GMAT Strategy

I've seen many users on this forum retaking their gmat 2nd or 3rd time. Do GMAT re-takes report their earlier low scores? I ask because, I took GMAT 2 weeks ago, and scored a 360. I don't know what the heck I was thinking to actually sit for GMAT without going through the material. I hadn't even completed quant material, and didn't even do any OG problems....I just saw on the GMAT thinking everything was going to be fine. And, also foolish me, I reported the scores to my "dream" schools also. How will this impact when I get a score of 700+ ?? I know I am going to get a good score, its just matter of time. I have started to correct all my weaknesses and studying the right way with right mindset, but thinking will the previous low score attempt dampen my chances OR will that be my example of a success story for the schools??

Feedback from experts(esp admission consultants) and fellow peers will be much appreciated!

The good news - your username is prophetic here...you will survive!

The way it typically works in admissions is that on your application form you self-report (type in) your highest GMAT score.

GMAC sends the schools official score reports that have your entire testing history (for five years on it), so theoretically schools can look at your old scores.

But... Those official reports sit on file and are only called up when a school wants to view them to confirm your score or to otherwise dig into your application. We've talked to admissions officers who have said that in some cases they don't actually bother going to the file to confirm - just the threat that they could at any point during your tenure, catch you in a lie (if you self-reported, say, 780 but really only had a 620) and boot you out of school is usually enough to keep people honest. So while the schools have access to your full score report:

-They may never even look at it
-They don't have much incentive to "punish" you for a low score if you also have a high one

Schools want you to have a high score just as much as you do. They get to publish your highest score in their statistics, which they report to prospective students and prospective recruiters. So if you have a 720 and a 360, they get to use your 720 in their "brag stats". So they're happy that you have it. And schools also know that the GMAT is an easy test to underestimate. They know that people who have done well on the SAT, ACT, and other tests might just assume that they'll do well on another, similar test (without realizing that the only people who actually take the GMAT or LSAT are those who did well enough on the ACT/SAT to get into college, be successful, and go on to consider higher education beyond that). So they're not all that apt to punish you for the confidence to take the GMAT and then the harsh reality that it was harder than you thought.

In almost all cases, schools really only care about your highest score. So don't worry - you'll survive!

Much appreciate the booster, Brain!

I am going full force in preparing myself for 1 more retake in about 90 days(taking 1 week off to carribean islands to gather my thoughts back next week to start of with)