Please help!
I just took the GMAT for the second time yesterday and scored a 680 (Q46,V38). I started out during the first week of January. My diagnostic score was a 480, and similar to most people, my goal was to score 700. I knew I had a on of work to do. Since I had a job locked up after school, I decided to commit most of my time to studying for the GMAT. I studied for 10 weeks and put an absurd amount of time in (3-6 hrs/day). I was scoring mid-600s and took the test anyway. I think test day got to me as I needed to take random guesses on the last 6 questions of quant and the last 5 questions on Verbal in the last minute of each. Anyway, I scored a 590 (Q37,V32). I knew I could do better so I sured up some weaknesses and retook the test yesterday (about 8 weeks later) and got a 680. The difference was 100% due to a different mentality on test day. I wasn't nervous. I didn't spend too much energy on the IR and AWA. I stayed positive. And I guessed when I needed to.
I know this is a very good score shows a ton of improvement, but I am worried I am just outside the bubble for top 14 schools. I was wondering if someone could provide some input in terms of whether I should take the test again. Also, if I were to take the test again, I would take the next 3 weeks off until graduation, and then re-study for 3 weeks before I start work. I missed out on a lot since I studied for 4.5 months of school. Below is some information that may help. If you need additional information, let me know.
Goal: Investment Banking or MBB
*Assuming I need to wait a couple years before applying.
Demographic: White Male
Undergraduate Info: Top Liberal Arts School / Economics Major / 3.5 GPA / Varsity Athlete
Work Info: Incoming Operations Analyst bb (GS, JPM, MS) -- NYC
Activities: Fraternity / Term Abroad
Practice scores on GMAT:
Feb 28: 570 (Q35/V34) -Veritas
Mar 3: 620 (Q39/V37) -Veritas
Mar 6: 640 (Q43/Q35) -Veritas
Mar 16: 640 (Q43/V35) -Veritas
***OFFICIAL GMAT*** 580
Apr 12: 650 (Q43/V36)
Apr 17: 630 (Q45/V32)
Apr 26: 590 (Q41/V31)
May 1: 630 (Q42/V34) -GMAT PREP #2
May 10: 600 (Q42/V30) - GMAT PREP #3
May 15: 710 (Q49/V38) - GMAT PREP #3 (Many Repeat Q's)
May 18: 640 (Q46/V32) - GMAT PREP #4
****OFFICIAL GMAT**** 680
I just took the GMAT for the second time yesterday and scored a 680 (Q46,V38). I started out during the first week of January. My diagnostic score was a 480, and similar to most people, my goal was to score 700. I knew I had a on of work to do. Since I had a job locked up after school, I decided to commit most of my time to studying for the GMAT. I studied for 10 weeks and put an absurd amount of time in (3-6 hrs/day). I was scoring mid-600s and took the test anyway. I think test day got to me as I needed to take random guesses on the last 6 questions of quant and the last 5 questions on Verbal in the last minute of each. Anyway, I scored a 590 (Q37,V32). I knew I could do better so I sured up some weaknesses and retook the test yesterday (about 8 weeks later) and got a 680. The difference was 100% due to a different mentality on test day. I wasn't nervous. I didn't spend too much energy on the IR and AWA. I stayed positive. And I guessed when I needed to.
I know this is a very good score shows a ton of improvement, but I am worried I am just outside the bubble for top 14 schools. I was wondering if someone could provide some input in terms of whether I should take the test again. Also, if I were to take the test again, I would take the next 3 weeks off until graduation, and then re-study for 3 weeks before I start work. I missed out on a lot since I studied for 4.5 months of school. Below is some information that may help. If you need additional information, let me know.
Goal: Investment Banking or MBB
*Assuming I need to wait a couple years before applying.
Demographic: White Male
Undergraduate Info: Top Liberal Arts School / Economics Major / 3.5 GPA / Varsity Athlete
Work Info: Incoming Operations Analyst bb (GS, JPM, MS) -- NYC
Activities: Fraternity / Term Abroad
Practice scores on GMAT:
Feb 28: 570 (Q35/V34) -Veritas
Mar 3: 620 (Q39/V37) -Veritas
Mar 6: 640 (Q43/Q35) -Veritas
Mar 16: 640 (Q43/V35) -Veritas
***OFFICIAL GMAT*** 580
Apr 12: 650 (Q43/V36)
Apr 17: 630 (Q45/V32)
Apr 26: 590 (Q41/V31)
May 1: 630 (Q42/V34) -GMAT PREP #2
May 10: 600 (Q42/V30) - GMAT PREP #3
May 15: 710 (Q49/V38) - GMAT PREP #3 (Many Repeat Q's)
May 18: 640 (Q46/V32) - GMAT PREP #4
****OFFICIAL GMAT**** 680
