Dear Patrick80,

Thanks for your post. First off, I'm sorry to hear that your GMAT retake didn't go as well as you'd hoped. These things happen - and it's not that uncommon to take a small step backwards before a big leap forward in GMAT testing.

At this point the key decision you need to make is whether or not your first result (680) is sufficient for your target schools (Duke, UCLA, Cornell et al). If we look at the raw data, your result is at or below the average test score for students admitted to the programs on your list. In addition, judging from your raw scores, my sense is that your quantitative result on the 680 exam may have fallen below the 80th percentile (feel free to confirm this), which could suggest a quant. weakness to the schools. So on the surface, you are falling a bit below average if we look at the GMAT alone vis-a-vis the schools on your list.

Of course, the GMAT is not the only component of your academic profile, and it's certainly possible that you make make up lost ground via other academic elements. Let's look at some of them:

GPA. Your GPA of 3.4, while strong, is not the sort of homerun you'd need in order to lower the importance of the GMAT. In other words, if you had a 3.8 GPA in a quantitatively rigourous major and a 680 on the GMAT, I'd likely just tell you to focus on your apps and not bother with a retake.

Caliber of Undergrad. You didn't give much information here, but unless you attended a top-10 type undergraduate program, my guess is that your alma mater alone will not neutralize the GMAT.

Area of Study. Was your major quantitatively oriented? Did you take courses in calculus, statistics, economics or accounting? Did you receive high marks in these courses?

While all of the factors above could help counter a low GMAT and bolster your academic profile, my general feeling is that you should strongly consider a retake. As you pointed out, the schools do not frown on candidates who take the test three times - and you don't feel that you've performed at your best just yet. I should also add that this year is looking to be quite competitive, so it woul be ideal not to go into the application process with any liabilities.

Of course, I am curious to know more about your background and application plans - since if the GMAT is going to impact the round in which you apply (e.g R1 vs. R2) that would be something we'd need to consider. Similarly, if you come from an under-represented group in the applicant pool, the relative importance of boosting an 'average' GMAT result may lessen.

Thanks again for your post. Hope this helps!

Best of luck,

Graham

patrick80 wrote:Hi guys-

I'm in need of a bit of advice. I took the GMAT late last year and scored a 680 (Q40 V44). After I took the test I was very happy with my score overall but felt like it wasn't my best performance, and that I could impove on the quant side of things. So...I decided to retake it. I studied for a couple of months with a real focus on my quant. I was testing very well on my GMAT Prep (710 and 710) and PowerPrep (690 and 740) practice tests. When I took the real thing last week i scored a 640. I was devastated. I almost started crying in the middle of the test center and I am not an emotional person. I honestly don't know what happened. I've decided that it really was just a nightmare scenario and that I simply wasn't on my game that day. So now my question is, should I take it for the third time? My thought is that at this point I really have nothing to lose ( I am VERY confident that I will not do worse than 640) since most schools don't frown upon three attemps. I had intended on applying to the middle of the pack of the Top 25 (Fuqua, Cornell, UCLA, UNC, Yale) but not sure I would be a viable candidate any longer. Here is a bit on my background.

- Analyst for a east coast Private Equity fund of funds
- 3.4 from a state school
- 6 yrs work experience in finance/investments
- numerous extra curricular activities board seats in community organizations, alumni organizations, athletics

Should I take it again or just concentrate on apps? I am confident in my ability to put together a solid package of essays and should get very positive letters of rec. I'm just wondering if I totally ruined it for myself by not leaving well enough alone. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Your 680 is either average or slightly below average at all your target schools. And your quant score is probably below the 80% comfort level. Your GPA is also average. With 6 years of work experience you are probably also tending towards the older end of the applicant pool. And you experience is in financial services and investments, which will probably be over represented in this year's applicant pool. (That experience may show quant skills, but I think that plus is outweighed by the over-representation.)

I think you would be better off retaking. A higher GMAT can't hurt you and you can still submit 2nd round after you retake the GMAT. As you say you have nothing to lose and quite a bit to gain.