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A GMAT percentile shows the percentage of test takers who scored lower than you. Key GMAT percentiles include 100th at 735+, 99th at 705–725, 90th at 655, 70th at 605, and 50th (the global median) at 545.
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The GMAT is a key component of MBA admissions worldwide. It has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, each scored from 60 to 90. A percentile shows what percentage of test takers scored lower than a specific score. So, a sectional percentile tells you how you performed in that section compared to others. The sum of the three sectional scores gives a total GMAT score between 205 and 805, which has its own percentile for your overall standing. These percentiles help business schools assess an applicant’s caliber and guide applicants in setting focused, achievable performance goals.
The following table presents the most significant GMAT percentiles, serving as a quick reference to see how top scores compare with the wider pool of test takers. Rather than listing every possible score from 205 to 805, it highlights key benchmarks such as the 100th, 90th, 80th, and 70th percentiles, offering a clear and concise view of score performance in context.
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 805 | 100% |
| 755 | 100% |
| 705 | 98% |
| 655 | 91% |
| 605 | 70% |
| 555 | 48% |
| 505 | 27% |
| 455 | 15% |
| 405 | 7% |
| 355 | 3% |
| 305 | 1% |
| 255 | 0% |
| 205 | 0% |
Mean Score : 554.67
Sample Size : 531,520
Standard Deviation : 91.19
Benchmark Sectional GMAT Scores and Percentiles
The following tables show key GMAT sectional scores with their percentiles for Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. It highlights benchmarks such as the 100th, 90th, 80th, and 70th percentiles, offering a snapshot of how respective sectional scores compare to other test takers.
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 85 | 88% |
| 80 | 64% |
| 75 | 32% |
| 70 | 13% |
| 65 | 4% |
| 60 | 1% |
Mean Score : 78.06
Sample Size : 531,408
Standard Deviation : 6.35
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 85 | 94% |
| 80 | 56% |
| 75 | 18% |
| 70 | 4% |
| 65 | 1% |
| 60 | 1% |
Mean Score : 79.34
Sample Size : 531,348
Standard Deviation : 4.75
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 85 | 98% |
| 80 | 83% |
| 75 | 47% |
| 70 | 21% |
| 65 | 8% |
| 60 | 4% |
Mean Score : 75.03
Sample Size : 531,303
Standard Deviation : 6.03
The table below lists every possible total GMAT score, from 205 to 805, alongside its corresponding percentile. This comprehensive view allows you to see precisely where any given score stands among all test takers worldwide, helping you better interpret your performance and set informed score goals.
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 805 | 100% |
| 795 | 100% |
| 785 | 100% |
| 775 | 100% |
| 765 | 100% |
| 755 | 100% |
| 745 | 100% |
| 735 | 100% |
| 725 | 99% |
| 715 | 99% |
| 705 | 98% |
| 695 | 97% |
| 685 | 96% |
| 675 | 95% |
| 665 | 92% |
| 655 | 91% |
| 645 | 87% |
| 635 | 82% |
| 625 | 79% |
| 615 | 76% |
| 605 | 70% |
| 595 | 67% |
| 585 | 61% |
| 575 | 57% |
| 565 | 51% |
| 555 | 48% |
| 545 | 42% |
| 535 | 39% |
| 525 | 34% |
| 515 | 32% |
| 505 | 27% |
| 495 | 25% |
| 485 | 21% |
| 475 | 20% |
| 465 | 17% |
| 455 | 15% |
| 445 | 13% |
| 435 | 12% |
| 425 | 10% |
| 415 | 9% |
| 405 | 7% |
| 395 | 6% |
| 385 | 5% |
| 375 | 5% |
| 365 | 4% |
| 355 | 3% |
| 345 | 3% |
| 335 | 2% |
| 325 | 2% |
| 315 | 2% |
| 305 | 1% |
| 295 | 1% |
| 285 | 1% |
| 275 | 1% |
| 265 | 1% |
| 255 | 0% |
| 245 | 0% |
| 235 | 0% |
| 225 | 0% |
| 215 | 0% |
| 205 | 0% |
Mean Score : 554.67
Sample Size: 531,520
Standard Deviation: 91.19
The following set of tables presents every possible score for each GMAT section, including Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, along with the corresponding percentile. Together, they offer a complete reference for comparing your section scores with those of other test takers worldwide.
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 89 | 97% |
| 88 | 96% |
| 87 | 94% |
| 86 | 91% |
| 85 | 88% |
| 84 | 85% |
| 83 | 80% |
| 82 | 75% |
| 81 | 70% |
| 80 | 64% |
| 79 | 57% |
| 78 | 50% |
| 77 | 43% |
| 76 | 37% |
| 75 | 32% |
| 74 | 26% |
| 73 | 22% |
| 72 | 19% |
| 71 | 15% |
| 70 | 13% |
| 69 | 10% |
| 68 | 8% |
| 67 | 6% |
| 66 | 5% |
| 65 | 4% |
| 64 | 3% |
| 63 | 2% |
| 62 | 2% |
| 61 | 1% |
| 60 | 1% |
Mean Score : 78.06
Sample Size : 531,408
Standard Deviation : 6.35
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 89 | 99% |
| 88 | 99% |
| 87 | 99% |
| 86 | 96% |
| 85 | 94% |
| 84 | 89% |
| 83 | 83% |
| 82 | 74% |
| 81 | 66% |
| 80 | 56% |
| 79 | 47% |
| 78 | 38% |
| 77 | 30% |
| 76 | 23% |
| 75 | 18% |
| 74 | 14% |
| 73 | 10% |
| 72 | 8% |
| 71 | 6% |
| 70 | 4% |
| 69 | 3% |
| 68 | 3% |
| 67 | 2% |
| 66 | 2% |
| 65 | 1% |
| 64 | 1% |
| 63 | 1% |
| 62 | 1% |
| 61 | 1% |
| 60 | 1% |
Mean Score : 79.34
Sample Size : 531,348
Standard Deviation : 4.75
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 89 | 100% |
| 88 | 99% |
| 87 | 99% |
| 86 | 99% |
| 85 | 98% |
| 84 | 97% |
| 83 | 95% |
| 82 | 93% |
| 81 | 89% |
| 80 | 83% |
| 79 | 76% |
| 78 | 69% |
| 77 | 62% |
| 76 | 53% |
| 75 | 47% |
| 74 | 41% |
| 73 | 35% |
| 72 | 29% |
| 71 | 25% |
| 70 | 21% |
| 69 | 17% |
| 68 | 14% |
| 67 | 12% |
| 66 | 10% |
| 65 | 8% |
| 64 | 7% |
| 63 | 6% |
| 62 | 5% |
| 61 | 4% |
| 60 | 4% |
Mean Score : 75.03
Sample Size : 531,303
Standard Deviation : 6.03
A percentile indicates the percentage of test takers whose performance is equal to or lower than yours. For example, if your total score falls in the 80th percentile, you scored as well as or better than 80 percent of all test takers. Percentiles are reported for the overall score and each section – Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights. There is no separate percentile for Data Insights, but the total score percentile takes all sections into account. Percentiles offer clarity about your relative position among peers, which can inform your application strategy. To know your current GMAT percentile score, you may want to take a full-length GMAT diagnostic test.
The GMAT has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is scored from 60 to 90, and each score corresponds to a percentile that shows the percentage of test takers you outperformed in that section. For example, a score of 85 in Data Insights is about the 99th percentile, while the same score of 85 in Verbal is about the 96th percentile. Your three section scores are added to produce a total score from 205 to 805, which has its own percentile. For instance, a total score of 715 is roughly the 99th percentile.
Both sectional and overall GMAT percentiles matter because they help business schools evaluate your performance in specific skill areas as well as your overall competitiveness. High sectional percentiles in Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights demonstrate balanced strengths, while a high overall percentile signals strong global standing. Schools often use these percentiles to compare applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. For example, even if two candidates have similar total scores, higher percentiles in a section valued by the program can make a difference. For applicants, these percentiles also serve as clear benchmarks for setting focused preparation goals.
Section percentiles show strength in specific areas. A high Quant percentile may appeal to STEM or finance-oriented MBA programs. A high Verbal percentile may resonate more with programs that emphasize communication or leadership. Strong performance across both sections indicates well-rounded capabilities. If one section’s percentile is significantly lower, schools may have concerns depending on your background. However, a high total score can offset imbalance.
Understanding percentile tiers can clarify where you stand:
This represents elite performance truly worth celebrating. These GMAT scores are 705 and above.
This tier can be considered very competitive. These GMAT scores typically fall between 645 and 695. Admissions rates are higher if your percentile aligns with school averages.
These scores demonstrate competence. These scores typically fall between 605 and 635. Top programs may still consider applicants within this range, especially if other materials are strong.
These scores fall around the median and are typically between 555 and 595. They may be acceptable for less competitive programs or if you compensate with strong work experience and applications.
Below 555. This range suggests room for improvement. Retaking the GMAT could improve score and percentile, especially before key deadlines.
Programs publish their class average percentiles. Use this data to align your goals with target schools.
Percentiles do undergo minor changes over time. As test-taker performance shifts, percentile mapping adjusts over time. An 85th percentile last year may correspond to a slightly lower total score post-update. GMAC updates score and percentile charts annually to reflect these changes. The most recent percentile tables are available through mba.com.
Improving percentiles requires work in several areas:
For Quantitative and Verbal, build concept clarity and accuracy. Focus on weak areas and reinforce fundamentals. Data Insights demands practice in interpreting charts and sources quickly.
GMAT percentiles reflect both accuracy and pace. Use practice tests under timed conditions. Track your timing per question and section. Aim to complete sections within the given time while minimizing errors.
Timed GMAT practice tests simulate actual conditions; they promote endurance and adaptation, which are essential for maintaining performance over the course of the GMAT.
Identify patterns in mistakes. Spend time reviewing not only incorrect answers but also those you answered too slowly. Learn from common traps or miscalculations.
Preparation over weeks to months allows steady improvement. Daily topic focus, weekly mock tests, and periodic reviews build lasting skills.
If your first score falls short, plan a retake. A higher score improves percentile impressions. Schools usually see all scores sent, so ensure that your final score outweighs earlier ones.
Percentiles offer a clear, comparative picture of your GMAT performance. They reveal both skill level and competition positioning. High percentiles demonstrate excellence but require consistent effort. Low percentiles show specific areas for improvement. Using percentiles for planning, practice, and strategy increases your chances of hitting your target schools. To improve percentiles, focus on practice, pacing, analysis, and progression. Use the official percentile charts to guide your goals. By mastering both content and performance context, you prepare yourself to meet and exceed MBA program expectations.
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