GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Section Score
Understanding the Score
As you are preparing to choose a business program, you are probably seeing statistics about minimum GMAT scores and averages of other students in the programs you are interested in. So, what do these scores mean?
There are four different components of your GMAT score: Total Score, Quantitative Reasoning Score, Verbal Reasoning Score, and Data Insights Score. The total score ranges from 205-805 points. The Business Writing Assessment (BWA) is not part of the standard GMAT; it is an optional section that's scored separately if you choose to take it.
You can also expect to see a percentile ranking, which compares your performance to others who took the GMAT in previous years. So, while two students may have the same total score, their percentiles could be different depending on when they took the test.
Scaled Score
As in the Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights sections, the Quantitative Reasoning section has a scaled score ranging from 60-90 with 1-point intervals. The standard error of measurement is three points. There are many factors that affect your final total score. It is based on how many questions you answer correctly, how difficult those questions were, and the total number of questions you answer.
Total Score
The total score is comprised of your Verbal, Quantitative, and Data Insights scores. GMAC takes the combined scores, each ranging from 60-90, and converts it to a scale of 205-805, using 10-point increments. So, all Total Score values end in a '5'. The standard error of measurement is 30–40 points. Note that the classic GMAT's 700 score is 645 on the GMAT Focus.
Percentile Scores
Along with each of the four scores you receive, you will also see a corresponding percentile score. This is the most accurate way to compare yourself to other GMAT test-takers. Using data from previous years, percentiles compare your score to how well others did on the test. For example, a percentile ranking of 80% means you performed better than 80% of other test takers, and 20% of test takers did better than you. This can be very helpful in understanding the applicants you will be competing with for a spot in the business program of your choice. It also helps put into perspective how competitive a particular program is, as it will aid in understanding how these programs' expectations compare to the average test-taker.
Adaptive Scoring
The Verbal, Data Insights, and Quantitative sections of the GMAT are all adaptive. That means that as you answer each question, the algorithm is calculating your score. You start with an average question, and your next question's difficulty will depend on whether you answer the previous question correctly. Over the course of the exam, the algorithm determines your competency.
Your score is therefore determined not only by whether you answer a question correctly, but also by the difficulty of the questions. So, answering the same number of questions correctly does not mean that two people will necessarily have the same score.
With this in mind:
- It is important to try to answer every question. Because the algorithm is working continuously, missing a handful of questions at the end can negatively affect your score.
- Do not rush through the questions. This can have the same effect as skipping many questions at the end of the exam and make the algorithm think your highest possible proficiency level is lower than it is.
- Practice in advance so you can get a good feel for timing and for which questions you are able to answer without losing too much time.
Although you will see your score at the end of the test, this will not be your official result. You will be presented with your unofficial Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights scaled scores, and the total score. If you chose to take the Business Writing Assessment section, which is not part of the main GMAT, you will have to wait to see that component of your GMAT score.