GMAT Verbal Reasoning Score

The Verbal Reasoning section on the GMAT along with the Quantitative Reasoning section combine to make a cumulative score of 200-800, which most test-takers focus on in preparation. There is, however, more to your score than the cumulative score.

Before merging with the Quantitative Reasoning score to become a 200-800, the Verbal Reasoning section is scored on a 0-60 scale. What is confusing for many people is that you cannot easily calculate your own score based on how many questions you have gotten correct. The Verbal Reasoning section of the exam is computer adaptive. This means that as you answer questions, the algorithm notes when you have answered a question correctly. This, in turn, affects the next question you are presented with. This goes on as you work on the exam, which also means that if you are unable to finish the exam, thusly having multiple missed questions in a row, you will have a disproportionally low score.

Along with your cumulative score and Verbal scale score of 0-60, you will see your percentile score. Percentile scores are interesting because the score itself does not tell the whole story. For example, a score of 40 on the Verbal would place you in the 90th percentile, while a 40 on the Quant would place you in the 40th percentile. The disparity highlights that test-takers, in general, score higher on the Quants section, so a 40 is considered more impressive in Verbal than it would be in Quants.

If you are taking the GMAT, it is likely that you have a few specific programs which you are hoping will accept you. Having done your research about the program, you should also have an idea of the cumulative score, individual Verbal and Quantitative scale scores, and the percentile scores that most of the students in the program have. This knowledge along with your own score help you to see how you compare to the most recent incoming class, which can help you to guess the likelihood of your own acceptance.