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Are you looking to get admitted to a top b-school?
Standardized test scores are an important part of your application package, no matter which schools you decide to apply to.
If you’ve already taken the GMAT and aren’t happy with your score, there is probably one question in your mind:
Should I retake the GMAT?
What Is A Good GMAT Score?
Before you can decide whether to re-take the GMAT, it’s important to figure out what kind of score you should be aiming for.
The higher your GMAT score is, the better, of course – no matter which schools you are applying to.
But for top-tier business schools, you’ll probably need to score at least a 700, unless there are other elements of your application that show you to be an exceptional candidate.
The best way to determine your goal score is to look at the MBA admissions websites for your target schools.
Almost all business schools publish their students’ median GMAT scores and the score range for their accepted students.
That information will let you determine what score range you need to achieve in order to be a good candidate for the school.
Pros and Cons of Retaking The GMAT (3 Factors to Consider)
First things first:
There is no stigma to retaking the GMAT.
Taking the test twenty times is inadvisable, of course, but there is absolutely no problem with taking it two or three or even four times.
In fact, for many students, just knowing that it is ok to retake the test can help them feel less stressed out about the whole process.
There are a couple of factors to consider if you’re trying to decide whether to retake the GMAT: cost, time, and goals.
Ultimately, you can take the GMAT as many times as you’d like, but you must wait 16 days between tests, and you cannot test more than five times in a year.
And of course, the test will cost $250 each time you take it.
Unless you have an exceptionally strong quantitative background, most business schools will want to see a GMAT quantitative score in the 75th to 80th percentile range.
If your GMAT quant score falls below that range and you are hoping to get into a top business school, even if your verbal score is very good, it’s in your best interest to study hard and retake the GMAT to boost your quant score.
Most students do see an improvement in their GMAT score the second time around, whether because they have studied more or simply because they are more comfortable with the test format, and less anxious.
Should You Retake The GMAT?
Of course, while getting a good GMAT score is an important part of the b-school application process, it’s not the only important part.
You’ll still need to create thoughtful essays that clearly show why you are the right fit for the particular school you’re applying to.
You’ll still need to provide strong recommendation letters that can speak to your work ethic and your potential for accomplishment and advancement once you have your MBA.
You’ll still need a thorough understanding of your career trajectory and your path so far, and how business school will help you develop the tools you need to achieve your career goals.
If re-taking the GMAT means that you won’t have time to focus on these other vital aspects of the business school application process, then it’s not a good bet.
But if you’ve already honed your application to be the best you can create, and you think that a better GMAT score could push you over the edge, then by all means – you should retake the GMAT.
Your Turn
Do you have concerns about getting in to a great business school? Sometimes, getting an outside perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of your application can help you do just that.
With a free MBA application assessment from EXPARTUS, you’ll get a clear sense of how to improve your b-school application, and which schools are the best fit for you. You’ve got nothing to lose – get in touch with us today.
The post Should You Retake the GMAT? (3 Reasons To Factor In Your Decision) appeared first on EXPARTUS.