GMAT score and its calculation always remains a puzzle for its respective aspirants. GMAT test is a computer adaptive test that follows a certain algorithm. This algorithm is responsible for determining the final GMAT score. Let’s reiterate, a raw final GMAT score is an average score of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude which is measured on a scale of total score of 200-800 each subject. Apparently, GMAT score is the aggregation of these four parameters:
- The number of questions attempted in each section within the specified time i.e. Attempting the 31 questions in Quant section within 62 minutes, Attempting the 36 questions in 65 minutes for the Verbal section.
- The number of questions answered correctly.
- The degree of difficulty of questions attempted.
- There is no penalty for the wrong answer, but penalty is imposed on failing to attempt a test section or if you skip attempting a section. This is mainly due to the fact that the GMAT uses adaptive testing methods and your performance in each section decides the level of difficulty in the next section.
GMAT Score Calculator and Percentile
The percentile score indicates how proficiently you executed the test as compared to peer aspirants.For eg., if your ranking is 83%, that means you did better than 83% of test-seekers. In a simpler way, the higher your percentile ranking, the higher the percentage of test-takers you did better than. You can also assume that a higher percentile ranking makes your score more competitive to admissions committees. Do remember that the percentile will vary for each section for the same score. While for a verbal score of 40 you might be in the 91st percentile for the same score in quant you may be only in the 41st percentile. This may be due to the fact that there are more candidates who perform better in the Quant section when compared to the verbal section. Most of the individuals attempting the exam are non native speakers of English and this may be one of the factors contributing to the difference in performance in both verbal and quant.
A GMAT score can be calculated as follows
| Raw Score | Scaled Score | Percentile |
| 35-37 | 51-60 | 98 |
| 30-34 | 48-50 | 78-90 |
| 26-29 | 47-47 | 68-73 |
| 24-25 | 42-44 | 57-63 |
| 22-23 | 39-41 | 48-54 |
| 20-21 | 36-38 | 40-46 |
| 18-19 | 33-35 | 33-36 |
| 16-17 | 30-32 | 25-30 |
| 13-15 | 27-29 | 18-22 |
| 11-12 | 24-26 | 13-16 |
| 7-10 | 18-23 | 6-12 |
| 0-6 | 0-17 | 0-5 |
How to Analyze Verbal and Quant score from the GMAT score Grid?
To do that, all you need is to grab a GMAT score grid. For example according to the following chart, if your score in Verbal is 37 and in Quant is 44 then your overall GMAT score is 670. Estimating the GMAT score from the grid is highly predictable. Rarely the difference between the estimated score and real score lies between 10-15 marks.
When can you get your GMAT Score Card?
As soon as you finish the GMAT exam, your score will pop up on the computer screen. You will receive all the scores except your essay scores once you complete the exam. A printed copy of the same will also be handed to you but do remember these are only raw scores and the final score card will be sent to you later. This is the average score you have obtained in the Quant and Verbal sections out of 800. GMAC will send your score to the selected B-schools. In case you want to send this score to more than the number of B-schools you have shortlisted, then you have to bear an additional charge USD 28 per college selected. Although, the official GMAT score card will be sent either through post or electronically within three weeks from the date you appeared for the GMAT exam. The official score card will contain your final GMAT scores as follows :
- Quant score along with Percentile,
- Verbal score along with Percentile
- Final Cumulative GMAT score along with Percentile,
- Integrated Reasoning scores (On a scale of 1 to 8) and
- Analytical Writing score along with your Percentile.
If you wish to get a more detailed analysis of your performance then you can request for an Enhanced score report. It will give you an in depth analysis and a complete overview of your performance including performance by question type, difficulty levels, areas of strength and weakness, Pacing etc. This will enable you to prepare in a better manner and fine tune your efforts if you would like to retake the exam to improve your existing GMAT score.
In general it is not possible to define or determine a good GMAT score. It depends on a lot of factors like which university you are applying to, the course specialization which you are applying to etc. Of course it is always a good thing to have a high GMAT score (above 700) since this will ensure that you can apply to the top universities.
GMAT Score cancellation Policy
If at the exam centre you had accepted your scores but later change your mind then you still have the option to cancel your GMAT scores within 72 hours of attempting the exam. You can cancel your scores by logging into your official GMAT account used for registering for the exam. You will be charged an additional fee of $25 for the same. The inverse is also possible in a similar manner if you choose initially to cancel the scores then later decide you want to reinstate the scores then GMAT gives you the option to do so as well.
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