GMAT scores are an important step in any student’s study abroad journey. Your GMAT scorecard is a powerful document that determines whether you’ll get into your dream university. To help you understand how the exam is scored and what your score means, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide. So, if you’re about to begin your preparations for GMAT, or are awaiting your GMAT scorecard, read on.
What is GMAT?
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a universally recognized exam. It is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and used in admissions for graduate business programs across 110 countries.
Also Read: Top Exams For Studying Abroad [Comprehensive Guide]
Traditional GMAT vs GMAT Focus Edition
Before we understand GMAT results, it is important to understand the recent changes.
On 7 November 2023, GMAC launched the GMAT Focus Edition. The new version simplifies aptitude assessment for students and institutions.
Let’s see how these two versions differ.
This GMAT traditional version, offered until February 2024, had four sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Integrated Reasoning
- Analytical Writing Assessment
The traditional GMAT scorecard mentioned your score on a 200 – 800 scale. So earlier, the max GMAT score was 800.
However, the GMAT Focus Edition introduces a revamped scoring format.
The new GMAT score range extends from 205 to 805. This means now the max GMAT score is 805. The updated format evaluates your skills more precisely, focusing on three key sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Data Insights
The new GMAT scorecard shows your total as well as sectional scores. Let’s understand each of these scores in detail.
Note: Both versions are offered at official testing centers and online.
Breaking down your GMAT scorecard
Below is a sample GMAT scorecard.
Sample GMAT score card
As you can see, it has various sections. There’s an overall score as well as sectional scores and GMAT score percentiles.
Let’s understand each of these sections in detail.
Understanding your GMAT total score
Your total score in the GMAT Focus Edition is derived from the average of your section scores. This GMAT total score (between 205 and 805) gives a holistic view of your performance across all sections.
It reflects your overall aptitude in:
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Data literacy
You also get your GMAT score percentiles along with your total score. The GMAT score percentiles indicate the percentage of test-takers you outperformed.
For example, 80th percentile means you performed better than 80% of the candidates.
This provides valuable context for your performance.
Interpreting section scores
Each section is scored independently on a scale from 60 to 90.
- Quantitative Reasoning
This section evaluates your problem-solving skills. It assesses your ability to interpret and analyze quantitative data.
- Verbal Reasoning
This section focuses on reading comprehension and critical reasoning. It measures your ability to understand written material, draw inferences, and evaluate arguments.
- Data Insights
This section emphasizes data analysis and interpretation skills. It evaluates your ability to extract meaningful insights from datasets, interpret graphs and charts, and make informed decisions based on data-driven evidence.
Detailed subscores within each section report provide additional granularity. This offers insights into your strengths and areas of improvement.
Check out a sample of how sectional GMAT results are shown.
Sectional scores are not mandatory for all university applications. However, they provide valuable feedback for targeted skill development.
Average GMAT scores
To help you better understand your GMAT result, here are the average GMAT scores:
| Section | Average GMAT scores (Classic edition) |
| Verbal | 27.51 |
| Quant | 41.3 |
| AWA | 4.43 |
| IR | 4.65 |
| Total | 574.51 |
Top universities across the globe require average GMAT scores upwards of 720.
Remember to check the latest GMAT score range requirements for your preferred university before starting your GMAT prep.
Important note on negative marking
Leaving questions unanswered results in a GMAT score penalty. If you don’t complete a section within the allotted time, your score will reflect the negative marks allocated to the unanswered questions.
So aim to answer all questions within the time limit for the best score.
Important note on score cancellation
Before your scores are released, you have the option to cancel them at the test center. However, this is a permanent decision. Once canceled, your scores cannot be retrieved.
Carefully consider your performance before canceling. Many business schools might still accept your score report even if it’s not your best attempt.
Also Read: GMAT Exam Pattern in 2025: Latest & Updated
Understanding school-specific score requirements
What is a good GMAT score varies depending on the institution you are applying to. So, it is important to research the average GMAT score range for your target school. Some schools might have a strict cutoff score, while others only consider the GMAT score as one of the many factors used to evaluate your candidature.
Choosing the best university for yourself isn’t just about meeting a score cutoff; it’s about finding a program that offers a strong return on investment (ROI) for the time and money you put into your education.
This is where SelectRight can guide you. With its AI-powered platform, SelectRight helps you evaluate universities beyond just GMAT scores. It provides:
- Tailored recommendations based on your academic profile and career goals.
- Data-driven insights into ROI, placement rates, and alumni success.
- Match scores for each university, so you can compare options easily.
- Fundable shortlists to ensure your choices align with financing options.
- Exclusive perks like fee waivers and scholarships.
With SelectRight, you can make an informed decision and choose a university that not only matches your profile but also sets you up for long-term success.
Preparing to get your target GMAT score
Based on your preferred university’s GMAT score requirements, you can set yourself a GMAT score target. Start your preparation well in time, and begin with GMAC’s official test resources to get a sense of the difficulty of the exam. In fact, the official GMAC website offers several free and paid prep resources that you can use.
Important: A high GMAT score elevates your profile for lenders as well, which means you can expect better offers and loan terms with a good GMAT score.
Another way to get the best possible education loan offer is to use FundRight. All you have to do is to create a profile with your academic details (including your GMAT score). Once done, you can access loan offers specially created for your profile by 15+ top lenders. From these offers, you can choose the most suitable one, with the help of a dedicated financial expert from FundRight. Then, upload your documents securely from your home and get your loan approved and disbursed in as little as 10 days.
Also Read: How To Prepare For GMAT in 2025 (Complete Strategy)
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FAQs
Your GMAT score is available on the official GMAT website. You can check your score 3-5 days after taking the GMAT.
Step 1: Log in to your mba.com account.
Step 2: Navigate to the GMAT Exams section.
Step 3: Locate the specific test date you’re interested in.
Step 4: Click “View and Send Score.”
This will display your official score report including your total and individual section scores.
After finishing your GMAT, you’ll see a quick preview of your scores on screen. That’s your unofficial score – a temporary estimate. You cannot save, screenshot or print this score.
The official score report, with your final results and GMAT score percentiles, will arrive within a few days via email. You can only use your official score for business school applications.
Your GMAT score validity lasts for five years from your test date. This GMAT score validity time frame reflects the belief that your core reasoning abilities remain relatively stable within that window. Make sure your scores remain valid during your application window.
Your GMAT score validity lasts for five years from your test date. This GMAT score validity time frame reflects the belief that your core reasoning abilities remain relatively stable within that window. Make sure your scores remain valid during your application window.
Comparing GMAT Focus Edition scores directly with scores from previous GMAT versions isn’t recommended.
This is because:
The score scales are different.
The distribution of scores has also shifted.
GMAT score percentiles are a good way to compare the scores on different versions. You can also use the concordance table published by GMAC for reference.
