Verbal more important than Quant?

Question

I understand that bschools look at quant as being more important than verbal, but according to the article below, verbal seems to boost overall gmat scores more so than quant. it was written by Kevin Fitzgerald, formerly of manhattan gmat.


Many people come to GMAT preparation in mortal fear of the quantitative section. Probability! Exponents and roots! The entire section seems like a parade of horribles. Unfortunately, many of these people spend the bulk of their study efforts honing their math skills at the expense of their verbal preparation. Certainly a great performance on each section is ideal, but experience has shown that an excellent verbal performance affects one's overall score more dramatically than does an excellent performance in quantitative.

Let's take a look at what happens at the highest levels of the exam: 700+. A recent test-taker received a scaled score of 45 in verbal (98th percentile) and 40 in quant (66th percentile) and an overall score of 700 (93rd percentile). Notice how much closer the overall percentile is to the excellent verbal percentile. If the overall percentile were simply an average of the individual percentiles, this person would have received about 640. But because the combination of an outstanding verbal performance with a fair quant performance is so rare, the overall percentile and score will be much higher than the lower quant percentile. Another person, who scored 49 in verbal (99th percentile) and 37 in quant (56th percentile), received 710 (95th percentile), even though the quant performance here was a full 10 percentile points lower than that in the previous example. Again, an outstanding performance in verbal significantly offset a middling performance in quant.

Does this work in reverse? That is, will an outstanding performance in quant so dramatically offset a middling performance in verbal? No. This combination is much more common, given the increasing number of international test-takers, who often have excellent math skills but relatively weak command of English. Even among native speakers of English, it is more common to see relatively high quant scores coupled with fair to middling verbal scores. Because these combinations are less rare, they are not rewarded as highly. For example, a test-taker recently received a 50 in quant (97th percentile) and a 37 in verbal (82nd percentile), but "only" a 670 overall (89th percentile). So the truly excellent quant performance was not enough to pull the overall score above 700.

While an excellent verbal performance can indeed take up some of the slack from a weaker quant score, keep in mind that most business schools want to see strong skills in both sections. In fact, some of the top 20 schools apply the "80/80 rule", which requires that successful applicants reach at least the 80th percentile in both sections. So do not put all your eggs in one basket: make sure you prepare well for both sections.

kevincan · Answer

If you check this combination on google or gmatclub, this corresponds to 700-720.

ps_dahiya · Answer

Kevin is right.
I got 50Q and 33V and my overall score is 700. So I believe 50Q and 37V will be 720 or 730.

kidderek · Answer

Yes yes agreed.

But there is a dearth of high verbal/moderate quant scorers here and therefore, difficult to tell how much weight verbal has on the overall score. 

People here (the ones who score 90th%+) seem to be quant experts with moderate to expert verbal skills, but never a verbal expert with moderate quant skills.

Just a quick look at the last 25 or so scores posted here:

range of total 690-780
range of Q 47-51
range of V 34-48

Of the 12 people who scored 42+ on V, the lowest Q score was 48. meanwhile, of the 15 people who scored 50+ on Q, the lowest V score was 34. 

Anybody out there kick butt on Verbal, but only score moderately on Quant?

kevincan · Answer

I've had a student who scored 44q 44v for a score of 730

typicalgmatter · Answer

I seem to remember a 39Q 44V producing either a 680 or 690. My guess is a 40Q 44V would be a 690-700, leaning more towards the 690.

iced_tea · Answer

yes, i got 50Q, 37V (720)

rhyme · Answer

Hi, verbal expert with moderate quant checking in!

730 here, 99% verbal, 78% math.

rhyme · Answer

I was 45/45 for 730 as well.

kurt22 · Answer

Well, Guys!! GMAT is a test confused in itself............... Raw scores can make up combinations and scores you wont even imagine,......

How do u explain Pelihu's Q50 , V51 = 780
and
some other guy's (lot of them here) Q49 V 46 = 780??

I guess GMAT is a mistery.... how the computer computes the test scores....

If you see my analysis, you'll probably agree that Pelihu deserved atleast 790 with those AMAZIN stats!!! who knows it may have resulted in the perfect score of 800???

tkkoh · Answer

Not to sound disrespectful or offending, but it is generally and relatively easier to score better for the Q than the V. And I think for many, it was also easier to pick up the skills for the Q than those for the V during our prep.

Hence, 
1. a high Q may not be a positive differentiator. But a low Q will be a negative differentiator. 

2. a high V will be a positive differentiator, but a low V may not hurt so much.

Thus, even if you are have a maths degree, you better do well for your Q. For your V, if it is low, you can offset it somewhat through your TOEFL, essays, and reco.

rhyme · Answer

I'd disagree. Verbal was no problem for me but I struggled with quant. I also dont think low verbal hurts any more or any less than a low quant. Schools need people who can handle hte math, but who can also communicate their ideas and present in class, participate and work in a team environment. Both are equally important if you ask me. I'd also be curious to know how the recommendation letter would reflect on your verbal skills

tkkoh · Answer

That's why I said "generally and relatively" and "for many" (not all). Most people seems to be able to improve the Q better than the V. I scanned thru a handful of recent posts on recent GMAT score. See the following that support this argument: https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=38234 https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=36015 This is an exception (where the V increased significantly. But note that the Q was already very high for the 1st test): https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=38236 The recommenders can highlight your communication skills (oral and written). E.g. in presentation, discussion, analysis, reports, etc. How you wrote a fantastic proposal that close a $3b deal. Or how you presented in front of the congress, etc. This may be better than a V45. As PR says, GMAT verbal is not testing English or business English, but GMAT English. However, this is not to say that the V is not important. Ultimately, top B-sch are looking at the best applicants. All weaknesses should be minimized or neutralized.

walletless · Answer

Yes - same here. Q50, V34 ==> 700

pelihu · Answer

I have not seen the reports of 49/46 resulting in 780, however I do believe that a year ago, and possibly even more recently than that, 50/50 would have resulted in 800 overall. In fact, the scoring table changed between my first attempt and my second attempt about 4-5 weeks later. I suspect that if I had scored 50/51 on my first attempt (prior to the scoring change) I might have received 800. Just bad timing on my part I guess

pelihu · Answer

I think there is ample evidence (including many direct quotes from adcoms that appear in Montauk) to suggest that many schools believe Q score correlates more closely with first year performance.

There was also a recent article (BW if I recall) saying that schools, and the businesses that hire with them, were becoming more and more wary of students with poor communication (reading, writing, verbal) skills - the proverbial "quant jocks". I think different industries put different weight on the GMAT breakdown (and many of them do look of course). It would make sense that consulting firms will value high V scores. I-banks probably value Q scores more, but many of their positions are actually sales type jobs where you produce a lot of pitch books and prospectuses and presentations - and for those jobs solid V scores are likely valuable.

So, I agree that a low score on either section is something that can draw a school's attention. There's a good discussion Montauk about this subject. If you have a low Q score, but a solid engineering background, they might overlook it. If you have a low Q score, a BA in English and no math courses since high school, they are going to concerned. The opposite is true as well - if you have a CS degree and have worked in IT for the past 5 years and show up with a low V score, they are going to be concerned. Each can be overcome - but it's probably not an easy task.

Hjort · Answer

Following up on pelihu's point, the nature of the MBA program is important as well. Someone with weak verbal skills (written and oral) would likely have a difficult time with schools in the intense case method tradition (e.g., UVA). On the other hand, someone with weak quantitative skills would likely have a difficult time at a school in the intense management science tradition (e.g., Carnegie Mellon).

jamesrwright3 · Answer

A 40 V and a 44 Quant Produces a 690 Score:)
That is me

ericttz · Answer

First time poster. Just took the GMAT last weekend. Nice site, wish I had seen it before. I did not prep, 2 kids, FT job, no time. Anyhow I thought the verbal would go well. The quant I was running low on time. Most of the questions were easy enough but things I had not used in years. I thought I bombed it pretty badly. Pushed the button ended up with Q41 for 64% and V42 for 95%, total 89% for 680. Now I wish I had prepped for quant a bit to get over the 700 mark but Ill take the 680 as I really dont have the time to spare to brush up on it. Nonetheless I would def. recommend studying reducing complex fractions, there were very few geometry questions. Number properties; it would help to know them inside and out. I am lucky they skew the score for high verbal scores or Id be getting ready to take it again. Good luck all.

Eric

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