Q49 V 34 - 690, Shall I retake the Gmat?

[sherulporwal]

Hi

I took the GMAT on 14th November 2011. Before the exam I was very well prepared and scored consistently in the range of 720-740 (GMAT PREP and MGMAT). After I took the GMAT I was pretty satisfied with my performance but was shocked to see my score. I was expecting and score above 720 atleast, whereas i score 690 (Q49 v34)

To give you a brief, I have 10 months experience with UBS Investment bank, and from the past 18 months I have been running a business of my own (Not related to finance or investment banking). I have decent academics and extra curricular. I have cleared 2 Level of CFA exam.

I wish to apply for MBA to 5 universities out of the top 15 university of USA and have roughly 1.5 months and I have not begun the process for application, What do u suggest is it worth taking the GMAT again (also because I have a big discrepancy in Quant and Verbal score) or shall i just focus on my application and chuck GMAT?

(I have ample of time to spend on GMAT/Application during the next 1.5 months)

Please help!!!!!!!!

[mbamission]

Hi Sherulporwal,

Thanks for writing in. Given the combination of your lower-than-expected, unbalanced GMAT score, and what I think is less than two years of work experience, I think you may be best served retaking the GMAT at your own pace and delaying your application a year. From the information you share, admission to a top-15 school is likely to be challenging. If you do wish to move forward this year I would advise retaking the exam.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[sherulporwal]

Thanks for replying Daniel,

Firstly, My work is is over 26months (10 months UBS Investment Bank +18 months my own business). Do you still think that I shuld apply next year?

Secondly, about retaking gmat, I already have exhausted all the study sources available, all the mock exams, how do I prepare for retaking the exam?

[mbamission]

Hi again,

Yes I do think you'll be a stronger candidate with an additional year of experience under your belt. As for additional GMAT prep, you may want to read through our partner boards with Manhattan GMAT, they're the real experts on the test.

general-gmat-strategy-questions-f9.html

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (15 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter