What if, I do give my GMAT once more and score less than a 720? In this case I have to cancel the score. Therefore, will the colleges I apply to be able to see that I cancelled my score? If yes, will it harm?

Yes, schools can see that you canceled your score (assuming you haven't already sent a score report,) but there's no evidence to suggest that this would hurt you. Programs are really only looking at your top score. The deeper consideration here is the opportunity cost of re-taking the exam vs the incremental benefit. During the time you spend prepping to take the exam again, could you be doing other things to boost your candidacy? (Visiting schools, working on your essays, assuming new projects at work, etc.?) While a 740 might help a little, 720 is an excellent score, and once schools see that you're capable of handling their curricula, they're likely to be more concerned with other aspects of your application than a few more points on the GMAT.

While maybe those guys are totally right and you should be done with the GMAT, here's a thought.

You have a year, ok? So you could consistently do some GMAT verbal practice, not a lot, for months or even for the year. You could use some good resources and get better at SC, CR and RC. After a few months of regular working on that, not in a way that would interfere with anything else, just as a regular practice, like working out or doing crossword puzzles, you would likely be super comfortable with the questions and would likely achieve a high hit rate.

Who knows, but probably just by doing that you get to a low to mid 40's verbal section score.

Also, the truth is that the verbal section of the GMAT does test some useful skills. I for one got better at writing via preparing for GMAT verbal and I have heard similar things from someone else. Also the logic, comprehension skills and vision used to get CR and RC questions right are pretty useful too. What I am getting at here is that any preparation you would do for the verbal section of the GMAT would have benefits beyond increasing your GMAT score.

So then, ultra comfortable with GMAT verbal, you could review quant and go take the test again, or maybe you could be doing a little quant all along too, or something.

Having said that I am a bit of a GMAT freak and so maybe you should take care that I don't drag you into my habit, but anyway there are some thoughts.

Hi Tanuj,

You are a perfectionist! You are done with the GMAT. Everyone I talk to says the adcoms don't really care once you're above 700. I'd be quite happy to be where you are.

Vicky

Marty Murray wrote:While maybe those guys are totally right and you should be done with the GMAT, here's a thought.

You have a year, ok? So you could consistently do some GMAT verbal practice, not a lot, for months or even for the year. You could use some good resources and get better at SC, CR and RC. After a few months of regular working on that, not in a way that would interfere with anything else, just as a regular practice, like working out or doing crossword puzzles, you would likely be super comfortable with the questions and would likely achieve a high hit rate.

Who knows, but probably just by doing that you get to a low to mid 40's verbal section score.

Also, the truth is that the verbal section of the GMAT does test some useful skills. I for one got better at writing via preparing for GMAT verbal and I have heard similar things from someone else. Also the logic, comprehension skills and vision used to get CR and RC questions right are pretty useful too. What I am getting at here is that any preparation you would do for the verbal section of the GMAT would have benefits beyond increasing your GMAT score.

So then, ultra comfortable with GMAT verbal, you could review quant and go take the test again, or maybe you could be doing a little quant all along too, or something.

Having said that I am a bit of a GMAT freak and so maybe you should take care that I don't drag you into my habit, but anyway there are some thoughts.

Hi Marty!
I agree with you on the part that GMAT helps in overall personality development.However, my concern here is whether improving my GMAT score will increase my candidacy?

Warm Regards,
Tanuj