Can't improve scores even with more efforts. So desperate.

[XiaoyiW893]

Hello Stacey,

I took my third GMAT exam this morning and I am so desperate now. :( :( :(
My scores are:
660 (Q48 V33) on 2013 Dec
690 (Q50 V34) on 2014 Aug
670 (Q50 V30) Cancelled. 2014 Oct

As you can see, I am an Asian so I am good at maths. :P I have questions regarding Verbal section and graduate school application.

I didn't even finish OG when I took the first two exams. As a result, I sometimes used intuition during the exam but it turned out not very bad (compared to the third score). But this time, I had put so much effort into studying GMAT. I finished OG and reviewed the verbal part for 2~3 times. I also did GMAT preps. I became to understand some rules & points in SC and improved my reading ability.

I know I am not working very hard. For on reason, I worked 4 days per week as an intern and went to school for the rest of the weekday, so I don't have much time for studying. Also, I have heard that the average studying time to get a not-so-bad score is 100 hours.

I am SO DESPERATE right now. Why can't I improve my scores significantly? Why my effort cannot payoff, and instead brings me a lower score? Am I stupid or not suitable for business school? :( :( :( This feeling sucks!
Can you please tell me what's wrong with me? What can I do now?


===

I want to apply for tier 1 MSF programs in US for the first round. If I retake GMAT, I will probably need to apply for the second round which is more competitive than the first round. I don't have a strong GPA and am counting on my GMAT scores. I NEED a high GMAT score.
What's your opinion about the role of GMAT scores in the application? Is it better to retake GMAT and apply for the second round than to use 690 in the first round?


Looking forward to your reply.
PLEASE HELP THIS POOR GIRL.
Thanks A LOT.

Xiaoyi

[StaceyKoprince]

A 690 is a great score!! I know it doesn't start with a 7, but it's still a great score. :)

Your quant score is more than good enough, of course. Your verbal score is good enough for most schools and on the lower end of okay for the very top schools - but if you are a non-native English speaker, the schools will actually take that into account. (I'm guessing that you are a non-native speaker because of some minor issues that I see with a few of your sentences - issues that are typical of non-native speakers - but it's hard to tell for sure because most of your post is perfect.)

I'll give you some thoughts with respect to the admissions stuff, but that's not my area of expertise, so I think your next task is to talk to an admissions consultant to find out what they think.

The GMAT is typically used as a "threshold" indicator - they want to see you get a "good enough" score to make sure you can handle the work at their program. Your scores are high enough in this regard.

You mention that your GPA isn't great. Your GMAT is already high enough that I don't think another 30 points will make a huge difference - I'd think they would care more about your work experience and recommendations at that point - but an admissions consultant would be the better person to answer that question.

MBA Mission offers free 30-minute phone consultations - go sign up for one! (And let me know what they tell you.)