GMAT question

[Guest]

I know that the average MBA applicant writes the GMAT twice, so does it hurt an applicant to write it 3 times? I recently wrote the GMAT for the 2nd time and scored a 640 (78th percentile). The first time I wrote, I scored in the high 500's. The reason why I ask is because before this 640, I was scoring in the high 600's-low 700's on a number of practice tests. So I'm quite positive that I can score that high, but it just didn't come through on test day. My dream is to get into a top school, so I know the 640 is on the really low-end of their ranges, and my low gpa doesn't help either (although I was heavily involved in extra-curriculars and worked part-time to pay for school as well).

So will writing the GMAT for a 3rd time hurt or negatively impact my application? (assuming I score above 700 the 3rd time). Is it recommended instead that I focus on schools I can get into with the 640?

Thanks

[MBAApply]

In short, no.

The benefit of doing well on a 3rd attempt outweighs any concerns of taking the GMAT too many times (and 3x isn't really an issue).

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com

[Guest]

Thanks Alex :D