GMAT Raw Scores vs. Combined Score
I was curious how much the raw scores for verbal and quant matter vs. the overall score for top MBA programs. For example, today I took the GMAT to see where I was at and got a 730 with a 47 in quant (78%) and 44 in verbal (98% I think), which is exactly the opposite of what I would have expected because I've always been much stronger in math. Although, I kinda fucked up in math by running out of time and having to guess on the last 4-5. Still, that's a pretty big difference in percentile. Would it be worth it to take it again to get my quant up even if my verbal drops a bit (I think I got pretty lucky with verbal) or do MBA programs more care about the total score? I also will graduate with a masters in electrical engineering this year from a top 20 engineering program so I figured MBA programs would assume I am okay with any math or quantitative material. Any input is appreciated.
The thing about the math section is that since a bunch of engineers and math asians take the GMAT, the math scores do not follow a regular distribution. Instead the top 20% of scores are all clumped together in the 47-52 raw score range.
To be more specific:
Apparently, anything higher than a 52 raw score on the math section is unheard of, so let's make this our 100% score. With a normal distribution, your score of 47 would easily be in the 90% range. However, due to the high number of quant-focused people taking the exam, a 47 is pushed down into the 78-80% range.
I think all the MBA programs know this, and a 47 should be good enough to convince them that you can handle the quantitative aspects of their courses. (The idea that any MBA course is overly quantitative is a joke to begin with, of course; it's not like you'll be learning financial engineering)
If you feel like you can score above a 47 on the Math than by all means re-take it, but keep in mind that a 730 is good enough for any program and you don't want your verbal score to suffer.
If you take a class like manhattan gmat, they'll build diagrams where you can plot raw scores to get a sense of where you fall. pm for more info.
why would he need that? he knows what percentile it is
Most adcomms like to see at least an 80%/80% split. A 730 is solid and should be a complete non-issue for you. Considering your analytical background adcomms will find your score and breakdown to be more than sufficient. I assume you will be working for a few years before applying for your MBA, correct?
Congrats on the score and good luck.
730 is a fine score. i wouldn't worry about the breakdown. all things being equal i believe the schools prefer a higher quant score, but it's not going to be an issue for you.
Thanks for the input. I start a two year rotational program this summer doing application development (aka writing code) for a NYC bank so I'll probably apply for business school after that. I was just curious how much admission directors look into the break down of raw scores. I knew I didn't do as well on quant as I could have but still was surprised at the low percentile and was equally as shocked at the high verbal percentile ranking. Looks like I should be alright though with an engineering undergrad +grad degree.
To what affirmative action mentioned: That makes sense about the quant scores being scewed towards the high end, but I think the opposite occurs for the verbal section. I'm assuming a lot of the foreign students who do really well in math (the kids in my EE classes) also struggle mightily with the sentence correction questions. Just my personal experience after working with many foreign students in engineering classes.
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