740:Q48:V44 - considering retaking the GMAT tomorrow AM

Question

Hi gmatclubbers,

I took the GMAT 6 days ago and got a 740, with a Q48:V44 split. I am aware that it is a very good score, but I am greatly displeased with it, as I feel that I performed as bad as I could, and I wanted to be on the 99th percentile. After extensive drilling during the past six months, I was expecting 49-51 on Quant, and 44-47 on Verbal.

I unexpectedly suffered with both sections of the exam. On Quant, I stumbled on the first question, and I managed my time poorly and had to guess on the last two questions. On verbal, I don't know what happened, but I could not focus my sight on the screen, and for moments everything would go blurry; I also had to rush through the last questions because of poor time management. To top it of, the testing center was a bad joke. The ladies overseeing the exam would talk loudly with all newcomers, and generate plenty of noise with a door that would get stuck.

So .... I am seriously considering retaking the GMAT tomorrow. There are appointments available for 8AM. I am in a different geographical area, and so the testing center would be more professional. After 6 days of traveling and not thinking about the GMAT, I just took a GMATPrep and got a 770:Q:51:V:44. I am not as sharp as I was a week ago; but I feel relaxed.

To retake or not ... I have 7-8hs to decide. I will be reviewing my notes until then.

Please share your thoughts with me if you happen to read this before then.

Cheers,

pk

Ps: Here are my Gmatclub challenges stats:

Test Correct Total % Correct Mean time msec Percentile
29-Aug m25 25 37 68% 106.8469 sec 1250 62%
25-Sep m01 26 37 70% 88.6118 sec 1250 48%
26-Sep m02 30 37 81% 100.6909 sec 1250 69%
28-Sep m03 27 37 73% 104.4283 sec 1250 63%
28-Sep m04 33 37 89% 119.8564 sec 1250 91%
28-Sep m05 30 37 81% 116.4549 sec 1250 86%
29-Sep m06 23 37 62% 121.4619 sec 1250 44%
30-Sep m07 28 37 76% 118.3722 sec 1250 65%
1-Oct m08 25 37 68% 105.1739 sec 1250 70%
2-Oct m09 26 37 70% 115.3899 sec 1250 52%
3-Oct m10 26 37 70% 113.5959 sec 1250 54%
3-Oct m11 31 37 84% 110.1363 sec 1250 80%
4-Oct m12 29 37 78% 119.8296 sec 1250 75%
4-Oct m13 31 37 84% 119.8129 sec 1250 84%
5-Oct m14 28 37 76% 119.2074 sec 1250 73%
5-Oct m15 27 37 73% 116.3172 sec 1250 68%
6-Oct m16 30 37 81% 113.2746 sec 1250 81%
7-Oct m17 32 37 86% 121.2013 sec 1250 83%
8-Oct m18 27 37 73% 112.2139 sec 1250 53%
9-Oct m19 32 37 86% 114.7080 sec 1250 79%
10-Oct m20 35 37 95% 120.4741 sec 1250 85%
11-Oct m21 30 37 81% 121.2321 sec 1250 79%
14-Oct m22 31 37 84% 116.0212 sec 1250 72%
19-Oct m23 29 37 78% 118.5204 sec 1250 57%
20-Oct m24 32 37 86% 99.1284 sec 1250 84%

walker · Answer

First of all, congrats with great score!

After 2 months in Chicago Booth, I know that a lot of people have near 700 score and even lower. Nevertheless, they all deserve to be here. Why? Because they all did something outstanding in their lives and are great people. Now I do understand why GMAT is only a piece of puzzle but not a key. Of course, you spent a lot of time on GMAT but what about essays? your stories? Are they so great that 740 in GMAT is only one problem?

Anyway, I wish you good luck!
Walker

Franklin · Answer

Hi Powerka,

Sorry to hear about your disappointment with the exam. You did well so congrats on that. Is taking the exam and possibly scoring higher really that important? Once you hit a certain mark (700) adcom focuses on other parts of the application. Plus, your 740 is higher than the averages at all the top schools. Finally, how in the world are you able to take the test again before the mandatory 31 days have elapsed?

All the best,
Franklin

powerka · Answer

Franklin, thanks for saving me time. I did not know about the minimum days requirement. I had read that GMAC changes the question pool every month, so I thought that one could retake the GMAT the month after taking it, regardless of the number of days between tests.

Guess I'm stuck with 740.

I feel like cursing. This is so frustrating. I feel I have wasted three months; I was on a Q49 level past July, before taking all the gmatclub challenges.

Retaking the GMAT tomorrow made sense, as it would have only cost me $ and very little time. Retaking it in a month is not possible as I will be traveling heavily during November. And retaking it afterwards would require spending another 2-4 weeks on drilling, to recover lost pace; I think I can invest my time more productively on other activities.

So 740 it is.

powerka · Answer

Thanks Walker.

I believe a higher score would not help me to get into one of the schools of my choice. My dissatisfaction stems from unfulfilled expectations; its mostly a matter of ego. After investing so much time and effort, knowing that I performed as bad as I could really bothers me.

C'est la vie

Cheers

Franklin · Answer

Honestly, I really think your score is great especially for schools such as INSEAD and IMD. When I visited INSEAD I was told that adcom is happy with the score if both parts are above the 75% but that threshold isn't set in stone. After the threshold is reached adcom focuses on other parts of the application. I seriously wouldn't sweat it.

You haven't wasted three months because you got a score that is in the range of all three of your target schools. You are also above the mean and median for all three.

I know you are venting but just let it go. Use that energy toward your apps! When are you submitting your app to INSEAD?

Good luck!

Franklin

snipertrader · Answer

Great score powerka.

740 is a great score. I get it when you say that you could have done much better/deserve much more but as walker says, its just a piece of the puzzle. Use the pent up anger/frustration/energy in your apps and i am sure you will do a neat job.

Cheers!

walker · Answer

Yeah, I know. But think about your package (essays+resume+recommendations + GMAT + GPA +.....), what is the weakest point? At least, you can say yourself: "Let's think about retaking GMAT when I finish with all other stuff".

Good luck with application!

kinokosarada · Answer

Powerka,

I understand your feeling but if I were you I would not retake. This is taking the unnecessary risk to score lower. Noone knows what can happen on the second test day or what can be your condition but if you score below 740 on this second try adcoms may question seriously your capacity of judgement, and you will have to explain them. Don't create such an uncomfortable situation, it would weight on your overall app.
As you already know 740 is good enough for any top school and scoring like 770 would not give you any critical bonus. Focus on the application package (essays, transcripts, recos...) for now and if you really want to retake the GMAT, do it after you send all your apps.

urchin · Answer

powerka,
First of all Congratulations for such a good score.
Even i did not get a spectacular result commensurate with the prep efforts. I got 740 but then i am still satisified with the score as its above the median for any college. Getting obsessed with gmat score will reflect poorly on u if college - adcom comes to know abt this.
See, managers today are expected to be practical and situation aware.
You will be wasting your time and money just for 20-30 points which may not carry that much weight.
Being obsessed with certain things is certainly fine but gmat score is surely not the one amongst them. Your score is very good and start preparing your applications.

All the best!

abhi758 · Answer

Congratulations on your 740! You've got a gr8 Quant/Verbal combinations..

bb · Answer

Powerka - fantastic job. Yes, there is a 31 day cool-off period

P.S. Everyone thinks they can do better when they walk out of the test center (except the 50 guys who scored 800). However, not everyone improves. Would highly recommend to stay put and not aim for a higher score - unless you are not applying this year of course and have free time on your hands.

powerka · Answer

Thanks guys. I'll chip in with a proper debrief in a few weeks.

gmatjon · Answer

Congratulations with the score!!! I am sure many of us are jealous of the score you got...

shadow · Answer

powerka, you scored very well on the GMAT. don't take this the wrong way, but retaking the test "just to get the 99th percentile" is a very poor mentality to have, ESPECIALLY on your essays/applications. it's the sort of red flag that could potentially cause adcom at your target schools to throw your app away. take extra care to not let your essays highlight an overachieving or arrogant nature. instead, focus on your other strengths, and your score shouldn't be any hindrance to your application. good luck wherever you decide to apply

also, i dont think this point was made clearly enough earlier in the thread, but even though there may be open spots, you can't register for another GMAT within 31 days of taking the test. i dont believe the system will let you register.

also, i dont think this point was made clearly enough earlier in the thread, but even though there may be open spots, you can't register for another GMAT within 31 days of taking the test. i dont believe the system will let you register.

powerka · Answer

shadowsjc,

My post is almost a week old. I thought about retaking the GMAT last Monday, and last Monday only, without further preparation. But Monday was only six days after taking the GMAT; I did not know about the 31 days requirement, so it was all wishful thinking.

Going from 740 to 770 by investing only one and a half days was worth the shot. Or could have been worth the shot. That's what I was debating when I made the post.

Thanks to all for your feedback

I'm now enjoying a well earned vacation.

vibhaj · Answer

it's a great and my dream score ! so, i would say just party and good luck with your apps. !!

gmatcracker1 · Answer

First off, congrates on the fabulous score.

thanks for the gmat tests , stats, they are very useful to compare one's score !

good luck to your apps.

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740:Q48:V44 - considering retaking the GMAT tomorrow AM

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