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absolut_frui2233
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:10 pm
My FIRST attempt at GMAT: Feb 2007
I was still in my junior year of college and due to bad timing, had to take the GMAT amidst my final exams (a few schools I wanted to get in required GMAT and it was my fault I should have prepared earlier). As I hardly had time to properly prepare for it, it was no surprise that I ended up with only a 620. I ended up not applying for those schools as I knew my score was too low.
My SECOND attempt at GMAT: Jan 2009
I decided to take it again, this time with a totally new strategy and approach. I had about 1.5 months of free time during Dec 2008 - Jan 2009. During those months, I spent almost everyday at home, doing practice questions and mock exams on the computer. I did every questions on the OG11 twice, went on all GMAT forums to tackle difficult questions and learned different people's methods in approaching them. During the last few weeks of prep, I was scoring between 700-730 on the practice tests and was confident I was on my way to a 700+.
On the exam date, I was more than ready. I had a good sleep the night before, I knew all the maths formulas, and I found myself very calm. FOR SOME REASON THOUGH, I FOUND THE QUESTIONS ON THE REAL DAY TO BE MUCH MORE TRICKY. I ended up with a 680 (Q47, V36)
For the past few months I tried to tell myself that I have done my very best and should be satisfied with a 680. Combined with my 1.5 year work exp and my unique experiences abroad, I thought I had some chance (though not a strong chance) for the Top 5 MBA programs.
I aim to apply this October 2009 for the 2010 entry.
However, a few weeks ago everyone I have been asking MBA advice from says 680 is def. not good enough. It is a good score that passes everyone school's safety net, but isn't good enough to compensate my rather short work experience.
Now I don't what to say but that I really gave it my best shot in my 2nd attempt, I really did. I put in 120% of my concentration. The thought of retaking it is just EXHAUSTING.
So here I am back to my beloved forum, asking you guys for precious advice. My dream schools are HBS, Kellogg, Wharton, Stanford etc. will my 680 score make it? Short work experience and low GMAT score aside, I guarantee that my undergrad GPA and other activities are outstanding.
Do you think I should retake it? and if so, what new strategies can I employ that's different from the 2nd time I took it?
Pls help me out, I'm really frustrated right now
I was still in my junior year of college and due to bad timing, had to take the GMAT amidst my final exams (a few schools I wanted to get in required GMAT and it was my fault I should have prepared earlier). As I hardly had time to properly prepare for it, it was no surprise that I ended up with only a 620. I ended up not applying for those schools as I knew my score was too low.
My SECOND attempt at GMAT: Jan 2009
I decided to take it again, this time with a totally new strategy and approach. I had about 1.5 months of free time during Dec 2008 - Jan 2009. During those months, I spent almost everyday at home, doing practice questions and mock exams on the computer. I did every questions on the OG11 twice, went on all GMAT forums to tackle difficult questions and learned different people's methods in approaching them. During the last few weeks of prep, I was scoring between 700-730 on the practice tests and was confident I was on my way to a 700+.
On the exam date, I was more than ready. I had a good sleep the night before, I knew all the maths formulas, and I found myself very calm. FOR SOME REASON THOUGH, I FOUND THE QUESTIONS ON THE REAL DAY TO BE MUCH MORE TRICKY. I ended up with a 680 (Q47, V36)
For the past few months I tried to tell myself that I have done my very best and should be satisfied with a 680. Combined with my 1.5 year work exp and my unique experiences abroad, I thought I had some chance (though not a strong chance) for the Top 5 MBA programs.
I aim to apply this October 2009 for the 2010 entry.
However, a few weeks ago everyone I have been asking MBA advice from says 680 is def. not good enough. It is a good score that passes everyone school's safety net, but isn't good enough to compensate my rather short work experience.
Now I don't what to say but that I really gave it my best shot in my 2nd attempt, I really did. I put in 120% of my concentration. The thought of retaking it is just EXHAUSTING.
So here I am back to my beloved forum, asking you guys for precious advice. My dream schools are HBS, Kellogg, Wharton, Stanford etc. will my 680 score make it? Short work experience and low GMAT score aside, I guarantee that my undergrad GPA and other activities are outstanding.
Do you think I should retake it? and if so, what new strategies can I employ that's different from the 2nd time I took it?
Pls help me out, I'm really frustrated right now
