Should I retake the GMAT 3rd time?

[vishalogy]

Hey there,
Here is my situation:
GMAT - 690 (Q49 V35, AWA 5.0)
This is on my second attempt. I got 640 on my 1st attempt. I was expecting at least 720 on my 2nd attempt because I was consistently scoring between 710-730 on GMAT prep and MGMAT.

Education:
MS in Metallurgy, University of Utah. GPA - 4.0/4.0
B.Tech in Mineral Engineering, Indian School of MInes - GPA (4.0/5.0, 2nd in class)

Work Ex:
3 years in USA working for a global mining company. Assumed various roles during these 3 years including hands-on operations, process and project engineering, and supervision over hourly employees.

I also have considerable social, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Because I have a good background in Operations Management, I am looking to apply to Sloan, Kellogg, Ross, and Columbia. I want to do an MBA from top 10 only. I might probably apply to Duke for safety.

But I am really really concerned about my GMAT. You think i should retake GMAT for the third time?? Also, time might be of concern here because i want to apply in 1st round at-least to Sloan and Duke.

You think I can put a comprehensive package together with the help of a professional consultant?? Please advice.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear vishalogy,

If you want to make the first round deadlines for at least 2 of your target schools, then you might not have time to retake your GMAT. It would depend on how much time you have outside of work and other obligations to prepare for the exam while writing your applications. Also, you would need to take the GMAT in the next 2-3 weeks. In keeping all of that in mind, I think you can determine if that is even an option for you.

As for whether or not to retake the GMAT, that is a tough call. Your 690 is a strong score and very close to the average for your target schools. Consequently, I'm not sure increasing your GMAT 10-20 points would ultimately have much of an effect on your decisions. Regardless of whether you apply with a 690 or a 740, you still must submit a strong application with good essays and recommendations. Thus you cannot sacrifice the quality of the other parts of your application to try and increase your GMAT.

Based on your post, I think you have a competitive profile with your 690. Your work experience is interesting and not the norm for an engineer from India. This should help to distinguish you from the competition. I do think a consultant might be able to help you with the essays and presentation of yourself in your applications. Should you decide to hire someone, you probably need to start working with him/her in the next couple of weeks to make your deadlines.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[vishalogy]

Lisa,

Thanks for the quick reply. Realistically, if I take the GMAT in the next couple of 3 weeks I might score around 720 and I agree that 20-30 points is not going to help out much. But, I am really worried about the 80/80 percentile cut off. Is that a myth or a fact??
I got 73 percentile in Verbal.
I was confident that I might be able to put together a compelling holistic package till someone mentioned to me about that 80/80 rule. If that is true no matter how good a case I put together, I will still end up in the reject pile.

[Lisa Anderson]

As mentioned in another post, the 80/80 guideline is just that--a guideline. It is not some hard cutoff to weed through the applications. I think you should channel your energy into a great set of essays and fabulous resume as that will be critical your admission evaluation. If you are still concerned, retaking the GMAT is an option for you--but not at the sacrifice of your essays.

Good luck,
Lisa