Accepted a low score instead of cancelling it

Question

Hi, I just had a quick question. I did my GMAT the first time and wasn't thrilled with my score, I scored in the early 600s. So I decided to do it again, but the second attempt actually went downhill fast. I panicked during my Quant section and my score actually dropped by 11 points. Anyway in this state of panic instead of cancelling my score I accepted it. I didn't realize that schools get to see all your scores, and now I'm worried that I'll be judged on the lower score even though it isn't indicative of my skills at all. I'm doing a third exam but now I'm a bit worried about the second score of mine. Any advice would be super helpful. Thanks!

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  Wafas . I am assuming that that second score can no longer be cancelled, that it falls outside the 72-hour cancellation window. If not—if you took that test within the past 3 days—you can still cancel the score (for a fee, of course), and schools will not able to see it. Otherwise, your best bet is to make the third attempt count and earn a more desirable score. You can explain the second score at that point in just about any way you want (e.g., panic over something, flu, dog getting sick). You can read more about the cancellation process  here , on the official website.

Best of luck to you.

- Andrew

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Wafas,

Business Schools generally do not care if you take the GMAT more than once - and AndrewN brings up a good point: you can 'explain away' that 2nd Score in any number of ways, so having that Score isn't something that you should worry about (especially if you earn a notably higher Score on your 3rd attempt). That all having been said, if 'your way' of studying left you open to having that type of reaction to the GMAT on your 2nd attempt, then you might need to make some significant changes to your studies (and Test-taking routine) so that you don't have that type of reaction again.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) When did you take your prior Official GMATs and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to take your 3rd GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Wafas,

If you can blow your 3rd GMAT attempt out of the water, I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. Also, right now your main focus should be scoring as high as possible on your next GMAT, OK? If you need any advice regarding your next attempt, feel free to reach out.

Good luck!

Wafas · Answer

@AndrewGN thanks, yes unfortunately I didn't do it within the 72 hour window. I was under the impression that th school only sees the score you want them to see. But I guess I'll just work harder on my third attempt now. Glad to know I can explain away my 2nd score, hopefully the third one blows them both out of the water!

Wafas · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  thanks, I do think may be I need to slightly alter my studying and test taking. On my first attempt I scored a Q40 V34 and my second attempt it dropped to Q29 V32.

The highest I've gotten in my mock tests is Q46 V40, so I'm really hoping to push my actual score up by a few more points than I scored in both sections on my first attempt.

I studied for 2 months before the first attempt and 3 months before the second one. My third attempt is later this month. So if you have any tips that would help I'd really appreciate it.

Hovkial · Answer

Your lower score does not matter to many schools. Even fewer schools average the scores. They will take your highest score. So you shouldn't worry too much about it.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Wafas,

If you are planning on taking your 3rd attempt sometime before the end of December then you have no more than about 2.5 weeks of potential study time remaining - and it's likely that you need more than just some 'tips' to lock in that higher Score. I asked some specific questions in my prior post - and the answers to those questions are essential to defining how you be studying during this next phase of your studies (and whether you should consider pushing back your Test Date or not).

1) When did you take your prior Official GMATs?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
5) What is your overall goal score?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

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Accepted a low score instead of cancelling it

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