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GMAT Score Chart Explained (2024 Updated Guide)

Jordan Coleman
Published by Jordan Coleman
Last Updated On: December 18, 2021

You’ve taken the official GMAT or completed a practice test and have received your score. Now what? With so many graduate schools and such a range of acceptable scores, it can be hard to determine what’s the target score for you. By using a GMAT score chart, you’ll have a better idea of where your score stacks up.

What is the GMAT Score Chart?

The GMAT score chart shows how your actual scaled scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT rank when compared to a perfect 800 total. The main reason you’ll be using this chart is to see which area you are struggling with the most and how to raise your total score.

Closer Look at the Score Chart

A person holding and reading a GMAT scoring table

Verbal Scaled Score

The verbal score of the GMAT is based on three factors. The first being the number of questions you answer.

The second is the number of questions correctly answered, and the last is the difficulty and other parameters of the questions. You’ll score higher if you answer more questions and even higher still if you answer more questions correctly.

Quantitative Scaled Score

Similar to verbal scoring, the quantitative score is based on the same three factors. One key way of getting a higher score is by answering questions correctly and getting to the more difficult questions, which have a higher point weight. You’ll come away with a score of 6 to 51 here.

Total Scaled Score

The total score is based on a test-takers calculated performance before scores are given for the Verbal or Quantitative sections. This raw calculation gets converted to a number known as the “total score range”.

They are reported in intervals of 10. With the score in the 200-800 range.

Analytical Writing Assessment Score

The GMAT essays are scored using professional raters and an algorithm. You’ll get a score ranging from 0.0 to 6.0. You can visit the following link to learn more about GMAT analytical writing assessment.

Integrated Reasoning Score

Your integrated reasoning score is all based on the number of questions you answer correctly, similar to the quantitative and verbal sections. The key here is that some questions will have multiple parts, you’ll need to answer all parts correctly to receive any form of credit. The GMAT will give you a score between 1 and 8 here.

The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

 

Dr. Seuss

How is the GMAT Score Calculated?

A black man typing in a calculator with a laptop on display trying to calculate his GMAT score

This GMAT chart and scoring algorithm have been updated over the years. One major difference is the chart was updated to compress more as you reach the perfect 800.

To get a 780 or above requires a much higher scaled score. The score you’ll receive has four different components: writing assessment (0-6), integrated reasoning (1-8), verbal and quant separate (each 0-60), and verbal quant cumulative (200-800).

Most students use the cumulative score with the GMAT score chart. [1] With the score, you’ll also get a percentile ranking for both the verbal and quant sections.

It signifies the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you, and it’s based on the last three years of individuals taking the test. When looking at the chart, you’ll notice that the percentages don’t always line up. That is because most people who take the test do better in the quant section making the average there higher.

What’s a Good GMAT Score?

The possible scores for the GMAT range from 200 to 800 points, with the average test-taker, receiving a score of around 565. This means that two-thirds of people score between 400 and 600.

But the real question is, what’s a good score for you? The real answer is there’s no hard and fast rule.

It all depends on the school and program you are applying to. It’s more important that you aim for the range of scores that are usually highlighted on a school’s website.

How Long will the Score Last?

A female student carrying books and a bag while shrugging

You might be surprised and happy to find that once you take the GMAT, the score will stay valid for five years. That means if you end up postponing your graduate school admissions or transferring schools, you won’t have to retake the test.

Even once those five years are up, the testing organization holds your scores for ten years if you need them.

It’s good to note that schools won’t penalize you for using a test score that is three to five years old. Schools care more about the score than the date.

Read More: What’s the Best GMAT Prep Book?

Let’s Sum It Up - The GMAT Score Chart

The GMAT is a trusted exam used by business schools for making important admissions decisions. Most business degree programs look highly upon students who’ve taken and received an average to above-average score.

Don’t hesitate to use the GMAT score chart as a way of helping you understand your test scores better. With the graduate programs becoming more and more competitive, you’ll want every advantage possible.

But remember, the score is relative to the program in which you want to apply. Go forth and rock the GMAT.

Reference:

  1. https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/after-the-exam/gmat-scores-and-score-reports

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