What is a Good GMAT Score & How the GMAT Score is Calculated?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an important measure for prospective MBA and other graduate management program applicants. A good GMAT score can help candidates for admission into top business colleges around the globe. 

Understanding how a good GMAT score is calculated is essential for aspirants. However, there is no clear-cut answer to that question. Scores in the GMAT exam are based on your performance relative to other test takers and are calculated using a complex algorithm that considers the number of correct answers, the difficulty level of those questions, and other factors. Scores in the GMAT exam are based on your academic history as well as your achievements. Now let’s see in detail about the Good GMAT Score.

Read More: GMAT Registration

What is a Good GMAT Score in the GMAT Exam?

Performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is evaluated relative to the admissions standards of target business schools. In the GMAT Focus Edition, which employs a scoring scale ranging from 205 to 805, a score of 615 corresponds to approximately the 80th percentile, indicating performance within the upper quintile of test-takers. Achieving a score of 655 places an individual in the 90th percentile, whereas scores of 705 or greater signify performance within the top two per cent. Admission to premier global Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs generally necessitates a score exceeding 685, which approximates the 96th percentile, to be deemed competitive.

Conversely, institutions in the mid-tier may consider scores within the 605 to 635 range. While a good GMAT score can substantially enhance an application, it constitutes only a component of the admissions review process. Admissions committees also evaluate academic transcripts, professional histories, written essays, and letters of recommendation. GMAT scores maintain validity for a period of five years, thus affording candidates flexibility in their application scheduling.

Read More – 6 Tips to Score More than Q50 in the quant section

Good GMAT Score: How the GMAT Score is Calculated?

The GMAT Focus Edition has a distinct scoring scale compared to the earlier version of the exam. This change helps clearly differentiate scores from the Focus Edition and the previous GMAT format. In the GMAT Focus Edition, the Total Score ranges from 205 to 805, with all scores ending in a 5. Each of the three individual sections—Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights—is scored on a scale of 60 to 90, increasing in 1-point intervals. Meanwhile, the Total Score increases in 10-point intervals. This revamped scoring structure ensures clarity for both candidates and business schools when evaluating performance.

Read More – The different sections of the GMAT exam

The score scale for the GMAT Exam – Focus Edition 

GMAT Exam – Focus Edition: 205–805
Previous edition of the GMAT Exam: 200–800

The score scale for the GMAT Exam – Focus Edition has also been adjusted to reflect changes in the test-taking population, which has become more diverse and global. Over the years, scores have shifted significantly, resulting in an uneven distribution. The updated score scale fixes that, thus allowing schools to better differentiate your performance on the exam.

In addition to the score scale recalibration, the following key changes distinguish the GMAT Exam – Focus Edition:

• The Total Score is now comprised of all 3 section scores.
• The content areas and test constructs have been refined to narrow the scope to focus on data literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• The scoring algorithm has been updated
• The new Question Review & Edit feature will have implications for testing behaviour

Your Unofficial Score

Immediately after completing the exam, your unofficial scores for the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, as well as your Total Score, are displayed on-screen. You are not allowed to record, save, screenshot, or print your unofficial score. 

Score Penalty for Unanswered Questions

There is a penalty for not completing each section of the exam. If you do not finish in the allotted time, your score will be penalized reflecting the number of questions unanswered. Your GMAT Exam – Focus Edition score will be the best reflection of your performance when all questions are managed to be answered within the time limit.

Your Official Score Report

Your Official Score Report is available via your mba.com account typically within 3-5 days*. You will be notified via email once your Official Score Report is available in your mba.com account (if you do not see the email, check your “junk mail” or “spam” folder). 

It includes your exam appointment details, some personal data that was provided at registration, individual section scores, Total Score, and percentile rankings. There is no need to cancel your score for the GMAT Focus Edition.

Since you are not required to select which business school programs receive your Official Score Report before you take the GMAT Focus Edition, there will never be a need to cancel your score. You only send the scores you want to, and if you do not send your Official Score Report to schools after the exam, they will not be able to see it. It will only remain accessible via your mba.com account for you to view.

Please note that once you send your score to a program, GMAC cannot undo that action or disable the school’s ability to view your score.

Read More: GMAT Syllabus

Good GMAT Score- Benchmarking Scores:

It’s beneficial for applicants to research the average GMAT scores of admitted students at their target schools. This information provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape and helps applicants set realistic score targets. While some schools publish average GMAT scores of their admitted students, others may offer a range or percentile distribution.

Strategies for Achieving a Good GMAT Score:

1. Comprehensive Preparation:

Successful performance on the GMAT requires diligent preparation. Utilize a variety of study resources, including official GMAT prep materials, practice exams, study guides, and online courses. Develop a study plan that encompasses all sections of the exam and allocate sufficient time for practice and review.

2. Practice with Official GMAT Questions:

Familiarize yourself with the types of questions and format of the GMAT by practising with official GMAT questions. The GMAT Official Guide, published by GMAC, contains a wealth of practice questions and retired GMAT exams that closely mirror the actual test experience.

3. Focus on Weak Areas:

Identify your strengths and weaknesses across different sections of the exam. Dedicate extra time and effort to improving areas where you struggle. Targeted practice and review can help bolster your performance in challenging areas and maximize your overall score.

4. Simulate Test Conditions:

Before the exam, simulate test conditions by taking full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This helps build stamina, familiarizes you with the pacing of the exam, and prepares you for the test-day experience.

5. Seek Support and Guidance:

Consider enrolling in a GMAT prep course or working with a tutor to receive personalized guidance and support. Collaborating with peers who are also preparing for the GMAT can provide valuable insights and motivation.

Good GMAT Score- Conclusion:

Understanding the GMAT scoring system is like understanding the rules of a game. Each section has its score, and they all add up to your total score. Aiming for a good score is like aiming to get into a top business school. So, study hard and do your best. By understanding the scoring system, decoding the calculation process, and implementing effective preparation strategies, aspiring business candidates can position themselves for success on the GMAT and beyond.