GMATPrep 730 (today), aiming for 750...postpone GMAT???

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Derden: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:27 pm

by Derden » Sun May 10, 2009 2:18 pm

Hi, this is a great community! Need help from all you GMATters:

I started my prep a few months ago and studied haphazardly and irregularly until the last 1 month when I booked my test date (Mon, 18th May). Since then I have been studying about 1.5 hrs per weekday and about 3 hours on weekends. I have also taken 5 practice tests:

MGMAT #3 - 640 (Q42, V35) (Apr 19th)
MGMAT #4 - 690 (Q44, V41) (Apr 26th)
GMATPrep #1 - 700 (Q47, V40) (May 3)
MGMAT #5 - 670 (Q48, V33) (May 7, took this at night on a weekday after work)
GMATPrep #2 - 730 (Q48, V42) (today, May10th)

I am scheduled to take the GMAT in one week. Given my target of 750, do you guys think I should reschedule to a later date or go ahead and take it in a week? I am leaning towards taking it at my scheduled date but my concern is that if a little additional practice can increase my score then maybe waiting is better.

The other thing is that I am making only 6/7 mistakes in verbal on GMATPrep, but still only getting 41/42. How do I bump this up to 46/47???

Please advise!!

Thanks

Last edited by Derden on Sun May 10, 2009 10:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sun May 10, 2009 2:18 pm

wgrau: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 56; Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:02 pm; Thanked: 5 times; GMAT Score:720

by wgrau » Sun May 10, 2009 3:26 pm

Ummm...

couple of issues,
first, the reliability of the practice tests to accurately "predict" your performance is slight - even with the GMAT prep. The GMAT itself has a +-30pt accuracy. I would recommend a better way to prepare for the test would be an in depth analysis of your errors.

Second, why a 750? A 730 is perfectly acceptable for any top program. Whether you get in or not, the difference will NOT be a score of 730 vs a 750.

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Derden: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:27 pm

by Derden » Sun May 10, 2009 3:43 pm

Thanks for the reply. I understand that no practice test is totally accurate and that the GMATPrep only gives you a +-30 point accuracy spread.

However, I am younger than the average MBA candidate (3 yrs work ex at the time b-school will begin - 1.5 yrs investment banking and 1.5 yrs corporate finance) and feel that a very high GMAT score will make me a little more attractive. I am shooting for H/W/S.

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wgrau: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 56; Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:02 pm; Thanked: 5 times; GMAT Score:720

by wgrau » Sun May 10, 2009 7:13 pm

Okay, but still no change in opinion regarding the difference between 730 and 750.

If you don't get into H/W/S, it wouldn't be because you "only" scored a 730. There are numerous examples of applicants who score a perfect 800 who do not get accepted. If you were to score sub 700, you would certainly want to examine your chances, but even then you could gain acceptance with strong application components.

If you don't have the essays and letters of rec, you don't stand a chance of admission even with a 750+. 20 points will not make or break you admission.

Take the test, chill, relax, and re-examine after if you need to.

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Neo2000: Legendary Member; Posts: 519; Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:56 am; Location: India; Thanked: 31 times

by Neo2000 » Sun May 10, 2009 8:33 pm

Derden wrote:However, I am younger than the average MBA candidate (3 yrs work ex at the time b-school will begin - 1.5 yrs investment banking and 1.5 yrs corporate finance) and feel that a very high GMAT score will make me a little more attractive. I am shooting for H/W/S.

How much am i off when i say Indian/(I)IT/Male ?? I know the 1st and 3rd are correct

I agree with wgrau
You'll be fine with a 730. The average work-ex for people entering b-school is in and around 3yrs.

A strong GMAT will NOT offset a weak app at H/W/S. 730 puts you into the ball-park its how your app plays out that will determine your chance of success. Bring your A game because these schools are very unforgiving.

All the best

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VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Sun May 10, 2009 9:21 pm

I agree with the above - there is really no difference between a 730 and a 750. If you don't get accepted, it won't be because of your GMAT score! I have numerous sub-700 students who got into top-10 schools. You'll be in excellent shape with anything above 700.

Go ahead and take the test - who knows, with the margin of error you might score a 760!

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

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Giorgio: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 182; Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:55 am; Thanked: 11 times

Re: GMATPrep 730 (today), aiming for 750...postpone GMAT???

by Giorgio » Sun May 10, 2009 10:51 pm

Derden wrote: MGMAT #5 - 670 (Q48, V43) (May 7, took this at night on a weekday after work)
GMATPrep #2 - 730 (Q48, V42) (today, May10th)

Thanks

Excuse me for off topic , but does 1 point in Verbal really gives such a huge difference?

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Derden: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:27 pm

by Derden » Sun May 10, 2009 10:55 pm

@Giorgio - Good catch, sorry that was a typo. In test 5, I had V33 not V43.

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Derden: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:27 pm

by Derden » Sun May 10, 2009 10:59 pm

Thanks for the advice fellas! All good points. Will take the test on the 18th and let you guys know how it went down.

@VPJim - I am going to hope that happens!

@neo2000 - You are right about the first and last part but not an IT / IIT guy - finance instead. Pretty impressive man

@wgrau - I think I will have very good recs and need to do some more work on my story. Obviously, have to get the GMAT out of the way first.

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Neo2000: Legendary Member; Posts: 519; Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:56 am; Location: India; Thanked: 31 times

by Neo2000 » Mon May 11, 2009 6:10 am

Derden wrote:@neo2000 - You are right about the first and last part but not an IT / IIT guy - finance instead. Pretty impressive man

Eh, the investment banking and low work-ex pointed to the middle category. Very hard for others to break into such an industry, more so in India.

extremely easy for the middle category to do that, especially in india

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Derden: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:27 pm

by Derden » Mon May 11, 2009 8:22 am

Yeah that's quite true. I grew up in India but graduated from a US university and now work in California.

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