Terrible GMAT experience, 700(Q45,V41) - retake? (For MBF HSG, MFE Oxford)

Hi guys,

This morning has been quite the nightmare, as I woke up at 4 am (having slept for 4 hours) with tonsillitis and fever.

Still, after pumping myself full of paracetamol and coffee, I was determined to do well on the exam. In the commotion of pumping myself full of paracetamol, I have also forgotten my ID, so had to run back home and get it (Very lucky that the invigilator let me in late). Any-who, it’s the middle of Verbal (went Q->V->IR+E) and I literally started shaking from fever, until the end of the exam. Needless to say it was a terrible experience overall.

So, after 160+ hrs of prep and a terrible morning, I was able to score 700 (Q45,V41) today.

Given the circumstances, I’m fairly proud. But as I was aiming for 730+ for MBF and MFE Oxford, I’m not sure whether I should retake in 16-20 days. In particular, I am a bit worried about the weak Q score (Q49&Q50 on mocks)

My options are: 1. Apply as is now but understand that my gmat is far from mean for these schools. 2. Retake just in time for MBF R1, but unfortunately Oxford R2 (where the odds of getting in are lower) 3. Focus on my other options (LSE & HEC)

Rest of the profile: 1. 2 years of exp in the big 4 (U.K.) 2. 1st from a strong semi target (U.K.), studying A&F 3. Really good leadership/EC activities from uni 4. A fair amount of unique volunteering 5. Fairly multicultural, unique background

Would appreciate any feedback, as I’m not sure what to do!

3 Comments
 

You won't get into Oxford with a 700 period, if you know you can do better just retake it. If you can get a 740+ you should have a very good shot

For the MBF, I don't think the 700 is a deal breaker but getting 740+ would all but ensure you get a place

So my advice is to retake if you feel like you can do significantly better, which sounds likely given the story you have laid out for us

 

Tempora dolorum praesentium ea impedit. Deleniti eveniet est atque dicta. Quo commodi consequatur provident voluptate ea porro ex. Libero omnis enim dolorem doloribus quia voluptas rerum.

Doloremque voluptatum est praesentium odit voluptates sit. Doloribus nisi voluptates exercitationem est deleniti iste dolor.

Expedita facilis eveniet veritatis error quis. Et cupiditate ut harum dolor vero sit qui quae. Dolorem dolor architecto voluptatem voluptatibus facilis id labore. Iusto itaque voluptate assumenda voluptates. Commodi non voluptatibus velit eum. Sint et alias nihil aut sint.

Ea est sit quos ut facilis possimus. Qui dolore minus modi sed dolor voluptatibus. Quas est praesentium reprehenderit aut sapiente. Eum ratione quia praesentium quasi. Est id aut molestias eum odio consectetur placeat. Quibusdam omnis non saepe consequatur deleniti.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”