I just Beat The GMAT!

I wrote the gmat today. I felt very sad when I saw my score.
I was aiming to apply to the 3rd round of the TOP 10. I have 10 days left. First question: could I improve my score from 470 TO 680 within 10 days (studying full time)??
I was so stressed that I could not even make simple calculation. Yet, I am so shocked by the verbal section. I thought I was doing well. I was not running out of time. I had no problem understanding the RC (I am a non native english-speaker).
I started my prep some months ago. But then got a new job and could not concentrate very much on the gmat. With the current financial crisis, I lost my job (but was happy since I could dedicate more time for the gmat prep). I had plenty of time and didn't study properly until the last 2 weeks.
I focused mainly on the quant part and worked on the verbal 4 days before the exam.
I prepared so many flashcard on quant that I could review them all before the exam. Additionally, I was busy discovering the templates and the topics for the AWA (1 day before). Anoher mistake is that I never run a full test on time except the gmatprep 1 and I got 420.
I have many weaknesses that I have to focus on but don't know which one except that I need to focus on both section specifically on the verbal.
Should I study with a private tutor? should I need more books and study on my own (I've already OG11+supplements-Iwent through all of them- MGMAT SC and recently Kaplan Math workbook).
I decided to study 2 more months full time (if I can't improve in 10 days -which is quite unrealistic-). After that, I need to go back to work...
I would greatly appreciate your advice on the plan I need to follow.

I just had an reply for one of the TOP 10 B-school telling me that they have no minimums or requirements for admission. And it is up to me as to whether or not I'd like to apply.

Beat the Gmat community, what do you think about that?

I dont think you will be able to retake the test in 10 days.

From www.mba.com:

"You may take the GMAT® exam once every 31 calendar days and no more than five (5) times in a rolling 12-month period."

I read on a Gmac document "Examinees Retaking the Gmat" that examinees are permitted to take the gmat only once in a calendar month and only five times in a 12-month period. And that a candidate can take the gmat at the end of one month and then again at the beginning of the next month.

Could Eric or other members confirm?

hsumh316 is right you can take the exam only once a month.
Give your exam only when you consistently get over your target score in the online CATS.

I would suggest you to do MGMAT 6 online cat exams. You will get it free with any of the MGMAT book or you can buy seperatly. ( for example in MGMAT,GPREP,POWERPREP if you score 700+ all time then it is safe to assume that you can get 680. )

The good thing about MGMAT test is that there is a very good analysis report.
It will clearly show your weak areas which you can then improve.

I would strongly recomend you to make strategy to tackle each type of questions. Unless you have strategies in GMAT it is like hunting in the dark.

Good Luck,

nadontheway wrote:I just had an reply for one of the TOP 10 B-school telling me that they have no minimums or requirements for admission. And it is up to me as to whether or not I'd like to apply.

Beat the Gmat community, what do you think about that?

You cannot get into top 10 business schools with that score. Even if you had a 700, it would be very hard to get into the top 10. If that is all you want you can study for a few months and try to get a good score and then apply for next fall.

TkNeo wrote:

nadontheway wrote:I just had an reply for one of the TOP 10 B-school telling me that they have no minimums or requirements for admission. And it is up to me as to whether or not I'd like to apply.

Beat the Gmat community, what do you think about that?

You cannot get into top 10 business schools with that score. Even if you had a 700, it would be very hard to get into the top 10. If that is all you want you can study for a few months and try to get a good score and then apply for next fall.

Never say never. I personally know someone who went to Wharton about 3 years ago with a 490. HBS and Stanford do not have a mininum GMAT score. Obviously, a high score makes an applicant more competitive, but admissions are not solely based on test scores. It will amaze you to see how far a strong convincing personal statement, coupled with other factors such as recommendation and undergrad GPA, will take you. Sadly, a lot of applications fall short of a good personal statement.

sorry, I have to agree 490 will not get you into top 10 unless you have very extraordinary accomplishments career wise. Especially in the 3rd round where space is extremely limited.

You might be able to get a pass for a low verbal score if you are a non native English speaker, but you must be very strong in quant.

Thank you guys for your support. I will give another try.

Could you just confirm that you need 31 days to re-take the gmat?
Also, I am going to use all the CATs (something I didn't do earlier). What other tips can you give me to handle the strategies I should use to tackle this stupid test!
Is a private tutor a good think or just a waste of money and time?

Thx for your support.