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The GMAT total score range spans from 205 to 805, derived from three equally weighted sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section has a score range of 60 to 90, and their sum determines the total score.
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The GMAT plays a pivotal role in business school admissions by providing a standardized measure of an applicant’s academic readiness. A total GMAT score reflects overall problem-solving, reasoning, and analytical skills, while sectional scores reveal distinct strengths: Quantitative Reasoning shows numerical and data interpretation ability, Verbal Reasoning reflects comprehension and logic, and Data Insights measures analytical synthesis of diverse information. Each section’s score range is 60 to 90, and their sum forms the total score range of 205 to 805. This article will help you understand the GMAT score range and use it to set informed, competitive goals.
| 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
Each score has a corresponding percentile ranking, updated annually. These percentiles show how you compare to other test takers globally. For instance, a total score of 645 aligns roughly with the 90th percentile. The relation between percentiles and scores changes over time, as the general performance of test-takers shifts. To know your current GMAT level, you may want to take a free GMAT diagnostic test.
While GMAT total scores range from 205 to 805, most serious test takers fall between 545 and 705. This range captures the bulk of competitive candidates, with scores around 645 typically placing individuals in the 90th percentile. A score near 550 generally aligns with the 50th percentile, indicating average performance relative to global peers. Sectional scores range from 60 to 90 and tend to cluster between 70 and 85. Scores above 85 are uncommon and reflect strong mastery, while those closer to 60 suggest gaps in understanding or limited test familiarity. Since all three sections contribute equally to the total score, improvement in any one area can meaningfully raise your overall performance. Understanding these score patterns helps test takers set realistic goals and plan preparation strategies accordingly.
| 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
Yes. The GMAT has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is scored from 60 to 90. These scores are added together to produce your total GMAT score, which ranges from 205 to 805. Since each section carries equal weight, raising your score in any one section by a few points will increase your total score by the same amount as raising a different section by the same number of points.
On the GMAT, the impact of incorrect answers varies across sections. Your sectional score is influenced not only by how many questions you answer correctly but also by the difficulty of those questions and the scoring scale for that section. For example, getting five questions incorrect in Quantitative Reasoning can reduce your sectional score more than getting the same number incorrect in Verbal Reasoning. This difference exists because each section’s scoring algorithm translates performance into scaled scores differently. Understanding this helps you approach each section strategically, balancing accuracy, difficulty, and time management for maximum score gain.
Marginally, yes. Business schools generally value balanced performance across Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, as it reflects strength in all core skill areas. Some quantitatively focused programs may place greater emphasis on strong Quantitative or Data Insights scores over Verbal, but these are exceptions. Our advice: do not get overly concerned about the sectional spread. The most important goal is to achieve the highest possible overall score, as a strong total score has the greatest impact on admissions outcomes.
In 2008, Experts’ Global introduced the Understand–Practice–Master approach to GMAT preparation, a method that has since helped thousands of students worldwide achieve top scores. Here is how it works.
This is the most crucial stage. Familiarize yourself with the GMAT format and all question types while building a solid foundation in every concept tested across all sections. Focus on achieving accuracy without worrying much about speed. Take full-length mock tests at a low frequency, using them mainly to understand the exam’s demands and to track your conceptual progress.
Apply the concepts learned in Stage One by solving a high volume of quality questions. Begin timing yourself to improve efficiency while maintaining accuracy. Aim to develop a balance between speed and precision, and gradually increase the frequency of full-length mock tests to assess progress and fine-tune pacing strategies.
Consolidate all your learning and attain complete command over every section and question type. Reattempt questions you previously got wrong, reinforce weaker concepts, and further raise your mock test frequency. By this stage, you should have refined strategies that suit your strengths. Approach test day calm, composed, and ready to deliver your best performance.
Yes. Percentile ranks are revised annually based on recent results; these ranks can be found on mba.com. Generally, the annual changes in percentiles are minute.
Most top MBA programs report average GMAT score above the 90th percentile, in the range of 645 to 675. If you belong to an over-represented or competitive pool, you will need to score higher than the class average score.
Yes. Applicants from overrepresented backgrounds, such as Indian engineers or finance professionals from China, face stronger competition. They should aim for a GMAT score roughly 50 points higher than the class average reported by their target programs.
A GMAT score of 735 or above (100th percentile) is exceptional, while 705 (99th percentile) reflects outstanding performance. A score of 645 (90th percentile) is considered strong, and 605 (70th percentile) is respectable. Scores below 605 are weak. The global average is about 555, but your target should align with the class averages of your preferred schools.
Yes. You can cancel your GMAT score immediately after the exam without a fee or within 72 hours of receiving it for free, and later, for a small fee. Cancelled scores are not shown on your official score report sent to schools. You may also reinstate a cancelled score later at any point during the five-year validity period.
The GMAT total score ranges from 205 to 805, built on three equally weighted sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, each with a sectional score range between 60 and 90. These scores are combined through a scaled algorithm, rather than a simple average, to produce the final total. That total is accompanied by a percentile rank, showing exactly how your performance compares with test takers worldwide. By understanding this structure and aligning your preparation with the score ranges and percentiles of your target programs, you can set precise goals, sharpen your strategy, and maximize your chances of MBA admission success.
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