Beaten by GMAT 680 (Q49/V34)

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Beaten by GMAT 680 (Q49/V34)

by arpitrai » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:29 am
I just got beaten by GMAT. Bad day I guess.

With all MGMAT and GMATPrep test scores ranging from 710-750 figure, the 680 was kind of unexpected but had to rush through the last 20 questions in verbal which was not so nice. I remember the same thing had happened in my very first GMATPrep test after which I had spent a couple of weeks taking about 6 MGMAT tests to precisely avoid this situation. Anyway, I guess it was a bad day.

The forum has been very helpful and some of the experiences of people who have taken GMAT have been particularly helpful especially the post by this guy mgross, if I remember his nick right.

I know 680 is not that bad a score but definitely not something I was hoping to get especially after the decent practice scores. Will be applying to b-schools nonetheless with this score. My GPA is 3.0 so was hoping to make up for the academic bit with the GMAT score. I suppose now the overall application will have to be very strong.

Books I had referred to:

OG
OG Verbal
Kaplan Premier (I thought it was shit)
Kaplan 800 (Another useless book)
Manhattan SC (the new edition is so much more comprehensive!)
Powerscore CR bible (nice book to help you structure the critical reasoning process)

Only suggestion for test-takers: Manage your time well.
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by 4meonly » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:54 am
Dude, 680 is a good score!
No one will care if you scored 680+. No one will deny you because of low GMAT score! Be calm and apply!

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by arpitrai » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:20 am
Yeah, I know 680 is not a bad score.

As I mentioned in my first post, I had expected a higher score because I was scoring consistently in the 710-750 bracket in the last 7-8 Manhattan and GMATPrep practice tests I had taken.

The expectations weren't met. Therefore, beaten by GMAT. No other reason.

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by 4meonly » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:22 am
You need high score to be acceted to B-school? Or you need only GMAT score?
Consider GMAT as only 1 admission criteria, nothing more. Sometimes we do not meet our dreams but still even a small succes IS a success.
Your score is in 80% range. So, everything is good.

Your camplaints are similar to the camplaints of a guy that wanted to buy Maybach but bought Betnley. Yes, Bentley is a disaster! :D :D

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Re: Beaten by GMAT 680 (Q49/V34)

by hk » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:13 pm
arpitrai wrote:I just got beaten by GMAT. Bad day I guess.

With all MGMAT and GMATPrep test scores ranging from 710-750 figure, the 680 was kind of unexpected but had to rush through the last 20 questions in verbal which was not so nice. I remember the same thing had happened in my very first GMATPrep test after which I had spent a couple of weeks taking about 6 MGMAT tests to precisely avoid this situation. Anyway, I guess it was a bad day.

The forum has been very helpful and some of the experiences of people who have taken GMAT have been particularly helpful especially the post by this guy mgross, if I remember his nick right.

I know 680 is not that bad a score but definitely not something I was hoping to get especially after the decent practice scores. Will be applying to b-schools nonetheless with this score. My GPA is 3.0 so was hoping to make up for the academic bit with the GMAT score. I suppose now the overall application will have to be very strong.

Books I had referred to:

OG
OG Verbal
Kaplan Premier (I thought it was s***)
Kaplan 800 (Another useless book)
Manhattan SC (the new edition is so much more comprehensive!)
Powerscore CR bible (nice book to help you structure the critical reasoning process)

Only suggestion for test-takers: Manage your time well.
I think there is no college on earth whose 80% GMAT range lies higher than 680. Concentrate on your application package and if thats good then you can get into even Harvard or LBS.. No body cares if you have a 700+ or only 680.. Your entire package should be good.

Ofcourse ignore the above if you wrote the GMAT as a self assessment tool or just for competitiveness... :D
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Re: Beaten by GMAT 680 (Q49/V34)

by Musicolo » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:36 pm
arpitrai wrote:I just got beaten by GMAT. Bad day I guess.

With all MGMAT and GMATPrep test scores ranging from 710-750 figure, the 680 was kind of unexpected but had to rush through the last 20 questions in verbal which was not so nice. I remember the same thing had happened in my very first GMATPrep test after which I had spent a couple of weeks taking about 6 MGMAT tests to precisely avoid this situation. Anyway, I guess it was a bad day.

The forum has been very helpful and some of the experiences of people who have taken GMAT have been particularly helpful especially the post by this guy mgross, if I remember his nick right.

I know 680 is not that bad a score but definitely not something I was hoping to get especially after the decent practice scores. Will be applying to b-schools nonetheless with this score. My GPA is 3.0 so was hoping to make up for the academic bit with the GMAT score. I suppose now the overall application will have to be very strong.

Books I had referred to:

OG
OG Verbal
Kaplan Premier (I thought it was s***)
Kaplan 800 (Another useless book)
Manhattan SC (the new edition is so much more comprehensive!)
Powerscore CR bible (nice book to help you structure the critical reasoning process)

Only suggestion for test-takers: Manage your time well.
I am sorry but I am truly disgusted with people complaining about 680. Honestly, do you think it makes difference if you score 680 or 720?
Get some life...

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by logitech » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:37 pm
680 + Strong profile = MBA
760 + Weak profile = NOT MBA

A high GMAT score does not gurantee a MBA education but a low score can you put out of the game. In your case : you are done with GMAT. Move forward and work on your application.
LGTCH
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by daniyatom » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:14 am
In general, 680 is a score that won't keep out if you have a strong profile. Look at the postings of the admissions consulting section of this website and check out the profiles of your schools. At most top schools 680 is within the 80% range of accepted applicants.

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Re: Beaten by GMAT 680 (Q49/V34)

by mills » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:21 pm
Musicolo wrote:
I am sorry but I am truly disgusted with people complaining about 680. Honestly, do you think it makes difference if you score 680 or 720?
Get some life...
that's very relative to what school you want to get in to.

At any top school it would absolutely make a difference. both the mean and median at any of the top 20 programs is at or above 680. So in my opinion when applying, with respect to this part of the application, I would definitely want to be above average rather than below it.

Of course, if you're some sort of all star(olympian, war hero, founder of a multi million dollar business etc) it won't make as big of a difference. But considering that most applicants at these top schools are already very impressive people, and given that the app process is extremely competitive, I would again want to be on the higher end of these stats.

But if youre going for a less competitive school, that score will surely be well respected.

The consensus for most is 700+ = good enough for any school.