Is taking the GMAT only once a positive signal for adcom?
MBA applications always ask, "Have you taken the GMAT more than once?" Yes/no. They don't ask how many times you've taken it nor what your other scores are. Why is this?
This is my theory. If you only took it once, and were able obtain a good score (750+), it shows that you are either good at preparation and objective analysis (know your own abilities and when you are ready) or naturally intelligent.
its all about the highest score.
We're about to enter a Great Depression. Don't you want a president who's already dressed for it?
have you applied to bschool? obviously highest score is what they take into consideration regarding the GMAT component of your application - no one is refuting that. I am asking about the merits of taking the test once versus multiple times.
I guess your logic may apply in certain circumstances, but how do we know that if one has taken it just once or several times? And I think it's really hard to generalize your points, because there are a lot of confounding factors as well(i.e. your physical condition on the exam day, and so on)
As I mentioned above, MBA applications will ask you right in the application, "Have you taken the GMAT more than one time?"
I've always considered the "I was sick on test day" excuse a load of poppycock. Regardless of situation, I'd be much more impressed by someone who scored a 760 his first time on the test with relatively little preparation than someone with a 640, 690, 780 over the course of 6 months. I think MBA adcom share a similar perspective, which is why they ask you whether you've taken the test more than once.
The GMAT is something that anybody can do well on, if they practice it enough. I also believe that it's a relatively good indicator of natural intelligence, if everyone were to take it with equally little preparation (know several people who got 780+ without even spending a week to prep). I believe that asking whether a candidate has taken the GMAT multiple times is a method to differentiate candidates who possess this quality.
Indeed business schools require demonstrated ability to thrive in an analytical environment and academic setting. But I think these days GMAT might be only a good indicator of showing your potential at least you’re not dumb. Amongst confounding factors, regional differences and academic backgrounds take a big role in this process. Even if you do have a good communication skill and think logically, if you’re from a country which is not located in an English using one, your probability of getting a good score on the first shot will be low than those American fellows. Usually in Asia, they do have some linguistic barriers to overcome, and it takes years. Usually those folks from international backgrounds prepare the test for about a year or more. How about those who were not exposed to any analytical backgrounds? Although the mathematical backgrounds are not in-depth, those who have undergraduate majors such as Math, Econ, Business or other number related fields will perform better and will need less time for preparing than literature majors. These examples doesn’t demonstrate any of those what so-called “natural intelligence” or something. In short, those who get good scores on his first try? Maybe they’re just well exposed to the environment what the GRE requires and nothing else.
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