What my chances for getting through any of the top 25 B S?

[siddharthmehta]

Hello,

I am Siddharth and i am from India. I am working in an Engg firm, a mechanical engg myself. I have an experience of 5 years in a multinational company (Alstom project) as purchase manager.

I have taken 3 attempts on GMAT.

1) 460-1st attempt Didnt know what to do.
2) 550-2nd attempt (Depressed).
3) 650-3rd attempt.

I have a 5 years work experience in supply chain management. And i am honestly targeting the top 20 to 25 B-Schools. I would like to seek your advice on the following queries that i have.

1) Is there a cap on the number of attempts i can take on the GMAT exam. Or is it considered by the top B-Schools that beyond "X" number of attempts a candidate will not be allowed to apply to a B-School or is the score averaged out. What is the criteria? Please need your help.

2) Will the 4th attempt be useful seeing the way i have been improving? (I am really targeting ISB Hyderabad)

3) Also at the current score and the profile what is my chances to get through the top 20 to 25 B-Schools?

Request you to please revert.

Thanks in advance
Sid

[machichi]

1) No there is no cap, and I believe GMAC only reports your 5 most recent scores. B-schools only consider your top score, not the average.

2) You don't need to retake, but if you want to put the same kind of time and effort into it, you might benefit from a retake.

3) Honestly, a 680 is 10x better than a 650, statistically speaking. That's the lower 80th percentile for top 25 business schools (some is 660). You would be served by a higher score, but hey, anything's possible!