The splits on all my practice tests are kind of outrageous (V44, Q42). It is still a 700 but how much does such a large split hurt my application? Everyone seems to indicate that schools want a relatively even split with both scores above 80%. I still have two full weeks from this Saturday to study and plan on focusing on the math with only maintenance practice for the verbal. Hopefully I can get it to plane out but I am still concerned considering my SAT splits where the opposite of my GMAT and I was in every advanced/AP Math class from 6 - 12.
Also now that i think about it, if i can't get it to plane out, is this something that I should use the optional essay for?
If you have to have a wide split, it's definitely better to have a higher verbal. I'd say 95% of the time it's usually the opposite with applicants having a disproportionately higher Q score. I think schools will only dissect your score if they are on the fence regarding your admittance/interview extension.
A few things. One is you have two weeks to improve your score, which should be quite doable (get it up to 45-46 and you're in solid shape, although not the 80/80 that you want). I was very similar to you during my practice tests, and in the last few weeks pushed my quant from a 42-44 to a 48 on the actual test. Crush you weaknesses over and over and over and you'll be in good shape.
Also, what's your background? Part of the reason you want to be 80%+ is to prove to them you have the quantitative ability. If you're currently a Quant, or an engineer, or something else that proves your quant abilities, then you'll be fine with slightly more uneven splits. However, if you're a journalist and can't get your quant up to a reason %ile, they might worry about your ability to "handle the academic rigor".
For now, I'd just keep working to boost that score and see what happens. Personally, I think the whole 80/80 split thing is sort of outdated, because just a few years ago, a 45 was 80th percentile in quant, when I took the test 1.5 years ago a 48 was, and now it's a 49 or 50. The percentiles have been totally skewed.
This can also be demonstrated if you have a quant-heavy undergrad degree with a high GPA.
I wouldn't use your optional essay to explain your low quant score. There isn't much you can say there that isn't already in other documents provided (transcript, work history, etc). They realize that not everyone who is going in is going to be doing complex securities analysis coming out of their program. If you have a lower quant score (combined with non-STEM degree/work experience), I would make sure that your overall story fits. That is, maybe say you want to go into a 'softer' industry post-MBA such as consulting. Many applicants fail to remember that their story arc is very important to the application process.
Business schools wants to see their students succeed, so they might be weary to let someone in with a low Q score who wants to go from consulting to trading, but would be more open if that same applicant stated they were interested in entering non-profit management. You want to ensure that your story 'makes sense', starting from undergrad degree and activities, to work experience, to what the program can offer you in your field, to your post business school industry.
Again, if you have a quantitative-heavy academic and professional background, then this is less important—but the idea of a strong story arc still applies.
Good points, and I agree with most, but would still say that even if your story makes sense, they may be nervous about taking you if you don't prove the quantitative ability somewhere. Not necessary to be an engineer, have taken multivariable calculus, and to get a 51 on the GMAT, but it is necessary to show that you can handle what schools themselves consider to be a very rigorous academic program.
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