GMATPrep 2 Scores vs Actual GMAT - should I retake?

Question

I took GMATPrep 2 exams only once and these are the scores that I got:

Exam 3: Q47 V39 - 700
Exam 4: Q45 V37 - 670

Official GMAT: Q49 V34 - 680

I know that my overall score was in range, but I'm disappointed by my official verbal score. Was my V34 about right or should I consider retaking the GMAT?
I did make up for it with higher than expected quant score, which I'm not if I can achieve again.

KevinRocci · Answer

Hi Amy! I think I can help!

Deciding to retake the GMAT is a tough decision and something a lot of students think about a lot. How to decide depends a lot on the other components of your application and the schools that you are going to apply to. We've actually written some useful articles at Magoosh that can help with your decision. Here is a relevant excerpt from this article, Should I retake the GMAT? : Between 650 and 700 "If the last case is jet black, this is dark gray. Your GMAT score is already quite respectable — it’s in the top quartile. Folks with scores like this are accepted at top business schools every year. If your score is in this region, your primary concern still should be everything else in your application — making sure you are well-rounded overall. In most cases, this score will demonstrate enough about your academic ability. If you feel that your academic ability might be questioned (say, because of a low GPA), and if you are applying to top tier business schools, and if you have not ungrounded hopes, baseless expectations, but rather good valid reasons to think that, with good prep work, you could break the 700 threshold, then, if all those conditions obtain, retake the GMAT. If that’s what you decide, see below. Otherwise, don’t retake it — stick with the GMAT you already have." I recommend reading more of the article to get a sense of what you should do. And if you do decide to retake the test, here is an article to help you study for a retake .

Best of luck!

OptimusPrep · Answer

I would urge you to retake the GMAT. Think about it, what do you have to lose? 250 bucks?

Take a course with a score improvement guarantee and then retake the test and you will either improve or get your money back.

Don't forget that the GMAT is a leading factor for your entire future...

KevinRocci · Answer

OptimusPrep, thank you for adding to the discussion, but I think your whitewashing the issue a little bit. It's a bit extreme to say that the "GMAT is a leading factor for your entire future." There are plenty of things that are way more important, such as family, friends, play, happiness, smiling, adventure, and eating well. The GMAT is merely a stepping stone in ones career, and one that most likely will not matter once a person is admitted to an MBA program. It is a means to an end—not an end in and of itself. Ultimately, Amy needs to carefully evaluate what programs she wants to attend, the average GMAT score at those programs, and the strength of the rest of her application. Also, $250 is not a small sum of money, and you don't get that money back when you take the test and get the score that you are hoping for. The decision to retake the GMAT is no small thing and should not be minimized or glossed over.

Again, thank you for entering the conversation and providing your ideas.

GMATPrep 2 Scores vs Actual GMAT - should I retake?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards