An Unbalanced 710 (Q45, V42)... Thoughts?

[gerkka]

First off, thanks to all of you at BTG -- you guys are more helpful than you think.

So anyway, just came back from the test center and received the following score:

710 (Q45, V42), 92 Percentile overall.

The big problem with this score is, while my verbal percentile was 95%, my math percentile was only 71%. For comparison, here are my practice test scores:

MGMAT 1: Q43, V45 = 720
MGMAT 2: Q43, V39 = 680
MGMAT 3: Q48, V41 = 730
GMAT Prep 1: Q49, V37 = 710
GMAT Prep 2: Q49, V41 = 740

So, what should I do. Should I re-take, considering I underperformed on my quant? To be fair, I'm not sure I underperformed -- the questions were just unlike anything I've ever seen.

Additionally, to put some perspective on this, I graduated from University of Texas at Austin last year with a 3.84 GPA in Finance. I have mostly A's, with a smattering of A-'s and A's in the calculus courses I took. From that standpoint, my math is pretty strong. I don't know what happened on this GMAT though...

I will post a debrief pretty soon, as well. First, I'm going to enjoy my dinner!
Thanks.

Gerkka

[gerkka]

So, as for my debrief... I've been studying for this exam for the last 5 months or so. I would usually study hour or more a day, as I rode a bus to work every morning and back. Therefore, it was pretty easy to build gradually. I initially focused on using all of the manhattan gmat materials -- the typical stuff that most people would use (the 8 strategy guides and a heavy emphasis on Number Properties).

I actually spent a lot of time using Jeff Sackmann's 1000 question set material -- it was, what I thought at least, responsible for my rise from 43 to 48 on the Manhattan GMAT. However, I now think this approach was ill advised, as my actual gmat quant score was substantially lower.

In terms of the best tip I can give:

Throughout the whole ordeal, you will doubt yourself. You will continually ask questions and probably even pray that you'll somehow eek out a score similar to your highest practice. I can honestly say, that because everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, that the GMAT is mostly a crap-shoot. I mean, you'll likely score in your predicted range based on your GMAT Preps, but there will be a lot of things you'll see during the actual test that will make you seriously scratch your head in disbelief and make you feel as if the world is coming to an end.

With that said, I'm now looking for your advice. What should I do? My profile, as I mentioned in a prior post, is that of a finance major from the University of Texas at Austin. I took this exam so I could get it out of the way, but I have no serious plans to go to business school for at least 4 years. I'm starting a trading analyst position with a Fortune 5 oil and gas company relatively soon, so I should have some marquee work experience.

My goal schools are Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, etc... the highest tier. I figure that, with a 3.84 GPA, a 710 GMAT score, several years of work experience in a high profile oil and gas company, and a host of extra curriculars I plan to work on, I would have a fair shot at a top tier school. However, I feel uncomfortable about the 71% math score. I felt that I was capable of a 740-760, but seemed to have missed out somehow.

What do you knowledgeable posters think, should I re-take?

Feel free to ask me about any additional questions you have -- you all have been extremely helpful for me.

[gerkka]

So, no one has any thoughts or suggestions...?

[gerkka]

Bump

[AbhiJ]

Try posting in Admission Sections of the site.

[pdshah]

I thought I'd answer it just to keep your thread alive.

I am taking my test on 8th of this month (Dec 2011) and I have done some research on the Unis that you mentioned.

710 is not a bad score; infact the top tiers average the GPA around 720. That means there are plenty of 690s, 700s and 710s. You mentioned maths percentile being low, are you going to major in MBA-Finance? I guess it would matter a little bit for the admission committee in that case; but I don't think that alone would be a factor for your rejection.

Since you gave the test around Nov 21st you can retake the test around Dec 22nd and afterwards. This means you still have time to submit the scores for your schools as most of them have 2nd round deadline after January 5. I suggest that you start preparing the application materials (essays, letters, transcipts, forms etc) for these school and keep them ready. Then, take the test on Dec 22nd and see if the score improves. If the score improves then great, if it doesn't then you still will apply before the deadline since you would have prepared all the application material.

Hope that helps.

[ccatcher]

I have read that a low quant score can be a cause for concern but if your CGPA shows strong quant skills, you should be fine. You will have to explain it in the essays. But again, given the word limit and all, it becomes kind of difficult to include a lot of stuff.

This is just my personal view though. Initially, I had a GMAT score of 690(49Q,35V), and I was told repeatedly that I should focus on my essays but I could not as I kept thinking of my score. I wrote the test days before the first deadline and got a better score. It may not have improved my chances significantly but it definitely boosted my confidence, which I am sure reflected in my essays.

[gerkka]

I'll go ahead and take the test again, since I'm not actually applying to go to school for another few years. I haven't yet used the GMAT Club Tests, but I'll probably make that purchase now.

[Bschool2013]

I'll go ahead and take the test again, since I'm not actually applying to go to school for another few years. I haven't yet used the GMAT Club Tests, but I'll probably make that purchase now.

Good move. You've got the luxury of time, and taking the test again can't hurt you.