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ericttz
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 24 Nov 2006, 07:22
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I took the test last weekend. THought I bombed the math, did well on verbal. hit the button 680. PRetty happy with that. The program I want to go to was 640 avg. last year 650 this year. So i am above that. However my college grades were quite poor 2.5 or so -tough time in my life. That was 10 years ago. I have very strong work experience.

I discovered this site after I took the test. Although I am happy with the result it was pretty much a walk on. I brushed up on math with an old Cliffs math review book, nothing on verbal. Hence I feel pretty strongly that I could get comfortably over 700 with a month or so of prep and hour or two a day.

My question is, is it worth it? ( I have two infants and a wife in mba program so its tough to set the time aside.) Does anyone have any feelings on poor college grades 10 years ago and how damaging that may be when weighed against decent GMAT and strong work exp. and recommendations?

As I mentioned it will be tough to set aside the time but I dont want to sell my chances short of attending the program I want.

Any thoughts greatfully appreciated. If I go for it again(in Jan. likely) I will use this site heavily as a resource.

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone.

Eric
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johnnyx9
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 24 Nov 2006, 09:59
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Considering how long you've been out of school I don't think your grades will be weighed very heavily. I think the GMAT is much more indicative of a person's IQ than their GPA, adcoms know this. You have a solid GMAT score, and if you're above your schools average I wouldn't take it again unless (a) you know you're going to score better (b) it's not going to take away time that would be better spent working on the rest of your applications, and it's not going to take away from time that would be better spent with your family.
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 24 Nov 2006, 23:33
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I'm assuming with a wife and kids you are looking to go part-time?
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ericttz
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 25 Nov 2006, 13:38
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Wing- looking at a one year program. I have convinced myself to take it again. I'd hate to look back and think that the adcom couldnt get over my grades and I could have offset the grades with a better GMAT score. I guess its silly, but I think through equal study I will raise the math one or two(or stay equal) and raise the verbal a few points. I was surprised I didnt perform better on the verbal portion. I will concentrate on that and try to do at least 3 practive tests before the real one. I still dont have my AWA score yet. I didnt realize they are mechanically scored. I will look into the templates at some point.

Thanks
Eric
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 25 Nov 2006, 13:51
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johnnyx9
Considering how long you've been out of school I don't think your grades will be weighed very heavily. I think the GMAT is much more indicative of a person's IQ than their GPA, adcoms know this. You have a solid GMAT score, and if you're above your schools average I wouldn't take it again unless (a) you know you're going to score better (b) it's not going to take away time that would be better spent working on the rest of your applications, and it's not going to take away from time that would be better spent with your family.
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I used to think this way too, but I've since changed my position. The problem actually is a very simple one. You may have a 680 and a 2.5, but someone else will have a 680 and a 3.5. You may have 10 years experience, but so will someone else.

That being said, part time programs ARE different - your GMAT matters less then as it is not reported as part of the official average. However, your poor experience as an undergraduate will be of concern to the adcoms, and while your GMAT score may mitigate this, you will need to adddress it. Simply saying it was 10 years ago is not enough, because right next to you is someone else who got a 3.5 10 years ago and thus represents less "risk".
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680 (Q41V42) Should I retake? 25 Nov 2006, 20:06
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Rhyme, I see it like you do. I cant change the past but it is a big hill to climb. I need to give the adcom every opportunity to like what they see as I know they wont like my grades. I am not looking at regular MBA programs. I am looking at real estate programs. I could likely use some of the info in the MBA program but would rather focus on my chosen field. In addition it is too costly to take two years off. I want to do a one year program.

I ordered some new books (OG 11, Kaplan 800 and MGMAT SC) and will start this week with quant, basic stuff and sentence correction. I really thought I had no handle on the math but ended up with a 41. If I can work on number props etc and keep that score or improve 2-3 points and hit the verbal section and get that up 3-4 i will be happy that I have given myself a good chance.

Best of luck to all- its amazing to see the improvement some people have. Not sure if it is more impressive to get a 750 first try or tenth try... Mark Twain said "Hard work without talent is a shame but talent without hard work is a tragedy".

Hard work is the key.

Cheers
Eric
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