Should I apply in R2 or retake my GMAT

Question

Hi,
 I have taken GMAT for two times with a gap of a month approx. In my first attempt I got 640 (Q45, V33). Here I ran out of time in last quant question. For the next month I practiced verbal very well and gave my second exam on 14Th Oct'20 and got again a 640 (Q50, V27) this time. I am really clueless now on what to do next.

I am planning to apply for IIMs. As R2 deadlines are closer, I am unable to understand how should I proceed now. Please advise.

Avinashkr29 · Answer

I am have great stories where a great application with 650 score was enough to convert the IIM. So, go for it if you aren't going take another GMAT.

I wonder how your verbal score went down after working on the verbal part. Could you explain more or have ESRs?

Avinashkr29 · Answer

Please change the topic for a better reach?

- Did I help you? Don't hold back the kudos!

MeghTara · Answer

Actually I think I performed very badly under timing stress and also I faced concentration issues at first. May be it affected my verbal score. I can't find out any other reason for it as of now. Any guidance on what I should do next is welcome.

Avinashkr29 · Answer

Were your mistakes in verbal silly? If so, you can try another attempt. Else, sit down, list down your weekness and work on it. No other solution.

There is no shortcut to success and no alternative to hard work.

EducationAisle · Answer

Ironically, you practiced  Verbal  well and ended up increasing your  Quant  score by a massive 5 points!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi MeghTara,

Can you tell us a bit more about your situation with the GMAT?

-- what resources did you use?

-- for how long did you study?

-- what is your GMAT score goal?

-- when are your application deadlines?

-- what were the score breakdowns of your official practice exams?

Once I learn some more about you, I can provide some further advice.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi MeghTara,

I'm sorry to hear that your 2nd attempt did not turn out better. A 640/Q50 is a solid Score though, so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. You have a great opportunity to pick up points in the Verbal section, so retesting makes a certain amount of sense. Before we discuss how you might best proceed with your studies, 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 in total? Over the last 2 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
3) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) What are the exact application deadlines that you are facing?

If you took your recent GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

rajatchopra1994 · Answer

Dear  MeghTara  ,

I would suggest to give one more try. Your Quant score is Quite good in 2nd test, where verbal scores decreases.

If possible, share your ESR's of both test. Can help whether you were lagging in some section of verbal.

As you said, u have prepared well for verbal still your score decreased by 6 point. So i would say go with verbal basics once then start practicing on below links

https://gmatclub.com/forum/complete-1000-sentence-correction-series-sc-1000-series-312440.html

https://gmatclub.com/forum/complete-1000-critical-reasoning-series-cr-1000-series-324315.html

Also, it is difficult to get admission in IIM's with 640 score until unless you have a very exceptional profile & in managerial roles.

Regards,
Rajat Chopra

MeghTara · Answer

Hi,
 Answer to your questions are as following:
1. I am preparing for last 4 months and for last 1 month I have studied average 5 hours per day.
2. For verbal I went thru Manhattan SC guide, Powerscore CR, solved OG and vertias free question bank. For Quant, I used TTP materials.
3. I took around 10 mocks in last 2months time. With highest 710(Q49,V38) and lowest (Q43,V27).
4. My target score was 720.
5. Deadlines are on 31st Oct'20.

MeghTara · Answer

Hi,
 Answer to your questions are as following:
1. For verbal I went thru Manhattan SC guide, Powerscore CR, solved OG and vertias free question bank. For Quant, I used TTP materials.
2. I am preparing for last 4 months and for last 1 month I have studied average 5 hours per day.
3. My score goal is 720
4. Application deadlines are on 31st oct
5. I took two official practice tests(a month back) and scored 650(Q47, V33) and 670(Q48,V34)

MeghTara · Answer

In my first GMAT exam, I ran out of time in last quant ques- may be that affected my score a bit.
And for verbal, am clueless!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi MeghTara,

From what you've described, your Verbal studies so far have been "book heavy"; unfortunately, many GMATers who study in that way end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. Even the best books are limited in what they can teach you; they also can't force you to approach questions in a certain way and their explanations are often one-sided. As such, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book study materials for this next phase of your studies.

Statistically-speaking, raising a 640 to the point that you can consistently score 720+ will likely require at least another 1 - 1.5 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to focus on practicing some specific Verbal Tactics. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. If you ultimately "need" a Score in the 700s to apply to the Programs that interest you, then you might need to consider pushing back your applications so that you can hone the necessary skills to score higher and retest.

You did not quite answer one of the questions I asked in my earlier post (and that additional data might help to define why you scored lower on Test Day:

1) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Since your deadlines are in just 9 days, are you able to retake the GMAT?

samlrs · Answer

as far as I know, you cant
But I would be more than happy to be mistaken on that one

Should I apply in R2 or retake my GMAT

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