Should You Retake the GMAT? Complete Decision Guide
Quick Answer
Retake the GMAT if your score is 30+ points below your target school's median, you scored significantly below practice tests, or you had correctable test day issues. Most test-takers improve 30-40 points on their first retake with focused preparation. However, avoid retaking if you're within 20 points of target, have already taken it 3+ times, or have weak other application components that need attention.
The Retake Decision Matrix
Definitely Retake If
| Situation | Score Gap | Success Rate | Typical Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below school's 25th percentile | 50+ points | 85% improve | 40-60 points |
| Test day disaster (illness, anxiety) | Any | 90% improve | 50-80 points |
| Minimal preparation first attempt | 30+ points | 80% improve | 40-70 points |
| Unbalanced subscores (Q/V gap 10+) | 20+ points | 75% improve | 30-50 points |
| Score 50+ below practice tests | 50+ points | 85% improve | 40-60 points |
Consider Retaking If
| Situation | Score Gap | Success Rate | Typical Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below school's median | 20-40 points | 60% improve | 20-40 points |
| Want scholarship consideration | 30-50 points | 50% improve | 20-30 points |
| Single section weakness | 15-30 points | 65% improve | 20-35 points |
| First attempt, scored 600-680 | 20-50 points | 55% improve | 20-40 points |
| Time management issues | Any | 70% improve | 30-40 points |
Don't Retake If
| Situation | Why Not | Alternative Action |
|---|---|---|
| Within 20 points of median | Diminishing returns | Focus on essays |
| Already taken 3+ times | Score fatigue | Consider GRE |
| Scored at your practice test level | Realistic ceiling reached | Strengthen other areas |
| 6 weeks or less to deadline | Insufficient prep time | Apply next round |
| Other app weaknesses | Better ROI elsewhere | Fix GPA, experience gaps |
Score Improvement Statistics
Retake Success Rates by Attempt
| Attempt Number | % Who Improve | Average Increase | % Who Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st → 2nd | 66% | +33 points | 22% |
| 2nd → 3rd | 53% | +21 points | 31% |
| 3rd → 4th | 42% | +14 points | 38% |
| 4th → 5th | 38% | +11 points | 43% |
Improvement by Initial Score Range
| Initial Score | Typical Retake Improvement | Maximum Realistic Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Below 500 | 50-80 points | 150 points |
| 500-550 | 40-60 points | 120 points |
| 550-600 | 30-50 points | 100 points |
| 600-650 | 20-40 points | 80 points |
| 650-700 | 15-30 points | 60 points |
| 700-750 | 10-20 points | 40 points |
| Above 750 | 0-10 points | 20 points |
Retake Timeline Planning
Minimum Preparation Between Attempts
| Score Gap to Close | Minimum Prep Time | Recommended Prep Time | Daily Study Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-30 points | 2-3 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 hours |
| 30-50 points | 4-6 weeks | 8-10 weeks | 3-4 hours |
| 50-80 points | 6-8 weeks | 10-12 weeks | 4-5 hours |
| 80+ points | 10-12 weeks | 16-20 weeks | 5-6 hours |
Application Deadline Considerations
Retake Viability by Time to Deadline:
| Weeks Until Deadline | Retake Recommendation | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 12+ weeks | Definitely retake if needed | Full preparation possible |
| 8-12 weeks | Retake with focused prep | Target specific weaknesses |
| 4-8 weeks | Only if major score gap | Intensive daily study required |
| Less than 4 weeks | Do not retake | Focus on other components |
Diagnostic Analysis Before Retaking
Section Performance Analysis
Quantitative Weakness Indicators:
- Quant percentile 20+ points below verbal
- Struggled with Data Sufficiency particularly
- Ran out of time on quant
- Silly calculation errors throughout
Verbal Weakness Indicators:
- Verbal percentile 20+ points below quant
- Sentence Correction accuracy below 60%
- Reading Comprehension timing issues
- Critical Reasoning pattern recognition weak
Enhanced Score Report Analysis
| Metric to Review | What It Tells You | Retake Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Time management | Pacing issues | Fixable with practice |
| Difficulty progression | Adaptation problems | Strategy adjustment needed |
| Question type performance | Content gaps | Targeted study required |
| Subscore percentiles | Section imbalance | Focus area identified |
Retake Preparation Strategy
What to Change for Your Retake
Study Approach Modifications
First Attempt Mistakes → Retake Corrections:
| Common First Attempt Error | Retake Strategy |
|---|---|
| Studied all topics equally | Focus 70% on weak areas |
| Only official guide | Add specialized resources |
| No error log | Track every mistake |
| Minimal practice tests | Weekly full tests |
| Solo study only | Add tutor/study group |
Content Focus by Score Gap
| Current vs Target | Primary Focus (60%) | Secondary Focus (30%) | Maintain (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50+ point gap | Fundamental concepts | Question strategies | Strong areas |
| 30-50 point gap | Weak question types | Time management | Strong sections |
| 20-30 point gap | Specific topics | Test strategy | Overall skills |
| 10-20 point gap | Silly mistakes | Speed optimization | Everything |
Week-by-Week Retake Plan
Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic & Planning
- Analyze previous attempt thoroughly
- Identify specific weaknesses
- Gather targeted resources
- Create study schedule
Weeks 3-4: Targeted Content Review
- Focus on highest-impact weaknesses
- Daily drills on problem areas
- Review fundamental concepts
- Build error log
Weeks 5-6: Practice Intensification
- Mixed practice sets daily
- Time pressure training
- Weekly practice test
- Strategy refinement
Week 7-8: Final Push
- Daily practice tests
- Review only errors
- Mental preparation
- Test day planning
School-Specific Retake Considerations
By School Tier
| School Tier | Current Score | Retake if Below | Strong Retake Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| M7 (HBS, Stanford, etc.) | Any | 720 | Below 700 |
| Top 10 | Any | 710 | Below 690 |
| Top 20 | Any | 700 | Below 680 |
| Top 30 | Any | 680 | Below 660 |
| Top 50 | Any | 650 | Below 630 |
Special Circumstances
Scholarship Seekers:
- Need median + 30 points
- Retake if below 740 for top schools
- Below 720 for mid-tier schools
Consulting/Banking Careers:
- Retake if below 720
- Quant below 48 (old scale)
- Below firm's typical range
Diverse Backgrounds:
- May not need as high scores
- Retake if below 25th percentile
- Focus on balanced scores
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Retake Investment Calculator
| Investment | Cost | Time | Opportunity Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test fee | $275 | - | - |
| Prep materials | $100-300 | - | - |
| Tutor (optional) | $1,000-3,000 | - | - |
| Study time | - | 100-200 hours | Work/life balance |
| Total | $375-3,575 | 100-200 hours | Varies |
Potential Returns
| Score Increase | School Tier Impact | Scholarship Impact | Career Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| +20 points | Same tier, better chances | +$10,000 potential | Minimal |
| +40 points | Up one tier possible | +$30,000 potential | Consulting/banking possible |
| +60 points | Up two tiers possible | +$50,000 potential | Significant doors open |
| +80 points | Dramatic change | Full ride possible | Complete transformation |
Alternative Strategies to Retaking
Instead of Retaking, Consider
-
Taking the GRE
- If verbal is stronger than quant
- If vocabulary is a strength
- If you've maxed GMAT attempts
-
Executive Assessment (EA)
- For EMBA programs
- For experienced professionals
- Shorter, less intensive test
-
Test Waivers
- Strong quant background
- CPA, CFA, or other certifications
- Exceptional work experience
-
Strengthening Other Components
- Outstanding essays
- Exceptional recommendations
- Additional coursework
- Impressive extracurriculars
Psychological Factors
Managing Retake Anxiety
Common Concerns & Solutions:
| Concern | Reality | Management Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| "What if I score lower?" | 22% do decrease | Keep first score as backup |
| "I'm not a good test taker" | Skills are learnable | Focus on strategy, not aptitude |
| "I've peaked" | Most haven't | Try different prep approach |
| "Schools will judge multiple attempts" | They typically don't | They consider highest score |
Motivation Maintenance
Week 1-2: High motivation, leverage it Week 3-4: Motivation dips, trust the process Week 5-6: Fatigue sets in, reduce other commitments Week 7-8: Anxiety peaks, focus on confidence
Success Stories Analysis
Case 1: The Strategic Retaker
- First attempt: 650 (Q42 V38)
- Identified issue: Quant fundamentals
- Prep change: Daily quant drills
- Retake: 720 (Q49 V40)
- Key: Targeted preparation
Case 2: The Test Day Disaster Recovery
- First attempt: 580 (severe anxiety)
- Prep change: Mental preparation focus
- Practice scores: Consistently 680-700
- Retake: 710
- Key: Addressed test anxiety
Case 3: The Persistent Improver
- Attempt 1: 600
- Attempt 2: 640 (wrong strategy)
- Attempt 3: 710 (complete overhaul)
- Key: Changed entire approach
Common Retake Mistakes to Avoid
Preparation Mistakes
❌ Using same materials: Get fresh questions ❌ Ignoring weak areas: Face them directly ❌ Over-testing: Quality over quantity ❌ No strategy change: Definition of insanity ❌ Cramming: Sustainable progress needed
Timing Mistakes
❌ Retaking too quickly: Need processing time ❌ Waiting too long: Lose momentum ❌ Multiple retakes in succession: Burnout risk ❌ Retaking during busy period: Need focus ❌ Last-minute desperation: Rarely works
The Decision Framework
Your Retake Decision Checklist
□ Score Analysis
- Score is 30+ points below target
- Subscores are significantly unbalanced
- Score is below 25th percentile of target schools
□ Preparation Assessment
- Can dedicate 100+ hours to preparation
- Have identified specific weaknesses
- Have access to new resources/strategies
□ Timeline Evaluation
- Have 8+ weeks before deadline
- Can maintain consistent study schedule
- No major life events interfering
□ Alternative Consideration
- Retaking has better ROI than other improvements
- Haven't exhausted attempt limits
- Mental energy available for retake
If you checked 3+ boxes: Strongly consider retaking If you checked 2 boxes: Evaluate carefully If you checked 0-1 boxes: Focus elsewhere
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I retake the GMAT?
You can take the GMAT up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period and 8 times lifetime. Most improvement happens in first 2-3 attempts.
Do schools see all my GMAT attempts?
Yes, schools see all valid GMAT scores from the past 5 years. However, they typically consider only your highest score for admissions decisions.
Should I cancel a low score?
Generally no. Schools understand bad days happen. Only cancel if you scored 100+ points below typical practice tests due to extraordinary circumstances.
Is a 30-point improvement realistic?
Yes, 66% of retakers improve their scores, with average gains of 33 points on first retake. Focused preparation on weaknesses makes 30-50 point improvements achievable.
When should I stop retaking?
Stop when: you've taken it 3+ times with minimal improvement, you're within 20 points of target, or continuing would delay your application to a weaker round.
Data based on GMAC statistics, analysis of 10,000+ retake outcomes, and admissions consultant insights from top MBA programs.