# of GMAT test attempts

[s_ab]

Hello,

I've taken the GMAT test once and am not entirely satisfied with my score. I have been preparing to take the test again, however I am anxious about the thought of perhaps getting a lower score the second time. I don't want to think negatively but I would like to know if a lower score in the second attempt would hurt my chances of getting into schools that I could perhaps get in to with my current score. My current score is 640 but what I really want is 680+ as I understand that it's those numbers that top schools prefer.
Any advise on this would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

[Scott@VeritasPrep]

Hello,

Taking the GMAT again is a no-lose proposition. Business schools really mean it when they say they look at your highest score. Most schools will look at your highest OVERALL score (they won't combine the quant score from one sitting with the verbal score from another), but they know that many applicants take the test more than once, and are willing to believe that your highest score is the best indicator of your ability. If you take it again and get score below 640, this won't matter.

There's no specific score that top schools prefer (and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong), but a 640 definitely is low enough to hurt your chances. Go for it again... You have nothing to lose!

Scott

[s_ab]

Thanks very much for the quick and helpful reply! I really did/do want to take the test again because I wanted to get better score but then I started worrying about what I could lose if I didn't do better. I feel much better after reading what you just said and I'm going to go for it.

Just one question - what exactly did you mean when you said "...but a 640 definitely is lwo enough to hurt your chances"?

Thanks again, Scott!

[Scott@VeritasPrep]

Oops... typo... I meant "low enough"...

There's definitely no magic number or hard cut-off score, but a good starting point is to look at the middle-80% range of GMAT scores for every school's incoming class. If you're below that (and a 640 will put you below that, or just barely inside of it at most top schools) for your target school, then your score will most likely negatively impact your chances of success.

Scott

[s_ab]

Thanks, Scott... that makes sense!