99% percentile on verbal, but 74% percentile on math

[wilsonmattk]

Just got done with the GMAT and got a 740 which is twenty points higher than any of the practice exams I took. So I'm obviously very happy. However, I got a 45 (74% percentile) on the math and a 47 (99% percentile) on the verbal.

How would a admission consultant view this score. I have heard that very top schools look for at least 80% on both. Do you how much truth there is to this. Even so, would my very strong verbal score be good enough to to make them disregard this rule? Obviously I know you don't for sure, buy any thoughts would be helpful.

I had been scoring in the 46-48 range on math for the practice tests so I could probably get higher if I took it again. However, I doubt I could get a 99 again on the verbal as I had been getting in the 85-90% percentile range on practice tests.

So if took it again I imagine by score would be near the same or lower, but could be more balanced. Any thoughts on whether I should take it again?

[mbamission]

Thanks for your question. Congrats on achieving a 740 on the GMAT!

80th percentile on the quant and verbal sections is a pretty good barometer to use to evaluate your score, so your quant score is a bit below the mark. With that said, 740 is a strong overall score. Do you have a quantitative background (professionally/academically)? Did you do well in your quant classes in undergrad? If so, you can potentially leverage your strong quant background to show that you are capable of excelling in a quantitatively rigorous program. This can be explained in the optional essay.

Monica Okrah
Senior Consultant, mbaMission
www.mbamission.com