I just Beat The GMAT!

Well, first and foremost, let me thank this wonderful website which I used during my gmat prep and it did help me a lot.
Guys, I need your sincere help in helping me take the decision of whether to retake or not.

I took the Gmat yesterday and following are my unofficial scores :
Overall : 740 (97 percentile)
Quant : 51 (99 percentile)
Verbal : 39 (87 percentile)

Yeah.. Am not really satisfied with the 740 that I have got. Though it is more than the average scores at almost all the top Business Schools, I feel it doesn't truly reflect my preparation. There was a genuine reason for me getting screwed up in the main exam.
Let me explain.

I am 25/Male/Indian IT(software)/Working in one of the biggest software makers in the world/3 years experience till date.
I had prepared for ~3 months with verbal as my main focus, as quant was truly never a problem.
I had perfected my verbal to a very good extent. My mock exam scores were just rocking.

MGMAT 1 : 720
GMATPrep 1 : 720
GMATPrep 2 : 720
MGMAT 2 : 740
MGMAT 3 : 740
MGMAT 4 : 760
MGMAT 5 : 760
MGMAT 6 : 780
MGMAT 1A(after resetting MGMAT exams) : 780
MGMAT 2A(after resetting MGMAT exams) : 780
GMATPrep 1 and GMATPrep2(repeat) : 760

I was very confident of hitting a 760-780 with the level of my preparation and there is just no way that my score can get below a 760 if I take the exam in my right senses.

Night before the exam, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I couldn't sleep. Didn't get the time to sleep for even 2-3 hours. Ended up buying 2 redbulls and gulping one before Quant and one before Verbal. Quant, as I said was a breeze for me. But, during Verbal, just couldn't focus at all. Yeah, the red bulls just didn't work. Did not even apply a single grammar rule to any of the SCs or any of the premise, conclusion blah blah to CR. I was like, just get over with this exam. Basically, my brain had stopped functioning totally. Finished verbal in about 50 mins, as was just not able to sustain.

I aim to apply to the best of the best schools only : Insead, Wharton, Stanford, LBS etc. because I really think that I deserve those. Have a fantastic work profile to show with awards, leadership skills, fast career progression in a short 3 years at my workplace. Have already skipped some of the best schools in India where I got a final admit call : IIM L, IIM I, MDI, XLRI because I want to do an international MBA at a top school only.

I truly believe that I deserve more than a 740 and am confident of hitting a 760 even if I write just now. But, unfortunately I will have to wait for 31 days.

Now, am in a dilemma on whether this can have a negative effect on my application. Suppose if I improve my score from 740-760, do schools take it in a negative way i.e. do they consider that this guy is wasting resources despite having a great score? I know that it is a great score, but there are few things which are going through my mind:
1) Am an Indian/IT Male(Lot of competition from this segment). A 740, I think is just around the average in India given that many people hit a 51 on Maths.
2) In my assessment, my scores aren't balanced. A 99% in quant, and an 87% in verbal.
3) I know I can get atleast another 20 easily without even preparing anything extra. Just have to revise the verbal stuff a week before the exam.
4) I do have time for preparing on my applications as most of the R1 applications will start in Sept end/Oct first week i.e. will have 3 full months for my applications.
5) Have read on some sites, that schools do take it negatively if you already have a great score and improve my just ~20-30.

I know, I need to take the final decision of whether to retake or not, but would really really appreciate if you guys can help me out in assessing the pros and cons keeping in mind the above 5 points.
Thanks in Advance!!!!!

It is always disappointing to score below your expectations even with a great score (which is bound to happen when you aim at the top 1%). Your score is a matter of many things, and luck is part of it. I know what you're going true, I was aiming for 760+ and was disappointed with 750. Yet after reflexions, this is just being silly.

In my opinion you should not take it again because the potential increase in your score is just not worth it.

1) 740 is above average/median in all top schools. Once in that range, I don't think the score itself changes anything in your preparation.

2) The unbalanced score and the "low" score in verbal will be mitigated by your AWA and your essay. 39 in verbal is still strong enough for an MBA, and moreover you will show to the application committee that you still know how to write in your essay.

3) Youre GMAT score is influenced by many things, including chance and other unforeseen circumstances like the one that happened to you. Maybe you were not able to focus more on verbal because you just can`t... I don't want to be bitchy or anything, but if you were able to concentrate enough to score a 51 in Quant, then chances are that you should have been able to focus on verbal as well. The excuse of fatigue just doesn't fly at this point.

I'm telling you this because this is the reflexion I came to. I was in the opposite situation (Q48, V44) and I had finished the quant on a bad note. I was telling myself that I did not have enough time, I had to guess the last 3 questions. Well you know what? That's just what it is. The GMAT gods decided for you and me, and we must accept what we get. Besides, it really doesn't change anything at this point.


In conclusion, this GMAT score is strong enough to get you anywhere. If you desearve it as much as you say you do, with your school awards, leadership skills and other great career experience, then in the end this is what will get you into all of these schools.

PS. Congratulation on your score. You should still be proud. I am sure it will bring you where you want to be! Good luck in your applications!

Thanx a lot ontherise for your reply. I just don't want to leave any stone unturned in the application process.
It was truly because of concentration level that i screwed up in verbal.. My preparation was perfect and i was poised for a 42-44 in verbal.
Regarding quant, it is something like you give the GMAT maths to any person who has cleared the CAT exam(exam for entrance to the IIMs in India) and even blindfold the person, there is just no way he or she can score less than 51.. same was for me.. i was dead sleepy, but was not even minutely concerned for quant.. i finished it in 40 mins.. nothing to brag about, but truly my verbal got screwed up because of poor concentration. We in India need it especially for Verbal as we are not native speakers of English.

Your other points do help me a lot in assessing the situation.

Just one thing if you have any idea upon it, do schools consider it negatively for a person to move from say a 740 to a 760 i.e. do they blindfold themselves to the lower score or they make out some interpretations out of it?

There are two posts from David it wil help you.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/drained-out- ... tml#363327

This thread was started to ansewr a question , but in one of his posts, there is excellent learning.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/weaken-the-a ... 83493.html

Could you share some insight for Maths.. to target 50 or 51 .

cheers.

Hi,

I am not sure if anyone in this forum would recommend you to re-write the exam. I am one of the many who feels you should stick to this score. A friend of mine got a 740 on his first attempt and he also felt like there was scope for a hike. In his next attempt, he scored only 720. Moral of the story is that GMAT has its own way of identifying your level and you will score at the level where you belong. From your post, I see that you attempted verbal within 2 hours of taking the exam and you already felt like you were not able to focus. It is highly likely that you will face a similar situation in your next attempt.

Moreover, with this score if you try again, the admission folks might feel that you are a score chaser. I am not an authority on this but this is my feeling.

Considering your age and experience, I feel you still have a lot of time to reappear in case this score does not take you anywhere. Why don't you apply with this score this time and give your best shot at the applications. If the score is really a criteria, you will get to know about it. This way, you can give it an attempt later. In the meantime you will also improve your experience and other criteria.

So, I would suggest you keep the score and start thinking about the applications. Good luck with your decision and whatever you decide, back it up with your conviction.

Best regards,
Sandeep

gmataspirant123 wrote: Working in one of the biggest software makers in the world/3 years experience till date.!!

and one of the worst....if it is one of those infy/wipro/tcs/mahindra's or like. do u guys really take pride in working for such menial work env just because its largest...size do matter but does it really at all scale and type...

pandeyba wrote:Hi,

I am not sure if anyone in this forum would recommend you to re-write the exam. I am one of the many who feels you should stick to this score. A friend of mine got a 740 on his first attempt and he also felt like there was scope for a hike. In his next attempt, he scored only 720. Moral of the story is that GMAT has its own way of identifying your level and you will score at the level where you belong. From your post, I see that you attempted verbal within 2 hours of taking the exam and you already felt like you were not able to focus. It is highly likely that you will face a similar situation in your next attempt.

Moreover, with this score if you try again, the admission folks might feel that you are a score chaser. I am not an authority on this but this is my feeling.

Considering your age and experience, I feel you still have a lot of time to reappear in case this score does not take you anywhere. Why don't you apply with this score this time and give your best shot at the applications. If the score is really a criteria, you will get to know about it. This way, you can give it an attempt later. In the meantime you will also improve your experience and other criteria.

So, I would suggest you keep the score and start thinking about the applications. Good luck with your decision and whatever you decide, back it up with your conviction.

Best regards,
Sandeep

I agree completely with Sandeep.

Congrats man truly an awesome score.

First of all, Congrats for your more than amazing score!

I really agree with the others here. It is not worth your effort to retake the GMAT. It really will not make a difference to get 740 or 760.

Also, you run the risk of a lower score. You never know what can happen to you.

I will just give an example of what happened to me. I had to schedule a center in a different city. I went a day early and settled down on the previous day. Someone has an issue with some political party and there is a strike in the city! My hotel was a few kilometers from the test center. And center said the exam will be considered cancelled if I dont make it. I woke up at 4 and drove down to the test in heavy rains. Test was a good 4 hours away. I could not get breakfast and I got to the test center sleepy and tired. I took the test and scored a 690 when I was sure that I was ready for a 730 atleast.

I am not saying that you will score lower. I am just making the point that you cannot predict what can happen.

The effort you put into a retake can be reused in strengthening other parts of your profile.

If you look at it, the only person that will look down on you for a 740 is you yourself. I am sure the entire fraternity here appreciates you and the 740 score. So chill buddy!

It is an awesome score! Congrats!

maihuna wrote:

gmataspirant123 wrote: Working in one of the biggest software makers in the world/3 years experience till date.!!

and one of the worst....if it is one of those infy/wipro/tcs/mahindra's or like. do u guys really take pride in working for such menial work env just because its largest...size do matter but does it really at all scale and type...

Well actually I mentioned one of the biggest s/w companies in the world (not India).. may be infy/tcs blah blah fall into that category, but no am not into one of those.. its really one of the best companies in the world(in terms of everything, not only size)..

Thanx a lot Vineesh for that thought provoking post.. But yeah, really bro.. am sure I cannot go down.. no way below 740.. my prep is super solid..

I have decided to retake the exam in july and have taken the slot as well... am picking up myself again and targetting a 760+.. will have sufficient time for my applications post that (~2.5 months, which I believe is good enuf)..

Wish me luck guys, I know I am taking the not so popular path, but this is what I believe is right for me.. given Indian/IT/Male, I can't afford to miss out on few colleges just because of JUST good gmat score.

PS: I know my friends who have got great applications/profile/essays etc. but a gmat score of 720. Got dinged from almost all top colleges.

vineeshp wrote:First of all, Congrats for your more than amazing score!

I really agree with the others here. It is not worth your effort to retake the GMAT. It really will not make a difference to get 740 or 760.

Also, you run the risk of a lower score. You never know what can happen to you.

I will just give an example of what happened to me. I had to schedule a center in a different city. I went a day early and settled down on the previous day. Someone has an issue with some political party and there is a strike in the city! My hotel was a few kilometers from the test center. And center said the exam will be considered cancelled if I dont make it. I woke up at 4 and drove down to the test in heavy rains. Test was a good 4 hours away. I could not get breakfast and I got to the test center sleepy and tired. I took the test and scored a 690 when I was sure that I was ready for a 730 atleast.

I am not saying that you will score lower. I am just making the point that you cannot predict what can happen.

The effort you put into a retake can be reused in strengthening other parts of your profile.

If you look at it, the only person that will look down on you for a 740 is you yourself. I am sure the entire fraternity here appreciates you and the 740 score. So chill buddy!

It is an awesome score! Congrats!

Got my AWA Score. as was expected, it was 6.0

Lemme know guys, if anyone of you needs info on how to score 6.0 with just 15-20 mins of prep

If you are going to do it anyway, I am not going to judge you.
You have every right to fight for what you really want. Go for it. This time break the 780 barrier.

Your determination to go ahead is also a lesson.

Funny post about the AWA.

Thanks a lot Vineesh for the encouraging reply again..

Just wondering, u planning to write again after a 690 on the gmat? Or u gonna apply with this itself?

vineeshp wrote:If you are going to do it anyway, I am not going to judge you.
You have every right to fight for what you really want. Go for it. This time break the 780 barrier.

Your determination to go ahead is also a lesson.

Funny post about the AWA.

gmataspirant123 wrote:Got my AWA Score. as was expected, it was 6.0

Lemme know guys, if anyone of you needs info on how to score 6.0 with just 15-20 mins of prep

Hey many congratulations on your Great score ....

Can you plz share the AWA info with us .. thanks ...