Evaluation Request

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Evaluation Request

by mkutlu » Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:31 pm
I have taken the GMAT exam for four times and my scores are as following:

09/2008 V-26 , Q-49 , total score: 610 , AWA: 4.0
10/2008 V-19 , Q-50 , total score: 570 , AWA: 4.5
12/2008 V-26 , Q-50 , total score: 640 , AWA: 4.0

These are my real exam scores. On the manhattan practice tests I was getting scores around (710 - 730). After my third GMAT exam I gave a break for my study on the exam and 1 year later I took my last GMAT exam with only 3 days of preparation and my score was:

03/2010 V-35 , Q-49, Total Score: 690 , AWA: 4.0

It was surprising to see the improvement on my score since I only studied in the last 3 days before the exam. I only took 1 manhattan pactice exam and I got V-36, Q - 48 and in total 690 on that practice exam. So my real exam performance revealed the same score that I got in my manhattan practice exam.

I think my performance was better compared to my previous exams because I had a better time management and less stress although I did not prepared for the exam.

Now with that score on hand, I wonder whether I should prepare for the test and try improve my score over 700 or is it enough for Stanford, Kellog, Wharton, Sloan or Chicago.

My GPA is 3.53 and my major is Industrial Engineering

In total I have 9 years of work experience , 5 year is in private sector and and 4 year in public sector. My work experience in public sector is focused on feasibility analysis, project finance and project management.

Considering my score and background, could you please give me an advice on what should I do?

Thank you for your help.
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by erins » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:12 am
Hi -

Thanks for the inquiry.

Your 690 is a good score and since you have already taken the test 4 times, it is hard for me to recommend retaking it again. As you probably know, a 700 with 80th percentile on Q and V is considered "safe" but the GMAT is just one metric and is viewed relative to other indicators - grades, experience, community involvement, etc. Further, you need to consider your scores relative to the school's GMAT average and distribution (i.e. most schools publish the range for 80% of the class).

I would also encourage you to think about the other aspects of your candidacy. With nine years of experience, you are at a point, where some may consider you a logical applicant for part-time and executive programs. I am not sure if this is of interest to you, but it is something you might consider.

Lastly, as it relates to full-time programs, even with a score of 700 (or greater) you may also want to think about building a list of schools that is a bit more balanced than the names you mentioned. We always recommend that our clients think about a well-rounded list of programs including some options which may not be quite as competitive as Kellogg, MIT, Wharton, Stanford. You may choose to apply to 1-3 of these but also add a couple other options such as Darden, Duke, UCLA, etc.

I hope that helps.
Erin
Erin Schuhmacher, MBA
Senior Consultant

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