Is it bad to take the GMAT 4 times?

Question

I got a 600 last time I took it. My math was a 44 and my Verbal was a 28. I got a 5.5 on the essay. I felt down about it. But I really want to get into a good business school and I am thinking of trying again.

vwjetty · Answer

I would say 3 is enough but it really depends on where you wanna go..........

martie11 · Answer

Yesterday I participated in a top ten b-school webinar. The director of admissions stated that anything more than three attempts at the GMAT and they would look at it with greater attention to look for trends, etc to further assess candidacy.

In short, based on his comments I got the impression that > 3 was more negative than positive. Now having said that, with a 600 score I don't think you have much of an option other than to retake the exam if you want a shot at the top schools.

HTHs, M.

shaselai · Answer

it is bad if the trend is down. lets say you take it 4th time and it is ~700 then it is more favorable than not. But if you get a 600 again then the adcom see you are "trying your luck" and not studying hard enough. Basically you have to show decent improvement and dedication.

miguel3072 · Answer

So what you are saying is that someone with a 550 (3 years ago), a 650, 660, and then 700+ shouldn't have to worry too much?

shaselai · Answer

that is correct. What it shows is you studied and came back with a 650 for 100 pt increase which is significant. But the 660 is a bit iffy since it is close to 650. HOWEVER, the 700+ is another significant jump which shows you prepared and improved yourself further. IF you had 550,650,660,670 then that is bad in terms of multiple takes because the adcom sees you reached your "limit" with 650ish and sees you trying your luck. but with the 700+ imo it does a lot more good than harm. Remember schools like to see you improve!

miguel3072 · Answer

Great.

Dont we self report anyway? So in theory schools wouldn't see all the scores until after they had reviewed the app. That is atleast what I thought.

whiplash2411 · Answer

I think this is true. The GMAT attempt a year ago wouldn't really raise too many questions. But if you get a 700+ score on the fourth attempt, it only shows that you are hardworking and determined. If you'd gotten a 700 the first time and kept retaking till you got a 790, then that looks stupid because a 700 is a good score, and perhaps you can take it once more to improve a score balance. I think in your case it's okay, but don't take it more than 4 times.

miguel3072 · Answer

That is good news.

shaselai · Answer

well yes. basically what you see is what they see. You do report it and they wont see it till they review the app but does that matter? Some schools dont want the report till later so that saves you some money

kissthegmat · Answer

I think if you can score 700+ on 4th attempt it won't have any worse impact..

miguel3072 · Answer

What I was thinking is that, lets say that you mark down that you scored a 720, 48Q and 40V. Then I thought that the adcoms would just take it as such, and then after going through the apps, they would have someone later on check for accuracy, similar to checking work experience, etc.

mustdoit · Answer

Mine was a strange case....

I scored 610 in the first
620 in the second that full of technical glitches. On complaint to GMAC about the same the committee permitted me a free retake. 
Third time I again scored 620.

What do you people say about this. Should I count the second attempt as a genuine one. Or will the next one be my fourth. Please suggest.

shaselai · Answer

well they would request you to send them the official score sooner or later. With that score report it will have your past (within 3?) years of scores. Basically with your recent score report you should see your past ones - that report is what the school will see. Also some require you to scan the report rather than mail it but it is school by school basis. Basically they will know the past scores

dc3828102 · Answer

Here's the way I see it.

If your current GMAT score is a deterrent, it's going to be a deterrent whether you take it again (too many attempts) or not take it again (low score). The only issue to consider is that if you take GMAT again and either you do the same or the worse, then you will be hurting your candidacy.

optimisticAL · Answer

Guys  "where there is will, there is way"

shaselai · Answer

unless the gmac can put an "*" next to the score you will be "stuck" with the score trend unless you explain in an optional essay or something. You have the following routes:
1. study up and retake - get a 50+ point boost and "all is forgiven" like the poster here.
2. 3 retakes is not horrible but they do see you as a 600ish student. Even if you do explain the glitch your 3rd score doesnt help your case.

If you have the time i really would go route 1 - 50+ increase is not too bad from 620 standpoint. try error logs, mgmat books, study programmes etc.

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Is it bad to take the GMAT 4 times?

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