GMAT Result 2023: Score Validity, Total Marks, How to Calculate

Those looking to know how GMAT scores are calculated should know that Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800 and it is calculated by combining the subscores from the GMAT Verbal Reasoning and GMAT Quantitative Reasoning sections. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are reported on a scale of 6 to 51 points in a 1-point increment, and the GMAT total score is graded on a scale of 200 to 800 points. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is scored from 0-6 in a 0.5-point increment and Integrated Reasoning (IR) is scored from 1-8 in a 1-point increment. In this article, we have also discussed GMAT score calculation in detail.

In this section of the article, we will cover the GMAT scoring system and how the GMAT scoring algorithm works. If you are preparing for the GMAT test, then it is important to know how the GMAT exam is scored. Don't focus just on the GMAT total score, individual section scores are also important. Individual section scores tell a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. We have given a table explaining the GMAT score calculation.

What is the GMAT Score Range? From the above table, you must have had a fair idea of the GMAT score calculation. As an overview, let us look at the GMAT score range for the current version of the GMAT exam:

• Analytical Writing Assessment: 0-6
• Integrated Reasoning: 1-8
• Quantitative Reasoning: 6-51
• Verbal Reasoning: 6-51
• Total GMAT Score Range: 200-800

Let us now understand the GMAT scoring system with respect to the GMAT exam being a Computer Adaptive Test. GMAT being an adaptive test means that the difficulty level of a question and its corresponding score depends on the fact whether your previous response was correct or incorrect. If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be tougher and will carry higher marks. On the other hand, if you answer a question incorrectly, the next question will be easier but will carry lower marks.

As you begin the test, the GMAT exam will throw moderately tough questions at you. If you answer them correctly, the subsequent questions will be tougher with higher marks. Hence, you will be able to score higher on the exam. If you answer these questions incorrectly, the subsequent questions will be easier but will carry lower marks. Hence, your overall score will drop. It is extremely critical for students to answer the initial 10-12 questions correctly so that they can reach a safe zone. Moreover, you must make sure not to skip any questions on the GMAT exam since the algorithm penalizes you for skipping the questions. As there is no negative marking on the GMAT exam, you can mark an answer and move on to the next question if you get stuck at a particular question.

As the students are aware of the upcoming launch of the GMAT Focus Edition, it is critical for them to know how the GMAT Focus Edition will be scored. The current GMAT score includes a candidate’s performance in the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) and the Verbal Reasoning (VR) sections. When it comes to the GMAT Focus Edition score, it will include the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights sections.

Important: For a complete analysis of the GMAT Focus Edition, students must visit our GMAT Focus Edition article.

As the students are aware that the GMAT scores for the current version of the GMAT range from 200 to 800 with score intervals of 10. With the introduction of the GMAT Focus Edition, GMAT score and GMAT score calculation have changed. The following points and table will make it clear how the GMAT scores for the GMAT Focus Edition will be calculated:

• GMAT Focus Edition Score Range: 205 – 805 (GMAT score values for the GMAT Focus Edition will end in 5)
• GMAT Focus Edition Score Interval: 10 points
• GMAT Focus Edition Section-wise Score Range: 60 – 90
• GMAT Focus Edition Section-wise Score Interval: 1 point
• If a student is unable to complete any section of the GMAT Focus Edition exam, he/she will be penalized for the same. Hence, it is extremely important for the students to complete the entire GMAT exam and not leave any questions.
• Your unofficial Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights results as well as your Total Score will be presented right away when you finish the test.

The following table provides an overview of the GMAT Focus Edition scores:

Here are a few additional points that the students must be aware of:

• GMAT Focus Edition Percentile: Students will receive their total score and their section-wise scores along with their GMAT percentile. If your GMAT percentile is 80%, it means that you scored above 80% of other test takers.
• Enhanced Score Report: Candidates will receive an Enhanced Score Report (ESR), which will include details of a candidate’s performance in each section of the GMAT exam vis-à-vis question type, skill, content domain, and time management (response time and review time).
• GMAT Focus Edition Score Sending: Students can send their official GMAT score to up to 5 B-Schools (for no additional cost) within 48 hours of receiving their score on mba.com.

Here is a comparative table of your scaled GMAT score to percentile:

The best thing about GMAT 2023 result is that you can see your scores as soon as your exam is over. At the end of the exam, you will have an option of accepting or rejecting the non-official score. The official GMAT Exam Score 2023 will be available in your mba.com account typically within 7 business days. However, it might take up to 20 days in certain cases. However, your unofficial GMAT exam score 2023 will be available right after the GMAT 2023 exam.

GMAT Percentile and Scores: Section-wise

Twenty years back the average GMAT score for the top B-school was around 600. In the present time, however, the demand for the MBA course has increased dramatically. As a result, many more applicants are applying to these schools, which means, the average GMAT acceptance scores are increasing every year. It is important to note that the top colleges don’t take into consideration only the GMAT test scores, but also the overall favourable traits like diversity, unusual accomplishment or success, etc. These factors allow many students to gain acceptance with a lower GMAT score. If you have none of these types of traits, then you probably need to break 730 (that's the 99th percentile) to have a good chance at a B-school ranked in the top ten.

The average GMAT score for the top MBA programs at premier universities across the globe consistently falls in the 700-730 range. However, scoring a perfect 800 on GMAT is not difficult.

In this section of the article, we will cover the following points:

• GMAT IR Score and Percentile
• GMAT AWA Score and Percentile
• GMAT Verbal Score and Percentile
• GMAT Quant Score and Percentile

To get an idea about the comparative GMAT score percentile, marks of each section and good GMAT Score, here is a table showing the GMAT percentile and the corresponding GMAT marks required:

(Source: mba.com)

According to GMAC, the average GMAT score based on the scores of 414,618 test takers between 2019 and 2021 is 574.51. The table given below provides the details of the average GMAT score and the average of its components.

(Source: GMAC)

Even though the average GMAT score stands at 574.51, it is crucial for students to know that the average GMAT top B-Schools such as MIT, University of Chicago (Booth), Harvard, etc. is usually 730 or more. When it comes to Indian MBA Colleges accepting GMAT scores, students need to score at least 650 for getting considered for decent colleges. Therefore, it becomes critical for students to take their GMAT preparation very seriously and try to score higher than the previous years’ average scores of their targeted MBA colleges.

On the examination day, once you have completed your GMAT exam, you will receive your unofficial GMAT score (except for the AWA score) and you will have an option either to accept it or to cancel it. So, what is a good GMAT score? A good GMAT score is usually above 650 and is able to help you clear the GMAT cut-off of your desired MBA college. If you feel that the GMAT score you received fits your requirements for applying to your desired MBA or MIM programme, you may go ahead with it. A good GMAT score will cater to your admission needs.

Students must understand that a good GMAT score is only a part of their application. B-Schools usually look for candidates that have strong academics, relevant work experience (unless applying for MIM), participation in extracurricular activities, etc. Moreover, your application documents such as your resume, SOP, LOR, admission essays, etc. also play a vital role in your admissions. Hence, you must aim for a comprehensive and holistic application if you want to be accepted into top-ranking B-schools.

What is a Good GMAT Score for Top MBA Colleges?

The table given below provides the top MBA colleges, their rankings (based on QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Business & Management Studies), and their average GMAT scores or GMAT cut offs.

How can a Good GMAT Score help me with MBA Scholarships?

A good GMAT score can definitely help you in winning an MBA scholarship. While the requirements for scholarships may change between universities and MBA programmes, a high GMAT score is frequently seen as a crucial consideration. Here is how a good GMAT score can help you with MBA scholarships:

• Competitive Advantage: A high GMAT score distinguishes you from other candidates and indicates your academic aptitude. It demonstrates that you have the verbal and quantitative abilities required to succeed in an MBA programme, making you a stronger applicant for scholarships.
• Merit-based Scholarships: Numerous MBA scholarships are merit-based, which means that recipients are chosen based on their academic records and future prospects. Your chances of getting such scholarships might be improved by having a good GMAT score, which is frequently a crucial component in judging merit.
• Specific Scholarship Requirement: A good GMAT score could be one of the special eligibility requirements for several scholarships. You satisfy one of the requirements for those scholarships by getting the qualifying GMAT score or higher.

It is crucial to remember that, although a good GMAT score can increase your chances of receiving MBA scholarships, it is not the only criterion. The academic record, career history, leadership qualities, and personal statement are just a few of the factors that scholarship committees take into account. In order to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship, it is crucial to concentrate on creating a comprehensive application.

Before you begin your GMAT exam preparation, it is critical for students to know their target GMAT score. In addition to knowing their target GMAT score, students also need to assess how much gap is there between their current level of preparation and the GMAT score they wish to achieve. Here are a few points that will help you understand your target GMAT score:

• Know about the MBA colleges where you wish to apply: You must prepare a list of B-Schools where you wish to apply for your MBA. In order to make a decision, you can check their courses, specializations, placements, faculty profiles, rankings, etc.
• Know the average GMAT scores or GMAT cut offs: Know the average GMAT scores or GMAT cut offs for these B-Schools. This will help you understand what your target GMAT score is.
• Take a diagnostic test: Appear for a GMAT mock test to gauge your current levels of preparation. This will allow you to know the gap between your current mock test score and the GMAT score you wish to achieve. Based on this analysis, you can decide how to prepare for the GMAT exam.

A score of 700 and above is considered a good GMAT score. When it comes to your MBA applications, the GMAT score is a factor that you can completely control with your efforts. Hence, it is critical for students to maximize their GMAT scores by making use of the given tips:

• GMAT Exam Pattern: Understanding the GMAT exam pattern should be your first target. Understand what sections are there on the GMAT exam 2023 and how the exam is scored. Do your research on the GMAT cut-offs based on the MBA colleges you want to apply to.
• GMAT Exam Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam syllabus and understand what areas do find difficult.
• GMAT Mock Test: Start with a GMAT diagnostic test and based on your performance on this test, decide what is your targeted score (total score as well as individual scores for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections).
• GMAT Books: Prepare a comprehensive, yet short, list of GMAT books for your preparation. Do not prepare an unachievable list that you cannot complete.
• Time: Usually, it takes around 3-6 months to prepare for the GMAT exam. However, this will depend on your performance on the GMAT mock tests.
• Study Plan: Prepare a study plan and stick to it. Do not deviate much from it unless there are unavoidable circumstances.
• Revise: As you study for the GMAT 2023 exam, make sure to prepare short notes of formulae, grammar rules, concepts, etc. and revise them over and over again.

We hope that students will take their GMAT exam preparation and preparation of other application documents very seriously to maximize their chances of getting selected for a top MBA College.

Do you know how to use the GMAT Score or how to send GMAT scores to B Schools? If not, you may be interested in finding business schools without the GMAT requirements.

Still, have queries regarding your GMAT test, check out the most frequently asked questions for GMAT Score and Result.