GMAT Focus Edition Score vs Percentile

Taking the GMAT soon and don’t know the difference between GMAT score and percentile? We have curated an article about GMAT score vs percentile and discussed all major aspects of scoring, percentile, conversion of GMAT score to percentiles and other details. So check out the article now! 

The GMAT Focus Edition incorporates a new scoring system to judge a candidate's capabilities better. However, would-be Indian applicants often wonder whether the GMAT score and the GMAT Focus percentile are similar. The following article is divided into important sections that will allow you to compare and understand differences and prepare better keeping GMAT score vs percentile in mind.

What is the GMAT Focus Edition?

The GMAT Focus Edition is the slimmed-down and redesigned version of the original GMAT from GMAC. It focuses on more analytical and decision-making skills, contains only two fewer sections, and goes for a shorter test duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Understanding GMAT Focus Score

The GMAT Focus score is a scaled score, which varies between 205 and 805, and can be arrived at based on your performance in these three different sections:

1. Quantitative Reasoning
2. Verbal Reasoning
3. Data Insights

Each section counts towards your overall score, which ranges from 60 to 90 for each section. Thus the GMAT score,

• Is an absolute measure of the applicant’s raw performance reflected through the number of correct answers and question difficulty. 
• Predicts academic success because the GMAT scores show a correlation between the score achieved and academic success in an MBA program.
• Finally, there can be a fair comparison among the test-takers since the GMAT exam is a standardized way to compare candidates worldwide, and set GMAT cutoffs accordingly.

What is GMAT Focus Percentile?

The GMAT Focus percentile represents where you ranked against other test-takers. That is to say, when you have a 90, you scored higher than 90% of people who took the test. The GMAT percentiles are also essential for assessment when applicants retake the GMAT exam multiple times and compare their scores. Say, in the first attempt, an applicant scored 645 which is 87.7 percentile and in the second attempt the applicant scored 665 which is 92.9 percentile. Thus, in the second attempt, the applicant has jumped positions by 5.2 percentile which is a good sign.  

GMAT Score vs Percentile (Focus Edition)

Let us now understand the GMAT score vs percentile in the following table to get a better understanding of both terms more concisely: 

Why do GMAT scores & Percentiles Matter for Indian Applicants?

GMAT score vs percentile is essential for international applicants applying for an MBA abroad. The reason is, that top B-schools abroad also require GMAT percentiles while assessing applications to compare the applications they receive from thousands of students. Here is a detailed analysis of why both these metrics hold importance. 

GMAT Focus Score Significance:

• The schools may have a GMAT cut-off or a minimum score for admissions
• A very high GMAT score unlocks merit scholarships for international applicants. Check out GMAT scholarships abroad. 

GMAT Focus Percentile Significance:

• GMAT Focus percentile is highly competitive with a huge test-taker population
• The GMAT percentiles would estimate the prospects for admission to flagship programs.
• Compare applications based on GMAT percentiles on how an x applicant performed against y applicant.

GMAT Score vs Percentile: Performance Based

Here is a concordance table for GMAT Focus score vs percentile scores and the performance indicators below for reference:

This is how applicants are assessed based on their performance in the GMAT exam. This GMAT score chart of both score and percentiles is just an indicator to help applicants understand how they have performed against other applicants who appeared for the GMAT exam.  

How to Plan for a Good GMAT Score?

Planning to score well on GMAT is essential because it will help scale your scores. By planning applicants can also get a good GMAT score. Check out the section below and understand how:

• Focus on mastering the concepts of Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights to maximise your scaled score. Understanding the GMAT exam syllabus is the key here. 
• Refer to GMAC’s official percentile tables to understand how your target score aligns with your desired percentile and prepare for GMAT accordingly. 
• Take official GMAT Focus practice tests to get accustomed to the GMAT exam pattern and question types tested along with the difficulty levels.
• Compare your GMAT practice test percentiles with historical data to track progress. 
• Plan your GMAT exam dates in advance and also choose which is a better option - taking the GMAT at the test centre or taking the GMAT Online. 
• Finally, the higher the GMAT score, the higher the GMAT percentile. Since they are both interrelated, applicants with high scores will benefit.

For Indian applicants, it is important to understand how GMAT Focus scores relate to percentiles to set realistic targets and stand out in a competitive pool. While the score determines eligibility, the percentile helps assess your relative performance. Strive for a balanced approach that prioritises strong preparation and strategic benchmarking to achieve your MBA goals. Check out How to Study for GMAT in 3 Month

Those looking for admission abroad to top universities for various courses can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. The experts shall get back to you. For queries, you can write to us in the comments below.