• Business School
    • Admissions Help
    • MBA Essay Tips
    • Executive MBA Essay Tips
    • MBA Admissions Calendar
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
    • EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  • Medical School
    • Admissions Help
    • Med School Admissions 101
    • Secondary Essay Tips (by School)
    • Student Interviews
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
  • Law School
    • Admissions Help
    • Law School Admissions 101
    • Selectivity Index
    • Free Guides
    • Podcast
    • Video Tips
  • Graduate School
    • Admissions Help
    • Grad School Admissions 101
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
  • College
    • Admissions Help
    • Free Guides
    • Supplemental Essay Tips
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
Accepted

1 (310) 815-9553

Blog HomePodcastContact Us

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

April 29, 2019

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Should You Retake the GMAT?

Should You Retake the GMAT?

There’s no yes or no answer here, but I will give you some points to consider that will help make your decision easier.

The case for retaking the GMAT

Retake the GMAT if…

  1. You have other weaknesses in your profile and you feel a high GMAT score will help you compensate for them.

    A great GMAT score won’t get you into an MBA program, but it can help make up for other things that may be lacking, such as a less-than-stellar GPA. Your GMAT score is very much in your control and is an important screening instrument.

  2. You have the time to prepare, study hard, and change the outcome.

    The more time you have to devote to preparing and studying for the GMAT, the better your score will likely be. Studying for the GMAT in the midst of undergrad studies and doing the “extras” like volunteering that b-schools look for, may not be the best idea.

    Take a class, prepare rigorously, and establish a study schedule. Follow this schedule religiously to increase your familiarity with the test.

  3. You are a reapplicant who has received feedback that suggests you need to boost your GMAT score.

    In order to make this reapplication your last, you have to show improvement over your previous app. Retaking the GMAT and receiving a higher score will accomplish that.

  4. You blame you’re not-so-brilliant score on a bad day and know that if you retake the GMAT you’d have a meaningfully higher score.

    Were you not feeling well or had a poor night’s sleep prior to the GMAT? Students taking the exam for the first time may have a lower score due to nerves or unfamiliarity with the testing environment. Your comfort level will probably be higher the second or third time around, which can improve your score.

The case for NOT retaking the GMAT

Don’t retake the GMAT if…

  1. You proudly overshot the 80-80 hurdle.

    If your scores in total and in the individual sections of the GMAT are well above the average scores for the schools you are aiming for, then you don’t need to retake the GMAT. (If it’s the elite schools, you ideally should have close to or above the 80th percentile on both verbal and quant.) Schools use the GMAT as a screening tool. One thing they want to be sure about is your ability to handle the academic program. With these high scores, you have demonstrated this. Use your time and effort working on the other areas of your application.

  2. You’ve already taken the GMAT 3+ times (think about the law of diminishing returns).

    Most b-schools are happy to see a student take the GMAT two or three times, especially if your score increases each time. However, taking it more than that may serve as a red flag to the schools and show a lack of judgement or an obsessive preoccupation with the exam.

  3. You are aiming too high and know deep down that you should probably just apply to b-schools with lower average GMAT scores.

    If your GMAT is high enough for schools that you would be happy to attend, then you don’t need to retake it. The required GMAT scores for the top 10 programs are going up. If you can’t compete with these scores and are not from a distinctive background or demographic, it is not in your best interest to retake the GMAT. Look again at the schools that don’t require such high GMAT scores. Finding one with the right fit will ensure a successful MBA experience.

Not sure if your stats and the rest of your application will get you into the best b-school for you? Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting Services and learn how your personal advisor can help you get ACCEPTED.

The GMAT: Low Scores, Retaking & Strategies for Success - Register today!

AcceptedFor 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Get Accepted to Top MBA Programs With Low Stats, a free webinar
• E-GMAT: A New and Better Approach to GMAT Prep, a podcast episode
• What GMAT Score Do I Need to Get Accepted to Top MBA Programs?

Article by Accepted / MBA Admissions / GMAT, mba low stats

Get Accepted!

Choose your desired degree and then the service that best meets your needs.

Which program are you applying to?

What do you need help with?

Join the informed applicants who read Accepted's blog!

8 Popular Posts

1. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. How to Write About Your Research Interests

3. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

4. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer?

5. How to Write a Goal Statement for Graduate School

6. Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

7. Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample Essay]

8. Acing the PsyD Interview: The 3-P Plan

Recent Posts

  • Wharton Executive MBA Class Profile: Class of 2022
  • How to Save 100’s of Hours Studying: Making a Medical School Schedule That Makes Sense
  • MBA Admissions: Application Advice for IT Applicants
  • Don’t Let an Increase in Applicants Derail Your Med School Dreams
  • Heads Up: Price Increase Ahead!
This Site is Featured on GMATClub

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2021 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2021 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in