Back to back pathethic GMAT scores!! ADCOM perception!!

[Vivek Badgamia]

Greeting BTG Mates!!!!!!

I have taken the GMAT twice and ended up with pathetic scores of 460 on the first and 500 on the second attempt.
I have 4 and a half years of experience with a BIG 4 giant and have been promoted every year with them. I also participate and organise their CSR activities. My undergraduate scores are quite good and I have also completed a diploma in LAW. I applied to a top European school but was dinged. The alumni interviewing me loved my application but said that my GMAT score may take me down. Although I tried to rest on my strengths and highlight my personal and professional achievements, a low GMAT score dint go well with the ADCOM. I obviously intend to give the GMAT again!! will the number of GMAT attempts work against me?? plus 2 back to back pathetic scores!!!! What will be a good approach to take my applications forward!!! Im not keen on MBA programs in the US as I cant afford them!! would like to apply to INSEAD, LBS, IESE, HEC, RSM and ESADE!!!!!

Thanks a ton everyone!!!

[thunderdan]

Vivek,

I would suggest you to concentrate on the GMAT again may be also taking a course like KNEWTON might help to improve on the score. Have you tried testing on the manhattan gmat etc for the range you are hitting on test exams???

500 score may not get you into any of the programs you are mentioning because the school thinks that low a score may indicate failure to be able to complete the course work!! that is why your interviwer was specific about that issue.

Cheer up, go thru a course and practice a lot, you may be able to bump that score 600+.

[Vivek Badgamia]

Hey thanks for your input Thunderdan,

well these courses are not available where I live, but I shall try the manhattan tests. I heard they are brilliant!! Verbal has always been my weak point!! i shall browse through the blogs to seek strategies to improve my verbal score!!! thanks once again Thunderdan! all the best for your applications!!!

[MBACrystalBall]

I have 4 and a half years of experience with a BIG 4 giant and have been promoted every year with them.

Aah...memories. I worked in a Big-4 firm too before my MBA.[/quote]

will the number of GMAT attempts work against me??

The number of attempts won't hurt you. But another low score may hurt your morale and you need to save the energy for putting in a strong application.

What will be a good approach to take my applications forward!!!

If you have been working in a competitive working environment, you obviously have the capability to be successful in a business role. But you'll need to demonstrate to the Admissions committee that academics isn't a weak area.

If you've already spent time working on your own with test prep material, in the third attempt you could possibly get help from a tutor who can work with you to identify the gaps and create a personalized study plan for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a GMAT coach and my own score was quite low.