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710 High Verbal Low Quant... should I retake?

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710 High Verbal Low Quant... should I retake?

by alireuter » Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:41 pm
Hi!

I took the GMAT yesterday and got a 710! At first I was really excited about my result, but then I checked the split and it was not so good... I got a 46 (75%) in Quant and a 41 (92%) in Verbal. I've been studying for around 6 months now, on my diagnostic test I got a 520!!

I'm thinking about applying to a dual degree MBA/MPP (Public Policy) at Harvard, Wharton, Chicago, and Columbia, and I would like to apply for financial aid. A little bit about myself: I am Venezuelan, I studied Economics in Venezuela (GPA: 3.46; 5/39 in graduating class), by September 2012 I will have 3 years of full-time work experience at the socioeconomic research department of CAF (Latin American multilateral bank), and I have been teaching Macroeconomics at the university I graduated from for a year. During my time at university I was a an econometrics TA for two years, member of the Honor´s Roll, and participated in the United Nations Models. Thats about it.

I would like to increase my chances of a scholarship, so I am not sure if I should retake the GMAT in order to increase my Quant score. Any suggestions????

Thanks a lot!!
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by arun@crackverbal » Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:19 am
Hi,

There are 2 options here:

Are you saying that you can take the test again (without too much prep) and score a 50 for sure? If so then please do. A Q50 V41 would give you a 750/760 which will marginally increase your chances of admission at the top schools, but it will definitely improve your chances of getting a scholarship.

If you are saying that you want to hit the books 3hours/day again, and "hope" to get to a Q48 - then its just not worth the effort. Try to worry about articulating your stories.

Its your call!

Arun
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by alireuter » Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:51 am
I think it will require a lot of maths prep... During the last month I have been taking weekly practice tests (Manhattan) and I scored 690-700-720-730, but my verbal scores have always been a lot higher than quant. My Q results before the official exam were always below 46. I guess I have to give myself at least a week to think this through...


Thank you so much for your reply!! :)
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:09 pm
Yes for the schools you are targeting, a higher quant split is pretty critical. I say this not just for any candidate, but particularly for you given a few reasons.

First, you are working as an econ professor, and so one would fairly expect a higher math. Second, compared to your competition, you will not have held the type of traditional job that B schools most prize. This, I would argue, creates a greater requirement for you to not show too many red flags. Your quant will be just that.

A number of my clients each year deliver an acceptable total score but a low quant split. Most initially resist taking the GMAT again, and I get their reluctance (not a ton of fun vs summer distractions) but it is worth it in the end when the acceptances hit your inbox. Try your hardest and get a GMAT tutor if necessary.

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Alex Leventhal
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by alireuter » Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:56 pm
Thanks Alex,
I hadn't considered it from your point of view.... I should definitely retake the test then. I actually thought that a non-traditional background was something I could use as a plus on my application, I will try to find a tutor here in Caracas

thanks again!
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Sat Jul 02, 2011 2:10 pm
Don't get me wrong. A non traditional profile is not inherently a negative, it just means that you are in a smaller acceptance pool. Fewer candidates who are traders, lawyers, teachers...get in versus bankers or consultants.

And when you are a teacher, you have fewer projects or responsibilities that are managerial in nature. You will need to highlight in your essays, times when you led people, persuaded groups, managed deadlines...and all those good MBA type things that more traditional candidates have built into their positions.

I have clients from South America every year so let me know if I can help.

Suerte.

Alex
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by Kaneisha Grayson » Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:15 am
Hi Alireuter,

As a recent MBA/MPA joint degree who works with a lot of joint degree applicants, I have to respectfully disagree with Alex's recommendation that you definitely need to take the GMAT again. If you have the time and resources to dedicate to studying for a second test while also completing your essays (the most IMPORTANT part of your application), then go for it. Otherwise, you need to dedicate your time to completing the many applications you are facing.

When you submit your applications, you want to feel like you did your very best in presenting your case. As long as you can bump up your GMAT score without taking away from your essay preparation, feel free to take the time to study and retake.

Remember - Not only do you have MBA applications, you have policy school applications as well as the additional essays required of joint degree applications. Furthermore, fellowship applications are often almost as arduous and tedious as the admissions applications themselves, so you need time to complete those.

At Harvard, you would be a great candidate for the Zuckerman, Reynolds, and George fellowships (I was a George Fellow), so look into those particularly, but make sure you know about every single one at all your schools so you don't miss a potential match.

The reason fewer nontraditional candidates are admitted than i-bankers and consultants is because fewer apply, fewer have friends and family members to help them through the process, and fewer are able to convey their preparedness for the program (not out of lack of ability but lack of knowledge of how to demonstrate their preparedness). You being a nontraditional candidate (with great scores, grades, and work experience) is definitely a plus.

Also - educators, though far and few between in the class--are highly valued these days--at least in the Harvard MBA program. They actually have fellowships set aside for Teach for America alumni. (I know that's not your situation but I say that just to illustrate my point.)

Good luck!

Kaneisha
Harvard Business School MBA 2010, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2010
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by alireuter » Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:27 am
Hi!

Thank you so much to all of you for your replies! I've decided to give the exam another shot in 3 weeks, while beginning to work in my essays. This will give me around 2 months to work on my MBA application essays to apply for the first round. And then I will have 2 more months to apply for the MPP program

Thank you so much for your help!

Ali
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:26 am
Good Choice! And Good Luck!
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
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