GMAT is one of the primarily standardized tests that most business schools in the USA consider for business school admission. A suitable GMAT score lies in the range of 700 to 740. If a candidate scores above 740 in the GMAT examination, they will have an excellent score. In 2021, the candidates who secured seats in the top business schools of the US scored 703 on average. In Europe, the average score of students admitted to business schools is 676 (638 – 709). The score often varies according to the national universities’ requirements. Let us have a closer look at the score ranges of the GMAT.
What is a Good GMAT Score?
The term good GMAT score is relative. It varies according to the nation and also according to the universities. If you are aiming for the top B-schools in the USA or Europe, you need test scores above 700 at least to qualify. Whereas scores like 670 or 680 will fetch you a seat in the average universities of Europe or the US. Generally, any above 700 is considered a universally acclaimed good GMAT score. Suppose we draw a fine line between an average, good, and excellent GMAT score. In that case, it will look something like this:
- Excellent GMAT score: 740+
- Good GMAT score: 700+
- Average GMAT score: 550 +
The best B-schools would be interested in accepting students who fall in the excellent and good GMAT score region.
Candidates securing good and excellent GMAT scores will reserve seats in their target B-schools. Good GMAT scores will help you get admission to some of the best MBA programs globally. When candidates apply for the top MBA programs authorized by the best B-schools, their GMAT score carries the maximum weightage for their admission. So, it is evident that scoring high in your GMAT exam is a reliable predictor of how well-suited you are as a candidate to study in the MBA program.
Is Average GMAT Score Enough?
Certain universities accept students with an average GMAT score range, for example, something close to 568. But there are better GMAT scores than this. You can only enroll in the best MBA programs if you are accepted. More than the average GMAT score is required if you compete for scouring seats in the best B-schools. If you are still thinking about what is a good GMAT score that can get you a seat at your desired university – aim for 700.
GMAT Percentile Scoring System
Next comes to the concept of the GMAT percentile. First, let us understand why the raw GMAT score alone cannot determine a candidate’s position. Every year, the range of average scores keeps on changing. Sometimes it is due to the question’s complexity, and sometimes it is due to the overall performance of the candidates. So, there may be years when most students fail to score above 740. If that is the case, how will the universities stick to their rule of choosing students only with 700+ scores because that population would be meager? That is the precise reason why the concept of percentile came up.
The percentile scoring system is a standardized ranking system. This is a norm reference system of scoring where the candidate’s performance is compared to their peers. For example, if you belong to the 90th percentile, you have scored better than 905 of the total number of candidates who appeared for the test. The raw score is not making much difference here. Because if the overall score of a particular GMAT exam is low, you could belong to the 90th percentile even by scoring an average GMAT score. The percentile ranking is much more acceptable and widely considered an indicator of success in the GMAT.
GMAT Score- Percentile Interconversion Chart
When discussing a Good GMAT score, it is imperative to consider the percentile ranking of the candidate. There exists a close correlation between the GMAT score chart and the percentile score chart
Let us know to try to draw a parallelism between GMAT scores and GMAT Percentile ranking:
| GMAT Score | GMAT Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 760 – 800 | 99% |
| 750 | 98% |
| 730 | 96% |
| 720 | 94% |
| 700 | 88% |
| 660 | 76% |
| 650 | 72% |
| 640 | 66% |
| 610 | 57% |
| 580 | 45% |
| 550 | 36% |
| 520 | 28% |
| 510 | 26% |
| 470 | 18% |
| 400 | 9% |
| 340 | 4% |
| 200 – 210 | 0% |
MBA experts say that – a score of 700 and above means the candidate has the potential to imbibe the content of the MBA program and perform well in the course. Professionals of MBA admissions consulting express that statistics reveal the candidates who scored high in the GMAT are the ones who are most successful in the MBA degrees. Business degrees such as MBA is a multi-diverse course meaning that students from all academic backgrounds opt for joining this course.
There is so much variety in the MBA course regarding content – accounts, financing, business operation, and HR management, to name just a few. GMAT is a practical examination to test whether the candidate has the knowledge and essential mindset to cope with the complexity of the degree. Most B-schools want their overall student proficiency to stay high and thus choose the best performers on the GMAT.
The raw scores of the GMAT make a significant difference in the overall percentile ranking of the student.
The effect is not so prominent in the top tiers, but as you move to the bottom (low scores), even a slight difference in the raw scores can make significant differences in the percentile ranking.
There are 4 primary sections in the GMAT exam – Quant, Verbal, Analytical Writing Assessment, and Integrated Reasoning. The score in each section will influence the candidate’s total score and determine their percentile ranking.
How to Prepare Well for GMAT?
Thinking about how hard is the GMAT? The true answer is – it is a challenging exam. You must score well in the GMAT with suitable preparation.
Here is one of the best ways to start with your GMAT preparation:
Prepare a Flexible Study Routine
It all starts with an effective study schedule. If you can truly master the art of preparing a study schedule that fits your lifestyle and exam needs, you can easily ace the GMAT. When preparing a timetable, always prioritize the exam’s needs and the effort you can truly put in. Even 5 hours of consistent daily study can bring you results.
Consistency is the Key
You can perform excellently in your GMAT exams if you focus on consistency. Keep up with your practice schedule throughout the preparation phase instead of just focusing on one day. Every inch of effort matters. Get the best books and online resources to help you with your preparation.
Stay Updated
This is the essential tip for every GMAT aspirant ever. Stay updated with the exam information, the changes in the syllabus, the best resources that can help you, and all the other exam norms. Candidates freak out and get panicked quickly when they are unaware of the exam’s whereabouts.
Stay focused and achieve your dream of scoring well in the GMAT exam.
