Retake GMAT? 740 (45 Q / 46 V)

Question

Hi all,

I took the GMAT online a few weeks ago and scored a 740, 45 Quant (54th percentile) 46 Verbal (99th percentile). I was disappointed with my Quant score given my previous practice score tests below, so I decided to retake in person this past weekend. Unfortunately I received a 720 on the retake, 42 Quant (42nd percentile) 47 Verbal (99th percentile). I studied for three months before these tests and felt well-prepared for both.

Practice scores for reference in chronological order:
740 (48 Quant / 44 Verbal)
740 (48 Quant / 42 Verbal)
730 (47 Quant / 42 Verbal)
770 (49 Quant / 46 Verbal)

Also some brief info about me to provide further context:
3.7 GPA from top 10 university
Economics / Government double major
Three years work experience in investment banking
Minority candidate

My two questions are:
1. Should I retake a third time to try to improve my Quant percentile?
2. Should I report my 720 retake score to schools, even though it is lower, to show a second attempt?

Target schools are HBS / Wharton / Kellogg / Booth / Fuqua

RiseAndShinee · Answer

Nope, no need to retake again. More than enough. Whether u show retake or not will not make a big difference. Your call.

Posted from my mobile device

MBADecoder · Answer

I think your GMAT score of 740 is very respectable indeed. Its time for you to put the GMAT behind you and move over to the applications, specially if you are applying in R1. I see a lot of good things in your profile already, spend time in writing the essays now

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi oxfordcomma3,
 
Great questions. 
 
1) Although I would not say it’s necessary, given how you were scoring on your practice exams, if you want to give your GMAT one last shot, I have no problems with that.
 
2) No, I do not see any reason to submit your 720.

bb · Answer

Wow. Interesting - your quant went down even lower and verbal went up higher. Insane! 
Sorry about that. I am sure you have been focusing on quant. I think you want to formulate the score submission strategy to schools with admissions consultants or current students or your network of folks who may help bounce some ideas. It really depends on the take/view. Some may say never and others may see it as a plus.

Your quant score of Q45 is acceptable but it is on the lower side. it may be odd for someone who does quant things for a living but if you are not a quant person and you are a marketing/sales/comms/etc then that's just your profile. i would just embrace it and say - I am who I am. Nobody is perfect and everone has their strenghts and weaknesses. Schools look for diversity of strengths and weaknesses and you may have a chance to standout, though again, it depends on how you present your story.

Good Luck!!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi oxfordcomma3,

First off, a 740/Q45 is an outstanding overall Score, so you can comfortably apply to any Business Schools that interest you. As such, a retest is likely not necessary. The Q45 won't "impress" anyone, but it won't get you rejected from any Programs either. Submitting your 2nd Score would NOT benefit your application at all though, so you should not submit it to any of the Schools that you plan to apply to. Since you are interested in some highly-competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

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

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

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Retake GMAT? 740 (45 Q / 46 V)

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