GMAT Result 2024: Score Validity, Total Marks, How to Calculate

The highest possible GMAT score is 800. It seems impossible to get a perfect score of 800 on the GMAT, but it can be achieved with sheer hard work, dedication, and the right study plan. Even the top B-schools require candidates to score 720 or more than 720, so, candidates need not score a perfect 800 to get into a top Business program. If you get a decent score then also you are eligible to apply to a top business program.

Your unofficial GMAT score report will be available immediately after you finish your GMAT exam. It will contain Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning scores along with the total GMAT score. Your official GMAT score report will be available in your GMAT account within 3-5 business days of your GMAT test date. The official GMAT score report will contain your total score, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights scores.

When it comes to the GMAT entrance exam, different countries and MBA colleges have different preferences. However, the GMAT entrance exam is a popular standardized exam that is accepted for MBA admission by more than 2,400 institutions. Some of the popular countries where GMAT is widely accepted for MBA and MIM admissions include the US, Canada, Australia, India, the UK, Singapore, Germany, Finland, Norway, etc. It is crucial to examine the unique prerequisites of each MBA programme you are considering to find out which admissions examinations are recognised and what score range is competitive. Additionally, candidates may decide to take practice exams or enrol in a GMAT prep course to increase their chances of passing the exam and getting accepted into the MBA programme of their choice.

More than 7,700 graduate management programs across the world use GMAT scores to give admission to aspirants. However, the GMAT score is not the only criterion for getting selected for a good MBA college. B-Schools usually look for candidates who have a holistic profile that has sound academic, managerial work experience, extracurricular activities, etc. Moreover, your admission documents (statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, resume, admission essays, etc.) also matter to a large extent. Hence, you need to be careful with your application documents also.

The following table provides an overview of the GMAT Focus Edition scores:

This is how GMAT Focus is scored. A complete report will include all these parameters.

Here are a few points that the students must be aware of about GMAT scorecard:

• GMAT Focus Edition Percentile: Students will receive their total score and their section-wise scores along with their GMAT percentile. If your GMAT percentile is 80%, it means that you scored above 80% of other test takers.
• Enhanced Score Report: Candidates will receive an Enhanced Score Report (ESR), which will include details of a candidate’s performance in each section of the GMAT exam vis-à-vis question type, skill, content domain, and time management (response time and review time).
• GMAT Focus Edition Score Sending: Students can send their official GMAT score to up to 5 B-Schools (for no additional cost) within 48 hours of receiving their score on mba.com.

Yes, based on the latest GMAT score scale, a score of 645 is equivalent to a score of 700 on the previous GMAT scale. The percentile score being 87.7%. The score pf 645 is the new 700 because the GMAT score scale has upgraded. Initially the GMAT was scored on a scale of 200-800 for its 10th Edition. But for the 11th Edition the GMAT score scale has upgraded to 205-805. This is the reason why, the 645 is the new 700 on GMAT 11th Edition. 

An equivalent of 700 on the old GMAT for the new GMAT can have two instances,  

Thus, there can be either of the two scores - 645 of 655 on the GMAT Focus. Their percentiles are also given above. Each old GMAT score will usually have two corresponding scores, only one GMAT score will be awarded based on the number of questions the applicants have answered. 

The old GMAT score used a different scale while the new GMAT uses a different scoring scale. To understand the difference better, check out the table below:

Based on the above table, applicants looking at comparing their new and old GMAT scores will be able to understand the difference. 

Since it is not always possible to accurately convert new GMAT scores to old GMAT scores, GMAC has released a Concordance Table. In this table there is an old GMAT score and its corresponding new GMAT score followed by the percentile bracket. This table is available on GMAC's website for reference. 

Applicants must note that the new GMAT score usually ends with 5, thus, the new GMAT score cannot be 620. In comparison to the old GMAT score, the overall scores ended with a zero, so a score of 620 could be converted to the new GMAT scoring range. As per the old GMAT score scale, a score of 620 corresponds to 575 or 585 composite score on the new GMAT scale.  

The scale of calculation was different for the old GMAT that is, 200-800. On the other hand for the new GMAT, the score scale is 205-805, thus, the difference. This is why the old GMAT score is higher in calculation in comparison to the new GMAT score scale. 

Here are some important GMAT preparation tips that will help you score above the average scores required for the top MBA colleges:

• Understand the average GMAT cut off: Find out the average GMAT score required by the top MBA colleges where you want to apply.
• Set a target score: Aim to score higher than the average GMAT cut off to increase your chances of admission. You must appear for a GMAT mock test before starting your GMAT preparation. The gap between your mock result and your target GMAT score will help you decide how much time and effort are required for your GMAT exam preparation.
• Prepare a study plan: Create a study plan that covers all the sections of the GMAT exam, including verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing assessment. Allocate sufficient time for each section and ensure regular practice.
• Utilize study resources: Take advantage of GMAT study materials, such as official GMAT guides, online practice tests, and question banks. In addition to the official resources, you may refer to the Manhattan GMAT guides, Veritas study material, and online forums such as the GMAT Club, Beat the GMAT, etc.
• Take regular GMAT practice tests: Appear for the GMAT mock tests regularly (sectional mocks as well as full-length mocks). Mock tests will also help you with time management.
• Focus on weak areas: Dedicate more time to improving your weak areas while maintaining your proficiency in strong areas. Utilize study guides, online tutorials, and practice questions.
• Review and revise: Continuously review and revise the concepts, strategies, and techniques you have learned throughout your preparation. For this, you may make short notes during your preparation and revise them at regular intervals.

Keep in mind that the GMAT cutoff score is only one part of the MBA admission process. Additionally, admissions committees take into account things like employment history, academic success, essays, and letters of recommendation. For this reason, it is critical to concentrate on your entire application and offer a good profile to increase your chances of getting accepted into top MBA colleges.

It is important to know that GMAT scores are accepted for foreign as well as Indian MBA programmes. Some of the top Indian MBA institutions that accept GMAT scores include different IIMs, XLRI (Xavier School of Management), S P Jain, Great Lakes Institute of Management, XIMB, TAPMI, etc. The following points provide an overview of the GMAT cut offs for different Indian MBA colleges:

• GMAT cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 720.
• GMAT cut off for IIM Bangalore is 720.
• GMAT cut off for IIM Calcutta is 697 (700).
• GMAT cut off for SP Jain is 650.
• GMAT score range for ISB Hyderabad is 530 – 780.
• GMAT cut off for IMT Ghaziabad is 650.

It is advised that students aim for at least 700 on the GMAT so that they are in a safe zone. In addition to their GMAT scores, students must also aim for building a holistic profile that has managerial work experience, certificates/courses, etc. to ensure their selection in a good MBA college. Moreover, students must take their GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview) preparations very seriously as they carry a significant weightage in their MBA selections.

GMAT score cancellation facility is available only for the GMAT exam taken at a test centre. Test takers can cancel their score at the test centre after giving their exam. Candidates can cancel the scores at the test centre immediately after giving the exam without paying any fee. However, they can also cancel the GMAT score online by paying a fee of $25 within 72 hours of their scheduled GMAT exam. The scores cancelled by the candidate will not be shown or indicated on the score reports sent to schools. If you purchase an additional GMAT score report, you will not be allowed to cancel your GMAT score online.

There is no GMAT score reinstating fee. In order to reinstate a cancelled score, you need to log in to your GMAT account. Candidates need to pay the fee at the time of checkout. Your reinstated GMAT scores will be available within 7 business days (it might take up to 20 business days as well). If you reinstate your GMAT score, the 5 programmes/colleges, which you had selected on the GMAT exam day, will receive your official GMAT score report. This reinstatement is applicable only if the applicants cancelled GMAT scores online also if the exam date was on or after January 1, 2014, or for up to four years and 11 months after the exam date.

Yes, upon completing your GMAT Focus exam, applicants can see their scores on the screen immediately. Applicants cannot note or copy or even screenshot their temporary scores. The official GMAT scores however, will be released within 3-5 days of the exam date. 

If you want to improve your GMAT score, you to consider the following points. First, it will take some time and effort to improve your overall GMAT score. You must start with a GMAT mock test (even if you have not studied anything), identify your weak areas, and work on them. Then, you need to decide on proper GMAT books and prepare them. Do not skip the GMAT OG (GMAT Official Guide). With a sound preparation plan and effective time management, one can achieve a score of 700 which will help you in getting admission to a reputed B-school.

While a good GMAT score is crucial for admission to the best MBA programmes, it is not the only need. Along with the GMAT score, the admissions committee also takes into account the applicant's job history, undergraduate GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, and performance in the interview. Your application may be strengthened by a strong GMAT score, but it is insufficient on its own. Here are the details of the other criteria:

• Work Experience: Admission committees look at your relevant experience. Your accomplishments, achievements, career progression, etc. are all taken into consideration.
• Academic Background: Your academic background is extremely important for your profile.
• Application Documents: Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, Admission Essays, etc. are extremely important for your selection to the top MBA colleges.

Although a good GMAT score displays your verbal, analytical, and quantitative skills, it is only one aspect of the jigsaw. Every top MBA programme has its unique set of aims and requirements for admission. Although certain schools may place a greater premium on GMAT scores than others, no school bases its admissions decisions purely on test results.

GMAT score cancellation facility is available for both GMAT exam modes. Those who take the GMAT exam at a test centre, can cancel their score at the test centre after giving their exam. They have the option of cancelling the scores at the test centre immediately after giving the exam without paying any fee. However, they can also cancel the GMAT score online by paying a fee of $25 within 72 hours of their scheduled GMAT exam. The scores cancelled by the candidate will not be shown or indicated on the score reports sent to schools. If you purchase an additional GMAT score report, you will not be allowed to cancel your GMAT score online.

Also those who take the GMAT exam from home have the option to cancel their scores within 72 hours of taking the exam.

You should not miss any questions on the GMAT exam. Missing questions on the GMAT can affect your overall GMAT score. GMAT algorithm is designed in a way that it penalizes a candidate for skipping the questions. If you feel stuck, you can choose the most appropriate option and move to the next question. One needs to understand this clearly, part of the GMAT scores are based on the number of questions you get right. Therefore, candidates should answer a maximum number of questions while taking the test.

Applicants can select up to 5 programmes that will receive official GMAT score report for no additional cost within 48 hours. Make sure that you have done sufficient research about the universities, programmes, career outcomes, etc. If you wish to send your GMAT score to more programmes, they can be sent by paying $35 per report. This is valid for both home testing and testing at an exam centre.