Expecting 670-700

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by haiuday » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:02 am
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the response. I am thinking of top 30 programs worldwide. I have the following schools on my mind -
Mannheim , Manchester , NUS and a few other US schools. I am starting to analyse schools now. So, I really do not have much idea on different schools that may be suitable for me. Please let me know your thoughts.

I am planning to apply for the beginning of 2015. I don't mind taking gmat again. But I do not want to lose my technical skills either. Over the last one year I have given a lot for the exam and I feel I am lagging behind in other areas of my career. I am thinking to concentrate on different subjects. so I am confused whether or not to retest again. Please let me know if I may have any opportunity in average universities where I can improve myself and get better. If not, I will have to make up my mind and give gmat the third time.

Thanks,
Uday

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by [email protected] » Mon Jul 28, 2014 1:00 pm
Hi Uday,

It's important to remember that, for most schools, the application process is 6 or 7 pieces (some schools do an interview, some don't). A 620/Q42 probably would not be enough to get you into a Top10 School, but if the other parts of your application are great, then the GMAT score doesn't have to be that high to make you a decent applicant.

Since I don't work for any of the schools that you listed, I can't tell you how your score would be interpreted. It's above-average, but again - you'll be evaluated on your entire application, not just this one piece.

You should research each of these schools (check their websites for information) and try to get a sense of whether you're "in range" of that school or not. Most Schools will publish their AVERAGE GMAT scores and sometimes the "middle 80%", so you can have a sense of how your score compares. Even if the average GMAT score is in the high 600s, a 620 is still "in range" (I hope you don't need me to explain how an average is calculated o_0).

A higher score would likely improve the strength of your application, but you might be fine right now. If you do plan to retest, then you should do so sooner rather than later (while the knowledge is still "fresh" in your mind).

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by haiuday » Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:04 am
Hi folks,
I really need your advice. A few minutes ago I gave my third attempt.
Please find below the scores in all the 3 attempts. I screwed up my third attempt due to the reasons mentioned below.

GMAT1 : 550(Q35,V31).
GMAT2 : 620(Q42,V33).
GMAT3 : 600(Q48,V25).

I was doing really well in the exam today until I drank Gatorade during the break after quant. Shortly after I started with the Verbal section, I felt like I was going to lose control and faint. I am not really sure whether the energy drink has got to do with my non performance in the verbal section. I was trying to re read the questions and my brain simply denied to register the contents. I finally couldn't complete the verbal questions at all. I had to give up on last 5 questions. I always scored more than 30+ in the verbal section in all my mocks. I feel terribly bad now. I gave so much of myself for the exam but I couldn't do well in the last attempt.

I sincerely request your inputs on my next step. Should I go for a retake? or Should I reduce my expectations and apply to average universities?

I have lost all my energy after these 3 attempts. I am not very sure how admission committee would consider my scores.

Thanks in advance.

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by [email protected] » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:57 am
Hi haiuday,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as hoped. The work that you did since your 2nd GMAT clearly helped you to improve your Quant, so we now have to figure out the various factors that hurt your Verbal score.

While I'm not sure if drinking some Gatorade would make you feel 'faint', I do have some questions about it:

1) During your practice, were you drinking Gatorade?
2) Was this a different flavor than you're used to drinking?
3) Did you drink Gatorade during your first break (or before the Test started?)?

There could be some other factors as well, so I have some additional questions:

1) How long did you study before taking this GMAT?
2) How were you scoring on your practice CATs? Were you taking "new" CATs or retaking old ones?

3) What time was this GMAT?
4) Did you eat breakfast?
5) What did you do during your first break?

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by haiuday » Tue Mar 17, 2015 6:00 am
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the response. Let me answer your questions.

1) I was not drinking Gatorade during my practice.
2) I am not used to drinking Gatorade.
3) Yes, I drank a little.

Additional Questions
1) I studied continuously for the last 20 days as I took days off from work.
2) Around 650 with verbal score>30 all the time.
3) The exam was at 9 in the morning.
4) Yes, I ate on the test day.
5) I took only 3-4 minutes of my first break to eat a chocolate and drink some water.

I lost sleep before the exam day due to anxiety. Perhaps I might be wrong to say that Gatorade affected my exams.

Can you please give me your inputs on the below mentioned questions?

Should I re-take? or Should I move on? I have found mixed opinions about taking GMAT for more than 3 times.

This is my profile details :
Indian Male, 28 years old, 6.5 years experience in Information technology out of which 2.5 years were served at a client site in Mexico city, 620- highest GMAT score.
Post MBA, I would like to stick to technical stream.

Can you please let me know if I still have a chance to be considered by Top 40 schools with the above score and profile details?


Thanks in advance