The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as GMAT, is a standardised exam that assesses a candidate's ability to succeed in business school.
Many top business schools worldwide use the GMAT test scores as part of their admissions criteria. A good GMAT score can be a factor in getting admission into a top-ranked business school.
In this article, we will discuss what a good GMAT score is and how it is calculated.
What is a GMAT Score?
The GMAT test is divided into four sections - Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR). The AWA and IR sections are scored on a scale of 0-6, while the QR and VR sections are scored on a 0-60.
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Talk to an ExpertThe overall GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800, with increments of 10 points. The score is based on the combined performance in all four test sections.
What is a Good GMAT Score?
A good GMAT score is competitive enough to secure admission to the business school of your choice.
However, what constitutes a good GMAT score may vary depending on the business school's admission criteria and the competition level for admission. Generally, a score above 700 is considered a good GMAT score, while a score above 750 is considered excellent.
It is essential to note that a good GMAT score is not the only factor that determines admission to a business school. The admission committee considers other factors, such as work experience, academic records, letters of recommendation, and application essays.
Calculation of GMAT Score
The Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are computer-adaptive, which means that the difficulty level of the questions adapts to the candidate's ability. The computer selects questions based on the candidate's responses to the previous questions. The GMAT score is based on the performance in all four test sections.
The next question will be more challenging if the candidate answers the question correctly. The next question will be more straightforward if the candidate answers incorrectly. The computer-adaptive test ensures the candidate is presented with questions tailored to their ability level.
The Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning sections are not computer-adaptive. The AWA section requires the candidate to write an essay that analyses an argument, while the IR section assesses the candidate's ability to integrate data from multiple sources.
Each section of the GMAT test is scored separately. The AWA and IR sections are scored on a scale of 0-6 in increments of 0.5 points. The QR and VR sections are scored on a scale of 0-60 in increments of 1 point.
The scores for the QR and VR sections are based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for incorrect answers.
A human grader and an automated system calculate the scores for the AWA and IR sections.
The essay in the AWA section is graded by a human grader, who assigns a score based on the quality of the writing, the coherence of the argument, and the use of evidence to support the idea.
The IR section is graded by an automated system, which assesses the candidate's ability to integrate data from multiple sources.
The final GMAT score is calculated by combining the scores from all four test sections. The QR and VR scores are combined to create the scaled score, which ranges from 6 to 51 in increments of 1 point.
The AWA and IR scores are combined to create separate score rangings from 0 to 6 in increments of 0.5 points. The overall GMAT score is then calculated by combining the scaled and AWA/IR scores.
The scaled score and AWA/IR score are combined using a complex algorithm, which considers the difficulty level of the questions and the number of questions answered correctly.
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Section |
Score Range |
Scaled Score |
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Quantitative Reasoning |
0-60 |
Scaled Score (0-51) |
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Verbal Reasoning |
0-60 |
Scaled Score (0-51) |
|
Integrated Reasoning |
1-8 |
Scaled Score (1-8) |
|
Analytical Writing Assessment |
0-6 |
Score (0-6) |
For example, a candidate who scores 49 on the Quantitative Reasoning section and 41 on the Verbal Reasoning section will have a scaled score of 710.
If the candidate also scores five on the AWA section and six on the IR section, the overall GMAT score will be calculated as follows:
Scaled Score + AWA/IR Score = Overall GMAT Score
710 + (5 + 6) = 721
Therefore, the candidate's overall GMAT score is 721.
GMAT Percentiles
In addition to the overall GMAT score, candidates receive a percentile ranking, which indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored below the candidate's score. The GMAT percentile ranking is based on the scores of all test-takers in the past three years. For example, if a candidate's GMAT score is in the 80th percentile, they scored higher than 80% of test-takers in the past three years.
The percentile ranking can be helpful for candidates to compare their scores with those of other test-takers. However, it is essential to note that the percentile ranking does not consider the specific requirements of the business school to which the candidate is applying.
How to Prepare for the GMAT
Preparing for the GMAT is essential to achieving a good score. Here are some tips for preparing for the GMAT:
- Understand the Test Format: Familiarize yourself with the test structure, the types of questions, and the time limits for each section.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a study plan with a schedule for studying, practice tests, and review sessions.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: The more practice questions you do, the more comfortable you will become with the test format and the types of questions and read the Best Books for the GMAT.
- Take Practice Tests: Take practice tests to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Review and Analyze Your Performance: Review your practice test results and analyse your performance to identify improvement areas.
- Seek Guidance: Consider seeking guidance from a GMAT prep course or a private tutor to improve your performance.
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FAQs
What is a good GMAT score?
A good GMAT score is typically considered above 700, while an excellent score is above 750.
How is the GMAT score calculated?
The GMAT score is calculated based on the performance in all four test sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment.
What is the difference between the percentile ranking and the overall GMAT score?
The overall GMAT score reflects the candidate's performance on the test, while the percentile ranking indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored below the candidate's score.
How important is the GMAT score for MBA admissions?
The GMAT score is essential for admission to many top-ranked MBA programs worldwide. It is often considered alongside other factors such as work experience, academic background, and personal qualities.
How can I prepare for the GMAT?
Candidates can prepare for the GMAT by familiarising themselves with the test format, creating a study plan, practising, taking practice tests, reviewing their performance, and seeking guidance if necessary. TManyMAT prep courses and materials are also available to help candidates prepare.
