Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Hello

I took the GMAT today and scored 700 but the split between Q and V is pretty uneven, Q 42 / 63% and V 42 / 95%.

Although I'm happy with the verbal and overall scores, I'm pretty disappointed with the Q score - I always thought I was better at the numbers and scored consistently higher than this in practice tests.

I'm applying for Masters in Finance programmes, so obviously quantitative skills will be important. How much will this Q score in my GMAT result count against me?

I studied Chemistry at Oxford University and then passed my chartered accountancy exams (UK) so could refer to this as evidence for quantitative skills, but would my low quantitative GMAT score undermine me? To be honest, I was a little rustly on some of the algebra tricks needed and could only afford to study for a month before having to sit it (due to admission deadlines etc).

The guidance on the London Business School website (where I plan to apply for the Masters in Finance) states that 650 or above will add weight to an application with 700+ adding significant weight. They also say that they would feel uncomfortable admitting someone with a quantitative score of less than 40 or verbal score of less than 30. I am obviously fairly close to the quantitative threshold...

What aspects of my background should I draw out to counter this poor result? Should I mention the low Q score specifically, when the app form asks if I think my academic performance is a good guide for ability to suceed at London Business School?

Any help at all is very much appreciated.

Kind regards
Chris

chris2009 wrote:Hello

I took the GMAT today and scored 700 but the split between Q and V is pretty uneven, Q 42 / 63% and V 42 / 95%.

Although I'm happy with the verbal and overall scores, I'm pretty disappointed with the Q score - I always thought I was better at the numbers and scored consistently higher than this in practice tests.

I'm applying for Masters in Finance programmes, so obviously quantitative skills will be important. How much will this Q score in my GMAT result count against me?

I studied Chemistry at Oxford University and then passed my chartered accountancy exams (UK) so could refer to this as evidence for quantitative skills, but would my low quantitative GMAT score undermine me? To be honest, I was a little rustly on some of the algebra tricks needed and could only afford to study for a month before having to sit it (due to admission deadlines etc).

The guidance on the London Business School website (where I plan to apply for the Masters in Finance) states that 650 or above will add weight to an application with 700+ adding significant weight. They also say that they would feel uncomfortable admitting someone with a quantitative score of less than 40 or verbal score of less than 30. I am obviously fairly close to the quantitative threshold...

What aspects of my background should I draw out to counter this poor result? Should I mention the low Q score specifically, when the app form asks if I think my academic performance is a good guide for ability to suceed at London Business School?

Any help at all is very much appreciated.

Kind regards
Chris

Chris,

I suggest you retake the GMAT to be on the safe side, preparing again and focusing on the quant. If you don't want to do so, then when they ask you to address your academic performance, point to your quant grades and work experience as better evidence of your quant skills than your GMAT quant score.

Best,
Linda