Should I retake the GMAT again before an interview?

Question

Hi guys,

I got an interview invite from HBS and have got the date for it. It's on March 14..

However, am I crazy to think about that I should retake the GMAT again? My submitted GMAT score is low 660 (Q 85%, V 70%), it was on September. However, when I focused myself on my apps & essays.. I didn't touch the GMAT again till the day before HBS R2 deadline.. I thought that I would have time to study in December, yet I still took it on Jan.. nevertheless my score went down to 650 (Q64%, V 88%).. it was the opposite!!

So, I'm willing to prep myself again before HBS interview, hoping to get the 80th percentile on both Q & V. (since, I can achieve those scores, but on 2 separate tests!! :evil:

)

What do you guys think? Or should I just focus on interview prep?

Thanks guys!!

) What do you guys think? Or should I just focus on interview prep? Thanks guys!!

lepium · Answer

I'd say don't do anything about it. If you got invited to interview, then you are way ahead of the crowd. If they doubt your specific ability in some particular subject they'll require you take some pre-courses.

It is important to note, however, that the above is an educated guess and nothing more.

L.

It is important to note, however, that the above is an educated guess and nothing more.

L.

bherronp · Answer

I don't think you should worry about it at this point. Obviously something about you piqued their interest beyond the GMAT score.

bee186 · Answer

Thanks, guys, really appreciate your comments

I'm just really paranoid right now.. I'm really scared that my GMAT score could be a deal breaker.. any other opinions?

solaris1 · Answer

Do the interview...and if they insinuate that you need to get your scores back up around their average (which I highly doubt, given that it's HBS) then think about taking the GMAT again.

As everyone else is saying, there's obviously a lot more to your application and you should focus on that.

bee186 · Answer

Just talked to an HBS student, he said that my essays are good, however his concerns are mostly about my low GMAT & GPA (it's around 3.39).. and I don't know why he kinda puts me down a bit..

sudden · Answer

what is your profile? it must be good / unusual if you were invited to interview with GMAT / GPA scores that are well below average. my guess is that you come from an under represented demographic in which the scores are probably less important, so retaking the GMAT is not going to help you that much. if you are really worried about it, you could hedge yourself by doing some preemptive studying in your weakest subjects (and maybe a few practice tests), and wait for the feedback you get in your interview. if they tell you to retake it, you will have a head start in studying.

good luck in the interview!

good luck in the interview!

sudden · Answer

by the way, why march 14th? that is an extremely long wait. if i am not mistaken, decisions go out in late march, no?

bee186 · Answer

hi sudden,

i do come from an under-represented country in south east asia, female, 25, w/e: product management, high tech..

the hub interview in asia was around that time, so, i don't really have an option for a sooner interview..

sudden · Answer

which country?

this is speculation on my part (backed up by thorough research), but i would suggest that if you are the best 1-3 applicant(s) from your country, you will get in even with your current low stats (no offense - it is what is). they want people from as many countries as possible and are willing to admit those with lower scores to hit their target "diversity." if you are not amongst the best of the best out of your country, then your low stats could knock you out of the running.

i think the fact that you got an interview suggests that you are at the top of what your country has to offer in terms of applicants (there may have been only 5-10 applicants, who knows?). you probably have a very good chance of getting in because unusual country + female = the win. i am not trying to downplay your qualifications, but i suspect that if you were male and from the USA, you would be a longshot and probably wouldn't have gotten an interview. no offense, that's just the way the process seems to work -- more power to you if you do get in.

bee186 · Answer

Hi sudden, yep, i do know all that.. and i do play my diversity card quite well i guess and it's totally fine with me

of course, i do believe that although my GPA & GMAT were on the low side, my w/e is one of my biggest strengths (apart from the diversity thing).. i have blue chip experience with good progression.. i also have strong & unique ECs. So, i guess all of those things combined must have resulted an interview invite.. fingers crossed!

togafoot · Answer

I wonder if hermaphrodites would have an even better chance :shock:

Big-O · Answer

Bee.... Had a couple of thoughts which I posted here... 103-p426801?t=59074#p426801

lepium · Answer

The counter argument would be that year after year the school states how they would like to have more X,Y,Z in their classes and are ramping up their marketing efforts to such groups but in the meantime have lower percentages of X,Y,Z than they'd like because they do not get enough quality applicants from such groups.

L.

applicantay123 · Answer

Did you retake then and did you get in ?

Posted from my mobile device

abhimahna · Answer

I think its not worth asking someone who had posted this 9 years ago. :-D

applicantay123 · Answer

Lol I thought no harm asking :p

Posted from my mobile device

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I would move on from the GMAT at this point, they clearly have a strong interest in you so focus on the interview. Now if you are looking to go into mgmt consulting or IBD it might make sense to consider retaking after admission as a score this low may hurt you in the recruiting process

Should I retake the GMAT again before an interview?

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