GMAT Scores

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How Are GMAT Scores Calculated?

Your score is determined by the number of questions you answer, whether you answer the questions correctly or incorrectly, and the level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics of each question. The scores can range from 200 to 800.

The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. Scores below 9 and above 44 for the Verbal section or below 7 and above 50 for the Quantitative section are rare. Both scores are on a fixed scale and can be compared across any GMAT administration, but the Verbal and Quantitative scores measure different things and cannot be compared to each other.

The scoring for the Analytical Writing Assessment section differs from the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Your essay will first be read by a human, who will give your essay a grade from 0 to 6. A computer program, called the E-rater, will read your essay and give a grade as well. If the two ratings differ by more than one point, another evaluation by a second human is required to resolve the discrepancy and determine the final score. In this case, your score will be the average of the two humans’ scores. The average is rounded up if it falls between half-point intervals.

If you do not finish the sections on time, you will still receive scores as long as you have worked on every section. However, your scores will be calculated based on the number of questions answered, so unanswered questions will significantly affect your score.

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How Many Years Is My GMAT Score Valid?

This will vary from business school to business school. Typically your score will last 5 years.

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When Will I Receive My GMAT Score?

Unofficial scores from the Verbal and Quantitative multiple-choice sections, along with the Total score, can be seen immediately after you complete the test. Official GMAT score reports, which include the Analytical Writing Assessment score, will be mailed to you and your designated score report recipients (schools) approximately two weeks after the test.

You must respond to both essays and each multiple-choice section of the test to get an official score report.

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What Is A Good GMAT Score?

The average score for the GMAT is 562 worldwide. What score is required depends on which school you wish to apply to. Generally, the higher the school is ranked, the higher the score required. The average score required for the top 50 programs is 646.

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What Will The GMAT Score Report Contain?

Besides the background information you have provided upon registering for the GMAT, the score report contains the three most recent scores from tests you have taken in the last five years and a percentile rank, which shows the percentage of examinees who scored below you from the entire GMAT testing population for the most recent three-year period.

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Can I Request Additional Score Reports?

Additional score reports cost U.S. $28 per university. If you did not register for the GMAT online and you want your scores sent to schools you did not select on test day, you must submit your request by phone, fax, or mail.

If you wish to order additional score reports by phone or fax, you must pay by credit card. VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB are accepted.

If you choose to submit a request by mail, send a cheque, money order, or credit card information (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB are accepted) with your form. Requests received without payment or with the incorrect amount will be returned.

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How Do I Select My Score Recipients?

Before test day, decide which schools you want to give your GMAT scores to. Make a list and bring it to the test center with you. If you are taking the GMAT in a Permanent or Mobile test center, you will only need to note the name of each school. If you are taking the GMAT in a Supplementary site, take note of the four-digit code listed beside each school you wish to select on the Institution Code List. Schools may have multiple programs, so be sure you select the right one.

If you cannot locate a particular school on the Institution Code List, and the school has instructed you to submit your GMAT scores, ask the test center administrator for a GMAT Score Report Request Form. Complete the form and return it to the administrator before you leave the test center. You will be asked to enter the school's complete mailing address on the form, so it is important that you have this information with you on the day of the test.