For MBA Applicants who have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score is considered by the AdCom – the highest or the latest score?
Before submitting the “Finish” button in GMAT, you will be asked whether to submit the current GMAT test score to the chosen Business schools. It is a tough choice if you are not sure whether the current score is better than the previous ones.
The question of whether AdCom looks into the highest score or the latest score is a call that the AdCom from each Business School takes. But remember this - when you submit your score, the AdCom can see all your previous GMAT Scores in the past five years. The scores are valid for five years. You can only take the exam 5 times in a period of 12 months and the minimum duration between GMAT retakes is 31 days.
If you have taken the GMAT multiple times, the time gap between the tests is important. For example, if you have taken the GMAT three years back without any preparation just to understand what GMAT is, then the scores would not be considered for your application. But during an application cycle ( a period of 12 months), if you have taken the GMAT three times, then there should be sufficient reason or improvement in your scores for the AdCom to consider your highest score. Retaking the GMAT once is a common trend seen among MBA Applicants.
Most GMAT retakers improve their score by 20-30 points. It depends on the GMAT range that you previous score were in. If you were in the 700-720 range, it is extremely difficult to improve it to 720-750. It is similar for the borderline 700 range (680-700). You should have a clear understanding of your weaknesses before your develop a GMAT retake strategy.
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About the Author
I am Atul Jose, Founding Consultant of F1GMAT, an MBA admissions consultancy that has worked with applicants since 2009.
For the past 15 years I have edited the application files of admits to the M7 programs: Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, Kellogg School of Management, and Columbia Business School, together with admits to Berkeley Haas, Yale School of Management, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, SDA Bocconi, IESE Business School, HEC Paris, McCombs, and Tepper, plus other programs inside the global top 30.
My work covers the full MBA application deliverable: career planning and profile evaluation, application essay editing, recommendation letter editing, mock interviews and interview preparation, scholarship and fellowship essay editing, and cover letter editing for funding applications. Full bio with credentials and admit history is here.
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