Just took the GMAT this morning and I got a 720. That's the 94th percentile you say, good for you! Except not.
My breakdown is 41Q, 48V which equates to the 58th percentile on the quant part and well into the 99th percentile for verbal. Problem is, most schools could care less about my verbal score. I'm planning on applying to various finance msc. this month and I'm a little bit at a loss of what to do.
Here's some more stats:
3.5 in International Relations at a Top 30 US undergrad (very reputed in that field).
A C- in Calc I (GPA killer right there)
2 years of experience in mutual fund custody at a former TARP recipient.
I took the GRE this summer: 800Q 680V 5.5 AWA
Native French speaker (Native English speaker as well obviously).
I think I should stand something of a chance but my GMAT breakdown is pretty damning. All the more frustrating because I scored a 760 on a practice test on Wednesday after a full day of work, with a 47Q 44V breakdown.
For the Msc/MBA crowd, what would you do? I know asking if I should retake a 720 GMAT seems like trolling but my Quant score is appalling. Do you guys think I could include both scores in my apps and hope the GRE score will help me?
Finally a reality check. I want to do sales or possibly trading on a macro product (vanilla rates, EM rates, EM fx), probably on the vanilla side considering my quant woes and eventually work at a global macro fund in a PM capacity. Sounds ambitious but I find the careers of people like Jim Leitner in Inside the House of Money, Soros (obviously) or even our very own Bondarb awesome. Do you guys think this is remotely possible considering my stats?
This morning honestly made me want to give up on the whole finance thing and live a life of crime. I've been met by nothing but resistance in my efforts to get into the FO and even getting into a solid Msc is looking difficult. But my career since graduating is going to look mighty pathetic if I give up now. Any advice is welcome.
Take it again.
You got an 800Q on GRE?
Yep. I almost started laughing in the test room.
giving up would be competly retarded, the answer is very easy here... you have the capacity to score a 760 GMAT w/ a good quant score and now you have a 720 GMAT w/ a shitty quant score. take it again and get a good score, apply to schools and get in, get a FO job
as to whether it is possible that you will do well or not in your carreer, you need to post more info about your background
This is assuming that he scores that high in the verbal again. The test is different each time you take it. You might raise your quant and have an off day on your verbal and see yourself score lower than a 720 overall.
Where are you applying to Goodbread?
I don't know man. To be honest, the GMAT is only a marketing tool for admissions. They really don't give a shit. The fact that you did poorly in calc and have a weakish quant section on the GMAT might raise eyebrows, but outside of that I do not think adcoms give a shit.
FYI, I got significantly lower than a 700 on my GMAT and did fine in an MSF. The math really isn't that intense unless you are going to Princeton. Outside of the states many places look at your GRE's also so you might want to lead with the stronger score.
I had almost the same split, had never taken calculus, and had zero problem. Granted, I had done 2 levels of CFA, and my job (s&t) appeared quantitative (though really far less than I made it sound). Maybe this is a problem at the Wharton's of the world, but for the 8-15 range, no one batted an eye.
LSE Accounting and Finance is the big one. SSE Economics in Stockholm, Bocconi, Warwick are all in the ball park. With a good quant score I'd probably apply to Oxford, HEC and Dauphine 203 as well.
I'm not too worried about being off on the verbal part. I had a half hour left on the verbal section today and I 've always finished with about that much time left and never dipped below the 95th percentile. Quant has been way more variable with my first practice test putting me at the 79th percentile, my second at the 97th and my actual test at the 58th.
If I take it again, I'll probably try and schedule for 5PM since that would be closer to my test conditions after work. What do you want to know about my background dude77? I did ok in econ in my undergrad. Got an A- in micro and stats, but I didn't have to take intermediate macro or econometrics.
It's becoming obvious that you had an off day. Take it again.
Expensive off day. Someone should sue GMAC on the grounds that it discriminates by income. Thanks for the advice I'll probably take it again.
If LSE is the big one, have you thought about applying with your current GMAT to MS F&A and then applying to MS Econ with your GRE scores. I know you can apply to two programs at a time, and the econ degree might be more useful if global macro is your end goal.
If you think you can definitely crack a 750+, I'd think it's worth the extra $250. When you're talking to people familiar with the test - adcoms, lower level people at firms while networking or interviewing, etc - that can definitely raise an impressed eyebrow.
hmmm I didn't see that you also take GRE... that score is very good couldn't you simply send GRE to most schools instead? I know MIT, LSE, Oxford and Cambridge all accepts GRE
If you manage to squeeze in a few math classes and if you have interesting internships, I think you would have a shot at the top programs... you should aim for that, it will make your life so much easier if you get in...
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