Unbalanced GMAT score

Expert replies

goodoldnic: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:28 am

by goodoldnic » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:04 am

OK. Sat the GMAT this morning and came out with a 720 (Q43 / V47). I want to apply to LBS / Insead. Is the low quant bad enough to make it sensible for me to retake the GMAT?

Pretty frustrating - I got 770 on a few of the mock exams I sat (I probably had a mean average of c. 730/740 on the mocks though).

I have always been better at the verbal than the quant section since I have an arts / law undergrad degree (2:1 Cambridge). Any views? Since I have the "verbal" background, would they be looking to see better maths scores than that on my application? Any thoughts appreciated!

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:04 am

Bryant@VeritasPrep: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 1090; Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 amFollowed by: 68 members; Thanked: 175 times; GMAT Score:750

%-tile

by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:35 pm

What percentile was the 43 quant?

Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant

Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options

Like this post

goodoldnic: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:28 am

by goodoldnic » Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:03 am

the 43 was a 68% percentile. The verbal was 99th percentile with overall being 95%. I have seen various different posts suggesting a balanced 80-80 score is a must (which clearly i do not have) or that a 40-40 is a must (although i imagine that would be around a 650 score). any advice is certainly useful here.

the advice i have been given so far from a number of sources is to apply on the 720 as it is unlikely that the quant score would be what would stop me getting a place if the other elements of my application were up-to-scratch. It is possible if I do well in the application that I would receive a conditional offer on re-taking and improving the GMAT score.

would you agree with this approach?

Like this post

Bryant@VeritasPrep: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 1090; Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 amFollowed by: 68 members; Thanked: 175 times; GMAT Score:750

by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:13 am

I would agree that your quant score would not necessarily keep you out of top b-schools, and your profile certainly fits the classic "poet" profile. (have you read "Snapshots from Hell" ?--the author may question why you even want to do b-school with such a high verbal penchant and a less-than-stellar quant aptitude). Having said that, from a purely strategic approach, you should simply try to "make up for" your quant score by demonstrating aptitude for numbers in other ways--taking a statistics course and getting an A or B would suffice--keep in mind that most b-schools will want to see at least one calculus course under your belt as well. Accounting courses would not be a bad idea either. All they really want to know is whether you will sink or swim when flooded by the provebial fire hose of quantitative-heavy courseload. If you can convince them you will be fine, your battle is won. Whether or not you enjoy it is another matter entirely. Hope this helps.

Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant

Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review