Cancel? Can't reschedule w/o eating the reg fee...

[jazzcat4u]

So I'm scheduled to take the GMAT in less than a week. If I had the choice, I would push it off and pay the $50 reschedule fee. Unfortunately, since I didn't reschedule sooner, I will have to eat the $250 registration fee.

Is it worth taking the GMAT knowing that I will prob score under 600 and giving it a try - just to see what happens (all of my practice scores have been in the 550-640 range)?

Or should I just cancel the test date, cut my losses and lose the $250 and reschedule once I start to score in the upper 600 range?

I know that you can retake the GMAT and schools will consider your highest score, so intuitively I think I should take it. At the same time, I'd rather not have a low score act as a blemish on my GMAT record.

Also, part of my confusion lies in what others have done in the past when they cancel their scores - to me why bother taking it in the first place? Is it just to experience the test center? Or did you freak out during the exam and didnt want others to see your results?

When ppl cancel scores, if you retake it the GMAT, shouldn't schools take the highest score - in that case, why cancel? Bit confused on people's motivations and reasons to cancel scores...which in turn has confused me about what I should do...

Please advise.

[Prasanna]

People cancel scores if they are very sure that the score is not going to be anywhere near the target score. More for cases like you had a very bad headache on that day affected your score.

If I were you, I would cancel rather report a score that I dont want schools to see. This is my personal opinion though

[wickely]

I would at least attempt it since it will give you experience with an actual test and you're going to have to pay the fee anyway. If you feel it went badly, you can cancel before you see the score. And if you retake and score better, the schools will consider your higher score anyway. It may help reduce your stress for the next one since you'll already know what the real test feels like. For me, it felt quite different than prepping at home!!

[jazzcat4u]

thanks for the feedback, i have until this wednesday to cancel. im still on the fence, not sure what to do. my gmat prep scores range btwn 500-600 and mgmat scores range btwn 500-650. worse case scenario is i score 500 on the real thing - in which case, is it even worth taking? not sure if its right to think of this as a one shot deal since i can always retake. my goal is at least 650

if i cancel and take the test in another 2-3 months
- i lose $250
- no official score will be on record
- i wont be stressed out and ill have time to work on my knowledge and confidence
- i wont lose my confidence by being crushed by a low score

if i test and score low (which is likely based on my practice tests)
- ill have a real idea of where i stand right now
- i might lose confidence and feel like i should give up altogether
- there will be a record of my low score
- ill have an idea of what its like in real test conditions (though ive taken other proctored exams there for continuing ed stuff for work - so im familiar with the test center itself)

ohhh what to do what to do...

[wickely]

If your goal is 650 and you have such a wide range of practice test scores, then I would reschedule (unless those scores have been on an upward trend.)