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GMAT Retake - Highest or Latest Score. Which is considered?

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 

Atul Jose - Founding Consultant F1GMAT

I am Atul Jose - the Founding Consultant at F1GMAT.

Over the past 15 years, I have helped MBA applicants gain admissions to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Chicago Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, Haas, Yale, NYU Stern, Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, IE, IESE, HEC Paris, McCombs, Tepper, and schools in the top 30 global MBA ranking. 

I offer end-to-end Admissions Consulting and editing services – Career Planning, Application Essay Editing & Review, Recommendation Letter Editing, Interview Prep, assistance in finding funds and Scholarship Essay & Cover letter editing. See my Full Bio.

Contact me for support in school selection, career planning, essay strategy, narrative advice, essay editing, interview preparation, scholarship essay editing and guiding supervisors with recommendation letter guideline documents

I am also the Author of the Winning MBA Essay Guide, covering 16+ top MBA programs with 240+ Sample Essays that I have updated every year since 2013 (11+ years. Phew!!)

I am an Admissions consultant who writes and edits Essays every year. And it is not easy to write good essays. 

Contact me for any questions about MBA or Master's application. I would be happy to answer them all