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The GMAT total score ranges from 205 to 805, in 10-point increments, and is derived from the combined scores of Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, each scored from 60 to 90. Your score report shows all three sectional scores and the total.
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| Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit | Sectional Score | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 minutes | 60 to 90 |
205 to 805 (Based on the 3 sectional scores) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 minutes | 60 to 90 | |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 minutes | 60 to 90 | |
| Optional Break | — | 10 minutes | — | |
| Total | 64 | 2 hrs 15 min (+ optional break) | — |
The GMAT is a pivotal element of your MBA admissions process. Knowing how each section contributes to your total score, how adaptive scoring functions, and how percentiles reflect your standing is essential for setting a clear target, reaching it, and applying strategically. This article will help you through exactly that.
The GMAT total score is derived from your combined performance in three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 60 to 90, in one-point increments. The three sectional scores are added together and then converted, through the GMAT’s scoring algorithm, into a total score ranging from 205 to 805, in 10-point increments. This adaptive scoring system adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your performance, meaning accuracy on more challenging questions can have a greater impact. The total score offers business schools a single, concise indicator of your overall ability to handle the academic rigor of an MBA or related program. Your score report also lists the individual sectional scores alongside the total, giving admissions committees insight into your strengths and potential areas for improvement, and helping you plan your preparation more strategically. To know your current GMAT level, you may want to take a full-length free GMAT mock test.
Each section of the GMAT is item-level adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of each question adjusts based on your response to the previous one. Answer correctly, and you will face harder questions that are worth more; answer incorrectly, and the system may present easier questions that count for less. This adaptive design allows for a more precise measurement of ability. Two candidates may have a similar number of correct answers, but the one who succeeded on more difficult questions will earn a higher scaled score. For this reason, it is relatively more important to score well early on, because if several of the first few questions are answered incorrectly, it becomes harder to lift your score later in the section.
The GMAT includes a small number of experimental, or unscored, questions that are mixed randomly with scored ones in each section. These questions are tested for future use and do not count toward your score, but you will not know which they are. They can be of any difficulty level and appear in any position. Because they are indistinguishable from scored questions, you should treat every question with equal seriousness and maintain consistent effort throughout the entire section.
GMAT total score percentiles indicate how your combined performance compares with others, based on the 205–805 total score range. For example, a 90th percentile total score means you performed better than 90 percent of all test takers. Sectional score percentiles, calculated separately for Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, show your standing within each section, each scored on a 60–90 scale. These percentiles highlight strengths and weaknesses in specific areas. Business schools review both total and sectional percentiles, as a strong total score with balanced section performance signals readiness for the varied academic challenges of an MBA program.
| 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
Source: mba.com
| 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
In 2008, Experts’ Global developed the Understand–Practice–Master framework, a structured preparation method that has guided thousands of students toward outstanding GMAT results. Here is how you can apply it.
Begin by thoroughly learning all concepts tested across Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Familiarize yourself with every question type and the overall exam structure. The focus here is on accuracy and conceptual clarity, not speed. Take full-length GMAT mock tests at low frequency to understand the exam’s demands and track your early progress.
Put your knowledge into action by solving a large number of high-quality questions. Introduce timed practice to improve efficiency while maintaining accuracy. Work toward balancing speed with precision and steadily increase the number of full-length mock tests to gauge improvement and refine pacing strategies.
Consolidate your skills and aim for complete mastery over every section and question type. Revisit and resolve earlier mistakes, strengthen weaker areas, and increase your mock test frequency. By test day, your strategies should be well tested, your skills sharpened, and your approach steady enough to deliver your best performance.
The GMAT may be a test of logic, endurance, and precision, but it is also a mirror of the discipline and intent you bring to your goals. Your total score is not just a reflection of correct answers; it is the outcome of months of deliberate learning, strategic practice, and self-awareness. Understand what the numbers mean, but do not let them define the entirety of your journey. The real value lies in how this preparation sharpens your thinking, deepens your resilience, and equips you to step into the next chapter of your career with clarity and purpose.
