Hi, I would highly appreciate your point of view on my profile as - considering my goals - I’m debating whether I should take the GMAT again or rather focus on other parts of my application.
My GMAT history: tried it 3 times over the last 9 months (started with a disappointing 600 [Q44, V28], then moved on to sub-optimal 630 [Q44, V33] and 660 at my last attempt [Q47, V34]). I did consistently better in practice tests than in the real GMAT (official GMAC practice: 710 [Q49 ,V37]; last 3 MGMATs: 690 [Q46, V38], 740 [Q47, V45] and 700 [Q47, V39]). As you can tell, I struggle with the Verbal in the real GMAT, but I feel overall potential to improve (in other words 700 is not beyond my reach). I’ve been studying quite a lot (did all Manhattan strategy guides + Manh. advanced Quant book) but not sure I have the time and motivation to go through this again (also considering it would be for the "˜new generation’ GMAT).
My goal: apply to Executive MBA - either Columbia or NYU - for the 2013 class. I reside in NYC so these are the best options I see.. I read somewhere that average GMAT scores for NYU and Columbia EMBAs are around 650 (at NYU GMAT is not even a requirement); if true, that would definitely not be an incentive for another try at the GMAT.
My background: Italian born and raised (undergrad in business admin included), whole career (almost 10 years overall) spent in audit / finance / project management for 2 very well known multinationals (1 Italian and 1 US conglomerate). My US Company relocated me to US about 3 years ago. Overall a very international experience and global profile (I conducted engagements and projects in several Countries all around the world).
Healthy career progression (promoted 3 times over the last 6.5 years), and currently in a quite visible managerial position at Corporate HQs. Plenty of examples where I can showcase leadership capabilities and potential.
Not a whole lot of extracurricular activities (plenty of hobbies but not sure they qualify as it’s nothing like volunteering or similar).
Bottom line: any suggestions / thoughts / feedback on whether I should retake GMAT or move on?
Thank you very much for your help!
M
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