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GMAT Focus 1: 685 Q90 V80 DI82
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GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V33
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cric_fan
Hi everyone,

I recently took the GMAT Classic (1st attempt) and scored 690 (Q50, V33, IR 8)

Though I had enrolled 4 months back I could hardly prep (due to work pressure) for 1 month & mostly banked on Mocks (apart from practicing a few OG questions via GMATclub)

My GMAT Official Mocks were as follows (taken in the same order):

Practice Exam 2 - 610 (Q50, V23)
Practice Exam 1 - 650 (Q49, V28)
Practice Exam 3 - 690 (Q50, V31)
Practice Exam 4 - 670 (Q50, V28)
Practice Exam 5 - 680 (Q50, V31)
Practice Exam 6 - 730 (Q51, V38)

I am an Engineer (GPA 8.08/10) - MBA (GPA 7.4/10) both from Indian Schools and have ~9.5 years of work ex mostly on the L&D/Edtech (Project and Product Management, in start-ups) side of things. Currently working as Director of Products in a Startup in India leading a major product line for them.

My goal - To equip myself with knowledge of how things work in European/North American markets (have mostly worked in the Indian, SEA and ME markets) to help build a well-rounded perspective & accelerate my professional growth

I am aiming for Top European B-Schools such as INSEAD, HEC, IESE among others

I talked to a couple of my friends (currently in Global B-schools) who advised me to apply ASAP (for the 2024 intake) in the 2nd round itself. They suggested mailing the adcomms of my target colleges asking them if I could apply before the Round 2 deadline but update my score (take GMAT Focus Jan end) and apply to those who agree. This is because of my experience being on the higher side and becoming a roadblock later.

I recently also took a GMAT Focus mock (Expert Global) and scored 675 (Q88, V80, DI82) and with some prep I am confident of hitting 705+ (Considering I haven't prepped for CR, RC, IR before)

Seeking advice on how I should proceed. Please help!

Aiming for a higher GMAT score could really boost your chances, especially for schools like INSEAD. It's definitely worth reaching out to the admissions teams to see if they'll let you update your GMAT score after applying. No harm in trying.
However, if you feel you can significantly improve your GMAT score with additional preparation, it might be worth considering applying next year in Round 1. This approach would not only potentially enhance your GMAT score but also give you more time to craft stronger applications.
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Hello cric_fan,

I hope you are doing well. Congratulations on your GMAT performance and notable professional accomplishments! Given your profile and ambitions, it's wise to consider esteemed European business schools such as INSEAD, HEC, and IESE.

Regarding your GMAT score:
Your 690 score is already competitive: Your current GMAT score places you well within the desired range for your chosen institutions. While enhancing your score is always beneficial, the marginal improvement might not necessitate postponing your application.

Emphasize other application facets: Your essays, recommendations, professional background, and extracurricular involvement will significantly influence your candidacy. Channel your efforts into developing impactful narratives and underscoring your distinct achievements.

Review application timelines: Ensure you know the cutoffs for your preferred institutions, typically around January/February for Round 2.

Benefits of an early submission: Submitting your application ahead of schedule might provide a marginal advantage, particularly if the schools operate on a rolling admissions basis. This approach also minimizes competition from a more extensive applicant pool in subsequent rounds.

Craft a compelling application: Regardless of your GMAT outcome, concentrate on curating a persuasive application that underscores your unique attributes and resonates with your target institutions' ethos.

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

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cric_fan
Hi everyone,

I recently took the GMAT Classic (1st attempt) and scored 690 (Q50, V33, IR 8)

Though I had enrolled 4 months back I could hardly prep (due to work pressure) for 1 month & mostly banked on Mocks (apart from practicing a few OG questions via GMATclub)

My GMAT Official Mocks were as follows (taken in the same order):

Practice Exam 2 - 610 (Q50, V23)
Practice Exam 1 - 650 (Q49, V28)
Practice Exam 3 - 690 (Q50, V31)
Practice Exam 4 - 670 (Q50, V28)
Practice Exam 5 - 680 (Q50, V31)
Practice Exam 6 - 730 (Q51, V38)

I am an Engineer (GPA 8.08/10) - MBA (GPA 7.4/10) both from Indian Schools and have ~9.5 years of work ex mostly on the L&D/Edtech (Project and Product Management, in start-ups) side of things. Currently working as Director of Products in a Startup in India leading a major product line for them.

My goal - To equip myself with knowledge of how things work in European/North American markets (have mostly worked in the Indian, SEA and ME markets) to help build a well-rounded perspective & accelerate my professional growth

I am aiming for Top European B-Schools such as INSEAD, HEC, IESE among others

I talked to a couple of my friends (currently in Global B-schools) who advised me to apply ASAP (for the 2024 intake) in the 2nd round itself. They suggested mailing the adcomms of my target colleges asking them if I could apply before the Round 2 deadline but update my score (take GMAT Focus Jan end) and apply to those who agree. This is because of my experience being on the higher side and becoming a roadblock later.

I recently also took a GMAT Focus mock (Expert Global) and scored 675 (Q88, V80, DI82) and with some prep I am confident of hitting 705+ (Considering I haven't prepped for CR, RC, IR before)

Seeking advice on how I should proceed. Please help!
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Hi cric_fan,

Out of curiosity, do you plan to take any official GMAT focus practice exams?
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cric_fan
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GMAT Focus 1: 685 Q90 V80 DI82
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q87 V82 DI76
GMAT Focus 3: 715 Q90 V85 DI81
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V33
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ScottTargetTestPrep
Hi cric_fan,

Out of curiosity, do you plan to take any official GMAT focus practice exams?

Yes, Scott! Soon :)

Although after a short break!

Posted from my mobile device