very low IR score...pls suggest

Question

Hello all,

I gave my GMAT yesterday and scored 690 (Q:49 ; V:35). The saddest part is that I scored only 1 (0 percentile) in IR. I used to score 4~5 in every mock test and suddenly I scored nothing in IR in the actual test. I am planning to apply for Singapore schools i.e., NTU and NUS. What effect will this have on my application?How do these schools view IR score? I seriously do not know the ill effects of such a disastrous IR section. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!1

VSK

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi GMATassasin,

While there has not been much clarity on how to use IR scores to measure / predict performance at Bschools and jobs, majority of the schools have ignored or not paid much heed to the IR scores in the last couple of years. Having said that extremely low scores have been seen with some skepticism and especially in the light of QA and VA scores on the GMAT. A good score in QA and VA typically tends to offset a bad outing in 'IR'.

Given the number of students who have given GMAT in the last few years and the IR ranking updates since then, I expect that the schools would start giving 'IR' more consideration in another year or so.

Your score of 1 (0 percentile) is extremely low and basically means that most of the people who have written the exam have scored more than you. Hence, I feel that might raise a few eyebrows in schools you are targeting.

My suggestion would be that you retake GMAT and improve on your IR score, more so given you used to score 4+ in your mocks. This would also give you an opportunity to improve your overall GMAT score to 720+ as there is definitely scope for you to improve your QA and VA scores. Had you received a 3 on the IR, I might not have suggested you to retake, but a score of 1 is too low.

Moreover, in case of multiple attempts, schools generally consider your best scores. So give yourself 2-3 weeks and give it another shot.

All the best!

Cheers,

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi VSK,

Agree with Neha that your IR score is indeed very low. 
Even if the b-schools don't use it as this point, its likely to raise a red flag. Retake the GMAT- who knows with a little bit more prep, you may land up a jump of 20-30 points in your overall score, that will be an added advantage.

GMATassasin · Answer

Hello Neha and MBADecoder!!Thank you very much for the suggestion....I will surely consider taking the test again.

very low IR score...pls suggest

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