GMAT - Are you allowed 4 attempts?

[workhard_1978]

Guys

One question - How many attempts are we allowed.?

If I score 700 + on the 4th attempt , how will the schools view it ?

Will they still consider my 4th attempt as the final score?

Please let me know

Regards

- A

[Kelly McDonald]

I don't believe their is a limit, but taking he GMAT is not exactly a cheap endeavor. Individual schools vary on how they treat multiple scores, some take an average, other the highest.

However you need to remember that when the admissions committee looks at your application it's not just a matter of them checking off boxes based on GMAT scores and GPA's. They are looking at the whole candidate. Does taking the GMAT multiple times indicate a never give up attitude, or a couldn't be bothered to study the first 3 times attitude. You are trying to demonstrate that you are the type of person that can succeed in the program and put what you learn to good use (thus reflecting well on the school you attended).

My thought is why wouldn't you prepare to the best of your ability, choose your target score, practice, study, review, take it once and be done with it.

Anyways, my 2 cents

Kelly

[frantastic]

I have yet to hear of an actual school that averages GMAT scores. They pretty much all take your highest.

Four scores is pushing it, BUT if you are seeking a significant improvement, it would be worth it. If you've already scored ~690 and that was the third attempt, while the other two scores were within 50 points of that, I wouldn't retake.

What are your scores so far? What did you do to prep in between them? What are the average scores for the schools you're applying to? How strong is the rest of your app?

One thing to remember: a GMAT score won't get you in, but it can keep you out. If it's average for that school, it won't hurt you. If it's well below average, kick butt in practice and retake when you're confident about the result.

[snuman]

I agree. I have never heard or see on any school website that says that they average GMAT. I think all schools take your highest GMAT.

Nauman

[Stacey Koprince]

Yes, the vast majority take the highest score, but you can always check with individual schools to find out what the policy is for that school.

Most schools don't look adversely on up to three tests. They may have questions for you at the four-plus mark, though that could also depend on the timeframe (did you take all four within a year? or did you take it a couple of times three years ago and then a couple of times again recently?). (The latter situation is better, obviously.) In any event, many schools don't have an official policy on this so it also depends on the attitude of the specific admissions officer who views your application - they may interpret it as perseverence (good!) or a lack of focus (bad...). Unfortunately, there's no way to know for sure.

[Bubba]

i just took the gmat a second time. first time i scored a 610 (42nd percentile in quant and 84th percentile in verbal). i decided to retake it a month later and did nothing but study quant. on my second attempt i scored a 640 (33rd percentile quant and 97th percentile in verbal). So after dedicating about 100 hours over a month, my quant score actually decreased!! I've decided to wait and take it once more but only once I am consistently scoring in the 60th percentile and up range in quant on gmat prep. I think my main disadvantage in quant is that i never solidified my math skills as a youngster so at age 25 it is hard to relearn those concepts and have them stick. I think I truly need to start at the basics and work with that approach. i don't even know how i passed calculus in undergrad...truly pathetic gmat quant score...it is extremely frustrating to put in a lot of time and effort only to see your score decrease! any tips on the best way to study for quant? i just purchased a few quant books and did a lot of practice problems and did like 10 gmatprep tests, which is why i think i've practically mastered the verbal, as a result of seeing the types of questions over and over.

questions about grad schools - let's say that hypothetically i get my quant score up to the 60-70th percentile range and my gmat goes above 700, how will schools view that?

[Stacey Koprince]

Nice job on the verbal. (Seriously - I know you're upset about your quant score, but take a moment to congratulate yourself on that great verbal score.)

How was your timing on the quant section? Did you move steadily through, giving about 2 min to each question? Or was your timing more up and down? If the latter, were you too quick overall (finished with lots of time left)? Too slow (ran out of time towards the end and had to start working very quickly or guessing)? Give as much detail as you can remember.

How were your nerves? Did you feel like you were doing okay? Were you able to concentrate as well as you normally do? Did you feel like you recognized things or did everything seem unusual / new to you?

[wonderland130]

Congrats on verbal indeed. anyone who can get 84+% on verbal can easily 700+; quant is much easier to improve.