santiago

I feel you man. I really do. I am in the exact same situation. The thing for me is, do those 20-40 extra points (assuming you shoot for a 740-750) really make a difference? Are those extra points going to get you into a top school? Or is the rest of your app going to do that for you? I mean suppose they had to choose between someone with a 710 and someone with a 740 to take the final place available in that application round. Are they going to make their decision based solely only on those 40 points? Or are they going to dig deeper into the application package. I think the latter is more probable. At least thats what I percieve as a fairer approach to evaluating candidates. Anyway, we will never know that and thus must live in doubt (aargh). Congrats on a great score man.

Hey you guys thanks a lot for the advice, I am now more inclined towards not retaking the test, though I am still not sure. I know competition for Latins is not nearly as tough as it is for Indians, you guys are way too talented, not to mention way too many! I was there a couple summers ago for 2 months and allow me to mention I was completely mesmerized by the place. Anyway, I sure hope my score will be enough. Just to further develop on my background, I am an Electronics Engineer with a GPA probably above 3.6 (though I haven't made the conversion as I am not fully aware of how to do it, on a 0-100 scale my undergrad average vas 96). I have been working in Investment Banking for a year, which means in a year+, when I plan to apply, I will have 2 years+ work xp, and three by the time I begin BS (if all goes well, -gasp-). I am in a position to get reasonably good reco's as my three superiors at work are Harvard, Stanford and Wharton grads and are pleased with how I've worked with them (or at least that's what I think! So far I've not been fired!). Although I am not sure how much difference it makes to have letters from graduates of the school to which you are applying. I know 710 is not a bad score, the thing is I was expecting at least 30 more points. One of the guys I used to study with got 720 (I usually explained most problems to him). I dont feel bad about it or anything, I mean he is my friend and all and I wish all the best for him, but I feel I could've done better. Its sort of the same feeling you get when your team loses the game in the last minute, only much worse since it took me 2 months to prepare for this (I doubt any team prepares 2 months for a single game). Anyway, I now think I'm just blabbering and I am starting to feel like Holden Caulfield again (I usually do when I complain too much). Once again, thanks a lot guys, best of luck with your apps. -S

Thanks man, I'm probably not gonna apply until next year tho, building up on more work xp before I give it a shot. Are you aware what piece of information from the application package "weighs" more? I mean, cause I've heard that the GMAT score is sort of an initial filter, but that the final decision is made based primarily on other material (essays, recco's, xp) that say more about yourself than just numbers.

Thaks guys, Ill probably follow your advice.

Any input guys? I'd love some advice from y'all, please. It'd be very useful in clearing my mind. Thanks all, best wishes.

Catalina, Where did you get that fact that latins have lower GMATs?? And is it really true that my competition would be latins?? I'd like to talk to you on these matters as I see you are from Colombia and I haven't seen many latins around this forum (except a few guys from Brazil). Would it be possible to get in contact with you via (yahoo/MSN/AOL)messenger? Thanks a bunch.

I just took the test and scored 710. Not to offend anyone, but I was greatly disappointed since I had scored 730+ on 2 GMATpreps and 4 Princeton Review tests. Anyway I got way too nervous on the quants and ended up choking. Q 47? I coulve done way better, I practically got 50 on all the practice tests I did. Anyway I dont know whether to retake the test or not. How important are those 20-30 extra points to the admissions people? I mean, are those extra points going to make the difference between being accepted or rejected at a top 5 school? Should I retake guys? Your opinion is really important since I know many of you Gurus are quite familiar with the admission process. Please post guys. Thanks, -S

The breakdown is Q(47) V(41). I know i couldve done way better on Qs, but i was way nervous and choked. I dont know if I should retake. Will my odds of getting into a top 5 increase dramatically because of 30 points?

Mexico

Hi all, I just took my GMAT today and scored 710. I know it isnt by best score, as I had scored 740 and 750 in GMATPreps. I choked in the begining of the math section and ended up guessing on 4 or 5. I want to apply to a few top 5 bschools. Should i retake? I could probably get a higher score, but my question is this: is it worth to take the risk of getting a lower score (and pay 250 extra) for some 20-30 extra points?? I probably wont get more than 750. How important are those 30 extra points to admissions officers? I mean, if the average at a top bschool is close to 710, then I am right there. Should i invest more time, money/effort for 20-40 extra points?? Thanks all best of luck to you all, -Santiago

Think A and E. "A" because for the survey to be valid or convincing then the people surveyed must be regular TV watcher. Say that someone who watches only 5 mins a day or so on TV and is increasingly spending time on the internet takes the test. He would probably report that yes, he is spending more time on the 'net and no, he hasnt decreased the amount of time spent watching TV. Now say all the test takers followed this behavior. Then the survey would definitely be biased. Hence, for the survey to be valid then the people surveyed must be TV enthusiasts. "E" for the same reasons as everybody else.

We need to undermine the argument that it takes various malaria infections to stimulate the body enough to become completelely immune BECAUSE a single infection does not stimulate the body enough. In other words, we need to find another reason why children suffer from malaria many times before becoming immune. If there are different strains of malaria, as E states, and once the body is infected with a certain strain it becomes immune to that particular strain, then a child will be completely immune to malaria only when he/she has suffered from all strains and thus become immune to all of them. This provides a perfect alternative reason why children must suffer from malaria many times before becoming immune. All D says is that there are vaccines in development that stimulate the immune system. This in no way undermines the argument. In any case it would STRENGTHEN the argument. If the argument were true, and a single malaria infection does not stimulate the immune system enough, then applying the vaccine would provide an alternative means of body stimulation that would effectively cause the body to become immune. See, this is actually strengthening the argument, it is saying that the "amount" of stimulation to the body is in fact what determines whether or not it becomes immune.

Hi all, I'm scheduled for an August 22nd GMAT. However, I do not intend to apply to Business School until next year as I plan on biulding up more work XP. Work was slow during the summer and decided to use my extra spare time to prepare for the GMAT, I feel i´m pretty much ready as I´ve been scoring around 740 on practice tests. My question to all you GMAT gurus out there is the following: Should I choose to send scores to BSchools on my test day, even though I will not apply this year. If i do send them no, will the school still have them after 1+ years? Or should I just not send them right now and do so when I do apply. What´s your opinion? Thanx a lot guys. -Santiago -0 and 1 are not multiples of primes-

A copy of spideys notes to castelazo@gmail.com would not only be greatly appreciated, but also useful. idiomatically correct booyah! thx

Never before had the e-business industry faced as many financial losses and employee cutbacks as they had in the late 1990s. a) b)had to face as many financial losses and employee cutbacks as they have to c)faced the financial losses and employee cutbacks that they had faced d)had to face as many financial losses and employee cutbacks as e)faced as many financial losses and employee cutbacks as they faced Why not d?? In E, "they" seems wrong to me since the e-business industry is singular.