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What is a Strong Quant Score?

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by bgphelps » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:41 am
I am a non-traditional applicant and I am concerned about showing my quantitative abilities on the GMAT. So...

What would be a good target score for the Quant section if I want to show a school like Wharton that I am capable of handling its heavy emphasis on analytics. I have minimal/average quant experience from undergrad.
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:23 pm
With the average GMAT for the top schools increasing to as high as 730 plus, you ideally want to deliver a balanced score versus getting a great score on the verbal and low percentile on the quant. In your situation, I would aim for over 80% percentile on the quant and hope your verbal can get your total score into the 700s. Of course a quant score closer to the 90% percentile will make your candidacy more attractive and better answer any doubts about a low GPA and your analytical firepower.

I have encouraged my clients who have scored above 700, but who have a low quant split to take the test again. They are usually resistant at first given the stress of retaking the GMAT, but you really can't afford to have major red flags for the top schools. Of course if a client's practice tests suggest that he/she will not materially move the needle on a retake, then I suggest moving on and putting effort into other application components.

Hope this helps.
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by bgphelps » Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:14 pm
It does, thanks for your comments. I asked because my scores have already been 700+ but that has been because of my verbal is well into the 90th percentile. My most recent Q score was 45 so I will leave verbal alone try to push Q into the 80th if not 90th percentile by test day.

Thanks again!
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:25 pm
Sure. Another pointer is consider, time permitting of course, taking a class in a quantitative area of business and doing well in the class. If your undergrad transcript is light on the quant side, then take a finance or statistics class at a reputable extension school in your area. Showing the admissions committee your interest and time commitment to your analytical side can also augment this aspect of your profile.
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by bgphelps » Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:38 pm
Alright, let's put this in perspective real quick so you can let me know if I'm over-thinking my quantitative background.

College quant courses:

Intro to Finance
Intro to Statistics
Inferential Statistics

And I'm not sure how Econ figures into this but I have taken Intro. to Econ and International Trade and Finance. A's in every one of these classes.

My real concern is that I think this type of quant work is very basic compared to what I expect other applicants have. There is also a noticeable gap in that I somehow got by without ever taking a calculus course. I will have time to take these courses before beginning the MBA, but not before sending in applications. The admissions coordinator at Wharton recommended I apply during the first round so that they can have flexibility in accepting me pending completion of certain classes (aside from calculus, I have also never taken micro or macro economics which I would like to have before beginning as well).

So, am I underestimating what I've done (or overestimating the competition)? I think the GMAT is a great way to show that I am capable of handling the quant side of things but I didn't know what kind of score to aim for. Based on your advice and my own thoughts on the matter, I think a 49 or 50 would be ideal.

I am also a very non-traditional applicant in that after college I joined the Peace Corps and have had to do little to no professional work in quantitative areas.

Thanks for the help, if I could afford your services I'd consider them ; ). In the meantime, good luck with your company and thanks for the tips you posted here and there. I thought '5 Reasons why Top MBA Candidates Fail' was a good post.

Best,

Brian
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:08 pm
Brian,

That coursework is more than ample to demonstrate your quant side, so yes you are over thinking it with such strong performance. So yes apply without additional coursework completed.

Second, you would do well to get your apps in Round One, as there are "no seats taken on the bus" if you follow the metaphor.

Your Peace Corps work can be a real asset from a story telling perspective, so don't apologize for that in any way. You just need to show, like private sector analysts/managers, how you handled people conflicts, persuaded your peers or supervisors, managed timelines, advocated solutions outside of the status quo....and all those other good examples of leadership.

Thanks for your shout out on my website article:

https://prepmba.com/tips2.html

And let me know if you need hourly help vs a package---Peace Corps grads deserve a price break!

Best of Luck,

Alex
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by yates » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:19 pm
I've heard that top MBA programs regard a quant score of less than 70th percentile as evidence that the applicant may struggle intellectually with the subject matter. Allegedly candidates with quant scores in this range are not offered admission, regardless of how strong the rest of their application looks. Again, this is just what I've heard, and I don't know if it's true.
GMATPrep1: (6/9/11); 690 (42 verbal; 41 quant); GMATPrep2: (6/22/11); 680 (42 verbal; 40 quant- ARGH!!)
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by yates » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:24 pm
PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal wrote:I have encouraged my clients who have scored above 700, but who have a low quant split to take the test again. They are usually resistant at first given the stress of retaking the GMAT, but you really can't afford to have major red flags for the top schools.
Hope this helps.
Does this hold true even for candidates who are clearly going to specialize in something like marketing, or organizational theory/human capital type stuff?

(P.S. - I'm not planning to apply to a top MBA program either way.)
GMATPrep1: (6/9/11); 690 (42 verbal; 41 quant); GMATPrep2: (6/22/11); 680 (42 verbal; 40 quant- ARGH!!)
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:37 pm
In my opinion, this has more to do with school ranking and less to do with potential focus. A school ranked number 25 will be less apt to demand high scores on both, whereas a top 10 school will indeed care about a low quant regardless of what you want to specialize in. It's more an issue of selectivity.

Alex
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by Toddius » Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:12 am
Alex - I have a 720 (46 Q, 44 V) - do I need to take the test again? I wasn't planning on it. I do think I could do a little better (high practice test of 49 (twice) - more consistently around a 47 or 48). Several people told me that I'd be alright where I'm at. What do you think? I'm not applying to HBS, Stanford or Wharton, but I am applying to competitive schools - Tuck, Fuqua, Darden, Anderson, etc.
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:50 am
Hi Toddius,

I think your score is solid, and I would only suggest taking it again if you feel you can get the quant to maybe the 85 percentile. That being said, if you are applying round one then you may want to start focusing on the essays/recs...


What was your undergrad and gpa? If you don't feel comfortable broadcasting that, then email me privately to [email protected] I generally have my students with red flag gpas push a bit more on the gmat (if there is meat left on the bone) to put to rest any doubts of intellectual firepower.

Alex
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