Please help - Should I retake GMAT?

Expert replies

iamsupertc: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:36 pm

by iamsupertc » Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:07 pm

Just took GMAT today and got 720 q51 v36... I wonder if I should retake it because my performance on verbal was horrendous... i got v42 and v44 on the two mba.com prep tests, respectively, so i'm not sure what happened today... the AWA should be anywhere between 4.5 & 5.5

my general profile:
top tier LAC
gpa 3.9, double major in math/psychology
three year consulting experience
Fellow of the society of actuaries
not much extracurricular activities due to all the time I put in for the actuarial exams

I'm aiming for NYU and Columbia. How much chance do I hold for these two schools with my current gmat score? I know this score only accounts for a small percentage of the overall application consideration, but will my subpar verbal score hurt my qualification in any way?

I would appreciate for any input.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:07 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:18 am

Dear iamsupertc,

It is unclear how much, if any, your verbal score on the GMAT will affect your applications to NYU and Columbia. It is not a horrendously low score; it is just not as high as you would like. If your AWA is below a 5, then it will cause more concern on your verbal ability. Likewise, your essays and interviews will factor into your evaluation and give you a chance to mitigate the verbal score. I think you have a chance with your current GMAT test if you have a strong, overall application. However, if you have only taken the GMAT once and think you can raise your verbal score without sacrificing the quant score, then it might be worth retaking the exam.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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