Evaluation Request

[mkutlu]

I have taken the GMAT exam for four times and my scores are as following:

09/2008 V-26 , Q-49 , total score: 610 , AWA: 4.0
10/2008 V-19 , Q-50 , total score: 570 , AWA: 4.5
12/2008 V-26 , Q-50 , total score: 640 , AWA: 4.0

These are my real exam scores. On the manhattan practice tests I was getting scores around (710 - 730). After my third GMAT exam I gave a break for my study on the exam and 1 year later I took my last GMAT exam with only 3 days of preparation and my score was:

03/2010 V-35 , Q-49, Total Score: 690 , AWA: 4.0

It was surprising to see the improvement on my score since I only studied in the last 3 days before the exam. I only took 1 manhattan pactice exam and I got V-36, Q - 48 and in total 690 on that practice exam. So my real exam performance revealed the same score that I got in my manhattan practice exam.

I think my performance was better compared to my previous exams because I had a better time management and less stress although I did not prepared for the exam.

Now with that score on hand, I wonder whether I should prepare for the test and try improve my score over 700 or is it enough for Stanford, Kellog, Wharton, Sloan or Chicago.

My GPA is 3.53 and my major is Industrial Engineering

In total I have 9 years of work experience , 5 year is in private sector and and 4 year in public sector. My work experience in public sector is focused on feasibility analysis, project finance and project management.

Considering my score and background, could you please give me an advice on what should I do?

Thank you for your help.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear mkutlu,

Congratulations on your 690! That is awesome and quite an achievement! Statistically and probability-wise, the likelihood you will increase your score again is slim. Nevertheless, it is your decision on whether or not you feel you can increase it. I think your 690 is a competitive score for most schools, even though it is slightly below average for the top ~12. Depending on what the rest of your profile looks like, you might be very competitive at a 690 as applications are evaluated holistically and the GMAT is not weighted more than any other component. Your GPA is above average in a tough discipline; you also have significant work experience. I think the quality of the rest of your application is probably more important at this point than a 10-20 point increase in the GMAT, but that is my opinion. Regardless of what you decide, just be sure to have at least 1-3 reasonable to safety schools in your mix for a back up plan--it is prudent for any MBA applicant to have a good mix of schools.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[mkutlu]

Than you Lisa for your kind reply.

My best regards,

mkutlu