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kingflo
Current Student
Joined: 26 Jun 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2021
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Germany
Concentration: Leadership, Finance
Schools: IMD '15 (M) INSEAD Jan '15 (A) LBS '16
GMAT 1: 570 Q31 V39
GMAT 2: 710 Q43 V44
29 Jul 2013, 13:48
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Bookmarks
Dear all,
I took my second GMAT last week and scored a 710 (Q43/V44) in it.
While this was a great improvement from my first GMAT (570, Q31/V39), it is still not satisfying all of the requirements of the schools I'm applying to.
Specifically, INSEAD wants to see at least 70-75th percentile in both parts of the GMAT. IMD and LBS look probably in similar ways at the GMAT score.
Now, I scored 98th percentile in the Verbal section but only 58th percentile in the Quant section.
I'm wondering whether I should write my optional essay about why I think that my Quant score is not way up there (did not use math skills much in job for last 6 years; I take my time to redevelop automatisms in math) and why the schools should still admit me (strong overall skill set; difference in GMAT suggests an interesting addition to student body).
On the one hand, I don't want them to kick me out only because of my Quant percentile and hence would use the optional essay to explain.
On the other hand, I want to let sleeping dogs lie and not raise an issue myself that might not be a big issue at all considering my overall GMAT score is above the average for all my three schools.
Any thoughts and recommendations on this?
Thanks a lot!
I took my second GMAT last week and scored a 710 (Q43/V44) in it.
While this was a great improvement from my first GMAT (570, Q31/V39), it is still not satisfying all of the requirements of the schools I'm applying to.
Specifically, INSEAD wants to see at least 70-75th percentile in both parts of the GMAT. IMD and LBS look probably in similar ways at the GMAT score.
Now, I scored 98th percentile in the Verbal section but only 58th percentile in the Quant section.
I'm wondering whether I should write my optional essay about why I think that my Quant score is not way up there (did not use math skills much in job for last 6 years; I take my time to redevelop automatisms in math) and why the schools should still admit me (strong overall skill set; difference in GMAT suggests an interesting addition to student body).
On the one hand, I don't want them to kick me out only because of my Quant percentile and hence would use the optional essay to explain.
On the other hand, I want to let sleeping dogs lie and not raise an issue myself that might not be a big issue at all considering my overall GMAT score is above the average for all my three schools.
Any thoughts and recommendations on this?
Thanks a lot!
sarahrs
MBA Blogger
Joined: 13 Apr 2013
Last visit: 10 Mar 2015
Posts: 118
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit
Schools: Cambridge'16 (S)
GMAT 1: 510 Q29 V31
GMAT 2: 590 Q32 V38
WE:Research (Non-Profit and Government)
29 Jul 2013, 14:55
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More to life than a GMAT score.
If your worried about the maths take an optional maths course. Might worthwhile contacting INSEAD to see what course they would recommend what others ways you can reassure them you can do the maths on the course.
Posted from my mobile device
If your worried about the maths take an optional maths course. Might worthwhile contacting INSEAD to see what course they would recommend what others ways you can reassure them you can do the maths on the course.
Posted from my mobile device
31 Jul 2013, 18:20
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Hey there,
Two things. Well, three. Firstly - great score!
Optional Essay: No, don't write about this. There is no good reason you got a 58th percentile that would justify the use of an optional essay. Keep in mind, it's there to help explain things but if you do a poor job at it or have a less than adequate reason, it will do more damage than good. Not using your math skills for 6 years doesn't mean you couldn't have studied. I'm saying this from the perspective of an admin director who is reading the reason / excuse. If it is hard to differentiate between the two, then assume they'll think it's an excuse.
The ratios: There is no rule anywhere that states any school wants to see a certain percentile or above in any particular portion. Ok, do they want to see higher scores and balance? Of course. But the whole 80/80 rule (or in this case, 75/75) is something someone said at some time and it stuck. Does your 58th percentile score raise some questions? Absolutely. Verbal carried you and that's the truth. But there are many ways in an application to show you have the skill set to handle the academic rigors that come with an MBA program.
Also, you had an amazing trajectory between test #1 and #2 and that's a good story! Why try to write an optional essay that takes away from it with what most will assume is a weak attempt at an excuse (regardless of what it is)?
I hope that helps and congrats again on the 710!
Bhavik
Two things. Well, three. Firstly - great score!
Optional Essay: No, don't write about this. There is no good reason you got a 58th percentile that would justify the use of an optional essay. Keep in mind, it's there to help explain things but if you do a poor job at it or have a less than adequate reason, it will do more damage than good. Not using your math skills for 6 years doesn't mean you couldn't have studied. I'm saying this from the perspective of an admin director who is reading the reason / excuse. If it is hard to differentiate between the two, then assume they'll think it's an excuse.
The ratios: There is no rule anywhere that states any school wants to see a certain percentile or above in any particular portion. Ok, do they want to see higher scores and balance? Of course. But the whole 80/80 rule (or in this case, 75/75) is something someone said at some time and it stuck. Does your 58th percentile score raise some questions? Absolutely. Verbal carried you and that's the truth. But there are many ways in an application to show you have the skill set to handle the academic rigors that come with an MBA program.
Also, you had an amazing trajectory between test #1 and #2 and that's a good story! Why try to write an optional essay that takes away from it with what most will assume is a weak attempt at an excuse (regardless of what it is)?
I hope that helps and congrats again on the 710!
Bhavik
