If you are reading this article, it is likely that you are planning to apply to the top MBA programmes. Queries regarding GMAT score to get into the best business schools are more common than you think.
Anyone applying to MBA programmes needs to understand that their GMAT score is an essential component. Therefore, make an informed decision before applying. The most frequently asked question is what GMAT score is enough to get admission into the business school of your choice.
Every aspirant appearing for GMAT aims to secure the highest score to get into their dream institution. But how do you know if your score fits the GMAT requirements set by your choice of B-schools? Don’t worry. In this post, we will not only cover the latest GMAT score data but also elaborate on everything you need to consider before sitting for GMAT.
How to Get Admission into a Top Business School?
After you have taken the decision of studying MBA, you must familiarise with all the factors involved with GMAT application and scoring.
According to Alexander S. Lowry, the executive director of the Master of Science in financial analysis programme at Gordon College in Massachusetts, an aspirant should target at obtaining a perfect GMAT score to eliminate any doubt from the minds of admission officers of the top B-schools about their academic excellence.
While the GMAT score is a key element, the top business schools all over the world give equal importance to an applicant’s entire profile when assessing their performance. Set your target according to the requirements of the universities of your choice. For instance, not all Wharton students have a score of 732 even though that is the average GMAT score for Wharton. Therefore, your focus should also be on creating a solid profile. Emphasize your leadership abilities and skills to handle complicated events.
Score Ranges for GMAT Exam
There is a total of five sections in GMAT exam where the scores are assessed on a fixed scale. These are Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Total Score.
Upon completion of your GMAT exam, an Official GMAT Score Report is sent over to you via email. You can also opt for receiving the unofficial Verbal, Quantitative, and Total scores right after you complete your test. The Analytical Writing Assessment and the Integrated Reasoning sections are scored separately. Thus, you must wait for the full report until these two sections are evaluated.
Applicants often tend to focus on the Total Score, but the other four scores carry equal weight. They give you and the institutions receiving your report an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.
Let’s find out the score ranges for the following five sections of the GMAT.
Analytical Writing Assessment
Scoring: 0.0-6.0
Scoring Method: The essays are checked at least twice. Once manually by a human examiner and once by a computer. Scores are reported in the intervals of 0.5. The typical average score is 4.42. Analytical Writing Assessment isn’t given much importance compared to the other sections. But it goes without saying that you should aim at achieving the highest possible score.
Integrated Reasoning
Scoring: 1-8
Scoring Method: Scores are reported in the intervals of 1. The scoring of Integrated Reasoning is determined based on the number of accurately answered questions. Sometimes a question can have multiple parts. To get a score for that question, you must answer all parts correctly. The score for this section is listed separately on your report. The mean score stays around 4.26.
Quantitative Reasoning
Scoring: 0-60
Scoring Method: Scoring in this section depends on three elements:
- How many questions have been answered
- The number of correctly answered questions
- The difficulty level and other factors of the questions you chose to answer
If you correctly answer a higher number of more difficult questions, you will be rewarded with a better score. Scores are reported in intervals of 1. You should aim at scoring at least 40 if you are planning to get into a top-tier business school.
Verbal Reasoning
Scoring: 0-60
Scoring Method: The scoring technique for Verbal Reasoning is same as that of Quantitative Reasoning. Try to choose more difficult level questions and accurately answer as many of them as possible. Like Quantitative Reasoning, the scores are reported in intervals of 1. Scoring more than 40 increases your chance of getting admitted into a top-ranking institution.
Total Score
Scoring: 200-800
Scoring Method: Total score is calculated with the combination of scores from the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. Scores are reported in intervals of 10.
You must keep in mind that there is a penalty involved for not answering questions. If you are unable to complete the test within the given time, your score will be determined according to the number of questions attempted. With each unanswered question, your score will reduce substantially.
What is a Good GMAT Score?
The increasing rise in GMAT scores every year is an indication of the tremendous competition among aspirants as well as a rise in potential applicants. Along with this, there is also an increase in competition among the top-ranking business schools. All these factors combined, having a high GMAT score along with a strong profile should be a top priority for you.
A high GMAT score may be equal to the average score of a top B-school, but that does not guarantee your admission unless your application is backed by an impressive profile. Your profile should efficiently reflect your accomplishments, potentials, and capabilities without exaggeration. Highlighting your participation in different extracurricular activities and CSR activities gives you an added advantage and separates you from the crowd.
Average GMAT Scores of the Top 10 Business Schools
| Business Schools | Average GMAT Score |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 732 |
| Stanford University (CA) | 732 |
| Columbia University (NY) | 732 |
| Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL) | 732 |
| University of Chicago (Booth) | 731 |
| Harvard University (MA) | 730 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 728 |
| University of California—Berkeley (Haas) | 726 |
| Yale University (CT) | 724 |
| Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH) | 722 |
