That depends (obviously you couldn’t have expected a clear yes or no answer here). What was your score? What is the GMAT average at your target MBA program? How many times have you retaken the test in the past? Are you a reapplicant? Is the rest of your application rock solid, or do you have other less-than-perfect profile elements?

I’ll try and make this as concise as possible. You probably should retake the GMAT if your score is less than the average GMAT score for your target MBA program AND:

a) You have other weaknesses in your profile.

b) You have plenty of time to study and do better next time.

c) You’ve only taken the GMAT once or twice before.

d) You are a member of an over-represented group that usually does well on the GMAT.

e) You are an MBA reapplicant who received feedback that pointed directly to your GMAT score as your application weakness.

f) And you were doing better on practice tests and believe you had the proverbial “bad day.”

Now, if you fall into all these categories, then I’d say you should 100% retake the GMAT, but if it’s just one or two of the above, then you’ll have to weigh the situation.

If you have other weaknesses and you have plenty of time to retake the GMAT, then you may think retaking it is obvious. BUT, what if you’ve already retaken it five or six times? If that’s the case, retaking the GMAT may not be your best bet; instead, you may want to adjust your target school list. You may just be applying to schools that are beyond your reach.