660 (q47, v35). Please help with next move

Question

Just finished GMAT. 660 47/35 Practice ranged from 650-690, however verbal is unusally low (math is unusally high) As everyone I was really anxious all night and all morning. Went to test center 2 hours earlier, they were very nice and said no problem. Scribbled something for AWA to get it out of the way. Math was pure hell. All the tricky questions that looked so silly in practice seemed to have toying with me. Numbers were floating on the screen and many problems were conceptual to the point where I started guessing. To start verbal I didn't even want take optional break to get it over with. But all questions seemed to be straightforward, I relaxed a bit and was feeling pretty confident. Sounds like I got q35,v47 doesn't it? GMAT really messes with your mind. I am 26 yo male. I've been in the USA since 13 years old, so verbal shouldn't be a problem for me. Many of the passages and critical questions I felt like I have sniffed out the tricks and completely followed the point. I am really suprised at my split, it must be my SC, although Manhattan book really helped alot. I am really only looking to apply to Yale SOM and maybe Stern NYU. Both of these schools have much higher GMAT averages then 660, so I guess I have to take it again.b

I'm just not sure I can even do so well in Math again. My practice tests never went above 44. On the other hand I was consistently getting low 40s in verbal. So I'm not sure what to do, any advise would be great. I will probably sign up in 31 days, but I feel that even if I gain some in verbal I have potential to loose points in math. I will be glad to answer any questions regarding exam itself too if anyone has any questions. Do you guys think I have a chance at yale, just by GMAT score? I'm barely peeking in. Class of 2006 YALE Average GMAT Score 701 Middle 80% range 640-760 Average Quantitative 46 (79th percentile) Mid 80% GMAT Quantitative 41-50 Average Verbal 40 (91st percentile) Mid 80% GMAT Verbal 35-46 Average College GPA 3.4 Average TOEFL 657

uvs_mba · Answer

Hey NSentra,

First of all 660 is not such a bad score, considering it was your first attempt, very nice=)

But if you think you can do better and are willing to take the exam one more time, give it another shot.

If you think that your other part of the application is absolutely stellar, then think it over.

But in any case, all the best with what ever you decide to do.

Nsentra · Answer

thx for uvs! best of luck to you too! have you scheduled yours yet?

uvs_mba · Answer

Well I have it scheduled for pretty soon, but my instincts tell me to reschedule it. I have been practicing with GMATPrep and had scores jump from 640 to 700s, but had a lot of repeats, so its really killing me because my performance is skewed.

Though it does make me very comfortable from the last time. It feels different when I look back the first two times I took the exam, and I was in the miserable 500s, but everytime I come and read posts on this forum, I tighten up my fist and go like WHAT THE %%%% I can do it, haha! so it serves as an inspiration for me :-D

I'll keep everyone informed, trust me the day I get my 700, first ones to find out are gonna be fellow gmatclub members :-D

, as I spend more time here than with my friends, which is kinda sad but oh well I have to work on pursuing my dreams.....

All the best, cya on the forums :-D

I'll keep everyone informed, trust me the day I get my 700, first ones to find out are gonna be fellow gmatclub members :-D

, as I spend more time here than with my friends, which is kinda sad but oh well I have to work on pursuing my dreams..... All the best, cya on the forums :-D

Matrix02 · Answer

Congratulations - 660 is a great score (I would be so happy with that myself - but that is just me). It is a great first time score and if you feel you can do better then you should retake. 

If the rest of the you application is very strong I think you should have a fair shot at the schools you mentioned (your score is within the middle 80%).

pelihu · Answer

I believe that Yale's average GMAT jumped from 683 to 701 this year. This corroborates the (I think pretty widely held) belief that Yale is attempting to move up in the rankings by boosting its raw numbers - the most important of which is the GMAT of course.

What that means is that it's probably more difficult than ever to slide in with a lower than average GMAT score. As uvs_mba said, if other parts of your application are spectacular then you may have a chance. Otherwise, it's probably a bit of a stretch. You indicate that you are 26 and a male not originally from the US. How's your work experience? Are you an under-represented (or over-represented) minority? These factors make a huge difference in whether 660 gives you a chance or not.

diegmat · Answer

Dude - 660 is good and may be good enough to get into Yale SOM depending on other areas of your app.

It sounds like you just need to boost that Verbal a little more. How much practice did you devote to V? 

In my experience w/ practice exams so far is that when I get really rattled by the math (which you clearly did!) I tend to completely blow the verbal...just something to think about.

Nsentra · Answer

Hi pelihu, you bring up many good reasons, that's why I have already signed up to take another one 31 days from now. I will work harder on my verbal but won't forget the math.
I believe my working background and recommendations will stand out, however my personals are nothing to write home. I really haven't discovered myself and what I'd like to do in life until recently, so I haven't built up much of shining personal story. My communications skills are also on the weakside and that is why I know that I must do better on GMAT. However I will start my application process and update Yale on my future exam results.

I don't believe I'm under-represented, is that some set category for all schools?. I am from Moscow Russia, came shortly after Soviet Union collapse. I got some good education fundamentals in my school while in Russia, however I have never strived for better then B. After finishing engineering degree at Uconn I was hired by start-up hedge fund and grew with it over the past few years. Learning investment process, finance theory and technology behind it is something I am really focused on doing and thus have decided to give Yale a try. 

I really appreciate feedback from you and others. Like everyone says this community is so much more valuable then $1,400 I spent on Kaplan.

Nsentra · Answer

Thx, that's a great point. I will take an optional break next time no matter how I felt quant went and try to refocus before verbal.

I have spent some time on verbal. I've used manhattan for SC, CR and RC. I felt like I started to understand what GMAT was asking for test takers. It is possible i have underestimated it.

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660 (q47, v35). Please help with next move

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