I just Beat The GMAT!

Hello all,

So the story goes that I gloomily and nervously took the GMAT on Friday and got a 710, so its not really a cracker but am pleasant that its a 700+. I was sloshed following the exam, so went out for a great party. The hangover is gone and now am thinking straight and this question comes out - What next ?

- Retake ? : I have been reading about GMAT and did some lazy studying for months. I did some serious studying in the final 2 weeks and got a 590 in my first practice test before the exam day. So should I prepare seriously and up my score, by the way, does in increase and by how much ?

- Apply ? : I have 4 yr financial services, excellent academic record, team lead job and little savings - a typical profile. I am primarily targeting the really top notch B-schools. Its either do it BIG or put time and effort elsewhere. So the question is - Is 710 enough ?

- Go on with life as if this didnt happen and look at EMBA few years down the lane.

Do shower me with your replies and views, those words could change me life :p !

Cheers !

PS : I am scared to type in here , all the gmat-trained eyes will be evaluate the writings critically, by applying those SC and AWA concepts !

congrats mate!!

710 is "inviting" score to many of the "BIG" schools. But as i was a victim ( got dumped) by few(really big ones) top schools, I guess u being a Indian u "probably/certainly" need a small increment in the score.

Worst case u can retake the test once again!!

I agree and disagree with that.

An improved score will certainly help. I had a simliar bad experience too.

But don't waste your energy on a small increment. If you are sure you can make a 40 point improvement, go for it. Otherwise not worth the effort. Work on other parts of your app like community service or something different. Also start preparing for a supercool goals essay?

Of course, 710 is a good score. Congrats on that!

gmatmachoman wrote:congrats mate!!

710 is "inviting" score to many of the "BIG" schools. But as i was a victim ( got dumped) by few(really big ones) top schools, I guess u being a Indian u "probably/certainly" need a small increment in the score.

Worst case u can retake the test once again!!

Did they given you score as reason to reject ur application.. ???????????????

Thanks guys for insights and opinions ! I get the idea that 710 is moderate for the top notch ones esp. if one's profile is not really outstanding . But does your background ( country of origin ) really matter ? i.e. an US student with 710 has greater chance of getting in than me ? I thought getting scholarships and aid will reduce your chances.

Any more suggestions ? A lot of people viewed this thread but few ( rather 2 ) only replied .. hmm, I was expecting a bit more help and excitement here

I might have to retake to UP my chances, coz I see that I do slight better in Quant and there is a huge scope of improvement for Verbal. The only good thing I did was finish the exam on time.

Hmm.. well, am kinda stuck in a rut again !

cvsatish wrote:Hello all,

So the story goes that I gloomily and nervously took the GMAT on Friday and got a 710, so its not really a cracker but am pleasant that its a 700+. I was sloshed following the exam, so went out for a great party. The hangover is gone and now am thinking straight and this question comes out - What next ?


Do shower me with your replies and views, those words could change me life :p !

Cheers !

PS : I am scared to type in here , all the gmat-trained eyes will be evaluate the writings critically, by applying those SC and AWA concepts !

Congrats!!!! Great score!!!.
In my opinion You should think about preparing your application and essays Rather than thinking about retake etc..

Just to add .. am looking at the top 5's. I am sounding a bit over zealous here but I feel the time and effort and money is really worth for me if I get into the top ones. I am not really desperate for an MBA or career change as it comes with "huge opportunity cost". I would like to do it for the "value-addition", experience, networking and the fact that it pushes you into a different league !

cvsatish wrote:Just to add .. am looking at the top 5's. I am sounding a bit over zealous here but I feel the time and effort and money is really worth for me if I get into the top ones. I am not really desperate for an MBA or career change as it comes with "huge opportunity cost". I would like to do it for the "value-addition", experience, networking and the fact that it pushes you into a different league !

I still fee your score is good enough to let you in to Top 5's. Many of my friends who already completed there MBA usually tell me GMAT score matters only 25% in your application. May be you can go for some application counselling.

@cvsatish: considering your prep track - and certainly score, I conclude you've got talent for standardized tests. This special gift for some people makes not attainable the plans you're discussing here, i.e. retake.

If you can boost your score - why not to give it a try? If your score won't increase significantly, you might repeat your previous achievement, correct? Two high scores on GMAT is also a good sign for Ad.Coms viewing your potential to succeed academically in business school. My advice - you definitely go for the second try and boost your GMAT score.

It does feel comforting and reinforcing to hear that I have the talent. But I doubt it, coz I pretty strongly feel that the aptitude tests require some practice to get one familiar with the format and the rest is what you are born with it. I am not sure if hard work will really push things up as aptitude grows through years.

It wont have been great If I got a 750+ , there are a lot of folks out there who just keep cracking this seamlessly - thats a genius. So this score is not really comforting and a bit depressing ( though am glad that its at least a 700+ ) .

Damn .. This is now taking a toll on me now, its bringing thoughts of self worthiness and capabilities .. sigh.

Go ahead and give a retake. Prep well and do it. Like Night Reader says, if you can improve, why not give a try.

With a 700, I got three waitlists in moderate schools. The advantage of a high GMAT is that it cannot be subjected to a subjective view.

A 750 is a 750.

But in an essay, what you call a good essay might not appeal to another person. So that's the thing about good scores.

So if you can, DO!

A final call to all before I arrive at a decision. Feel free to write watever you feel and think, would appreciate that. Thanks in advance.

Buddy even I am in the same situation.

I had a fairly decent score of 710, but was tad unlucky to make it to any of the top b schools this year. I feel that given my common profile ( Indian IT Male ), i need to improve on my gmat. All my essays were pretty good. Infact Tuck really liked my essays has offered to give feedback on my app and asked me to reapply for next year

I have decided to retake GMAT and improve my score.

ATB

Regards,
Ajay

If I might ask all those who got dinged with a 700+ score, did the schools inform your that the score was the reason for the ding? What was the work experience in years you guys had?

@ajayawanti did Tuck ask you to retake GMAT? Or was it something else that they thought you could improve in a year's time?

Well nobody mentions the reasons for a ding :)You got to figure it on your own.

I have the feedback session with Tuck in mid April - Will get to know the reason then

My profile : 710 / 5Yrs / Automotive Software Engg