700 Score on the GMAT - Should I retake it?

I just scored a 700 on the GMAT with a 48 (69%) on the Quantitative section and a 37 (83%) on the Verbal section. I also got perfect scores on the Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing Assessment. It was also my first time taking the GMAT. I am looking to apply to top 10 business schools (i.e. Harvard, Penn, Northwestern, etc). I am wondering if I should retake the test to help my chances. My background is:

I realize that getting a better score will obviously help but am wondering if my time spent studying to increase my score could be better spent doing other resume building activities. Thanks for any advice or help on this topic

9 Comments
 

mmm...strange you've taken a 700 with those sub score. I mean, I ended up with a 680 with 46-38.

Btw, answering to your question, sitting for the test again would make sense only if you could score 740 or so. If you've taken 700 with not so much preparation, ok then, retake it and study. If not, that's ok.

700 or 710/720 doesn't make much difference, What matters when you are "In range" is your motivational letter, your experience etc.

 
Best Response

Agree with the above, and would also note that we need a bit more info about your background to give you better advice.

E.g., if you are an Indian engineer applying to HBS, then you will need to re-take.

If you are a first-generation college grad, African-American woman, then you might not.

Also, what are your extra curriculars?

 

Assuming you are an American male, I'd like to see higher than 700 please to make the Top 10/15 easier for you. What I like is that you are my favorite type of candidate though! You have a 48Q! On the first attempt! You just need to maintain that and bump up your verbal. (In my experience, it's hard to go up from 48Q -- easier to add points on verbal.) Here's what I recommend: buy the extended score report. See where your weak areas are. Study up on those. Take the exam again. Aim for 730+. Schools like to see multiple attempts. It speaks to your character. And at 700, you're 30 points below the average at most top b-schools...not my favorite position. Hope that helps...

mbaMission Admissions Consultant For personal advice, please see up a free consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php Website: http://www.mbamission.com Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog
 

I too would like a bit more info, but if you think you could prepare and retake by let's say the middle or end of July, that would still give you 6-10 weeks to prepare applications for Round 1 submission. And, you can submit some applications round 2.

I believe the prep time would be well spent assuming you can raise your total score at least 20 points and preferably 30 or more points.

There are more factors to consider than you posted here. I go into who should retake in the webinar I'm presenting next week, https://reports.accepted.com/mba/gmatscorewebinar</a">The GMAT: Low Scores, Retaking & Success Strategies . You and any WSOer are welcome to attend.

Best, Linda

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting
 

Definitely take it again. Almost everyone I went through the GMAT with had at least a 50 point jump on their second attempt, generally 1-3 months after their first. I went from 650 to 700, one friend went from 660-710, another went 720 to 780. I'm attending a top 20 program this fall, the other two went M7.

Put another month or two into it and get a 740+.

 

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mbaMission Admissions Consultant For personal advice, please see up a free consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php Website: http://www.mbamission.com Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog

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