Confused on my scoring...Should I take for the third time?

[e.chris.gamaitoni]

Here is my situation.

I still haven't had a chance to study for the GMAT, I have the Manhattan books but haven't been able to study for any sufficient amount of time. Cramming has been about all I have done for about 2 hours before the GMAT.

First test 34V 49Q
Second test (today) 42V 44Q

I had the flu during the fist test and I just pulled an 80 hour work week and can barely focus right. Should I try for a third time to try to get into the upper 700s with some studying or just take my 710 and roll with it?

I am baffled with my variance. Probably because I haven't trained.

[StaceyKoprince]

I am baffled with my variance. Probably because I haven't trained.

Yep. Exactly. :)

In general, I'm not aware of any school that would look at a 710 and decide not to look at the rest of your application. It should be good enough to get you a "GMAT? Check!" response from the vast majority schools, and what will really matter is the rest of your application.

Now, depending upon the specific school, there is one possible area of concern. A few of the very top schools want to see what they call the "80/80," which means at least 80th percentile in each of the two sub-sections. It's okay if you're in the high 70s, but your quant score on the last test is only high 60s. How much will that matter? It depends on the rest of your application. If there isn't really anything stellar somewhere else in the app, and if you don't have other strong quant stats (classes in school? work experience?), then it could matter.

I don't know which schools specifically hold to this standard or how strict they are, so you should go post your question in the Admissions Consulting folder. Tell them which schools you're looking at, your scores, and any other info you think is relevant.