Should I Retake GMAT ? And Should I Take It Before Jan-24?

Question

Hi All,

I got a 740 (Q48 V42) in August for my 3rd attempt (past. 2x 680, one test center & one online). I applied to some M7s in R1 and am receiving many rejections. I need help in deciding should I retake the GMAT current edition before it expires in Jan. I am concerned that my Quant score is too low  (especially for the Indian cohort)

Some more details about my profile to give a full picture:

Work-ex: currently 2 years
Industry: Venture Capital for the last 1 year. Startups before that.
Undergrad: Liberal Arts (Anthropology) CGPA: 3.45
Careers Plans: Impact Investing/VC.

In my past attempts I did receive a Q49. This time, I didn't prepare enough for quant and spent way too long on a few questions which ruined the section for me.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If you are confident you can score better and have the flexibility to retake, the question may be: why not? Ultimately, you have a 740 already "in the bag". Consider working on your solving approach if you feel your fundamentals are solid. May boost your score a bit. Had a student who went from a V41 to a V45 in about 10 days for example. Perhaps include working with a study buddy who is really strong in areas you're not (i.e. CR). There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub you could check out/sign up to.

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

bb · Answer

Hi. Your quant score does not matter. Your total score does.

I would say 740 is on the lower side of the competitive pool for M7. Unfortunately the average is 760.

Also having only 2 1/2 of three years of work experience at matriculation is also on the lower side. Not the business schools want old people or anything like that but they want to certain level of leadership and maturity and the accomplishments that you could bring to The recruiting process so they may have seen your current level of work experiences needing a bit more seasoning.

The boundary application plans… if you’re thinking about M1, you will definitely need a higher score. This can be GMAT classic or GMAT focus. Can also be GRE if you can muster a high score. Depending if you receive any interview invitations or not that should also be a message about how your profile looks for a five minute review that’s probably as much time as they spend for the interview selection process and you did not get any invites, it means it was easy enough for them to put you into the ding pile as opposed to the maybe or yes, so there was definitely some thing that they felt was lacking

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

PS. This is not really question for gmat experts so I would suggest posting your profile in the decision tracker and start a new post to get some profile reviews or suggestions

Posted from my mobile device

Score-Quest · Answer

Your GMAT score, while slightly lower than what might be considered extremely competitive for your demographic, is likely not the sole issue. A 740 is still a very strong score.

It's also worth reflecting on your application strategy. With 2 years of work experience, you're on the lower end of the typical range for M7 schools. How did you frame your experience and future goals in your applications? Impact investing and VC are great career goals, but schools will be looking for clarity on your vision and how their program specifically helps you achieve that.

Also, how well did you leverage your unique background in your essays and interviews? Sometimes, it's about how effectively you tell your story and connect your past experiences with your future aspirations.

Regarding your question about retaking the GMAT consider the time and effort required for preparation against the potential benefit. A 750+ could strengthen your application, but it's not a guaranteed game-changer.

KarishmaB · Answer

Though a consultant can guide you better, with a liberal arts background, you may want to hit a 50/51 in Quant to ensure that the adcom has no doubts about your capability to handle numbers. That will also take your overall score to the 99th percentile and yes, take the current edition of GMAT. Also pay due attention to IR. With traditional Math/Engg. backgrounds, schools know that one has the capability to handle the work load and a natural tendency to work hard. You need to show that through a fantastic GMAT score. 
But a bigger issue may be your application. You may want to talk to a consultant to get your ideas hashed out for your essays. Mind you, each essay should be a captivating story (true), not a resume or a list. You have an interesting background - make the most of it and thread it into your future goals. You need to make your application unforgettable.

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