Should I retake my GMAT?

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Should I retake my GMAT?

by Saevo » Mon May 06, 2013 2:39 pm
Hi there,

I have to admit I'm a bit frustrated... I just took my GMAT today and got a relatively low score compared to what I expected. I would like your opinion as to whether I should retake my GMAT or not.

The first time I took my GMAT was about a year ago; I got a 670.
Here are a few of my scores leading up to the test:

Kaplan:
730
730

MGMAT:
660
680

Knewton:
730
670

GMATPrep:
760
740

I got the 740 on Saturday, 2 days before my exam (probably a bad idea?), and ended up getting a 710 on my exam today. I know I should be glad my score improved 40 points, but I thought due to my GMATPrep scores that it would be between 730-760. I have a good chunk of travel coming up for work and plan to apply this fall. Would 20-30 points make a big difference in my application if I plan to apply to a "top 5" school?

I'm aiming for Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, Stanford, Duke, and the likes for either strategy consulting or general management (long term goal definitely GM). I feel I have a pretty good resume... 3.7 GPA in Industrial Engineering, graduated from a two year leadership rotational program for technical marketing at a very large technology company, and have been promoted "off program" within a year of "graduating" the program. The leadership program has allowed me to rotate 4 times into different locations and functions and I am under consideration currently for a three year international assignment. I figure if I don't get into a good business school I might consider the foreign assignment to strengthen my resume as I have about 4 years of work experience right now but want to accelerate into my career goals a little faster.

If I plan to apply this fall just wanted your take as to the ROI from either investing into my application process early/now, or giving it another shot in a month? I know I can perform better, just want to make the best use of my time :/

Thanks all!
Saevo
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by MBAApply » Mon May 06, 2013 4:00 pm
Saevo wrote:Hi there,

I have to admit I'm a bit frustrated... I just took my GMAT today and got a relatively low score compared to what I expected. I would like your opinion as to whether I should retake my GMAT or not.

The first time I took my GMAT was about a year ago; I got a 670.
Here are a few of my scores leading up to the test:

Kaplan:
730
730

MGMAT:
660
680

Knewton:
730
670

GMATPrep:
760
740

I got the 740 on Saturday, 2 days before my exam (probably a bad idea?), and ended up getting a 710 on my exam today. I know I should be glad my score improved 40 points, but I thought due to my GMATPrep scores that it would be between 730-760. I have a good chunk of travel coming up for work and plan to apply this fall. Would 20-30 points make a big difference in my application if I plan to apply to a "top 5" school?

I'm aiming for Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, Stanford, Duke, and the likes for either strategy consulting or general management (long term goal definitely GM). I feel I have a pretty good resume... 3.7 GPA in Industrial Engineering, graduated from a two year leadership rotational program for technical marketing at a very large technology company, and have been promoted "off program" within a year of "graduating" the program. The leadership program has allowed me to rotate 4 times into different locations and functions and I am under consideration currently for a three year international assignment. I figure if I don't get into a good business school I might consider the foreign assignment to strengthen my resume as I have about 4 years of work experience right now but want to accelerate into my career goals a little faster.

If I plan to apply this fall just wanted your take as to the ROI from either investing into my application process early/now, or giving it another shot in a month? I know I can perform better, just want to make the best use of my time :/

Thanks all!
Saevo
Congrats on the new score. Move on. Focus on the applications, as your score is fine and won't be an issue for any top b-school.

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by Saevo » Tue May 07, 2013 7:52 pm
Alex,

Thank you for the feedback. It's encouraging, and I suppose I can't beat myself up over it. Thank you.

Saevo

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by 99Colleges: MBA Admission » Sun May 12, 2013 4:47 am
Saevo,

You have a good GPA as well which, combined with your GMAT, is a good reflection of your ability to cope up with the academic rigor of any top B-school program. So, focus on the rest of your application.
Anil, MBA (Wharton)| MBA Admissions Consultant
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