Need some advice- BAD GMAT score..

[GmATrocity]

Hello everyone, I figured I would try this site out finally.

I plan on going to a B-school this upcoming summer/fall semester.
I studied immensely for the GMAT remembering that standardized tests and myself have never really met eye to eye... I bombed my GMAT so bad I didn't even think it was possible. Let just say under 500 for arguments sake. It is now clear that self-prep just wont cut it for me, but I don't want to hold off on going to school.

The only thing I had going for me on the GMAT was a 5.5/6 on my AWA which I know really doesn't help my case. However, I currently have a 3.2 but it will likely be a 3.4 soon. I am the VP and active member of my school's marketing club/am interning at a legit agency/can get wonderful recommendations from any professor, or employer I have had over the last few years/Got a legitimate 4.0 this last semester/Am a great interviewer

With all of this being said, I'm basically SOL either way right? What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

[gtg279v]

"With all of this being said, I'm basically SOL either way right? What do you guys think?"

The answer to your question COMPLETELY depends on where you intend on applying.

I do think you should take the time to retake the exam because you will have a difficult time at any reputable program.

If I were you, I would not want to write an essay explaining why I scored so low, and why I did not make the effort to try again. This will not look good in the eyes of the adcom.

I scored a 520 my first go around and a 700 a few months later. You need to methodically come up with a study plan. This is a great webpage to do so. Welcome to the club.

[WouldBeCrazy]

GMAT test is completely different than most of the tests. If you understand the differences clearly, you will beat GMAT too easily.

Regarding GMAT score, you will get a mixed opinion. Some will say it is extremely tough and some will say it is extremely easy. I fall in the second category.

The reason is very simple, GMAT is unlike most of the other test. GMAT test your fundamental knowledge, your intelligence, your smartness, your time management and most importantly, how you conserve energy for the critical elements. The moment you know all these tricks, it is so easy.

The very first step is identifying the right books/material. It does not help anyway if you read questionable books and mess up your fundamentals.

Hold the temptation to jump into practice test. I repeat, don't jump into the test first. Have patience and read the fundamental first. Complete the fundamental and then attack test.

If you can identify your books quickly, a 3 month study plan is more than sufficient. 3 month of a working person. 2 hours on weekdays, say from 10pm-00AM and 10-12 hours on weekends. You need to commit the time.

I am not a rocket scientist, I have full managerial responsibility at office and infants at home ... and I am saying, scoring 700 in GMAT is quite easy.

Bang GMAT wrongly, you will hurt. bang it right and you will be through!!

[machichi]

Are you trying to go to B-school straight from undergrad? Why?

Slow down tiger. Finish school, study while you're looking for a job, take the exam and do well, get a job, and then apply in 2 years. The reputable programs prefer you to have at least 2 years experience under your belt.

[bpolley00]

Here is my advice: re-take it, and this time study. The first time I took it I got a 590 and I can tell you right now I did not have a comprehenesive understanding of how the test worked. I haven't taken my second test yet; however, I feel much bettter about this attempt than my last as my practice tests are much higher than they use to be. My general advice:

1) Purchase Manhattan's books and the OG
2) The goal is not just to simply go through the questions. That is how I studied the first time and it was futile. Take detailed notes of Manhattan's guides, do some of OG, review your errors and categorically write down every type of question, the rules that go with that type of question, and examples of that category. If you don't practice the same types of questions it is much more difficult to wrap your head around that question the next time you see it. You have to understand each question and know a few ways to solve them.
3) review the GMATPREP tests and write down why you missed it whether it be a rule or a non-understanding of the question
4) Continue to speak with the experts on this forum. They are great resources and very candid. In fact, if I had the capital right now I would certainly be utilizing them to study for this test as it probably would have saved me a lot of time of having to figure out how the test works on my own. They also probably would have showed me a way more efficient way to study for the test from the get go. For me personally, Tommy, Brian, and Ron have all been amazingly generous with their advice. I mean, if I were them, I would not be giving my intellectual advice out for free, why should they? This is how they make a living and it isn't as if it didn't take them awhile to get good at it. In fact, I don't really understand why they do, my best guess is because the amount of people who have gotten a 700+ on the gmat has now increased, so it is more competitive; thus they don't really have an oligopoly on the information anymore. There is a little Econ for you
5) There is no real rush to get this done. My whole perspective on the test is that I am 25 years old. It could take me the next 4 years to get done and I would still be at the age to get my masters if I wanted. So you might as well take your time and get it done right, right? In fact, I am not planning on going for a few years, I am just getting this done before life starts to pick up and I have more responsabilities.

Finally, I have kind of made the mistake of having the attitude of finding issues with the test here and there. While some of these concerns may be valid they don't really matter. What matters is that you achieve the score that you want. While I understand some people are more intellectually talented than others and pick up ideas faster, my whole mentallity is that anyone should be able to get a 700 or above as there is a limited number of questions the GMAT can ask you (Thanks Brian Lange). I just think the difference is really how bad that person wants it and who really cares the most.

That is my 2 cents, take it or leave it .

-BP

[mbaguy2012]

Here is another proposition for you.

If you have an undergrad degree with little (<2yrs) or no experience at all, you can apply to a plethora of very reputed business schools for their MSc/MA programs without taking a GMAT or a GRE exam. MBA has always been & still is a very respected degree but with the turn of events in the last 6 odd years, it is loosing its sheen very quickly and specialized courses are picking up specially for relatively young & inexperienced candidates like you. For instance, you can apply to the MSc in Economics & Strategy program at London's famous Imperial College Business School, one of the best b-schools in the UK and a very reputed global business school. Imperial also offers several other specialized MSc programs for young graduates. Further details can be found at https://www3.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/programmes

Other very reputed schools offering such MSc programs are HEC Paris, Manchester Business School, Cranfield School of Management, Rotterdam School of Management, UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School.

You can also look at schools like Stockholm school of economics in Sweden and Copenhagen business school in Denmark, which are top schools in their region. If at all you decide to pursue an MSc, which would be a wise decision to make, make sure you aim a top school. HEC Paris would top the list above. Try to look for more information on CEMS. https://www.cems.org/

Many business schools in Asia also offer such Masters programs for young & inexperienced graduates. Try to find a couple of good ones but only at top schools like NTU & NUS in Singapore.

Hope it helps.