All about GMAT Scores

Scoring Overview

The GMAT Focus Edition is comprised of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. There is also an optional fourth section called the Business Writing Assessment. Since this section does not contribute to the total GMAT score, it will be discussed separately later.

Each of the GMAT's three required sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights) is scored separately. Test-takers receive a total score based on all three sections, individual scores for each of the three sections, and a percentile ranking that compares their performance to that of other students. The total score is the most widely used number in business school class profiles and in everyday discussion of the GMAT. Many admissions consultants believethe GMAT scores most relevant to business school acceptance are the total scores and the quantitative scores, which together may account for as much as 25% of admissions decisions. In most cases, the GMAT is a more significant factor in business school applications than a student's undergraduate GPA.

Total Scores

The GMAT underwent a significant update in 2023 which resulted in the GMAT Focus Edition. Scoring on the Focus Edition is significantly different from scoring on previous versions of the exam, and because of this, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) cautions that GMAT Focus scores cannot be compared to scores from previous versions of the test (any version prior to November 7^th, 2023). 

The GMAT total score ranges from 205 to 805. Each section contributes equally to the total score. It is important to note that the score scale has been adjusted to better reflect changes in the test-taking population, which has become more diverse and global. Over time, scores have shifted a great deal, resulting in an uneven score distribution. According to GMAC, the updated score scale fixes this problem, thus allowing business programs to better differentiate test-takers' performance. 

When it comes to achieving the ideal total score, the GMAC notes that "645 is the new 700." While those who took previous versions of the GMAT were encouraged to aim for a score of 700, those taking the GMAT Focus Edition should attempt to achieve a score of 645. It is important to remember that simply because total scores appear lower, they really aren't—they are simply scored differently. Business programs understand this, so there is no need to worry that thechange in scoring will affect how schools view GMAT scores.

Scores are based on the number of correct answers in the three sections, as well as the level of difficulty associated with each question. Like the previous version of the exam, the GMAT Focus Edition is a computer-adaptive test, which means the difficulty level of the questions will change depending on how the test-taker performs on previous questions. Test-takers receive unofficial scores, which are calculated by computer, immediately after completing the test, whether they take the exam at a testing center or online. 

Given that the GMAT Focus Edition is relatively new, very little data has been published about test scores and student performance, although this will certainly change over time. Based on available data, the GMAC reports a score of 553.35 as being the mean, or average, total score. As students wait for information about scores to be made more widely available, the GMAC suggests that business schools may look to percentile rankings, in addition to total scores, to better understand how a test-taker performed, making this an important indicator of ability not to be overlooked.

Verbal Reasoning Scores

Verbal Reasoning section scores range from 60-90. This score is based on three factors:

1. The number of questions answered
2. Whether the answers are correct or incorrect
3. The difficulty of the questions answered 

According to the GMAC, a mean, or average, Verbal Reasoning score is 79.28. A score of 76 falls at the 23^rd percentile, a score of 82 falls at the 76^th percentile, and a score of 84 falls at the 90^th percentile.

Quantitative Reasoning Scores

Quantitative Reasoning section scores range from 60-90. This score is based on three factors:

1. The number of questions answered
2. Whether the answers are correct or incorrect
3. The difficulty of the questions answered

According to the GMAC, a Quantitative Reasoning score of 78.05 is considered a mean, or average score. A score of 74 falls at the 26^th percentile, a score of 82 falls at the 76^th percentile, and a score of 86 falls at the 91^st percentile.

Data Insights Scores

Data Insights section scores range from 60-90. Just like Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores, the Data Insights section score is based on three factors:

1. The number of questions answered
2. Whether the answers are correct or incorrect
3. The difficulty of the questions answered

According to the GMAC, a Data Insights score of 74.89 is considered the mean, or average, score. A score of 71 falls at the 26^th percentile, a score of 79 falls at the 77^th percentile, and a score of 82 falls at the 93^rd percentile.

Business Writing Assessment Scores

The Business Writing Assessment (BWA) is an optional part of the GMAT, however, it's not expected to stay completely optional for long. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, only Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan incorporated the BWA into their admissions process. According to Harvard Business School, all admitted students are required to have completed an official writing assessment. Those applicants who were invited to interview were encouraged to go ahead and take the BWA to meet this requirement. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, MIT Sloan noted that candidates "may" be required to complete the BWA after receiving an invitation to interview. 

While many test-takers rejoiced when the previous writing section of the GMAT was done away with, it is expected that more business programs will begin requiring students to complete the BWA, either as part of their initial application, following an offer to interview, or following an offer of admission. 

This is expected primarily because of the rise of AI-based programs that make it difficult to determine the true writing abilities of a business school candidate. The BWA allows programs to assess applicants' writing abilities in a proctored environment with a set time limit. More and more students are using AI-assisted writing tools to complete program applications, write personal statements or essays, or respond to other aspects of business school applications. The BWA helps schools better understand how well a person can convey their thoughts in writing without relying on an AI program, as the writing on a BWA can be compared to the writing throughout the rest of an application, providing additional insight into a particular applicant's writing skills. According to the GMAC, a "well-structured, persuasive response will demonstrate to schools that you have the logical reasoning and communication skills necessary to succeed in the classroom and beyond."

The BWA is a 30-minute, online writing assessment that asks test-takers to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and then write a critique of that argument. Test-takers are asked to evaluate the line of reasoning, as well as the use of evidence presented in the argument. Arguments provided include a wide range of topics relevant both to business and general interest, which means that specific knowledge of a topic is neither expected nor required. The test is available online and can be taken year-round. The GMAC recommends two to six hours of preparation for this assessment. The BWA is not included in the standard GMAT registration fee and costs an additional $30, although this cost includes sending the BWA score to as many participating schools as a student wishes. 

Each BWA is evaluated using a standardized rubric and scored in one-point increments on a scale of 0 to 6. The standardized rubric evaluates aspects of writing such as grammar, clarity, organization, and relevance to the prompt. Test-takers typically receive their scores within three to five days of completing the BWA.