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
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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.
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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:
|
Verbal | 0–60 Scored in 1-point increments | This section is scored based on:
|
Total Score | 200–800 Scored in 10-point increments | Total scores are determined by the results of the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. |
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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.
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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 |