After reading all of the retake posts, I'm still torn. I know this is a very good score so I know plenty of people think this is crazy. I will be applying Round 1 later this year.
I studied for about 2.5 months with the
Magoosh Quant focused 3 month plan and then almost 3 weeks with TTP quant studying all day long.
I scored a 730 Q49 V41 one week ago. I was fully expecting to not break past 700 because my most recent official guide practice test was a 690. I've scored a 710 twice on official guide practice tests but paused them several times for quick breaks so I didn't view these as fully accurate of my real performance.
Reasons to keep studying:
- I was already planning on needing to take it a second time.
- I have the time to study with my job.
- I still have all of the TTP Verbal and half the Quant to go through and I was so impressed by what I've seen so far with TTP. I feel like spending two more months with it would be a huge help. Aside from practice questions I haven't put any work into Verbal. I could probably improve this a decent amount.
- I already paid for TTP and have a couple official guide practice tests left, so choosing to study and retake would only cost me the test fee.
- I did good on AWA, but only got a 4 on IR. I don't think this will kill me, but it's not great.
- Higher score would mean better scholarships
Reasons to not retake and apply with my 730:
- The main reason is I'm not sure I could replicate my results from my first attempt. I was so surprised with how well I did. I assume I got lucky on quite a few strategic guesses.
- Like how everyone feels, it would be great to just be done. I've had a week of no studying, but I have been mentally exhausted from all the studying and work.
- The past few months I've neglected a lot of personally fulfilling things like going to the gym as much as I used to, doing some big DIY projects I already started on my house, and I pretty much shut out most of my friends. If I wasn't at work I was studying.
In my heart I think giving it a second attempt is the "right" answer, but I'm not sure if a 740 or 750 would really make a difference in my application. My target schools are Booth, Kellogg, MIT, Ross, and potentially Columbia and Stern. I'm a white male but also military so kind of underrepresented.
Would love any and all advice.