Techniques and apparatus for efficiently performing rate selection and transmit gain selection are provided. The techniques may be performed, for example, by a transmitting entity in the absence of explicit MCS selection reporting by a receiving entity. One technique includes outputting first packets for transmission using a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) value and via a transmit power amplifier (PA) configured according to a transmit gain parameter associated with the first MCS value. Feedback indicating whether the first packets have been received is obtained, a second MCS value for second packets is selected based on the feedback, and the transmit gain parameter is adjusted if one or more criteria are met. Second packets are output for transmission using the second MCS value and, thereafter, additional packets are output for transmission based on the first MCS value and the adjusted transmit gain parameter.