GMAT and admission to top school

Question

Thought I will throw my GMAT experience here. I have been a regular reader of GMAT club forums. I just saw a post about someone getting 690 and feeling devastated and thought I will write this.

I scored 690 in my GMAT. I wanted to go to Harvard/Stanford/Wharton and was of the opinion that anything less than 700 in GMAT is going to knock me out of the race for these ultra elite schools. I felt the same way when I got 690 and wanted to improve my GMAT score. I knew that the middle 80% is a broad range, but still I felt like 700 is a must. But I strengthened my other areas. I got admission at Wharton this year !!

Well GMAT is only one part of the application (well..I am not saying anything new here:). So don't worry about the 700 magic number (or any other magic number you might have in mind) and focus on the other parts of the application. Of course if you feel you can get 750+ and have been constantly getting above 750 in your practice, you can go for another shot. But as long as you are in the range of the GMAT scores for the schools you are trying to, you have a good chance..so do not lose sight over other parts of your app.

Good luck !!

SV6 · Answer

Thanks for your post mbaaspire!

I got rejected with a 680 score lastyear in ISB. So i am not sure whether this score is sufficient for applying in US schools with so much competition. I definitely felt this time that i performed better in the exam. But the score i got is completely shocking.

Its inspiring to know that you got admission into wharton with 690. But you might be exceptional in other areas. But i am from common indian IT pool.

Can you please provide some info about your profile if not a problem?

pmenon · Answer

very true words, mbaaspire. Congrats on your admit, btw. I wouldnt mind hearing about your profile either.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for posting this

I completely agree, it's the entire package! Congrats on your admission!

LM · Answer

I think if you are from Indian origin, then you should have at least 740 in your Bag in order to think of reputed universities in US or Europe. That's what I have seen with Indians in US and Europe.

agold · Answer

Are you also speaking for Indians born in the US/Europe who are citizens of the US/Europe?

SV6 · Answer

LM,

yes you are right. I am from India. I know that above 700 is required, but not sure giving gmat more than 3 times will have any negative effect on the applicaiton.

Thanks
sv6

maverick2011 · Answer

Nice post mbaaspire. I agree with what you are saying. I think people get too caught up in increasing their score, even when they already have a solid score (680-690+). I honestly believe that once you have a solid 80th+ percentile in both quant and verbal (which would be a 680-690) that you have earned the checkmark in the "this person can handle the coursework" category. To quote Rose Martinelli from my Chicago GSB visit, "if you have earned a 690 or higher, do not retake the GMAT". Also, Wharton's middle 50th percentile (25-75%) is 690-730. I think that speaks for itself.

Of course people are going to disagree, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents as well.

Of course people are going to disagree, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents as well.

barfer · Answer

C'mon gmatters... I've already paid for my 2d test :-D

I also have 690 in my pocket but I wanna see the Screen again. It's such a game. By the end of this year I'll say the same words as mbaaspire did, "do not waste yout time, bright people!". But now we have a spare time and why should we avoid the Game with our lovely gmat?

maverick2011 · Answer

I agree with that too. If you have the time/energy, then go for it; however, don't do it at the cost of the rest of your application. I scored 700 and seriously considered retaking it too, but I've since come to my senses!

jimmyjamesdonkey · Answer

I agree...look at all the people in the admissions thread that have a 750+ and were rejected from tons of schools. They are looking for a well rounded student..

refurb · Answer

If a school likes you, you'll get in whether you have a 680 or a 750.

Look at some of the schools class profiles. Tuck's GMAT scores for the Class of 2008 range from 560 - 790.

Someone got into one of the top b-schools in the US with a 560! That's what? 55 percentile?

NN

Anonymous · Answer

I completely agree.. Although we can't ignore our GMAT scores, we have to focus on what we as individuals can bring to the table. Schools want a well rounded individual capable of making an impact and leading, not someone who is only good at cranking out numbers and mastering a standardized test.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

GMAT and admission to top school

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards