A strong GMAT score can improve your chances of being admitted to top MBA programs around the world, and it can even increase your odds of receiving scholarships at many universities.
In this post, we provide a thorough overview of the GMAT exam, including its structure, question types, scoring process, and percentiles. We will also discuss what qualifies as a “good” score and even touch on some alternatives to taking the GMAT.
Table of Contents
- The GMAT Exam Structure
- GMAT Scoring
- Median GMAT Scores at the Top U.S. Business Schools
- Frequently Asked Questions About GMAT Scores
- How Do MBA Programs Use GMAT Scores in Admissions?
- How Should I Prepare for the GMAT Exam?
- Is Retaking the GMAT Exam Okay?
- Alternatives to the GMAT
- GMAT Test Waivers
- Navigating GMAT Scores with Confidence
The GMAT Exam Structure
The GMAT exam was designed to be a predictor of applicants’ ability to succeed in the first year of business school, and it includes three sections—Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights—each of which tests different skills. The exam is two hours and 15 minutes long and includes 64 questions.
What Types of Questions Are on the GMAT?
Section details are as follows, per GMAC, the organization that administers the GMAT:
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 min |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 min |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 min |
Question types within Verbal Reasoning include Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. The Verbal section of the exam aims to assess your ability to read and understand material, and to evaluate arguments and reason logically.
All question types within the Quantitative Reasoning section are considered Problem Solving questions. Topics covered in the Quant section include number properties, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. This section aims to assess your knowledge of algebra and arithmetic, as well as your analytical thinking skills.
Question types within Data Insights include Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis. This section aims to assess how you work with data in real-world situations.
Overall, the GMAT also tests your ability to analyze and use data, work with incomplete information, communicate, make decisions, and manage your time under pressure.
GMAT Scoring
Total Scores for the current version of the exam (originally called the Focus Edition but now referred to simply as the GMAT) range from 205 to 805, with scores ending in five (5). Scores on the previous version of GMAT (10th Edition, retired in early 2024) ranged from 200 to 800, with scores always ending in zero (0).
Currently, specific section scores range from 60 to 90.
How Are GMAT Scores Calculated?
The GMAT is a computer adaptive test, which means that your score is calculated with an algorithm that adjusts the difficulty level of the questions you receive based on your performance as you proceed through the exam. In other words, you receive increasingly difficult test questions as you perform better and less difficult ones when you answer questions incorrectly. In this way, the exam aims to identify your precise ability level.
Your final GMAT scores take into account not just how many questions you got correct and incorrect but also the difficulty level of each question you answered. Your overall score is based on your results on all three sections (Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights), weighted equally.
What Is a “Good” GMAT Score?
A “good” GMAT score is one that best helps you increase your chances of acceptance to business school. This is determined by two key factors:
- Percentiles: How did you score compared with other test takers?
- Average scores at your target schools: How did you score compared with accepted applicants at the schools you are interested in?
Percentiles
To see how your specific overall and subscores compare to those of other test takers, you can reference the latest percentiles, which are compiled by GMAC.
Percentiles reveal how your score compares with those of everyone who has taken the exam globally. Scoring at the 50th percentile means that you have scored higher than 50% of test takers. Currently, a 90th percentile Total Score would equate to about a 655, for reference. Average scores at the top U.S. full-time MBA programs (such as Harvard Business School, the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton, and Columbia Business School) have typically been around the 95th percentile, or approximately 675–685.
Sampling of GMAT (Focus Edition) Total Score Percentiles
| Score | Mean Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 805 | 554.67 | 100% |
| 755 | 100% | |
| 705 | 98% | |
| 655 | 91% | |
| 605 | 70% | |
| 555 | 48% | |
| 505 | 27% | |
| 455 | 15% | |
| 405 | 7% | |
| 355 | 3% | |
| 305 | 1% | |
| 255 | 0% | |
| 205 | 0% |
Source: mba.com by GMAC
Average/Median Scores at Your Target Schools
Be sure to also research what the average and/or median test score is at each of your target programs. Your admissions chances will be higher if your score is equal to or higher than the averages/medians at your intended schools.
You can find the test scores of enrolled students at your target programs in several places online, including in each program’s MBA Class Profile on the school’s website.
Median GMAT Scores at the Top U.S. Business Schools
| School Name | U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2026) | Median GMAT Score of Full-Time Students (old exam) | Median GMAT Score of Full-Time Students | Median Undergraduate GPA | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 1 | 745 | 695 | 3.8 | 6.8% |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 2 | 740 | A/V | 3.7 | 18.6% |
| University of Chicago (Booth) | 3 | 740 | 675 | 3.7 | 27.3% |
| Harvard University | 4 (tie) | 730 | 685 | N/A | 11.1% |
| Northwestern University (Kellogg) | 4 (tie) | 730 | 685 | 3.8 | 28.1% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 6 | 720 | 675 | 3.7 | 18.8% |
| Columbia University | 7 (tie) | 740 | 695 | 3.7 | 25.7% |
| New York University (Stern) | 7 (tie) | 750 | 675 | 3.7 | 23.6% |
| Dartmouth College (Tuck) | 9 | A/V | 675 | 3.6 | 28.3% |
| University of California, Berkeley (Haas) | 10 | A/V | 675 | 3.7 | 21.4% |
| University of Virginia (Darden) | 11 (tie) | 730 | 665 | 3.6 | 30.7% |
| Yale University | 11 (tie) | 740 | 675 | 3.7 | 28.5% |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ross) | 13 | A/V | 685 | 3.5 | 30.2% |
| Duke University (Fuqua) | 14 | A/V | 655 | 3.6 | 24% |
| Cornell University (Johnson) | 15 | 710 | 645 | 3.4 | 29.3% |
*U.S. News used the minimum standardized (z-score) value among ranked schools for this data point in the rankings calculation because the school did not report it or reported a very small cohort.
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Frequently Asked Questions About GMAT Scores
What is the average GMAT score?
The 50th percentile on the current GMAT exam is a 565, so that would be the median for all test takers.
What is a top 1% GMAT score?
The current 99th percentile score on the GMAT is a 715.
Scoring a 715 or higher means that you scored higher than 99% of all test takers and higher than the average admitted student at all top MBA programs.
What score do I need to get on the GMAT?
You should aim for a score that is higher than the average at the schools you are targeting. Remember, you can take the test more than once if needed. If you are not scoring where you want to, even after comprehensive preparation, you can consider switching to an alternative exam or requesting a test waiver at participating schools. Both of these options are discussed further later on in this post.
How do 10th Edition and Focus Edition scores compare?
GMAC offers a Concordance Table on its website that shows the correlation between scores on the previous version of the GMAT and those on the current exam.
GMAC’s GMAT Score Concordance Table
How Do MBA Programs Use GMAT Scores in Admissions?
Business schools look at your GMAT score, in combination with your undergraduate performance (your overall GPA as well as specific data in your transcripts), to predict your ability to handle the academic rigor of their MBA program.
MBA admissions decisions are holistic and take into account many factors, including a candidate’s test score(s), academic background, work experience, leadership potential, recommender insight, extracurricular involvement, career goals, and fit with the program. Your GMAT score alone will not get you accepted to a program, but scoring well below the program’s average could certainly hold you back and become a roadblock to acceptance. In addition, you will often be competing for a space in the class with many other well-qualified candidates who are also submitting strong test scores, so to maximize your chances, you want to score as high as possible on your test.
In the MBA admissions process, your Total Score (205–805) is the most important. So even though you want to maximize your scores in all three sections, any number of score combinations can result in the same Total Score.
However, because the MBA is a quantitative degree in nature, a very low GMAT Quant subscore could become a red flag or concern in a competitive application environment, so preparing especially thoroughly for the Quant section in particular is important.
How Should I Prepare for the GMAT Exam?
GMAT scores are valid for five years, so even if you are not planning to apply to business school for several years, taking the exam sooner rather than later can be beneficial.
Most candidates spend two to four months preparing for the GMAT. You might consider taking a preparation course and/or working with a tutor, which can help strengthen your quantitative and verbal foundations and maximize your score. Create a timeline for studying for and taking the exam that works with your professional and personal schedule.
A thorough prep course will provide the following:
- Foundational content you must review to do well on test day (e.g., number properties, algebra)
- Specific strategies for approaching each question type and for times you get stuck
- Realistic practice in the form of full-length computer adaptive exams to ensure that you are ready for the actual test experience
Test Prep Tips to Maximize Your GMAT Score
Follow these tips to give yourself the best chance of achieving your target GMAT score:
- Give yourself two to four months to prepare (on average, top scorers prepare for more than 80 hours).
- Set a study plan and stick to it (e.g., two to three hours a day, four or five days a week, for two to four months).
- Take five to eight full practice exams before test day.
- Do not study the day before the test; give yourself a mental break.
Is Retaking the GMAT Exam Okay?
Many MBA applicants take the GMAT exam multiple times. The good news is that MBA programs are open to retakes, and the admissions committees will consider your highest score when evaluating your candidacy for admission. Any other attempts are disregarded and will not have a negative impact on your chances of being accepted.
We therefore recommend that you consider retaking the exam if you feel you can improve your score, and especially if you scored below your desired target for your intended business schools.
Be aware that you must wait 16 days between exams, and build that required interim into your timeline as you plan ahead. You can take the exam up to five times in a 12-month period.
Alternatives to the GMAT
The vast majority of business schools require applicants to take either the GMAT or the GRE exam and submit their score as part of their application. The GMAT has historically been the exam taken by most applicants to MBA programs and to some specialized master’s degree programs in finance, management, and other business disciplines.
However, schools generally do not have a preference between the two exams (GMAT or GRE), so you should take the one on which you feel you would score higher and would therefore present you in the strongest possible light as an applicant.
We recommend taking a free online practice exam (available on each respective test developer’s website) early in your test preparation process to assess your comfort level with both exam options and generate a rough starting score, and then use that experience to determine which test to focus on. Note that some candidates actually take both exams to see which one they ultimately perform better on (and the subject areas covered by the two tests overlap substantially).
A small but growing number of full-time MBA programs also accept a third admissions exam, the Executive Assessment (EA). The EA was created by the same organization that produces the GMAT and was initially intended for candidates applying for Executive MBA programs. The EA is accepted as an alternative to the GMAT or GRE at several elite U.S. full-time MBA programs, including Columbia Business School, NYU Stern, UVA Darden, Duke Fuqua, Texas McCombs, and Georgetown McDonough.
View a full list of programs that accept the EA, according to GMAC.
If you have taken practice exams for the different tests and are still unsure as to which one to focus on, or if you just need additional advice related to your test preparation, contact us to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants, who can offer valuable input on your situation. We offer these complimentary advice consultations on a weekly basis across multiple time zones.
GMAT Test Waivers
Some MBA programs offer test waivers for applicants who either cannot take an exam or feel they have sufficient evidence to otherwise demonstrate their quantitative, analytical, and verbal reasoning skills. If you are considering applying for a test waiver, review the specific requirements outlined by the school in question, because policies can vary widely. In general, you will need to provide evidence that proves your abilities via past academics, work experience, and/or certifications or other graduate degrees.
Read more about test waivers and who should consider them.
Check out our list of top U.S. programs, test requirements, and waiver offerings. (Be aware that this information is subject to change; always review each school’s policy for the most up-to-date info on its requirements and options.)
Navigating GMAT Scores with Confidence
Overall, keep in mind the following key takeaways about the GMAT exam:
- The exam covers Quantitative, Verbal, and Data skills
- Start the process by taking a practice test to experience the GMAT format and see what you need to work on
- Consider taking a practice test of both the GMAT and the GRE to decide which test is better suited to you
- Plan to prepare for two to four months (part-time) for the GMAT
- Research the latest average GMAT scores at your preferred MBA programs
- Aim for a score that is equal to or higher than your target program’s average
- Be open to retaking the test, if needed
- Be sure to prioritize test prep within your overall application timeline to ensure that your test score will not be an impediment
If you have questions about your specific GMAT test plan or MBA application profile, sign up for a at your convenience.
Author blurb:
Jen Kedrowski is an experienced MBA admissions consultant at mbaMission, with more than 24 years of MBA admissions consulting experience, more than eight years as a GMAT and GRE instructor, and experience running Kaplan Test Prep’s national GMAT/GRE programs and curriculum.
