Do I need to retake the test ???

[yalanand]

Dear Admission Consultatns,

I am really confused whether to take GMAT once again or apply with the same score and hope for the best ?

My GMAT score : 620 (Q : 49 V:27)

Work Experience : 5 years 6 months in Semiconductor Industry.

GPA : (7.5/10) (Electronics and Communication Engineer)

Leadership Exp : Was leading a team of 10.

Extracurricular : Good at photography, Have won several competitoins in photography.

Career interests : MBA Finance

Reccomendation : I have worked with and can easily get recommendations from Semiconductor Industry giants.

Community service : Active member of Rangde.org (Which is a Micro financing company), Participated in ngopost.org activities.

Hobbies : Bird watching, playing guitar, travelling, Stock markets, Forex trading.

Please comment on the profile.

Regards,
Anand

[yalanand]

Please can somebody answer this ?

[Graham]

Dear Yalanand,

Thanks for your post!

The reason for the delayed reply is probably because you didn't indicate which programs you might be targeting...

Assuming you are looking at top-25 schools, my opinion is that you should absolutely retake the GMAT. For starters, your 620 is nearly 100 points below the average at leading schools like Wharton. Second, your verbal raw score of 27 places you in the 46th percentile of all test takers. This is not only a low score, but it plays into the stereotype that some admissions officers have with regards to engineers ("good with numbers not with words"). As such, it will hurt your chances for admission. Top schools like to see applicants pass the 80th percentile in both sections of the exam.

Beyond the GMAT, the rest of your profile looks fairly promising. You seem to be active, artistic, experienced, etc. I do have some concerns about your goals - since I fail to see the connection between your experience in the semiconductor field and a career in finance...but that's something you'd need to discuss with one of our counselors. Feel free to send along a resume ([email protected]) if you'd like to set up a free session.

Best of luck,

Graham

[yalanand]

Hi Graham,
Thanks a lot for your reply. I agree its some what surprising that I am choosing Finance Career, but this is the field where i would love to work in future. I am planning to attend CFA exams as well. I realised my passion for finance when i became familiar with Stock markets, forex markets and commodity markets. Please let me know if the decision makes sense, feel free to give your perspective. I have noted down the email Id. I will soon contact you personally.

And I am preparing for Second round of GMAT...definitely I will beat GMAT this time very badly.....