What is a Good GMAT Score?

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Meridean Overseas

Updated On 29 November 2023 & Read Time 8 minutes

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Overview

Embarking on a journey toward higher education and professional growth often begins with conquering the GMAT, the Graduate Management Admission Test. But what truly defines a good GMAT score? The question echoes in the minds of ambitious individuals seeking admission to top-tier business schools worldwide.

 

In this blog, we will delve into a good GMAT score and its significance in shaping your academic and career trajectory. Whether you're a seasoned test-taker or a curious novice, this exploration promises to ignite your curiosity and illuminate the path to success.

 

Discover the art of decoding the GMAT score. Uncover the essential components of this numerical representation of your abilities, including the Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment sections. By now, you must be thinking, what are we waiting for right? Well, nothing. Let’s get this interesting read started right away.

 

What is a Good GMAT Score?

The GMAT total score goes highest up to 800 marks. Depending on the desired business schools, a good GMAT score can vary from person to person. Consequently, we must first realise that the term "good" is subjective. One business school may accept a particular score, while another may not accept it.

 

A score of 700–740 is considered good on the GMAT, and 740 or more is considered exceptional. The top 30 US business schools in 2022 had an average GMAT score of 711. 665 to 733 is the range. The best business schools in Europe have similar average scores ranging from 638 to 709. GMAT averages for the best MBA programmes in Canada and Australia vary from 520 to 780 and 600 to 695, respectively.

 

GMAT Percentiles According to Scores

The total GMAT score percentile rating for students who took the exam is shown below, along with the individual quant, verbal, integrated reasoning, and AWA percentile rankings. Let us take a look.

Percentile

Scores

99%

760 to 800

98%

750

97%

740

96%

730

94%

720

91%

710

88%

700

85%

690

82%

680

80%

670

77%

660

73%

650 

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Section Wise Percentile of GMAT Scores

The GMAT exam has four sections that a student needs to cover. Let us take a look at the GMAT scoring pattern given below.

  • Quantitative – scored between 0 and 60

  • Verbal – Scored between 0 and 60

  • Integrated Reasoning – Scored between 1 and 8

  • Analytical Writing Assessment – Scored between 0 and 6

 

The GMAT score tables below show the percentile rankings of each of the sections based on their scores.

 

GMAT Verbal Section:

Score 

51

46

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

Percentile Ranking 

99%

99%

90%

74%

56%

37%

21%

9%

2%

GMAT Quant Section:

Score 

51

46

41

36

31

26

21

16

10

Percentile Ranking 

97%

53%

34%

22%

14%

8%

5%

3%

1%

Integrated Reasoning 

Score 

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Percentile Ranking 

90%

79%

64%

47%

31%

17%

8%

0%

AWA:

Scores 

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Percentile Ranking 

87%

56%

18%

4%

1%

1%

0% 

Average GMAT Score

The mean scores for Quant and Verbal are 41.3 and 27.51, respectively. On the other side, for integrated thinking, test takers between 2019 and 2021 received an AWA score of 4.65 and 4.43, respectively.

 

When a score of 46 is obtained, you can see a significant difference between the Verbal and Quantile percentile rankings. You will be categorised as falling under the 99th percentile in the Verbal portion if you score 46 in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections, but you will only reach the 53rd percentile in the latter. This difference suggests that more students perform well in the quantitative component than in the verbal section.

 

More than 550, or a 38% percentile ranking, is required to achieve the total GMAT average score (574.51) as stated by GMAC. The typical GMAT range, however, is between 634 and 734 if you're hoping to get into one of the best US business schools.

Sections of the GMAT

Average Score

Verbal Section Score 

27.51

Quantitative score

41.3

Integrated Reasoning score 

4.65

Analytical Writing Assessment score

4.43

GMAT Total Score

574.51

A Good GMAT Score Factor Consideration

The following points are some factors to consider to determine a good GMAT score.

  • Estimated ROI on the GMAT score

  • Average Score of the last incoming class

  • The score required for a Scholarship

  • Profile of previous year’s class

 

GMAT Scores of the Best Business Schools in the World

 There are many top business schools worldwide in different countries renowned for their programs and teaching methods. Below, we have created separate GMAT score tables for other countries and regions to give you a better understanding of the GMAT scores depending on the top universities in that country. Let’s check them out.

 

United States of America

Name of the Business School

GMAT Score (2024)

Stanford Graduate School of Business

737

The Wharton School

733

Booth School of Business

732

Harvard Business School

730

MIT Sloan School of Management

730

Kellogg School of Management

729

Columbia Business School

729

UC Berkeley (Haas)

729

Dartmouth Tuck

726

Yale School of Management

725

Australia

Name of the Business School 

GMAT Score 

Melbourne Business School

695

MGSM Macquarie

680

Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) 2020

670

University of Sydney

600 or above 

University of Queensland Business School

600

Europe

Name of the Business School

GMAT Score

INSEAD

710

London Business School

708

HEC Paris

690

Oxford (Saïd)

690

Cambridge (Judge)

687

IESE Business School

681

IMD

680

SDA Bocconi

665

IE Business School

650-770

Mannheim

600+

Canada

Name of the Business School

GMAT Score

University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management

678

McGill University – Desautels Faculty of Management

675

Western University – Ivey Business School

660

York University – Schulich School of Business

660

Queen’s Smith School of Business

654

UBC Sauder School of Business

650

HEC Montreal

630 or above 

Sobey School of Business

590

Concordia University – John Molson School of Business

580+

Alberta School of Business

550+ 

Conclusion

In conclusion, a good GMAT score is not just a ticket to prestigious business schools but a testament to your dedication, intelligence, and aptitude for success in the world of business and management. It is a key that unlocks doors to scholarships, networking opportunities, and a global community of driven professionals. While preparing for the GMAT exam and choosing the university, keep the information along with the universities mentioned above in mind. We know you’ll do great, and wish you all the luck!

 

We hope you enjoyed reading about what a good GMAT score is and gained many great insights. If you’d like to know more about how to study abroad at any of the renowned business schools, contact our expert country counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC), who’ll help you in every step of your study abroad journey.

 

Visit our website for free online counselling, or contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011 for personalised support.

 

FAQs

Q1. What is the significance of a good GMAT score?

Ans. A good GMAT score is important because it can significantly impact your chances of admission to graduate business programs, such as MBA programs. A strong GMAT score showcases your aptitude and readiness for the academic rigour of these programs and can make your application stand out among other candidates.

 

Q2: What is considered a good GMAT score?

Ans. A good GMAT score can vary depending on the specific business school and program you are applying to. Generally, a score above 650 is considered competitive and can increase your chances of admission to reputable business schools. However, top-tier programs may expect scores above 700 or even higher. It is important to research the average GMAT scores of your target schools to understand better what score range is considered competitive.

 

Q3: How does the GMAT score range work?

Ans. The GMAT score range is between 200 and 800. The score is determined by your performance on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the exam, with each section scored between 0 and 60. The scores from these sections are combined to give you a total GMAT score between 200 and 800. The Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning sections are scored separately and do not contribute to the total score.

 

Q4: Can a lower GMAT score impact my chances of admission?

Ans. While a lower GMAT score may not necessarily eliminate you from consideration, it can impact your chances of admission to competitive business programs. Business schools often consider GMAT scores and other factors, such as GPA, work experience, and letters of recommendation. However, a strong GMAT score can strengthen your overall application and compensate for weaknesses in other areas.

 

Q5: Can I retake the GMAT to improve my score?

Ans. Yes, you can retake the GMAT to improve your score. The GMAT allows you to take the exam multiple times, with a waiting period of 16 days between attempts. If unsatisfied with your initial score, you can study and prepare for the exam again to aim for a higher score. Most business schools consider your highest GMAT score, so retaking the exam and achieving a better result can positively impact your chances of admission.

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