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Does 700+ need genius brains??What about the average people

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Does 700+ need genius brains??What about the average people

by dddanny2006 » Sun Oct 27, 2013 9:53 am
Dear people,

I need some advice from all the experts out there.Just started with the GMAT after taking a break due to other commitments.I was too busy and hence couldnt study much.My question is --Can anyone who works hard and practices alot,get a 700+ score?Or is it only the intelligent/genius types who notch those numbers?Im pretty average and wont call my self smart--lets be honest here.

Is 700+ a longshot for average people like me?I have a 55.8%(Btech) in Mech engg from India

-Dan
Last edited by dddanny2006 on Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:32 am, edited 3 times in total.
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by [email protected] » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:30 am
Hi Dan,

700+ is the 90th percentile, which means 90% of Test Takers score below that level. While intelligence certainly factors in, the GMAT is NOT an IQ test, so you don't have to be "a genius" to score at a high level on the GMAT.

While "content knowledge" is the basis for approaching most exams, that knowledge is usually not enough (on its own) to guarantee success. Here are some of the other factors: flexible thinking (knowing more than 1 way to approach a question), pattern matching, organizational skills, note-taking ability, focus and clarity of thought, pacing, proper handling of physical and psychological stresses, endurance, keeping silly mistakes to a minimum, etc.

Since the GMAT is a standardized Test, you can absolutely train to score at a high level. It's important to note that you'll rarely NEED to score 700+ to get into a top Business School. The application process is 6 or 7 pieces (sometimes there's an interview as part of the process) and the GMAT is just 1 of them. A strong overall application will do more for you than just a high GMAT score.

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Rich--

by dddanny2006 » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:38 am
Thanks Rich,

So if I work hard it is possible??,is what you say.Yes one needs other attributes too..,but can flexible thinking,pattern matching be attained?Or does one need to be innate with those attributes?
I get easily discouraged at times,thinking that Im no match for a 700+

Thanx again
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by [email protected] » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:56 pm
Hi Danny,

The proper attitude is absolutely a must for this process. The GMAT is a challenge, but it is predictable and can be beaten given the proper amount of time and effort. The truth is that some people will never be able to score above a 700, but since you DON'T NEED a 700 to get into a top school, you really have to make sure that your focus stays on the things that matter: a competitive GMAT score and a strong overall application.

If what you describe is true, that you are easily discouraged, then you might have a problem during your studies. If you can't muster up the will to keep at it, even when the material becomes challenging (or when you get tired, or when life gets busy, or any number of other reasons), then maybe Business School is not for you. Please understand that I place no judgment on you (or anyone else for that matter); we're talking about 1 step in the process to earning an advanced Business degree. You have to decide if you're up to the challenge AND if you have any weak areas, then what you intend to do about them.

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by David@VeritasPrep » Tue Oct 29, 2013 6:49 pm
You are asking the wrong question. The question that is MOST important is "Do you want to go to business school?" And I do not mean just want to go to business school, but do you really know that this is the path for you?

Lots of people can get to 90th percentile if they really want to. But even if they cannot score a 700, they can still get into a great school. As Rich says, this is just one step. The application process is a lot of work. Business school is work.

You might want to read the following article: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2013/01/ ... n-the-gmat
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by dddanny2006 » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:09 am
Hey David.

My plan is to get into HF or IB to become a finance guy.I absolutely need a 700+ because the other parts of my application are not good.I hold a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering with a 55.8% and that is not a good score coming from India considering the amount of applications coming in with GMAT 740+ and high percentages in their bachelors. Thats why I needed some confidence boosters whether a 700+ can be achieved with proper effort,or does it require extra intel. I totally agree with you and Rich,that GMAT is only one part of the application.The entire app combo needs to be good.I wanted to start off with the GMAT.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Cheers!!!

Dan
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by David@VeritasPrep » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:55 am
It sounds like you have answered the most important question...you do REALLY want to go to business school. Now you have to devote the time and effort that it takes to get the score that you need to get. As you say it is a first step, but it is a big one!

Way more than 10% of Veritas students have attained a score of 700 on the GMAT. I say this not as an add for Veritas! But because it should indicate that the test can be learned. It really is a matter of learning to look at questions in the correct way. Standardized tests are not an IQ test. There are some people whose limitations would prevent them from earning a 700 score but I think that most people can set that as a reasonable goal and work hard to achieve it!

Which areas do you want to start with? How can we help?
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