first time GMAT 510 is it too low?

Question

I took Gmat  first time  today,  510, 45Q 16V , I think its pretty low to consider applying MBA, I only had  less than a week  of preparation. I still want to apply for the MBA that has deadline in July/1st and GMAT minimum requirement is 550. Do you think I should still retake it and finish the application before July/01st or wait for the next quarter (which is not until Jan/2012) and get a better GMAT? do you think I have a chance to boost up to 550 in less than 4 weeks?

tasjunior · Answer

Do you want a mid-Mba? If the anwswer is yes, you should take more take to dedicate on Gmat!
Why do you need to rush? I am in the same situation. I could start this year. But I want get in a good school! I will apply for January !

DouggieSB · Answer

Yes Im in a rush because of some legal issues, I want to get in Oklahoma State for the MBA in the Fall 2011, and the deadline is in a month, they suggest 550 but not a requirement. I notice you got 540 which is pretty good compared to me

is it your first time too? if you retake it, when and what score do you expect and how long do you prepare?

tasjunior · Answer

My target is 720. I do not need this score to be admitted. However, I am looking forward to scholarship; I will prepare for 4 or 5 months! I intend to study 40 hours a week.

DouggieSB · Answer

I think with 4-5 months prepared, you can definitely do it, I learned a big lesson today that I was kinda freaking out when I saw the clock counting down so quick while I still had so many questions left. anyway, good luck buddy!

saeedt · Answer

You can have a perfect future with GMAT, dude. 510 with one week preparation is miraculous. Just work for your verbal and you can get a 750+ I believe.

DouggieSB · Answer

Thanks dude, I do need to work on the Verbal which killed me the most. I dont know 750, but I think If I got more time prepared, I would probably have got a better score. and as a matter of fact, I woke up 1 hour before the test, drank a big ass cup of coffee and got kinda shaky during the test. So before you take the test, I think its better to warm up a little bit and be well prepared!

saeedt · Answer

sure <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" />

anujkundarap · Answer

Firstly, don't take the GMAT unless you really need it.. So if your school needs a 550 and you are not willing to compromise on the school, then go take the GMAT again..

Secondly, take time out of your hectic lifestyle and study for the GMAT. Plan your study and stick to it. Studying for 5 months or a year doesn't mean you score higher.. There is an optimum level of study that you need to do to get your best score and that level differs for everyone. Ideally 2-3 months is perfect. Anything more is a waste of time and usually does more harm than good. Anything less is a waste of time too because you don't score much at all.

My suggestion would be to compromise on the school and apply with a 510. If you get rejected, you will anyway have to take the test again.

e1s · Answer

why do you all have so much time to spend on preparing? 40 hours a week :-O

anujkundarap · Answer

Exactly...

saeedt · Answer

But I say retake it if you have enough resources. Your school is gonna make part of your future

e1s · Answer

No seriously, I wonder how you all can schedule your prepartions at 40-50 hours a week!

DouggieSB · Answer

well Gmat is like aside job, I dont think you can spend 40 hours/week to do it unless you have no school or work or not doing anything. I dont think I can study GMAT 40hours/week, thats gonna drive me nut, but I would say I definitely spend at least 3-4 hours/day and at least 4 days/week to study GMAT if I have this much time. I got 510 with a week preparation, but I didnt even spend so much time that in that week for studying GMAT either because I had too many projects due. Im just wondering that when Im done with school and study intensively, how much better Im gonna get within just a month

cheetarah1980 · Answer

There's a balance between quantity and quality when it comes to study time. Racing through problems just to see if you can do them is not exactly the most efficient use of your time. Studying the concepts tested, practicing questions, REVIEWING the questions and WHY you got them right or wrong is more effective and efficient. If you dedicate 10-15 hours a week for 4 weeks to a structured study plan you will see an increase in your score. Going from 510-550+ in 4 weeks is definitely doable. What study materials are you using. It seems that you would see the biggest impact to your score by improving in Verbal. Look through this site for the best Verbal study materials then develop a plan to cover as much as possible. Make sure to take a practive test or two as well. I'm sure that doing this will improve your score significantly. Good luck.

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first time GMAT 510 is it too low?

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