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690 - Mixed Feelings

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by togrey12 » Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:49 am
I just returned from my test this morning and I have mixed feelings about my 690 (43Q 41V). It is a strong score, but I have a horrible taste left in my mouth, because I made a careless mistake: I did not press "confirm" in time for my last question on verbal to be submitted, causing me run out of time.

Would this penalty cause a drop to 690 from 700? 700 was my goal, and I prepared hard for 3 months for it.

In terms of preparation, I did the OG 11 questions, MGMAT tests, and 3 GMATPreps. Scores average from 650-710, but my last three tests were 710, 700, 700.

I have a 3.9 GPA, 3 yrs consulting, and plan to apply to UNC, NW, UVA, and Indiana U.


Thanks to this board for the help.
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by cramya » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:32 am
First of All congrats on an excellent score.

I think if u had picked ur answer choice it would still count even though u dint hit confirm on the last ques.

IMO with a 3.9 GPA,690 and a strong application u have a great chance at the top schools.

All the very best for the rest of the process and ur MBA.

Regards,
CR
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by togrey12 » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:35 am
If that is true about it accepting my score without hitting confirm it will help me sleep.

Thanks very much for the input.
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by cramya » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:57 am
I hope its true but we will wait for the GMAT experts to confirm also.

Sleep peacefully for now... :D

Regards,
CR
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by beatthegmat » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:41 am
Congrats on your score!

To answer your question--don't worry, if you selected an answer on the last question of your section and did not hit submit, it was indeed registered and NOT skipped.

All the best!
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by togrey12 » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:11 pm
That makes me feel much better, thank you
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by uymba » Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:49 pm
Hey man.

I feel totally like you! Similar scoring during practice, and same 690 today. V47 Q38.
I don't know... although it is not a great score, in terms for the big daddies (HBS, Wharton, MIT ...), is not a low score.

I don't know if I should re-take, in order to better stand in front of those universities....

regards
=============
Go for 700+!!
https://mbajourney12.blocked/
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by VP_Jim » Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:01 pm
My take is that a 690 is good enough to get your application looked at everywhere. In other words, if you don't get in, it's not because of your GMAT score. At some point, the rest of your application becomes much more important than the GMAT, and there's really no difference between, say, a 690 and a 720.

I'd say that unless you're consistently scoring 750+ on practice tests, there's probably no point in retaking because you could very well go down, and a 20-30 point increase won't affect your admissions.

For what it's worth, I have former students with scores below 690 at Michigan and Harvard.
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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by LulaBrazilia » Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:44 pm
Nice score!! You were never going to be totally statisfied anyway. I think whatever score most people get, they wonder if they could have just gotten a bit more. Someone with a 620 might feel that if she could just get that 650... but if she retakes the exam and gets a 680, she'll wonder whether 700 isn't doable.

Human nature. Great score though, really.
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by BlueDragon2010 » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:25 pm
There's nothing wrong with wanting more. Competition keeps the species evolving
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by togrey12 » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:31 am
Thanks to all for your input.

After a couple days to stew over 10 pts, I think I'll be moving onward with the 690. I was starting to hit burnout right before the exam, leading me to believe another month of studying wouldn't be helpful.

Going along with VP Jim, most of the people I've reached out to said a 690, paired with a compelling app and gpa, will put you in excellent position for top 20.
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