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Kitiyala Jamir

Updated on 15th September, 2023 , 6 min read

GMAT Score

Exam

What is GMAT Exam?

Graduate Management Admission Test is a computer adaptive test designed to assess analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA program.

  • The GMAT Exam costs $275 USD. 
  • The GMAT exam lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes

People Also Read: GMAT 2023 Eligibility

GMAT Score Chart 

The GMAT score chart explains how your scaled scores on the Quant and Verbal sections map to your total GMAT score of 800 points, and it can help you understand where you need to improve to improve your total GMAT score. The Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning scores have no bearing on your GMAT total score. You will also be given a percentile score, which will tell you how you fared in comparison to the other 100 people who took the GMAT. For example, if your Verbal section score is 70 percentile, it means that you are ahead of 70 of the 100 candidates taking the GMAT 2023.

Also Read: GMAT Exam Fees

GMAT Scoring Algorithim

The GMAT score chart and scoring algorithm have evolved over time. There has been compression, especially as you approach a perfect GMAT score — achieving a 780, 790, or 800 GMAT score now requires higher scaled scores in each of the sections than it did several years ago, because so many test takers have achieved high scores.

GMAT Score to Percentile

Here is a table that compares your scaled score to percentile:

Scaled Score

Percentile

Scaled Score

Percentile

760-800

99

520

37

750

98

510

35

740

97

500

32

730

96

490

30

720

94

480

27

710

92

470

25

700

89

460

22

690

87

450

20

680

85

440

18

670

83

430

17

660

80

420

15

650

77

410

14

640

73

400

12

630

71

390

11

620

68

380

10

610

65

370

9

600

62

360

8

590

58

340-350

6

580

55

330

5

570

52

310-320

4

560

49

280-300

3

550

46

250-270

2

540

43

220-240

1

530

39

200-210

0

Average GMAT Scores

Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800, with 565 being the current average. GMAC, the organization that administers the GMAT exam, reports that two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600.

Take a look at the table below for average GMAT scores 

SECTION

AVERAGE GMAT SCORE

Verbal

27.11

Quantitative

40.38

Integrated Reasoning

4.51

Analytical Writing Assessment

4.45

TOTAL SCORE

564.84

How GMAT is Scored?

It's crucial to understand how the GMAT test is scored if you're studying for it. Individual section scores are just as important as the GMAT total score. The results of each section reveal a lot about your abilities and limitations. A table outlining the GMAT score calculation is provided.

Sections

Scoring

How the section is scored

Analytical Writing Assessment

0–6

Scored in half-point increments

A machine algorithm and professional raters are used to score essays.

Integrated Reasoning

1–8

Scored in 1-point increments

This section is graded based on the number of correctly answered questions. Questions with multiple parts must be answered in order for all parts to receive credit.

Quantitative

0–60

Scored in 1-point increments

This section is graded on the following criteria:

  • The number of questions that were answered
  • The number of correctly answered questions
  • The difficulty level of the questions answered

Verbal

0–60

Scored in 1-point increments

This section is scored based on:

  • The number of questions that were answered
  • The number of correctly answered questions
  • The difficulty level of the questions answered

Total Score

200–800

Scored in 10-point increments

Total scores are determined by the results of the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections.

People Also Read: GMAT Exam Pattern

What is the GMAT Score Range?

From the table above, you can see the range of GMAT scores for the current version of the exam. This gives you an idea of how GMAT scores are calculated.

  • Analytical Writing Assessment: 0-6
  • Integrated Reasoning: 1-8
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 6-51
  • Verbal Reasoning: 6-51
  • Total GMAT Score Range: 200-800

What is a Good GMAT Score?

On the day of the GMAT exam, once you've completed it, you'll receive your unofficial GMAT score, excluding the AWA score. At this point, you can choose to either accept or cancel it. Now, what defines a strong GMAT score? Generally, a strong GMAT score exceeds 650 and meets the GMAT cutoff requirements for your desired MBA program. If the GMAT score you attain aligns with your criteria for applying to your chosen MBA or MIM program, you can move forward with it. A solid GMAT score will serve your admission goals well.

Students should understand that a strong GMAT score is just one component of their application. Business schools typically seek candidates with solid academic backgrounds, relevant work experience (unless applying for MIM programs), participation in extracurricular activities, and more. Additionally, your application materials, including your resume, statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LOR), admission essays, etc., hold substantial importance in the admissions process. Therefore, if you aim to gain admission to top-ranked business schools, it's crucial to strive for a comprehensive and well-rounded application.

Also Read: GMAT Preparation Tips

GMAT Percentile Rankings

The GMAT Total Score percentile rankings are based on GMAT exam results from the previous three years.

GMAT Score

Mean Score

Percentile Rankings

800

574.51

99%

750

98%

700

87%

650

70%

600

50%

550

34%

500

22%

450

13%

400

8%

350

4%

300

2%

250

1%

200

0%

Understanding Your GMAT Score

Before embarking on your GMAT exam preparation journey, it's crucial for students to have a clear understanding of their desired GMAT score. Alongside this, they should also evaluate the disparity between their current level of preparedness and the GMAT score they aspire to attain. Here are some guidelines to help you determine your target GMAT score:

  • Research MBA Colleges of Interest: Begin by compiling a list of MBA programs you intend to apply to. To make an informed decision, delve into details such as their offered courses, specializations, placement records, faculty credentials, rankings, and more.
  • Identify GMAT Averages and Cut-offs: Familiarize yourself with the average GMAT scores or GMAT cut-off requirements for these MBA programs. This information will give you a clear picture of what your target GMAT score should be.
  • Take a Diagnostic Test: Consider taking a GMAT practice test to assess your current level of preparedness. This diagnostic test will enable you to pinpoint the gap between your current mock test score and the GMAT score you aim to achieve. Using this evaluation, you can devise a strategic plan for your GMAT exam preparation.

Understanding Your GMAT Verbal Reasoning Score

The GMAT verbal section comprises 36 questions to be completed within a 65-minute timeframe. This section encompasses tasks such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and sentence correction, evaluating the test-taker's ability to reason, assess arguments, and edit written content to meet established standards of written English.

  • Three key factors determine the Verbal Reasoning score:
  • The number of questions answered by the candidate.
  • The accuracy of the candidate's responses.
  • The difficulty level and other specifications of the questions tackled by the candidate.

Verbal Reasoning scores range from 0 to 60, with receiving a Verbal Reasoning sub-score of nine or higher being unusual. The Verbal Reasoning score contributes to the overall total score. Both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning results are presented on a consistent scale, allowing for comparisons across all GMAT test administrations. However, they cannot be directly compared to each other as they assess distinct skill sets.

Score

Mean Score

Percentile Ranking

51

27.51

99%

46

99%

41

93%

36

79%

31

59%

26

41%

21

24%

16

11%

11

3%

6

0%

Understanding Your GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Score

The GMAT Quantitative section comprises 31 questions focused on data sufficiency and problem-solving, all to be completed within a 62-minute timeframe. This section assesses the test-taker's abilities in mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and interpreting GMAT data.

  • Quantitative reasoning scores can range from 0 to 60, and it's unusual to achieve a Quantitative Reasoning sub-score of seven or higher. 
  • The Quantitative Reasoning score contributes to the overall total score. 
  • Both Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning results are presented on a consistent scale, enabling comparisons across all GMAT test administrations. 

However, it's important to note that these scores cannot be directly compared to each other, as they evaluate different skill sets.

Score

Mean Score

Percentile Ranking

51

41.3%

97%

46

53%

41

34%

36

22%

31

14%

26

8%

21

5%

16

3%

11

1%

6

0%

Understanding GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Score

The GMAT AWA requires one 30-minute written essay on argument analysis.

  • The ability of the candidate to articulate an appropriate and constructive critique of a given conclusion based on a specific line of thought. It is not necessary to have in-depth knowledge of the essay topic because only the ability to write analytically is evaluated.
  • The Analytical Writing Assessment essay is graded by a computer algorithm and qualified essay raters.
  • The average score ranges from 0 to 6, in half-point increments. The AWA scores, which are computed separately from the multiple-choice test results, have no effect on the Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative, and Total GMAT scores.

The AWA score is calculated by averaging two independent assessmentAWA essays are graded using a combination of qualified and approved human raters and a computer algorithm. If there is a discrepancy between the algorithm score and the human score, an additional human rater will assess the score and may make adjustments. 

Score

Mean Score

Percentile Ranking

6

4.43

87%

5

56%

4

18%

3

4%

2

1%

1

0%

0

0%

Check Out: GMAT Syllabus 2023

Indian Colleges Accepting GMAT Score

The following are the top Indian colleges that accept GMAT scores for admission:

University

Program

Average GMAT Score

Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad

PGP, YLP

700

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

PGPX

706

Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

EPGP

695

Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta

PGPEX

700+

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow

IMPX

680

XLRI Xavier School of Management

GMP

700

Indian Institute of Management, Indore

EPGP

Cut-off-580

S.P.Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

PGDM

680

Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad

PGDM, PGDM-Ex

690

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

PGPM

680

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GMAT total score?

The GMAT total score is a number between 200 and 800 that is calculated based on your performance on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the exam. The Verbal Reasoning section is scored between 0 and 60, and the Quantitative Reasoning section is scored between 0 and 60. Your total score is then calculated by adding your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores together.

What is a good GMAT total score?

The average GMAT total score is 547. A good GMAT total score is generally considered to be anything above 650. A score of 700 or above is considered to be a very good score, and a score of 750 or above is considered to be an excellent score.

How many questions can I get wrong on the GMAT and still get a good score?

The number of questions you can get wrong on the GMAT and still get a good score depends on your overall score goal. For example, if you are aiming for a score of 700, you can miss up to 16 questions on the entire exam. If you are aiming for a score of 750, you can miss up to 12 questions on the entire exam.

How is the GMAT total score calculated?

The GMAT total score is calculated using a complex algorithm that takes into account your performance on each question on the exam, as well as the difficulty of each question. The algorithm is designed to ensure that your total score accurately reflects your overall ability in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning.

What is the difference between the GMAT total score and the GMAT percentile score?

Your GMAT total score is a number between 200 and 800 that is calculated based on your performance on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the exam. Your GMAT percentile score is a percentage that indicates how well you performed on the exam compared to other test-takers. For example, a percentile score of 90 means that you scored higher than 90% of all test-takers on the GMAT.

What is the average GMAT total score for top MBA programs?

The average GMAT total score for top MBA programs varies from school to school. However, most top MBA programs have an average GMAT total score of at least 700. Some top MBA programs, such as Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business, have average GMAT total scores of over 730.

What can I do to improve my GMAT total score?

The best way to improve your GMAT total score is to take a comprehensive GMAT preparation course. These courses will teach you the skills and strategies you need to succeed on the exam. You should also practice taking GMAT practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the format of the exam and identify any areas where you need to improve

Is GMAT very tough?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is widely regarded as a difficult exam. The average GMAT score is 574.51 out of 800, representing 71.8% and falling between the 52 and 55 percentiles. However, if you devote 3-6 months to GMAT exam preparation, you can easily score 700 or higher.

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