Ask Stacy Blackman

I just recently retook the GMAT and went down drastically (670 to a 570!!!). Something obviously went wrong because I was scoring 710's on my practice test. It just was a bad day all around. My first GMAT was skewed more towards quant, so I retook it thinking that I could improve my quant score since I felt like I under performed in that area on my first test.

I am currently a senior in college and I am already admitted to a very good MSF program which I will start next fall. My goal was to complete the MSF program, work 2-3 years in investment research/asset management, then go back to MBA School at one of the top finance programs (Wharton, Columbia, etc.). I was hoping to get the GMAT out of the way before I started work. I need some advice on what to do now.

Should I retake the GMAT again sometime in the next in the next two months before the test changes? Or Should I wait until the test changes and then try to retake the GMAT again. Or should I just concentrate on the rest of my application over the next 2-3 years and keep the 670 as my score. How will the 570 effect the way admissions committees view my first GMAT score? Will I need to address it in one of my essays?

Thank you for the advice,
MBA Hopeful

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team,
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I really appreciate your advice. I will definitely be using your consulting team when it comes time to apply to MBASchool. In regards to my first post I misspoke. My first GMAT score was skewed towards verbal not quant. (I don't know if that changes anything in regards on what I should do next.) Could a MSF degree and obtaining the CFA make up for a low quant score on the GMAT? I have a finance and economics degree from a state university with a pretty high GPA (>3.85). Also is a 670 enough to work with for top MBA programs or is there a big difference between a 670 and say a 690/700.

Thank you again for the advice