720 with IR 6 vs 710 with IR 7?

Question

Hello GMAT experts,

I need your opinion on which score is a better representation for the top 5-10 usa mba programs?

Score 1:  
IR - 6 (67%)
Quant - 49 
Verbal - 39 
Total - 720 (94%)

Score 2:  
IR - 7 (82%)
Quant - 49 
Verbal - 39 
Total - 710 (91%)

Your response and opinion are appreciated.

Thanks.

AjiteshArun · Answer

I think the 720 is slightly better. Don't go in thinking that your quant percentiles are going to be different though. Both 49s will have the same percentile, so that should not be part of your decision making. Schools also look at just the scaled scores.

mvictor · Answer

is it possible to get two different scores with the same sub-scores????
or was the 710 test taken recently? 
something strange...
does it mean that over time, the same sub-scores might get you a worse overall score???

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi anish0705,

Business School Admissions Committees know that the Official Score that you earn on the GMAT is within +/- 30 points of actual ability, so they would view your two scores as essentially the same. Remember that those Committees are looking for strong OVERALL applicants - you have an outstanding GMAT score, so now you have to look for other ways to make your application stand out.

To mvictor's question - YES, the same Scaled Scores can lead to slightly different overall scores. Think about the Scaled Score ranges that are possible in each section and the total number of questions in each section - there would have to be 'rounding' in those score calculations (and by extension there would have to be "high 49s" and "low 49s"). Thankfully, and to my earlier point, slight differences in percentiles and overall score really don't matter to Admissions Committees.

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

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720 with IR 6 vs 710 with IR 7?

720 with IR6 vs 710 with IR7?

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