Unbalanced GMAT score

Question

Hi people, thanks in advance for all your advice.

I have a few concerns regarding my GMAT quant score. I've managed to get a 720 with a very unbalanced break - AWA 5.5/Q44/V47, 66th and 99th percentiles respectively. On top of that (not really sure how can it be seen by Adcoms) I have taken a wide variety of math courses on my undergraduate and graduate studies - got two different bachelor degrees on different schools (Computer Sciences and Business) and a Finance MSc - with only regular grades. I'm aiming for M7 schools (HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Sloan, Booth, Kellogg, Columbia). My questions:

How would you guys evaluate my chances on these schools regarding this flaw on my GMAT quant score? My extensive array of prior math courses without good grades would help or hurt my application? How would the Adcoms view a new GMAT score with a Q47 or Q48 (which I consider reachable) but a slower overall score?

Thanks again for any thought.

Cheers,
lamanxa.

mappleby · Answer

The golden rule seems to be you need an 80/80 split. In other words, I would retake it to bring your quant score up to at least the 80th percentile. I'm not sure what you mean by "regular" grades but especially if you went to school outside the US I think your GMAT math score might play more heavily because it is harder to evaluate the quality of the math classes you took in undergrad.

MDF · Answer

Do you think you could pull off a V47 again? I would advise against taking the GMAT again unless you think you could bump your score by 20-30 points. It would however be bad to take the test again and have your score drop.

My personal opinion is that the 80/80 split thing is more of a myth, rather than a rule. Unless your split is extremely skewed (yours is not), most of the top programs will care a LOT more about your overall school than the split.

GMATPill · Answer

You certainly did well on the verbal and the quant is a slight weakness but I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's far better than a strength in quant and weakness in verbal (plenty of candidates have this problem), which is why when your score scaled it went to 720 and not something lower like 700. I would say that at 720, thanks to how the test is scaled, you don't need to bother retaking and instead focus on your work experience and application essays.

If however, your score scaled to 700 with that kind of a split, then retaking the GMAT might be something to consider.

If however, your score scaled to 700 with that kind of a split, then retaking the GMAT might be something to consider.

ebonn101 · Answer

I wouldn't retake. I got a 750 with a Q43 and V51 and was accepted to several top schools (and rejected from several as well). I think you're probably competitive enough with your current score.

sjthack · Answer

Hi people, thanks in advance for all your advice.

I have a few concerns regarding my GMAT quant score. I've managed to get a 720 with a very unbalanced break - AWA 5.5/Q44/V47, 66th and 99th percentiles respectively. On top of that (not really sure how can it be seen by Adcoms) I have taken a wide variety of math courses on my undergraduate and graduate studies - got two different bachelor degrees on different schools (Computer Sciences and Business) and a Finance MSc - with only regular grades. I'm aiming for M7 schools (HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Sloan, Booth, Kellogg, Columbia). My questions:

How would you guys evaluate my chances on these schools regarding this flaw on my GMAT quant score? My extensive array of prior math courses without good grades would help or hurt my application? How would the Adcoms view a new GMAT score with a Q47 or Q48 (which I consider reachable) but a slower overall score?

Thanks again for any thought.

Every situation is different and I do believe that, as the schools say, test scores are only part of the admissions equation. That said, I had the same Q/V split and went 4/4 on my apps (3 top 10's and 1 top 20). I'm certainly no expert but I would imagine that with a 700+ GMAT, good experience, well written essays, etc...you'd be fine. Your MSc in Finance should indicate that you can handle the quant work involved in a top MBA program.

GMATLA · Answer

Although your overall score is very strong, it seems that you quant abilities might be in question. If the Adcoms are questioning your quant abilities they are going to look at all different areas of your application to make sure that you can handle the rigors of MBA math (which are actually quite challenging). It would be my recommendation that if you think you can reach Q47+ to retake for the reason that you don't want your quant abilities to be questioned. Top 7 schools are going to expect strong quant abilities, and if they don't see it in either your GMAT or previous grades, then you will have to show this ability in your job and this can be quite tough.

Although I don't think this will necessarily keep you out of schools, you want to make sure that you did everything to work your way in. If you think Q47 is reachable, and not particullarly difficult, 30 days more of studying might get you and even higher GMAT Score since your verbal is already off the charts!

Good luck

Although I don't think this will necessarily keep you out of schools, you want to make sure that you did everything to work your way in. If you think Q47 is reachable, and not particullarly difficult, 30 days more of studying might get you and even higher GMAT Score since your verbal is already off the charts!

Good luck

lamanxa · Answer

Hello everyone,

thank you for all your valuable input. I am not really sure if I will be able to improve in quant while keeping the same verbal score, since I won't have the appropriate time for prepping - I'm aiming at R1. Therefore, I'll be applying with the unbalanced score.

In this situation, is it a good idea to use the additional essay to address this weakness on my profile? I'm think about listing the math courses that I took on undergrad and grad, briefly discussing my MSc dissertation thesis (mathematical model for an asset pricing) and mentioning the math nature of my daily work (Business Intelligence). Or is it a better idea to just leave by the Adcoms to figure those things out?

Regards,
lamanxa.

MBAbot · Answer

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Unbalanced GMAT score

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