Should I Retest?

I rarely see a downside to retesting. Sometimes clients will ask me if it will "look bad" to take the GMAT or GRE repeatedly, as the admissions committee may judge them for not acing it on the first try.

The truth is actually the opposite. It is rare to hit your best score on the first try, so if you take just one or two tests, the school may wonder why you did not continue testing, especially if your score is below the school averages, or you have a profile gap to overcome, like a lower GPA.

I often ask clients to look at their best quant, their best verbal, and their best data insights across every sitting, and ask what their composite would be if they hit all three on the same day. They have already proven they can hit each of those section scores, just on different days. The next step is to go back and get the score they deserve based on their abilities.

If an applicant is not sure if they are ready to retest, I often advise them to take a series of full-length practice tests, and when those are landing where they want them, they are ready to book the real thing. There should be no surprises on game day.

Retesting shows persistence and grit. As I have heard an admissions director say multiple times, "we read to admit." This means they are looking for reasons to let you in, not keep you out. Furthermore, I do not believe they have time to dig into why it took you four tries to hit your score instead of one. They will simply appreciate that fourth try, given it gives them a better candidate and also will boost their class profile.

I am also often asked what happens if the score doesn't increase, and candidates have an inclination to hide it. You choose which scores to send to the schools, but regardless, the schools just want to look at your best and assess your candidacy on that, not judge you on your worst.

If the composite score stays the same or decreases, but one of the section scores increases, that is a win and we will share it with the schools. If the scores decrease, the schools will not know about it. Some schools do ask for the total number of exams taken. If your score is on the lower side, a higher number there shows effort at a minimum, even if you are not submitting all of the scores.

Let's not get to the end of the process, look back, and wonder what would have happened if we had done things differently. I want us to have no regrets. 99% of the time, if you ask me if you should retest, I will tell you yes.