GMAT Scores

GMAT scores, which are valid for five years, are used by business schools as a common benchmark to compare candidates for admission.

Believe it or not, you will actually receive four scores on the GMAT.

• An overall score, ranging from 200 to 800
• A math subscore, ranging from 0 to 60
• A verbal subscore, ranging from 0 to 60
• A score for the Analytical Writing Assessment, ranging from 0 to 6

GMAT Percentile Rank

Each of these scores will be accompanied by a percentile rank. The percentile rank indicates the volume of test takers who scored lower than you on the test. The higher the percentile rank, the better you did. For example, a percentile rank of 70 means you did better than 70% of test takers. This number tells business schools exactly where you fell compared to other GMAT candidates.

The GMAT Essays

Each essay in the Analytical Writing Assessment is given a separate grade on a 0-6 scale by two different graders - a human and a computer called the "e-rater". These grades are assigned holistically using all aspects of the essay's content, style, and grammar. If the two grades agree, that score will be assigned. If the two scores are markedly different, then a third scorer (human) will read the essay to determine its final grade.

What's the Average GMAT Score?

Although the average score among all test-takers worldwide is approximately 540, the average GMAT score of students accepted to good business schools is much higher than this.

What you consider a good score will depend on your own expectations and goals. But keep in mind that leading programs consider a score of at least 600 as competitive. Information on average GMAT scores at different schools is readily available, and many schools list this information on their website.

Research the schools on your list. Find out what their average GMAT scores are and then develop a preparation plan to achieve your target score.

The table below illustrates some average GMAT scores amongst leading business schools: