GMAT Score Reporting to Schools on Test Day

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Hello,

I searched the forum but couldn't find an answer to this question:

Is there any downside on using the 5 free score reports that are offered on test day? From my understanding, whether I take the test again or not, the schools I am applying to will receive the score one way or another.

I take the test on monday for the first time. Time to beat the GMAT and get it over with...

Thanks!
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by outreach » Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:03 am
the 5 schools u send reports now will be free..
but for sending to more schools u will have to pay some money per school
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by AegisAshore » Sun Sep 19, 2010 8:17 am
Outreach,

I know that the first 5 reports will be free. I'm asking if there is a downside in doing so. I am taking the test for the first time - I wasn't sure if I should have the scores sent for FREE or view my score first, then send the scores based on my performance. Does that make sense?

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by Brian@VeritasPrep » Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:55 am
Hey Aegis,

I apologize if this misses you before your test today! Because schools really only care about your top score, I think there's incredibly little downside to picking those five schools and sending them for free and some very tangible ($125) downside to not doing so.

Schools only value your top score except for in pretty rare circumstances. Say you scored 400 on 4-5 straight exams, then finally hit 650, that might be a concern (why didn't you figure out earlier that you needed to change your style?) but the standard fear (what if I bomb it and need to take it again?) isn't much of a concern at all. The GMAT is an easy test to underestimate; many students, for example, take multiple professional exams (GMAT, LSAT, GRE) late in their undergraduate careers just to know that they have the options; should that student who takes the test and fails to study properly be punished 3 years later for having taken that advice in college? Schools just want top candidates, and there are plenty of good reasons for even a couple bad scores.

So the downside of sending those scores is minimal if anything at all. The upside, in addition to saving money (and I have absolutely no evidence to support that this actually happens or even could, but if I'm an admissions officer at a BUSINESS school I'd question the business savvy of anyone who willingly signs on to pay an extra $125 for score reports they could have gotten for free) I think that sending your score projects confidence. If you go into the test thinking "I'm planning to do well and want my schools to know right away", that's a positive frame of mind that should help you. If you're already planning for failure by keeping your scores confidential, you may be a step behind before you even get started.

Good luck today!
Brian Galvin
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Chief Academic Officer
Veritas Prep

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by AegisAshore » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:36 pm
Thanks Brian - I concluded the same thing eventually and had my score sent. That being said, I got a mid 600 level score and will be retaking it in October............


Brian@VeritasPrep wrote:Hey Aegis,

I apologize if this misses you before your test today! Because schools really only care about your top score, I think there's incredibly little downside to picking those five schools and sending them for free and some very tangible ($125) downside to not doing so.

Schools only value your top score except for in pretty rare circumstances. Say you scored 400 on 4-5 straight exams, then finally hit 650, that might be a concern (why didn't you figure out earlier that you needed to change your style?) but the standard fear (what if I bomb it and need to take it again?) isn't much of a concern at all. The GMAT is an easy test to underestimate; many students, for example, take multiple professional exams (GMAT, LSAT, GRE) late in their undergraduate careers just to know that they have the options; should that student who takes the test and fails to study properly be punished 3 years later for having taken that advice in college? Schools just want top candidates, and there are plenty of good reasons for even a couple bad scores.

So the downside of sending those scores is minimal if anything at all. The upside, in addition to saving money (and I have absolutely no evidence to support that this actually happens or even could, but if I'm an admissions officer at a BUSINESS school I'd question the business savvy of anyone who willingly signs on to pay an extra $125 for score reports they could have gotten for free) I think that sending your score projects confidence. If you go into the test thinking "I'm planning to do well and want my schools to know right away", that's a positive frame of mind that should help you. If you're already planning for failure by keeping your scores confidential, you may be a step behind before you even get started.

Good luck today!