Should I retake? If yes when?

Question

Hi all, wrote the GMAT today for the second time after 2 months of intense preparation and scored a 580 (47Q, 24V). This was lower that my previous attempt of 620 (42Q, 33V). Was not my day for Verbal. I have been averaging high 600s to low 700s on all my CATs (GMAC, Manhattan, Princeton, Economist, GMAT Pill). Cancelled the score immediately.

Given the timing of the next appointment (in 16 days) and deadlines of the schools I'm targeting, the next sitting will go past R2 of my dream schools and into R3, I will still be in range of R2 of my safety schools. Should I retake in 16 days?

Background
4 years of Investment Banking
1 year in Strategy and Corporate Development
UK undergraduate from Top 5 university

Thanks in advance.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi charsiewfan90,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied for each attempt at the GMAT?
2) What materials have you used for each attempt?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

charsiewfan90 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks so much.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied for each attempt at the GMAT? 
3 months for Attempt 1, 2 months for Attempt 2

2) What materials have you used for each attempt? 
Official Guide, GMAT Prep - 3 tests, various question materials compiled online that cater to 700-800

3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)? 
Manhattan - 680 (48Q, 34V)
Platinum - 660 (50Q, 32V)
Economist - 730 (50Q, 40V)
Veritas - 670 (50Q, 32V)
GMAT Pill - 700 (47Q, 39V)
GMAT Prep 1 - 720 (49Q, 39V)
GMAT Prep 2 - 700 (50Q, 35V)
GMAT Prep 3 - 730 (49Q, 40V)

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
700

5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
LBS, Cambridge, Imperial, Melbourne

Thanks again.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi charsiewfan90,

When the types of score drops (such as the ones that you experienced) occur on the Official GMAT, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. If you can answer a few questions, then we should be able to figure this out:

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?

Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Unfortunately, raising a 600-sh score to a 700+ will likely take at least 2 months of additional consistent, guided study - so you will likely need more study time than you've allotted.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Should I retake? If yes when?

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