Which GMAT score to report- dilemma! What would you do?

Question

I am applying to a few schools in top 7 MBA programs, shooting for R2 at the moment, about to submit my applicatons. 
I took the GMAT twice, neither score is really "ideal" but I have to choose one, or maybe both? what would you do?

Attempt #1 (Aug 5 2017):
Overall score-700
Verbal -40 (91%)
Quant-47 (63%)

AWA- 4.5
IR- 3 (26%)....bummed the IR that time, so I decided to take the exam again to try to improve IR and overall score to at leats 720

Attempt #2 (Dec 27 2017):
Overall score-680
Verbal-38 (85%)
Quant- 44 (52%)

AWA-don't know yet
IR-8 (93%)

did better on IR, but overall is lower and screwed up on Quant....

Now the question is,

1. do I cancel my second GMAT score (I still have 72 hours to do so) and just go with the 700 with lower IR score?
2. do I keep both? that way the schools will see that I am capable of higher IR, but will they view negatively that I got a lower overall score the 2 time?

What would you do?

abhimahna · Answer

Hi tash1234 , Welcome to GMATClub

Here is the thing: Schools will look for the score which you will ask them to do so. I would prefer sending them the score of 700 and then in optional essay mention that your IR score is not the true indicator of your abilities. You can also mention them that in one of the other tests you took, you scored an IR of 8. I would not prefer you to cancel any of the tests because there is only a marginal difference between the two. There won't be any negative impression if you keep both the scores. All the best

zhang128 · Answer

My understanding is that schools do not focus on IR that much but would like to hear some expert's options

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi tash1234,

It's likely that the 700/Q47 would be better for your application (as it has a higher Quant Scaled Score - and many Admissions Committees view that Scaled Score as a way to assess how well you might handle the 'academic side' of their Programs). You're ultimately asking Admissions questions, so you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admission ... tants-124/

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

AjiteshArun · Answer

I would keep both scores. Even though your score dropped, the fact that you took the test again is itself a positive sign. However, if you are not sure, cancel the second score. You can reinstate a canceled score, but you can't cancel an official score.

ccooley · Answer

I wouldn't cancel the second score, and I would recommend putting the first score down as the 'GMAT score' on your applications.

It might be a good idea to briefly mention the second score somewhere in your application, just so it doesn't confuse anyone who's reading it. For instance, were there extenuating circumstances that led you to not get a higher score the second time? Maybe you weren't feeling well, etc.? Or maybe you didn't study much Quant or Verbal between the two tests, and only went in to see whether you could get a higher IR? If that's the case, then the fact that you did get a much higher IR score is a good sign - it shows them that when you set your mind to improving something, you can do it

tash1234 · Answer

Thanks for your advice everyone!! I ended up not cancelling my second score and keeping it just in case they need to see I improved my IR score.

I heard that HBS in particular only looks at your self reported score in the application and only checks the official gmat report once you're admitted and they need to verify. Anyone heard of it? How does all of this work?

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