Retake for insead application?

Question

Hi everyone

Needing some advice on retaking the gmat.

I have done the GMAT twice - first time scoring 700 (40V, 45Q) and the second time (a trainwreck...) scoring 660 (40V, 42Q).

I did quite a lot of work between 1 and 2, including getting a tutor and had massively improved my practice scores (consistently scoring 70th percentile and above on the quant). Needless to say, I was very disappointed with my second gmat. I am nervous my first score is too low for insead given their 70th percentile guidance. I do feel I should be able to crack the 70th percentile based on my skills but clearly have an issue with nerves on the day. I am also running into serious gmat fatigue.

Looking forward to your advice!

nche · Answer

I'd say 700 is enough. The GMAT is only one component of the application. Especially if you don't need it to compensate low uni undergrad scores. Concentrate on the rest of your application; the essays, etc...

cheers, Nche

donleo11 · Answer

I also think 700 is enough. 
INSEAD offers a lot of room to highlight other aspects of your profile. Would suggest to focus on that.

Aus2018 · Answer

Thanks for your responses!

What do you think is the miminum quant for insead? The guidance note of 70% certainly seems very high (particularly for someone not as quantitatively orientated like myself!)

MDLuffy · Answer

INSEAD recommend that applicants should aim for at least the 70th percentile for both Q and V.

However, they note this is just one of many factors. I guess this is best highlighted by looking at the decision tracker and looking at those who have been accepted and you'd note many don't match the above requirement.

700 is a great score and your Q and V are solid so I wouldn't stress. Like the others said, focusing on the other parts of the application would be of greater value to you and your admission chances.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

The way I would answer this is what kind of time are you working with, which round are you applying to? Do you have less than 2 months on the board then by all means maximize your application, it's pretty long one and so doing the application well for INSEAD is rarely done and also really differentiates you. So that is within your locus of control assuming your recommendations will be good. However...it is a little bit difficult to pass up the opportunity to improve your test score when you said your practice exams came up massively. I taught GMAT verbal for 18 years and clients taking the exam post tutoring the second time yielded very different results. Guess I would ask you what is the reason that you feel you bombed the test the second time, and is that something that you think you could fix easily? If it's something like test-taking anxiety then probably no... however the fact that you got a better score the first time really makes me feel as though there might be an opportunity there. So make sure to develop a wonderful stellar application that's going to garner their interest, nobody actually recruits a test score without being interested in the candidate but if you have the time I would take another stab.

https://MBAPrepCoach.com

bb · Answer

Retake for insead application?

Retake

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