I just Beat The GMAT!

I am sorry as I am writting this post way after my gmat. But I had to as I was immensely helped by the BTG forums. Thanks Eric for that.
Anyway, I took the gmat in the month of september and scored a 680. As many would expect, I was disappointed too. I had scored around 720-730 in all my mocks however a 700 in my last Manhattan Mock. I am not going to write anything about my strategy for studying for the gmat, however I want to tell you guys that I went ahead, believed in my profile and applied to two programs Wharton in round 1, and ISB in round 2 and got interview invites from both.

My only advice for you guys is that do not stress on re taking the exam. The admission process is much more than just the gmat. Focus on that. Give your best in preparing for the gmat, do not stress too much on the score. From my own experience, anything above 680 should be fine ( as i scored a 680 ).

For those who are wondering: My profile:

23 Indian Male.
Non engineer.
2 years experience in our own family business (which is in the beauty care industry) after graduation.
Professional Table tennis player (this is what made me stand out)
Played for India as a Member/captain of the Indian team atleast 50 times in 20 different countries and 4 different continents.

I do not know whether I will get in, but I would definitely say, do NOT consider your score as a low score. Let them decide that. Do not stress on a retake unless you have plenty of time before the deadlines. It is the whole package that matters and not a race just on the basis of GMAT. All the best do well. Will keep you posted about my results.

Dude, you advice is not applicable for most people out there. How may professional player aspire to get an MBA ? Most guys are not like you. No offenses.

I agree most guys are not professional athletes. However, I believe everyone has some strong points that would make them stand out. Its on how you use them in your essays and how you link your past to your goals. Everyone has some or the other weak areas for example in my case, I have no experience in a typical business environment. Many of you have that. You can focus on how you contributed to your workplace. What have you done apart from studies. And if you have nothing that can make you stand out, these schools will not give you a call in spite of any gmat score. No offences.

My idea behind writting this post was not to discourage anyone from aiming for a good score or not to undermine the importance of gmat. However I wanted to convey that if you feel that you ave a strong profile already, do not get stuck much with the gmat hurdles. And lastly I am not an admission consultant. But according to what my gut tells me. Do not try hard to increase your score from a 680 to 700 or 710. BUt definitely work hard if you believe you can definitely reach 750 or something.

Hi imsmartani,

Well said! I agree wholeheartedly.

Hey congrats for the interview calls! Best of luck on decision date!

AbhiJ wrote:Dude, you advice is not applicable for most people out there. How may professional player aspire to get an MBA ? Most guys are not like you. No offenses.

hahahahahahaha I howled so loud!!! Realy now!!!

Good show dude. You have a different profile (entrepreneurship+Non Engineer Indian). Best of luck with the results.

imsmartani wrote: You can focus on how you contributed to your workplace. What have you done apart from studies.

Now is this something that people on BTG arent doing ?
You are a non - traditional applicant ,

I didnt get your question!

imsmartani wrote:I didnt get your question!

This was just in response to your advice what people needed to do to compensate for their scores etc on the basis that you snagged a call from W & ISB despite having a not such a stellar score .

I do have other stellar points.. thats wat is imp. I m not advicing anyone! Be happy in doing what you feel is right! If your feel your score will get your there go ahead!

imsmartani wrote:I do have other stellar points.. thats wat is imp. I m not advicing anyone! Be happy in doing what you feel is right! If your feel your score will get your there go ahead!

hey no , Everyone knows that gmat scores dont get people into bschools.I just replied to

From my own experience, anything above 680 should be fine ( as i scored a 680 ).

@mundasingh123, this swing deserves a kudo, man ...

Sadly got rejected by wharton.. But still. Will keep trying . Way to go. Will apply to some more top programs in the 2nd round.

Congratulations to all succesful candidates who got into Wharton/Harvard/Stan/kellog and other B Schools already. Sadly I need to write more essays and that means more introspection. Cheers to you guys hope I catch up with you in R-2. All the experts here. Please answer: As I have mentioned, I know gmat doesnt play a key role in the admission process and is just a part of everything. How much does the GMAT score matter once you are out of a business school ? For first recruits? In the future jobs? Or absolutely nothing?