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GMAT Question... Improvable?

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GMAT Question... Improvable?

by mjjking » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:30 am
Hi there,
I have taken the GMAT back in August 2007 and I got a good 680 (Q43, V40). I am a History major, and I've self-studied for the test about 8 weeks (about 2-3 hours a day, almost every day but not each day we could say).
Yet, I wanna break the 700 mark and get my 700-710.
Now, I think I have room for improvement in the math part... I haven't taken any math class since high school, so I'm thinking to take a business for math or a calculus class in order to improve it. What do you think? Does it make any sense? How do you think I can improve it? Can I really reach the 700 mark?
thanks a lot for your help!

Roberto
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REAL THING 1 (AUG 2007): 680 (Q43, V40)
REAL THING 2 (APR 2009): 720 (Q47, V41)
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by II » Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:27 pm
Calculus is not tested in the GMAT.
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by II » Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:31 pm
I dont see any reason why you should not be able to improve your score by another 20 points.
In my opinion the key thing is to focus on your weak areas, and the math which will be tested in the GMAT.
Calculus (for example) is not tested in the GMAT ... so this will not necessarily improve your GMAT score.
Have you tried taking any practice GMAT CATS ... from mba.com (GMAT Prep for example).
680 is a very good score already ... so with some more study, where you hone in on your weaknesses should do the trick and take you over the 700 mark.
Good luck !
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by Stacey Koprince » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:14 pm
Yep - neither calculus nor business math will help you on the GMAT.

FYI - the standard deviation of the test is 30 points. In other words, there is no statistical difference between your score of 680 and a 710. Think about whether this is the best use of your time - although the admissions people do like high scores, I have also talked to admissions people who say they question an applicant's ability to set priorities when the person already has a high score and takes the test again.

Having said that, you may have a specific reason why a higher score would be beneficial to you. Such reasons might include: to offset a lower-than-average GPA, to win a scholarship or grant, etc.

If you aren't applying right now and have the time and energy, I'd say go for it. But don't spend a ton of time on the test at the expense of applications - you have to make sure your entire application is excellent and the GMAT is just one part of that.
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by aim-wsc » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:42 pm
I'd not consider retaking the GMAT unless you're aiming for 60+ jump.

Your present score is decent & I dont see much difference in 680 & 700.
read StaceyK's above post)

Did you apply this year & got some feedback from adcom?
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by mjjking » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:28 pm
Thanks everyone for your replies... Well, I'll probably try to apply next year with my 680... and then, if the score is not enough, I'll try to improve it...

My target schools are Duke, Yale, USC, Indiana and Vanderbilt...

Hope my gmat score isn't too low!!

thanks again!!
Beat The GMAT - 1st priority
Enter a top MBA program - 2nd priority
Loving my wife: MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!

REAL THING 1 (AUG 2007): 680 (Q43, V40)
REAL THING 2 (APR 2009): 720 (Q47, V41)
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by aim-wsc » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:01 am
mjjking wrote:Thanks everyone for your replies... Well, I'll probably try to apply next year with my 680... and then, if the score is not enough, I'll try to improve it...

My target schools are Duke, Yale, USC, Indiana and Vanderbilt...

Hope my gmat score isn't too low!!

thanks again!!
Just saw your newly opened thread,
dont know what to reply buddy.
:shock: :(
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