The GMAT, or the Graduation Management Test, is an entrance test to get into management programs. This test is conducted in an MCQ format and is available on both online and offline modes. This exam is administered across the world by GMAC. GMAT offers a standardized parameter in front of the universities to understand which students are fit to enroll at the graduate level.
Management colleges look at your GMAT scores and work experience to decide if you are ready to endure the rigors of an MBA. So, a high GMAT score is most likely to directly impact your B-school application.
The following chart will give you a detailed idea about how Verbal Reasoning Section is scored –
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Verbal |
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Number of Questions |
Time Allotted |
Score Range |
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36 Total Problems |
65 minutes |
6 to 51 |
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12-14 Reading Comprehension |
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9-10 Critical Reasoning |
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12-13 Sentence Correction |
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This section is designed to test your English skills. You have to test your command of standard written English, ability to read critically, and analyzing skills. You will notice mostly three types of problems in this section –
The following chart will give you a detailed idea about how the Quantitative Reasoning Section is scored –
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Quantitative |
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Number of Questions |
Time Allotted |
Score Range |
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31 Total Questions |
62 minutes |
6 to 51 |
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13-14 Data Sufficiency |
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17-18 Problem-Solving Questions |
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This section is designed to test your knowledge of math. In the GMAT exam, you need to answer various math problems like algebra, geometry, and statistics. It also tests your ability to think logically about the concepts of mathematics. You will have to deal with two types of problems in this part –
The following chart will give you a detailed idea about how Integrated Reasoning Section is scored –
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Integrated Reasoning |
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Number of Questions |
Times Allotted |
Score Range |
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12 Multi-part Problems Total |
30 Minutes |
1 to 8 |
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Multi-source Reasoning |
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Table Analysis |
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Graphics Interpretation |
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Two-part Analysis |
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There are four types of problems in this part –
IR section tests you with a combination of both verbal and quantitative skills. This section covers the same concepts as the Quantitative section. But it uses different types of problems and combines them with the concepts of reading and logical analysis. Moreover, it also tests your ability to analyze and interpret graphs and tables.
The following chart will give you a detailed idea about how Analytical Writing Assessment Section is scored –
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Analytical Writing Assessment |
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Number of questions |
Time Allotted |
Score range |
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One – Analysis of an Argument |
30 minutes |
0 to 6 in half-point increments |
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This section helps the B-Schools to analyze your writing skills. It is scored separately outside the 200-800 point score.
The overall GMAT score is calculated by combining the scores of all the sub-scores. For example, you need to combine the score of the Verbal Reasons and, Quantitative Reasoning. Each of these sections is reported on a scale of 6 to 51 points. The composite score is graded on a scale of 200-800 points.
GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, and its algorithm adapts to your test performance. So, all of you will see a different mix of problems while attempting these sections. As you start the test, you will face moderately difficult questions at the start. If you answer the problems correctly, the level of the questions keeps on increasing. Since the test is adaptive to problems, you have to solve them in the order the questions are generated. You also cannot return to a previous question if you have already answered it.
However, the algorithm that is used to calculate the GMAT scores is counterintuitive. So, you keep "leveling up" till you reach the end of the exam. The difficulty level at the end of the section will be considered your final score.
It can happen that you have scored well in the first 2 sections but failed to score well in the final two. So, it won’t be an average of all four sections. Rather, your score will be the point you finish at the end. So, you should aim to deliver a steady performance throughout the exam rather than focusing on any specific area.
The GMAT score is generally within the 560-570 range. The Quantitative Aptitude score is usually within the high 30s to low 40s. Conversely, the mean Verbal score stays within the high 20s. The mean Essay score and the mean Integrated Reasoning score stays within the range of 4-5.
Every business school has different cut-off mark requirements. So, you need to compare your scores and find out if it meets the requirement of the school. For example, most reputed MBA colleges ask for GMAT scores above the national average. (658) The ideal score to ensure your enrolment in reputed B-schools is securing a 700+ score. By scoring a 700+ score, you ensure you are among the top 13% of the candidates. A score of 750 ensures you are among the top 2% of the total students.
Unlike most exams you have appeared to date, GMAT follows a percentile ranking rather than a percentage. Percentile ranking indicates how well you have performed against the total number of test takers. For example, if you score 80 percentiles, that means only 20% of test takers performed better than you.
The GMAT test report is subdivided into section-wise performance. Here is a sample of how the GMAT result looks –
So, through this report, you can easily assess your performance. You can specifically identify the skillsets you need to work on and how your performance is progressing.
Once you get the GMAT scores, you can send them for free to five B-schools for free. The procedure for sending the scores to the schools differs according to the test mode.
To send the official report, you need to first select the schools you are interested in prior to the exam. You can do this at the test centre itself. Before the test begins, you will find a screen that will display the business schools you want to select. You can choose up to 5 schools, but you cannot change your choices after you have confirmed them. Once you accept your score, your choices will be automatically sent to the chosen B-schools.
After the test, you will get an email notification when the scores are available. You can then log in to the GMAC website and choose the B-schools you want to send your score. You must do this within 2 days after it is available on the GMAC website. You can always log in to your mba.com account and review the score report multiple times before sending it to your preferred schools.
GMAT scores remain valid for five years after you take the test. After this period, the score expires and can no longer be used for admission purposes. However, you can always retake the exam if you want, even if the score has not yet expired.
If you want to retake the exam for a better grade, you just have to wait for 16 calendar days. After these 16 days, you can retake the exam again. However, there is a restriction on how many times you can retake GMAT. You cannot take GMAT more than five times in a year and more than eight times in your life. So, decide wisely before enrolling yourself again for the GMAT exam.
Prepare yourself for the verbal reasoning section with these strategies –
Many of you complain the sentences in the GMAT seem intentionally confusing. So, showing emotions through words becomes challenging in GMAT exams. But here's the thing. You don’t need to focus on emotions while preparing for GMAT. Instead, make it structural. You should use exact and unambiguous words to get the most logically accurate words. Changing the way your read and process language can be difficult and frustrating. But practising it consistently can help you prepare for GMAT.
Experts say, "In the verbal section, you should make inferences as objectively as possible, just like in math.” Let us explain this statement with an example. If the statement says that “A triangle has two angles, 70 degrees each.” In such a situation, you can infer that the third angle would be 40 degrees to make the summation of all the angles 180 degrees. So, in this example, the third angle is 40 degrees is not written. Yet, it must be accurate because of the logic in the sentence.
Since the GMAT questions are MCQ in nature, the answers often seem similar. It may seem like there are multiple right answers to a specific question. So, you should train yourself to deeply analyze any question you face. Having a strong analytical mind is crucial for succeeding in GMAT.
Follow these tips to ace the quantitative reasoning section –
GMAT tests your math fundamentals rather than exploring any advanced-level mathematics. So, brush up on your basics by taking refresher classes or hiring a private tutor.
GMAT usually asks two kinds of math questions –
If you understand how to format the answer to math problems, you can get accurate answers without wasting any time.
Before answering, carefully read the entire question. Look sharply for any information that seems critical. This will help you to avoid traps and solve even the hard questions. By reading the questions carefully, you can rule out answers that seem illogical, thus increasing your chances of scoring better marks.
There is no better way to improve quantitative skills than taking mock tests. The more practice you will get, the more you will become familiar with the questions. You will also learn to better manage the time constraints and work on the areas you lag.
Read the accompanying text information, and try to paint the big picture with the available information. You can also note down the units of measurement used in the statement and the questions.
Prepare yourself to identify any relationships and trends between the data. Look for any direct and inverse relationships and spikes from the data.
Look closely at the options given in the question. That can give you a better idea of how to calculate accurate results.
There are several graphical representation techniques like graphs, pie charts, etc. Make yourself familiar with them to understand the questions.
There is much software that can improve your GMAT score –
There are many other resources on the web. Many of them are free, and some of them are paid. So, you can check out each of these resources and choose the one you feel is best for you.
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If you have given the GMAT exam online, you will get the scores within seven business days. However, if you opt for an offline mode, you will get the GMAT results within the next 20 calendar days.
You get a percentile ranking on the GMAT scores. This indicates the percentage of candidates that performed better than you. For example, a ranking of 75% means that you are among the 25% of test takers who did well than the other 75%.
You need to score in the range of 540 to 790 to get into a premier university like Harvard.
It is quite hard to score a 700 score in GMAT. Generally, only 20% of test takers can achieve this score. You need to be consistently good in all the sections to score 700. Although it is difficult, you can score 700 and above with effective preparation.
To get into one of the best B-Schools like IIM, you need to get a high GMAT score. Although the minimum cut-off for GMAT is 600, you need to score at least 715 or above to ensure a seat in IIM.
