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Hello!

I would like some advice please!

I took the test a week ago and scored a 720. 46/99th percentile in the Verbal and 42/63rd on the Quantitative. My essay score was a 6.0.

I think my performance on the Quantitative was really very bad. It was never my strongest suit but I would usually score a little higher in my practice tests... I would never claim that Maths comes naturally to me but I believe that I have proven academic achievements in the subject.

I have an degree in Mechanical Engineering from one of the top courses in the UK. I went to Imperial College, London. The engineering school regularly ranks along with Cambridge in the league tables. I graduated in 2006 with a high 2:1 grade. I achieved 69% which is only 1% off of a 1st, the highest passing grade. Since then I have worked as a professional engineer for a well respected engineering consultancy which specialises in the automotive sector.

Personally, I think that this proves my mathematical ability better than a GMAT test where I made stupid mistakes under pressure. I would really like an opinion on whether the admissions people at the top schools will agree with me. I really don't want to have to take it again but I don't want to scupper an otherwise relatively solid application with an unflattering Quant score!

I believe I will have solid references and a pretty good CV for an Engineer of my age and discipline.

I am hoping to apply to Stanford, Harvard, Columbia and INSEAD. I am currently domiciled in the UK though I have dual Bulgarian citizenship.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer some perspective on my conundrum!

Hi and thanks for your question. It is, honestly, one of the most unusual that I have gotten because I am very very surprised that you managed to get a 720 while scoring the math percentile that you did. That said, a few thoughts:

- Is it possible that you misread your report? And that you actually scored higher on the math section than you realize?

- Your mathematically-focused undergrad degree will surely count for much more in your business school application than a poor GMAT quant score (especially if your total score is a 720)...

...and yet, a 63d percentile is very low. Was the problem that, with your advanced math training, that you somehow forgot simpler stuff that the GMAT considers relevant (there is a finite amount of it but...you simply HAVE TO KNOW IT ALL COLD TO DO WELL ON THE QUANT SECTION!!). If that is the case, then it probably makes sense to learn it again (shouldn't take you very long), get familiar with the question types, and then ace the test and give yourself an even better chance.

- On the other hand, if you're not sure what went wrong or are strongly disinclined for any reason then I think you're probably in the clear. Just do make sure that you read the report right: that is a very surprising score given your math percentile.

Keep me in the loop--

Paxton

Hi Paxton!

Thanks very much for your reply. Really appreciated.

You made me check my report again, but 720 is definintely what it says and the percentiles are right too! I was surprised too.

I think you're right that I didn't know enough of the maths cold and that hindered me on some questions. Most of it I can work out given the time but not in a timed test. I made some mistakes too, like I usually do.

I think the reasons are many. Maths has never been my best subject though I have learned to apply it to an acceptable level. I think that I didn't prepare carefully enough and actually didn't realise that my scores were leaning so far towards the verbal when doing my practice tests. The ones I did didn't have a percentile breakdown, just a final score and this is all that I concentrated on. I think this was the biggest issue. I just didn't realise that I had a problem until I saw the final score report. I'm kicking myself for being so lax now.

I think that there are things that I can learn more thoroughly and apply better on the test. I'm also confident enough in my verbal and AWA ability to think that I won't do significantly worse in that area next time.

I just don't know... I'm in a serious dilemma. I want to apply to both Stanford and Harvard which gives me three months to put together two strong applications. I can hope that my GMAT is ok and the Engineering degree and subsequent career stands out and overshadows the Quant score.

On the other hand I could study more, resit and hopefully get a better score but that puts more time pressure on the applications.

The route that I am leaning towards is to try to get both applications out early and to a level that I think is as good as I can get. If that leaves enough time to resit the GMAT I will do it even if it means I take a week off work just to prepare solidly. That might be my best bet.

That sounds like a reasonable plan. And, as I said, were you an English major I would be more concerned; but, your quant skills are not really in question.

At the end of the day, frankly, my guess is that the admissions committee is looking at two things: are you mathematically competent (i.e., can you survive business school?); and, are you going to bring down the average GMAT and hurt the school's rankings.

I think you're in the clear on both fronts.

Cheers--

Paxton

Thank you for your time Paxton, you've been very helpful!

I hope to let you know how I get on with my applications.

Regards,

Ivo

Please do!