Should I retake?

Launched September 22, 2008
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:21 am

Should I retake?

by mr032123 » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:31 am
Hi there,
I have my second GMAT scheduled for Monday (3 days from now) but I am still wavering on whether or not to go through with it.
I took it a month ago and scored 720 (Q45 -72% V45 -98%). Overall was 94th%ile. AWA 5.0.

I haven't studied much since then but I felt that the math very extremely hard (relative to my tons of practice) and think it's possible that I can go up a couple Q points just by trying a new set of questions. In other words, I think the 45 score could have just been due to fluke/chance regarding the questions I got. My max is probably 48 though - on a very good day. Realistically I could do 46 or 47.

I'm applying to 3 schools: Harvard, Wharton and Columbia. I had a 3.9 undergrad and have an interesting work background, but none of it has been quant-related (got an A in stats and microeconomics, and a B in precalc, but that's ALL I took). I know they'll be looking for evidence of my quant skills and my 72% is a red flag, but is it a deal-breaker?

Also, I know this is silly but the 5.0 AWA bothers me because my job is in communications and a large part of what I do is writing.

Taking the test won't take away from essays at this point...I'm just weighing it against the chance that I might go down (on Wharton's app you need to report all scores). Is it worth the risk to get a 77% or so percentile in quant?

Thanks!
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:34 pm
Hi,

Did you end up retaking the GMAT? If so, how did it go?

Regards,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:21 am

by mr032123 » Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:40 pm
Yes - I just took it...and got the same score! Well, the verbal was 97th %ile, not 98th, but still 720, 94th %ile overall.

Ok, so I know this is not ideal, but does it HURT me?

Thanks....

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:43 pm
Wow! The same score is so much better than a lower score. No need to worry at all! It's better for you to have retaken the test so that you are satisfied with your score than it is to always wonder if you could have done better. You have a good score that you can and should be proud of. The adcom won't view your recent attempt in a negative way.

Best,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.