Does one has her own limitation???

[orpheus]

Hi guys,

I am a firm believer of hardwork. Well after all, all the debriefs are about people with lots of hard work get a really good score. Still, there is an exception for everything. Unfortunately, I am that exception.

Here is my Gmat history

Gmat 1: Feb 2012 --->540 (Q: 40, V 22, W: 4.5)
Gmat 2: Ja 2013----->640 (Q: 45, V 34, I:6, W 5)
Gmat 3: Oct 2013---->610 (Q: 47, V: 28)

This third time around, I have no idea what went wrong. I have a full understanding of the test question types, practice a ton and prepare for a long time. I have studied mahattan guide book, OG 12&13, studied 20 pages in GMAT verbal section of BTG, took all 30 test in the 30 test set under the timed condition. I search every question I got wrong and read the explanation for a full comprehension. I enrolled in a prep course. I watched EVERY SINGLE video Thursday w. Ron. Overall, I have no idea where I can improve my score.

That said. Now I am in doubt of my capability. Maybe I have reached my maximum and there is no room left for improvement. I don't know guys. I dont think I will go for another test but seeing 700 all around, I am kind of sad. I have not beat myself in this GMAT game

What should I do next? Giving up an MBA and apply for an MS degree? I am pretty old (27) to apply for an MS degree I think.

[[email protected]]

Hi orpheus,

Your second GMAT score is solid; a 640 will get you a decent "look" at most US Business Schools, so you might be fine with what you have. Business Schools know that not all applicants are great Test Takers, which is why the application process normally consists of 6 or 7 pieces (sometimes there's an interview, sometimes there's not). If you have have strong work experience and can write some strong personal statements/essays, then you could very easily be admitted to a top program. I'd suggest that you consult with an Admissions Consultant about the specific schools/programs that you're interested in and see what kind of advice you receive. Based on that advice, and your own goals/desires, you can plan from there.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[orpheus]

Thank you Rich.

Just seeing how many people get 700 around me (in real life and on the web) I thought I could do it as well. I just feel disappointed because after all the hard work, I still did not beat the GMAT. Since you are so kind to take a look at my post, is it ok if I can ask more question regarding my next step in the process?

Here are my stats:

GPA: 3.26 Major accounting at a regional Midwest school

Yrs of exp: 4 year by 2014 (1 year in the US and 3 year abroad), found a charity,start up experience, no brand name company, international exposure

Interested in MBA Marketing

Geographic wanted: NC, CA, TX

School: UNC (reach since it has always been my target school) Loyola CA (strong regional network), Peperdine CA (strong regional network). U of Houston (strong regional network).

Other facts: international student. I applied R3 last year and was offered scholarship to a 80th rank school (ranking according to businessweek)

I am thinking of go ahead and apply round 1 for those above schools. After that, I can retake the Gmat (if necessary) around late December. Is it a reasonable plan? Would the decrease in GMAT score affect my application? Do I need to write an optional essay? (I honestly dont't understand that myself so I am not sure at the moment how to explain this) This year is a last year and I can't wait any longer. Please advise!

Thank you so much!!!

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Just seeing how many people get 700 around me (in real life and on the web) I thought I could do it as well.

I just want to address two things.

First, only about 10% of test-takers get 700 or more, so these scores aren't as common as one might assume from the posts in the I Just Beat The GMAT forum. Now that so many people have posted things like "I got a pathetic 680 on the GMAT, should I get a lobotomy?" I believe that many others are unwilling to post a story about lower scores. Thus, we get the skewed sense that most people get amazing scores on test day.

Second, I want to suggest that it's quite possible that you just had a bad day on your last test. I certainly don't think that your skills are deteriorating. On this latest test, the Verbal section was your undoing (you went from V34 to V28). This is not uncommon. Sometimes a ridiculously long and difficult RC passage can knock you off your game (both in timing and in confidence). Unlike the quant section, where you can easily pass on a question, the Verbal section has RC passages with up to 4 questions, so you really can't skip the passage altogether. I have a feeling that if you wrote the test today, your score would be MUCH HIGHER.

Having said all of that, you may not need to retake the test anyway (as Rich has noted)

Cheers,
Brent

[orpheus]

Thank you Brent. After reading your optimistic post somehow I have the courage for the 4th test

[[email protected]]

Hi orpheus,

You'd likely get the most accurate assessment of your application/chances by speaking with an admissions consultant, but with your list of target schools, I can tell you that your 640 is certainly high enough to apply to all of them. Remember that schools publish their AVERAGE GMAT scores for each class; by definition, some of their students scored higher than the average and some of them scored lower than the average. The 640/Q45 or Q47 is really good. Assuming the rest of your application (essays, letters of rec, etc.) are solid, then there's a good chance that you'd get accepted so some (if not all) of your listed schools.

Since you have a few months until the Round 2 deadlines, you have time to decide what you want to do, but it's worth noting that you are in pretty good shape right now, so a retest is probably not necessary. If you do end up choosing to retest, then feel free to contact me directly, and I'll offer some suggestions on how to proceed.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich