GMAT 650 (retake?) - Profile Evaluation

Question

I scored 650 (Q38 and V43) on my first attempt. I've signed up to retake the GMAT. I'm wondering if I score, say 670-680 during the retake, should I accept it? Is it even necessary for me to retake the GMAT? Would b-schools factor in that the two scores are pretty close, or would the 20-30 point increase not harm my application?

I'm applying to schools like Santa Clara and UC San Diego for full time MBA. I have a bachelors in economics with a 3.0 gpa from undergrad (I'm attempting to go straight from undergrad to b-school) and 2.5 years of work experience in the public and private finance sector.

Thanks!

PaulBodine · Answer

hippoty, You don't need to retake for Santa Clara because their average GMAT is 621. Rady's middle 80% is 610-710 and median is 660 so a 670-680 would help you. The higher score would help offset your 3.0 GPA, which you might need to compensate for since Rady's GPA median is 3.33. Also keep in mind that scholarship money is sometimes made available to attract folks who have solidly higher GMAT scores than a school's median. Hope this helps. --Paul Bodine, Great Applications for Business School, www.admitify.com/outcomes

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Thanks for the post. I would want to know more about your profile before advising on the GMAT. While a higher GMAT will certainly help you, some other personal factors may also help push you over the edge. Feel free to reach out to discuss further. If it is easy to retake and do better in your opinion then you should. However I wouldn't want you spending three months studying to get 20 points higher when you could otherwise be focused on the applications. Best, Scott Scott@personalmbacoach.com

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hi there,

Keep in mind that your ethnicity and demographic information play a role in your applicant pool. Given the information you provided, even if you're not on the high end of the competitive pool, you are below the median on the GMAT. If there is nothing else within your application that is going to compensate for this shortcoming, I would recommend retaking the test, especially if you've only taken it once. If you're looking for more guidance, take a look at  our awesome videos on retaking the GMAT here . Best of luck!

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I think schools would certainly take into consideration a 20-30 point jump and would see it as a materially different score. So certainly accept that score if you receive it. Good Luck!

AugustAcademy · Answer

Hippoty,

You should accept the score. In spite of not knowing too much about your profile, I can even venture saying that you might have a good shot at these schools at that point.

Regards,
Karthik

GMAT 650 (retake?) - Profile Evaluation

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