Complaints about low GMAT score are common among MBA applicants. Also, since MBA graduates are expected to deal with numbers, the easiest (and valid) tool of assessment for selecting schools is an average GMAT score of the current class. Therefore, I decided to go the “numerical” way only and picked up the average, mean and median GMAT scores of a few top B Schools. Take a look:
Surprised? Harvard’s GMAT range starts from 550 and goes till perfect 800 and Stanford becomes an eye candy with a GMAT score range starting from as low as 530. Let me not forget to quote the Financial Times Global MBA ranking where Harvard was ranked # 5 and Stanford # 4.
I am not negating the fact that GMAT score plays an important role in an admission procedure, but it is not a maker or a breaker of an admission. The point of consideration is “why is GMAT considered as an important assessment tool?”.
To put it realistically, it is generally expected that students score above 80 percentile and score of 680+ is a decent score to be able to aim at top notch B Schools; this is not a rule and can vary from one candidate’s profile to the other. If you take a look at the above chart, you will see that 80% of the candidates at MIT Sloan and Wharton are in the GMAT range of 650-760. It would not be wrong to conclude that students who were admitted below this score had exceptional profiles and also, the kind of profiles that would add diversity to the class. The diversity factor can come in any form ranging from industry, geographical region, exceptional GPAs to Extra Curricular activities.
Now a few questions that instantly come to mind are :
- Is it true that a low percentile in verbal can be compensated by writing good essays?
- What if I score less in my second attempt?
- Are there any success stories of students with low GMAT score?
- Do multiple GMAT attempts put me in negative light?
- Is it true that a low percentile in quant can be compensated by taking a supplement math class?
Let me address all these questions one by one.
How to combat a low GMAT Score?
The best part about a B School application is that apart from the GMAT score, you have many other areas to show that you are worthy of getting admission in a B School. A high GPA, extra curricular activities, essays, recommendations, work experience, and interviews are the rest of the tools where a candidate can maximize his strengths. A good reality check can help you achieve a strong candidature. Some candidates are just not used to taking standardized tests so even if they retake test, they would just be wasting their time, energy and money. Rather, such candidates can focus on making a well crafted application that can give a boost to their candidature.
Is it true that a low percentile in quant can be compensated by taking a supplement math class?
Sometimes candidates have low Quant scores / not-so-convincing quant records/ non traditional under grad backgrounds (English, History etc.). In such cases, candidates can enrol for maths/ statistics/ finance/ economics/operations/calculus etc. course at a local community college and try to achieve higher grades. This will not only strengthen their application but will also prepare them for B School curriculum.
Is it true that a low percentile in verbal can be compensated by writing good essays?
Yes, essays are true reflections of one’s communicative abilities. Well crafted essays will bring forward your verbal skills and badly written essays will put you in negative light. You may also ask your recommenders to put forward positive points about your verbal skills.
Do multiple GMAT attempts put me in negative light?
No. It is advised to use an optional essay to state a reason why you have not been able to score high even after multiple attempts. This optional essay should not be used as an excuse for not being able to perform under pressure or as a sob story. Just state your reasons professionally whilst putting forward strong reasons that make you a worthy candidate.
What if I score less in my second attempt?
It is generally expected that candidate scores high if he retakes the GMAT but if he doesn’t, then schools consider the highest score. It is advised that applicant does a thorough evaluation before retaking the test. Rather than wasting time, energy, hundreds of dollars in GMAT prep courses, and GMAT registration fees, it is best that candidate does a proper reality check and then retake the test.
Are there any success stories of students with low GMAT score?
Indeed , there are. 
I have picked them up from Business Week. Read them and get motivated to work on your application rather than whining about not scoring the perfect 800 score.
I scored in the mid to high 600s and have been accepted to 3 top ten schools, am still waiting back on a few others I applied to but I’m very hopefull. My warning with a low gmat score is Columbia and Wharton are GMAT whores and will drop you if the only thing that isn’t perfect is your gmat score….West Coaster
If by low you mean not breaking the 700 barrier, I am definitely in that boat but what I have been told again and again is that its not ONLY about the numbers so please dont worry, as long as ur application is packaged well you’ll be fine. I got into Sloan and also interviewed with 2 other top 5 schools and am waiting on their response now. So dont think its make or break and just make everything else that you can control in your application as good as you can. Hope this helps.…TSA 79
I do have bit of good news for us low GMAT hopefuls… 630 and i just received a wharton interview invite! not completely confident yet though - with wharton’s high interview percentage number (~56%), this only ups my chances from 1 in 5 to 1 in 3…am741
600 GMAT and 3.9 undergrad GPA. Got into HBS. Accepted at NYU. Dinged by three other schools. ..watsupdoc
680 here, under 3.0 GPA
Columbia - in
Michigan - RD 2
Duke - RD 2
NYU - RD 2
Repeat after me - “Focus on your story”…IWantRoss
I would also categorize myself under the “bad standardized test taker” category. After dismal scores of 580 twice by self-study, I broke down and took a class. My third attempt with my class training gained me a whopping 20 points, 600 (43Q, 30V). I was pretty bummed…however I picked myself up and took the test again 2 weeks later and scored a 670 (42Q,40V). So far I am in at Georgetown and USC, waitlisted at NYU and interviewed at Yale…so trust me, there is hope!!! …uclandru
Here you go. I got a 650 (44 Q 35 V), just got into Columbia, and interviewing at Wharton next week. 5yrs work experience in the military, 27 years old male from Jersey. I thought I would be out of it with my GMAT score going in, but so far so good. Keep hope alive….biggtonn
I am a current 1st year MBA at Kenan-Flagler (UNC). Last yr’s stats are results are as follows: 640 (took it once), 3.5 undegrad gpa from top 50 university, 8 years work experience including international. Put a lot of time into soul-searching and essays. Results- 5/5 acceptances:
UNC- few thousand $$ scholarship
Duke
Georgetown
Maryland
William & Mary- full scholarship offer
I hope that helps…
-FutureMBA007 1st Year Student, Kenan-Flagler Business School….futuremba007
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And the stories continue.
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