So what happens on that dreadful day (yes, I say dreadful because it could be an amazing day for you, or a terrible day, depending on your score result, which you happen to get right after you finish your exam)? I have a few ideas in mind for you.

First, don’t let emotions get the best of you after you get your test result. You may be ecstatic because you got that 790 score that you were always wanting, or you may be down because you got a lower score than you might have imagined or thought that you would get. Regardless, don’t let that score get the best of you. You might be imagining Stanford dreams or Harvard nights if you score well, but at the end of the day, a GMAT score is a score is a score is a score. The key to your score is knowing that your GMAT score is only one part of your overall B-school application, so don’t let a  bad score bring you down (and on the other spectrum, don’t think that a great score will automatically get you into a top five school, because it is not the only deciding factor). A great GMAT score does not imply that you are suddenly worthy of a fantastic coronation, nor does a bad score mean that you are doomed to only the lowest levels of business school hierarchy.

So you have just clicked “submit” on your final answer choice and you have just received your GMAT score. The score is right in front of you, smacking you in the face, a mark that is tattooed on you for the rest of your graduate school days, one that you have been working toward for the last several months. So what if it isn’t a score that you had hoped for or one that you thought you would achieve. No matter what, realize that there are several options for you and if the score isn’t what you wanted, then there are several options for you.

First and foremost, you can TAKE THE TEST AGAIN. Who cares if you didn’t do so well. There is always another chance, especially for the GMAT. If you didn’t do well, take it as a lesson learned and prepare to take it again. Though, this next time, take the test seriously and prepare for it. No matter what you did for your first exam, take this next one as if you were being judged. Prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for it. Tell yourself that this test has a large part of what your future will hold. Don’t do it half-assed. Kick yourself and get yourself into a routine that will enable you to do well come the next test day. Many people think that taking the GMAT twice is bad, but that is not the case. Schools like to see improvement, so a second chance is something that you should take advantage of and tell your target schools that you mean business and that you are serious about the business school process.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the GMAT is only ONE part of your business school application. Don’t let a lower score keep you from applying to those schools that you have targeted. There are so many other things that the application committee looks for and the GMAT is only one part of your application. Your work experience, undergraduate institution and GPA, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation, among others, are all just as important in your application. Also, keep in mind that the admission committee at any given school thinks far too erratically than you will ever understand and your application is very subjective in their eyes – you are only some random number on several pieces of paper. Use this as your advantage and show the ad-com that you are better than your test score reveals. There are many ways around the GMAT score and you can also address them in the additional essays that many schools offer.

If you feel that you gave your best effort on test day and don’t think that another exam will entitle you to a better score, don’t fret. You can always adjust your target schools to any score. While it is not the most enjoyable experience to “downwardly” adjust your application schools because of a lower GMAT score, realize that it happens to many people and you are not the only one. There are plenty of amazing MBA programs out there and you just might have to look elsewhere.  Overall, it is not the end of the world if your scores (in your eyes) don’t match your application school(s) target scores.

When you receive your final score, whether good or bad, don’t jump out of your seat. There are many options that are available to you if your scores aren’t a good predictor of your achievements. Just realize that the GMAT is only one part of your business school application and you can make it better or talk around it in your application. I hope that your test score is what you want, but if not, just know that there is more to life than the GMAT. I’m sure you will be just fine! Good luck!!

Please visit the Grockit forum or leave a comment here to discuss your thoughts on the test day experience.