quant score would be easier to me.
Normally my test scores were around 700: 46-48 quant and 38-40V. So 690 is a fair level for me, not too far from my practice tests.
I work 8 hours a day and sometimes I have to bring my work home to finish so I can only study for 1-2 hours per weekday and 5-6 hours on Sat/Sun.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jessss,

Since it sounds like your Official GMAT Score is right in line with your CAT scores, you should do some analysis of your most recent CAT - with the goal of trying to define WHY you're getting questions wrong (and the more EXACT you can be with your answers, the better).

After reviewing each section of this CAT, how many questions did you get wrong....
1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal that you just could not remember how to do?
3) Because the question was too hard?
4) Because you were low on time and had to guess?

Based on your answers to these questions, we can figure out what you would need to work on to pick up the missing points that you're after.

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

k1414 · Answer

Hi Jessss,

Congrats on the score - it's a balanced one too, in which the percentiles for quant/verbal are fairly similar. The score being good enough depends on 1.) Your overall profile, and 2.) The schools you are looking to apply to. If you think you have a strong profile, and this score is commonly accepted, then you should have no problem - if not, you could consider rewriting. Best of luck!

mtnginger · Answer

It's really up to you and what schools you're applying too. If you see that you profile is only average for your school choices then yea retake. If you're a stronger candidate then maybe that time can better be spent somewhere else. I wanted to comment though on my gmat to maybe encourage you since you seem to suggest that the 690 was inline with your abilities and you're unsure if you can really improve.

I got a 690 my first try after about 4 months of self study and I was happy but I knew i needed a higher score to have a shot at my dream programs. I believe that the 690 was right at the height of my self study abilities but I got the 3 month Empowergmat program and raised my score to a 750. I did this in about 1.5 months of really studying after taking a 5 month break for busy season. The tricks the program taught me was something I wouldn't have thought of on my own and wasn't in my manhattan guides. If you want to raise your score maybe try using new materials you may learn something to make a question type you struggled on easier. Plus if you raise your verbal just a tad you'll solidly be in 700 territory.

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AjiteshArun · Answer

You're in a very good position to increase your score. And your verbal (38) is actually better than your quant (47), so working on your quant could just be the right thing to do.

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GMAT score 690 should I try again?

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