retake the test?

[gregn]

Hi,

I have just taken the exam and scored a 740. My breakdown is 48Q, 44V.
I would appreciate some advice as to whether to retake the test. I did not take the test intending to go this year, even if were to score an 800 but to keep the score for a possible application this year or to even put on resume if good enough.

The case for retaking is that the average score in top schools is around 760 (is my data right on this?) and having a score below that requires an above average application in other regards. I don't believe that I have this; I went to a no-name school where I had a 3.4 GPA and do not have an exceptional career history (no top name consulting or analyst training program). Lacking in these other regards I need an above-average GMAT in order to be competetive.

While I studied quite a bit, my math score is quite dissapointing especially as I majored in math and economics in college. The score I got as reasonably consistent with with practice tests but I'm sure that there is something I could do to improve my math score.

Is it worth taking the test again and if so should I do it now or next year when I'm actually likely to apply? Am I just worked up over nothing - what's the standard deviation on top school admission scores? Is it actually reasonable to put GMAT scores on a resume? If so, what's the score threshold?

appreciate your advice,
Greg

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

The average GMAT score is not 760, but is 700-710 - at least at top-ten schools. Your 740 score is great. If you think that you can do significantly better, you have the time and have nothing to lose by taking the test again. That written, you certainly should not feel compelled to do so. Your 740 is more than enough and should be advantageous to you.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

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Hi,

I have just taken the exam and scored a 740. My breakdown is 48Q, 44V.
I would appreciate some advice as to whether to retake the test. I did not take the test intending to go this year, even if were to score an 800 but to keep the score for a possible application this year or to even put on resume if good enough.

The case for retaking is that the average score in top schools is around 760 (is my data right on this?) and having a score below that requires an above average application in other regards. I don't believe that I have this; I went to a no-name school where I had a 3.4 GPA and do not have an exceptional career history (no top name consulting or analyst training program). Lacking in these other regards I need an above-average GMAT in order to be competetive.

While I studied quite a bit, my math score is quite dissapointing especially as I majored in math and economics in college. The score I got as reasonably consistent with with practice tests but I'm sure that there is something I could do to improve my math score.

Is it worth taking the test again and if so should I do it now or next year when I'm actually likely to apply? Am I just worked up over nothing - what's the standard deviation on top school admission scores? Is it actually reasonable to put GMAT scores on a resume? If so, what's the score threshold?

appreciate your advice,
Greg

[Guest]

Thank you for your inquiry.

The average GMAT score is not 760, but is 700-710 - at least at top-ten schools. Your 740 score is great. If you think that you can do significantly better, you have the time and have nothing to lose by taking the test again. That written, you certainly should not feel compelled to do so. Your 740 is more than enough and should be advantageous to you.

[/quote]

Thanks for your response. Would you say that moving to 770 would be a significant improvement?

I guess the heart of the question is if a stellar GMAT, in the 99th percentile, would have outsize returns - enough to compensate for lackluster application otherwise?

I'd like to try for HBS and Wharton but have been told that one needs to be an all around stellar candidate for that. I have a year before I apply anywhere. I volunteer every saturday but is there anything else I can/should do to burnish my candidacy?