A good GMAT score can boost your chances of admission to top MBA programs, qualify you for scholarships, and enhance your post-MBA career opportunities.
Understanding your GMAT score is crucial, whether you’re looking to meet the average GMAT score for your dream school or aiming for a score that qualifies you for scholarships. In this guide, we’ll break down GMAT scores for MBA programs, the average GMAT score at top business schools, and how to set a target GMAT score to maximize your chances of success. Read on to learn how your GMAT performance can impact your admissions prospects and which programs require higher scores.
How is the GMAT Scored?
The GMAT Focus Edition consists of three main sections, each contributing to your overall score. Quantitative Reasoning tests your ability to solve mathematical problems and interpret data, with a score range of 60 to 90. Verbal Reasoning measures your skills in reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction, also scoring between 60 and 90. Finally, the Data Insights section assesses your capacity to interpret and analyze complex data, with scores similarly ranging from 60 to 90. These three section scores are combined into a total score between 205 and 805. The GMAT is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance, making consistency key to achieving a high score.
Average GMAT Score
The trends suggest that the average GMAT score is increasing:
Data Summary
- Fewer candidates (6% decrease) scored under 600 in 2023 compared to 2019.
- A slight increase (2%) in candidates scoring between 600–690 was observed.
- There was a notable increase (4%) in candidates scoring 700 or higher, indicating stronger performance at the higher end.
In 2023, 61% of students sent their GMAT scores to MBA programs, 33% to business master’s programs, and 6% to other programs.
In 2023, GMAT test takers are mainly from East and Southeast Asia (32%) and the U.S. (20%).
United States remains the top score-sending destination, receiving 50% of total GMAT scores in 2023.
Average GMAT Score and Average Age of Test Takers (Global)
| Year | Score | Age |
| 2019 | 615 | 25.6 |
| 2020 | 622 | 25.6 |
| 2021 | 648 | 25.8 |
| 2022 | 651 | 25.8 |
| 2023 | 640 | 25.8 |
GMAT Total Score Percentiles (2019-2024)
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
| 805 | 100% |
| 705 | 98% |
| 655 | 91% |
| 605 | 72% |
| 555 | 49% |
| 505 | 28% |
| 455 | 15% |
| 405 | 7% |
| 255 | 0% |
Average GMAT Scores for Top MBA Programs
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Average GMAT Scores by School
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How to Find Your Target GMAT Score
- Determine your target score based on your desired schools.
- Steps to identify your ideal GMAT score based on school requirements.
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How Can I Improve My GMAT Score?
- Tips on how to increase your GMAT score, including working on weaknesses, practice, and retaking the test.
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What to Do if Your GMAT Score is Too Low?
- Guidance on handling a lower-than-expected GMAT score: improving your application, GMAT-optional schools, or considering the GRE.
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GMAT vs. GRE: Which Test is Right for You?
- Pros and cons of each test for business school admissions.
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FAQs | About GMAT Scores
- Common queries about GMAT scoring, averages, and score interpretation.
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