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
When applying to top MBA programs, a competitive GMAT score can set you apart. Generally, GMAT scores for top MBA programs range between 700 and 750. For instance, at schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, the average GMAT score hovers around the 730 mark, placing these scores in the 730 GMAT percentile or higher. Many programs on the top-10 list, including MIT Sloan and Chicago Booth, accept a GMAT range of 700 to 740, but candidates often aim for a 740 GMAT percentile or even 750 GMAT percentile for added security. While each program’s expectations differ, understanding the MBA GMAT score range and GMAT percentiles for each school can help you gauge where your score stands.
Average GMAT Scores by School
Beyond the elite programs, many MBA schools accept a wider GMAT score range. Programs with different levels of competitiveness, such as UCLA Anderson and Georgetown McDonough, may consider a GMAT score distribution between 650 and 700. This broader GMAT scores for MBA programs approach offers flexibility for applicants across various GMAT percentiles, such as the 680 GMAT percentile and 700 GMAT percentile. Understanding the GMAT score by school allows you to set realistic goals and target schools that match your current score.
| School | Average GMAT Score | GMAT Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Business School | 730 | 700 – 760 |
| Stanford GSB | 735 | 710 – 770 |
| Wharton | 730 | 700 – 750 |
| MIT Sloan | 720 | 690 – 740 |
| Chicago Booth | 725 | 700 – 750 |
| Columbia Business School | 720 | 690 – 740 |
| NYU Stern | 715 | 680 – 740 |
| UCLA Anderson | 710 | 680 – 720 |
| Georgetown McDonough | 690 | 650 – 710 |
How to Find Your Target GMAT Score
Defining your target GMAT score is essential for tailoring your prep. Start by listing your top-choice programs and examining each school’s GMAT score range. Knowing whether your desired schools fall within the 700 GMAT score or higher can guide your preparation. Setting a goal, like the 730 GMAT score or even 740 GMAT score, helps you focus on specific score requirements, making it easier to reach your GMAT score goal.
How Can I Improve My GMAT Score?
If you’re looking to improve GMAT score results, start by analyzing weak areas. Many applicants achieve their best scores by focusing on GMAT prep strategies such as targeted practice, working on lower percentile areas, or retaking the test if necessary. Moving from a 680 GMAT score to a 720 GMAT score is achievable with consistent effort, and resources are available for every GMAT score percentile improvement.
What to Do if Your GMAT Score is Too Low?
A low GMAT score isn’t the end of your MBA dreams. Explore low GMAT score options like schools with GMAT-optional policies or those that accept the GRE as an alternative. Strengthening other areas of your application can also help compensate for a lower score, especially if it’s in the 600 GMAT percentile range. Some schools view the GRE and GMAT similarly, so comparing GMAT vs GRE can guide you on which test might suit your profile better.
GMAT vs. GRE: Which Test is Right for You?
While both the GMAT and GRE are commonly accepted by business schools, the choice comes down to individual strengths and program preferences. The GMAT score is typically preferred for MBA programs, but some students find the GRE to align better with their skills. Consider each test’s format, scoring, and how your GMAT percentiles might reflect in your application profile when deciding between GMAT vs GRE.
