if i have taken GMAT twice, and if...

No, the GMAC report will show all your attempts and scores, even if you are absent to a test.

My understanding is that if the exam is taken multiple times, only your highest score will be reported to the schools; however, it will indicate how many times you have sat the exam in the last 5 years.

No - your score report will show all of your scores, not just the highest. There is, unfortunately, no way to only report the highest.

VP_Jim wrote:No - your score report will show all of your scores, not just the highest. There is, unfortunately, no way to only report the highest.

Jim, do most schools take only the highest scores into account, or does the number of times the exam is taken have an impact in a top-20 school?

Most schools only look at the highest score IF you've taken the exam only twice. Once you hit three or more times, many schools begin to average scores. You should call the school you're interested in to determine its policy.

Isn't it the case that most school applications allow you to self-report your score? I am fairly sure Columbia is this way. If so, the only time an official report would be reviewed by the adcom for validation would be AFTER an offer of acceptance has been given to the prospective student.

VP_Jim wrote:Most schools only look at the highest score IF you've taken the exam only twice. Once you hit three or more times, many schools begin to average scores. You should call the school you're interested in to determine its policy.

If that was the case wouldn't schools have to indicate such actions? From my research most schools clearly state that they either take the highest score or the average, and on applications they request your highest score and corresponding test date.

Please provide a list of schools that you have knowledge of which average your score if you have tested more than twice.

Paul,

I don't have a list - this is anecdotal information given to me by students who have applied to MBA programs over the years; I only applied to one school, so my personal sample size is quite low.

As I said, you should check with the schools to which you're applying to determine their policies.