Hello,
I took the GMAT for the first time last month and my worse nightmare came true! After a grueling 4 hours in front of the computer, I ended up getting a score of 690 (Q47, V38, IR5). I was especially distraught upon seeing this score, partly because it barely missed the 700 mark and partly because all my practice CATs ranged from 700 - 760. In the heat of the moment, I decided to cancel my score. After thinking about this for a bit, I am now wondering if it would be wiser to reinstate it? I am retaking the GMAT next month, and have been studying hard to perform well the second time around.
For what it's worth, my personal goal for the GMAT (e.g. my "happy place") is a 740+ score to be competitive at the M7 schools. Seeing the results of my practice CATs, I know I can definitely achieve this.
What should I do? Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
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- StanR919
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- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
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- Location: Montreal
Re: *HELP! Should I reinstate my score?
Yes. Reinstate it right now.
I know that you want a higher score but a 690 is a really good score already. What's more, all of your subscores (Q, V, IR) are good, too. You do not want to lose that from your record.
Then, you'll know going in again that, at the least, you have that score locked in. If you can score better, that's great, but at least get that score locked in.
FYI: you wrote that you think you need a 740+ to be competitive at your desired schools. The very top schools report averages in the 720-ish range (and that's already a crazy high score). The GMAT is a "threshold" data point: as long as you hit a certain level (on the overall and the subscores), they will look at the rest of your application and decide based on that. And you've already hit that threshold across all categories. It is likely the case that, from here, other aspects of your application will be the real decision points (in terms of whether they let you in).
That doesn't mean you shouldn't take it again, of course - go for it! But know that you have already put yourself in a good position. Carry that confidence into the test with you next time.
I know that you want a higher score but a 690 is a really good score already. What's more, all of your subscores (Q, V, IR) are good, too. You do not want to lose that from your record.
Then, you'll know going in again that, at the least, you have that score locked in. If you can score better, that's great, but at least get that score locked in.
FYI: you wrote that you think you need a 740+ to be competitive at your desired schools. The very top schools report averages in the 720-ish range (and that's already a crazy high score). The GMAT is a "threshold" data point: as long as you hit a certain level (on the overall and the subscores), they will look at the rest of your application and decide based on that. And you've already hit that threshold across all categories. It is likely the case that, from here, other aspects of your application will be the real decision points (in terms of whether they let you in).
That doesn't mean you shouldn't take it again, of course - go for it! But know that you have already put yourself in a good position. Carry that confidence into the test with you next time.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
2 posts Page 1 of 1