GMAT 2nd Attempt(Post 6 Months) - 660 Q46 V34 IR6

Question

Hello all,
I have just retaken my GMAT for the first time and scored 660 Q46 V35. My mock scores also aligned around this score so I wasn't surprised.
I am considering a retake to improve, if possible, by another 30 to 40 points but I need to make the cut for R1 admissions. Please find my mock scores. I am also conflicted on whether to take a retake or apply to the colleges whose averages are around 660.
1st GMAT Attempt: 570 Q42 V26(10th March 2022)

Mock 1- 710 Q49 V38(Official mock)
Mock 2- 680 Q46 V36(Official mock)
Mock 3- 650 Q44 V35(Manhattan)
Mock 4- 650 Q48 V38(Manhattan)
Mock 5- 650 Q44 V37(Empower GMAT)
Mock 6- 640 Q44 V33(Manhattan)

My question is whether I will be able to improve 30 to 40 points in 4 to 5 weeks or do you think it will take longer? I am currently using TTP and I have completed the whole program. It took me close to 6 months to improve to 660 so I feel it might take a bit longer but any advice is appreciated.

Please find my debrief from the previous attempt: https://gmatclub.com/forum/got-570-in-g ... 84455.html

Thank you!

jeffreyadcom · Answer

Have you identified any areas where you are making mistakes consistently? 
 Verbal Errors > Quant Errors?
 SC or CR or RC? 
Why is your quant score scaling down? Which sections are you faltering in? 
Analyse and pick the areas where you'd practise more

Indian IT applicant pool at top 15 schools is extremely competitive on two fronts -
 Average GMAT scores over 750
Brilliant academic profile (IITs etc) and good international work experience.

I know few from this pool with 780 GMAT getting rejected due to below par work ex or creaky application packages & essays not projecting their adequate work ex. Without a 7XX GMAT score, don't even get anywhere near the Application process.

anagharaj · Answer

Hi  jeffreyadcom , 
thank you for your input!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi anagharaj,

Great job so far! Feel free to contact us on live chat, and we can discuss a plan moving forward.

bb · Answer

Hi. It is a tricky question and it is always one that comes up around R1 and R2.
I would say you need to put as much time as you can into your applications to be able to pull together a strong app. It is not worth applying with a 700 but a crappy app.
What you need to decide is whether you can muster another 40-50 points (your score is consistent by the way) which means going after you weak spots - I see you could try to pull up your Q and possibly get 1-2 more points on V and get over the 700 but not sure if you can at this stage. Some people get emotionally exhausted....

I would decide if you want to spend your time on Apps or on the GMAT. I would guess that if you go after GMAT, it will be hard to pull off more than 1 or 2 decent apps and I would spread them among R1 and R2. You would have a much better shot if you have more time to put a stronger application together by R2 so don't apply to all of your target schools in R1. I would pick 1 safety and 1 target this late before R1.

anagharaj · Answer

Hi bb , Thank you for your input! That's what I am planning too now, apply to a safe college and then apply to my target schools for R2. Hopefully, I can improve my scores by then

Thank you!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

In case you retake, you may want to purchase some Official Mocks. To improve your Verbal, there's an idiom list on the GMAT Knight blog that may be helpful for SC. You may also want to learn the Negation technique for Assumption questions on CR. How much you can improve your score in a time period depends. Had a student who went from a V31 to a V40 retake in about 30 days. Perhaps check the Share GMAT Experience sub forum for more insight on that end.

egmat · Answer

anagharaj - I would recommend another option - Apply to your target school (probably one or two) in R1 and improve your score before they send out the interview invites. That way you get to apply in R1 and can take advantage of your potentially improved GMAT score. A few people have done the same.

How should you improve from 660?

Make sure that you have a solid improvement plan that contains specific milestones, and metrics that define those milestones. In addition, read the articles below to learn the core skills you need to build to improve your Quant and Verbal scores:

Quant: https://e-gmat.com/blogs/gmat-quant-tips-to-score-q50/
Verbal: https://e-gmat.com/blogs/how-to-prepare-gmat-verbal/

-Rajat

anagharaj · Answer

Hello egmat , Thank you for your input! I have decided to do the same too

egmat · Answer

anagharaj  - glad you are pursuing this path. Just create a plan, have trackable metrics, and execute on the same.

-Rajat

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

GMAT 2nd Attempt(Post 6 Months) - 660 Q46 V34 IR6

Retake with 5 weeks prep or not?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards