How many times can one take the GMAT?

[swissstud]

Hey guys,

this is my first post, glad to be part of the community here.

I have a question regarding the GMAT and regarding the number of times one can/should take the test.


The application deadline for the university I wanna go to (University of St.Gallen) is April 30th (September 2013 semester start).

I've only just started studying and practicing for the GMAT. I got a severe concussion a bit more than a month ago and couldn't do anything up to now. I'm still not supposed to do anything at all (tv, computer, even reading) but I have to get started otherwise I'll never make it. Thing is I also have my bachelor degree paper to write and I have my uni exams in January so I really need to get going.

How many time can one take the GMAT? I've heard several people say that you can take as many as you want but after 3-4 tries, the school will be suspicious. How so? Do you have to send the scores of all the GMATs you have taken? I would have thought that you simply have to send the best score. Why is it that you have to send all your scores?

I need a 680 score so I might have to take more than one. Also, do you have to wait a certain amount of time between your tries or can you just go back when you want?

I thinking of taking one around the 25th of December, and if it's not good enough, one in February or March, or both.

Also, how long does it take to get the results back. Taking the test in April might be a bit tricky if the delay to receive the scores is quite long.

At the moment, I can only study small periods of time, I have a lot of trouble concentrating. I've only just started working on the math section. I'm thinking that I might be able to take my first GMAT test between the 20th-30th December.

thanks

[Bill@VeritasPrep]

Each subsequent GMAT score report includes all of your previous scores from the past 5 years, i.e. your 3rd score report will also list your first and second attempts.

You have to wait 30 days before taking the GMAT again.

[swissstud]

thanks for the info!

What do you think of my plan? One in December and one in February or March?

Also how long on average do you have to wait to receive the scores?

[Bill@VeritasPrep]

It's not a bad plan, but I would take a practice test before setting a date. If you're shooting for a 680, and your practice test shows a 550, then it's going to be hard to make that up in a month. January and then March/April might be better in that case.

You get an unofficial report with your overall, quant, and verbal scores after you finish the exam, and you'll get the official report with AWA and IR scores within a couple of weeks.

[swissstud]

It's not a bad plan, but I would take a practice test before setting a date. If you're shooting for a 680, and your practice test shows a 550, then it's going to be hard to make that up in a month. January and then March/April might be better in that case.

You get an unofficial report with your overall, quant, and verbal scores after you finish the exam, and you'll get the official report with AWA and IR scores within a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the info.

Yeah a December date is a bit unrealistic, I wouldn't even have had a month to study.

Anyway, I scheduled my test on January 10th 2013. I could have taken it in December but I would have had to travel 3+ hours whereas if I take in January, the test center is only 35-40 min away and the fact that I'm taking it at 12.45 pm is also good I think, I can get enough sleep.

The uni I wish to apply to has its application deadline on April 30th, so really, I can only take the test once, maybe twice. Might as well give it my best. I have 40 days to study everything.

With my PCS (post concussion syndrome) it's not easy studying but I'm trying to get as much done as I can.

I'm not really following a specific plan. I just opened the official GMAT book (red one) and started studying.

So how should I go about with this?

I've been studying the math sections for quite some time now. Did 230 test questions, got 150 right, now I'm going back and doing the ones I got wrong.

Should I take a practice test online with the official software and then see what I should do?

I seriously don't want to mess this up. I need a 680 score. Anything less and I can't apply.

Cheers