GMAT Strategy

Hi,

I have recently appeared for GMAT, and got 660 with further denomination of (Q47, V34) and AWA 6. I had good preparation, but got screwed in the real GMAT because of time-management issues in Verbal section. Now, I am in dilemma whether to go for a GMAT re-attempt or not because of the following mentioned reasons :
1) Does B-Schools consider AWA 6 and past English scores in Academics to balance the Verbal score a bit ?
2) Being a non-native speaker, I will be appearing for TOEFL(planned for Early July) to apply for US B-Schools, does a good score in TOEFL help balance Verbal score a bit ?

Please help me in arriving at a decision whether to go for a re-attempt or not !!!!

Thanks,
Rohan Beri

Hey Rohan - welcome to Beat the GMAT and congrats on a good score! The GMAT test is hard, and you've proven you can tackle these difficult subjects.

We would **strongly** encourage you to take the GMAT again to boost your verbal. An increase on the verbal side can have a dramatic impact on the total, so you could see yourself over 700 rather easily. The schools do take everything into consideration, including the fact that English isn't your first language, but they still need to be confident that you'll be able to succeed in the fast-paced environment of bschool. Good communication skills are a requirement of business that's only increasing over time.

A 660 score is high enough to get into some good MBA programs, but considering the fact that the average GMAT for the Indian students at the best schools is 720, you're pretty far from the point where you'd be able to stand out in those apps. It's not impossible to get in with a 660, but you're making it harder on yourself if you don't retest.

A good TOEFL test helps but it won't really compensate for a lower verbal on the GMAT. Since you've only taken the test once, and since we're so early in the season, it would be prudent for you to just buckle down and do the GMAT again.

Not the advice you wanted to hear, probably - but if you want to get into one of the best MBA programs, then it can help to have a higher score.

Let us know if you have other questions, and good luck with it!!!

EssaySnark

Thanks a ton Essaysnark for your valuable feedback.

I do agree with you that this was not something which I was expecting to hear, but at the same time, I do think good things always come the harder way. And all this time, I was just being lazy and looking for work-around to not to appear for GMAT once again. Thanks a lot for heads-up. I am booking my exam date in first week of July.

Thanks and Regards,
Rohan Beri.

Hi,

I gave GMAT recently on 20th May 2013 , This was my second attempt i scored a 640 (Q51-V26) . From my learning on my previous attempt i found that my concepts on SC was weak and i took an online prep course from e-gmat.com . But it did not help . At the time I was attempting my verbal i had gone blank in my mind , might be due to jitters of the fore coming application season . I need sincere advice on getting a 700+ . I took the MGMAT Cat my scores were as follows 660,680 ,690 ,710. Can any body help >??

@rohanberi, we tend to agree with you re: good things come the harder way. You've got a great attitude, glad to see you're going for the test again! Good luck!! Keep us posted - we're betting you'll do really well the second time around.

@bharara88, your experience is unfortunately really common - and it's so stressful! Your quant score is amazing but the verbal is so low that it dragged down your overall score. Just like we said to rohanberi, bringing up that verbal will have a great effect on your total score and you'll be in a strong position.

There's lots of advice available here, and plenty of practice problems to try, so you're in the right place! We would encourage you to retest even more emphatically than what we said to rohanberi; right now, your verbal score is a true weakness and the best bschools could be reluctant to admit someone with a score that low. So the payoff for you can be immense in bringing the verbal side up.

We know how discouraging it can be, especially since you've already tested twice. This thing is no fun! But testing once more won't hurt you, and you have enough time before the deadlines to do it all. Great job in starting early and giving yourself this much lead time!

We posted about confidence and the GMAT on the EssaySnark blahg here:
https://essaysnark.com/2013/04/im-losing ... -the-gmat/

And here's some great everyday advice on studying for the GMAT:

https://essaysnark.com/2013/04/practical ... oosh-gmat/

Hope this helps - good luck to both of you!! Stay in touch and let us know how you do!
EssaySnark

rohanberi- There are some great business schools that do not require the GMAT. For example, I have never been an excellent standardized test taker. Nevertheless, I was able to attend the Fast Track MBA program at Babson College, an excellent and well-respected school. This program does not require the GMAT as long as you have a solid amount of work experience. I learned so much and had many amazing networking opportunities. Don't give up on your academic aspirations just because of one test.