After our scary post recently, many of you may have been left panicked.
We’re not saying if you’re sitting here with a 710 (regardless of how long ago you got that score) that you absolutely must retest and bring the score higher if you’re going to have any hope of success in the app process this season.
BUT.
A 710 is below average at many of the top schools now.
This is really critical to digest and absorb.
When you’re applying to any Top 10 school, but ESPECIALLY if you’re applying to a Top 3 (however you want to define that number), then you’re saying to the adcom, “I think I deserve a spot in your elite institution!”
Elite != Average
This is simple math, folks.
Yes, you can absolutely get into a Harvard or a Wharton or a Tuck or wherever with a 710. Happens all the time. Not everyone can swing in with the 760.
And to be clear, a 760 guarantees you nothing. Please don’t harbor the illusion that if you push your score to the stratosphere, that it’s an automatic win. Totally not how it works.
But a 710 today is what a 680 was ten years ago.
It’s the kind of score where we look at it and we sigh.
Heck, there’s probably posts deep in the ‘snarchives here saying “A 710 is totally enough to get in!” However, the world has changed.
If you only tested once, and you’re reading this post sitting here in April when it was originally published, then we BESEECH you, pick up your GMAT prep guide and go to work.
TAKE THE TEST AGAIN.
If you only tested twice, same story.
If you tested three times with one or more canceled, then we start waffling.
It is totally possible to test too many times and create a different sort of problem.
But please do not harbor any illusions.
Is a 710 “good enough”?
It might be. If the rest of your profile is ah-maz-ing.
If anything else in your profile is only average, a 710 is simply not gonna do it.
And if you’re asking the question, “Is this good enough?” (and especially if you have the letters “H-B-S” on your list of school targets) then our opinion is you’re looking at this entire process the wrong way.
It would be a significant risk to not take advantage of the time you have available right now.
You do not want to live with regret later on. Come December, when the decisions are released for Round 1, you do not want to be kicking yourself in the agony of a rejection, asking, “DAMMIT WHY DIDN’T I DO MORE?”
You have an opportunity today. Right here. Right now.
Please don’t squander it!!
Another Shameless Plug: We can’t say for certain whether YOU personally need to go take the test again unless we look at the entirety of your profile — which is exactly what our handily named Comprehensive Profile Review will do!! Want our advice on your own situation? That’s the service for you!
Tell us what you think.