Table of Contents
Thinking about your GMAT score and wondering how it stacks up? The GMAT score chart makes it easy to see how your Quant and Verbal scores add up to your total score and percentile. According to official GMAC data (2025), the average GMAT score worldwide is about 582, while anything above 700 puts you among the top 10% of test-takers. This guide helps you understand the score scale, check where you stand, and use our calculator to estimate your exact GMAT percentile, all in one place.
What does the GMAT Score Chart mean?
![What does GMAT Score Chart entail?]()
The GMAT score chart helps you understand how your test scores add up and what they really mean. Your final GMAT score, ranging from 205 to 805 in the GMAT Focus Edition 2025, is calculated from your performance in Quantitative, Verbal, Data Insights, and Analytical Writing sections. Each section is scored on a scale of 6 to 51 and then combined to form your total GMAT score.
According to official GMAC data (2025), the average GMAT score around the world is 582, while a 700+ score places you among the top 10% of test-takers. A perfect score above 760 is considered outstanding and falls in the 99th percentile.
In simple terms, the GMAT score chart shows how your total score compares to others, helping you see how competitive your result is for top business schools. The higher your score, the stronger your chances of getting noticed by leading MBA programs.
| Total GMAT Score | Approx. Percentile (2025) | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| 760 – 805 | 99% | Excellent |
| 700 – 750 | 88 – 94% | Very Strong |
| 650 – 690 | 75 – 85% | Competitive |
| 600 – 640 | 55 – 70% | Average to Good |
| Below 600 | Below 50% | Needs Improvement |
GMAT Quant & Verbal Score Conversion Table
Your GMAT Quant and Verbal scores together determine your total GMAT score out of 800. Each section is scored on a scaled range from 6 to 51, which shows how you performed compared to other test-takers. The higher your scaled score, the better your percentile, meaning you performed better than most people who took the exam.
According to official GMAC data (2025), the average Quant score is around 45, while the average Verbal score is about 28. A balanced mix of both sections gives you the best total GMAT score, as top-performing candidates often score above 47 in Quant and 35 in Verbal.
Here’s how the GMAT Quant and Verbal scaled scores roughly convert into percentile rankings:
| Quant Score | Approx. Percentile (2025) | Verbal Score | Approx. Percentile (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 97% | 45 | 99% |
| 49 | 74% | 40 | 90% |
| 47 | 67% | 35 | 76% |
| 45 | 55% | 30 | 58% |
| 40 | 35% | 25 | 40% |
| 35 | 20% | 20 | 24% |
| 30 | 12% | 15 | 10% |
| 25 | 7% | 10 | <1% |
| 20 | 3% | 5 | <1% |
Remember, the GMAT rewards balance, not perfection in one section. Even if your Quant score is strong, a low Verbal score can lower your total. Aim for consistent performance in both sections — ideally above 45 in Quant and 35 in Verbal to reach a 700+ total GMAT score, which places you among the top 10% of test-takers worldwide.
How is the GMAT Score Calculated?
The GMAC administers real GMAT tests using a very specific adaptive algorithm. In other words, your response to each experimental question determines the difficulty level of the next question you are asked on your test. Depending on the difficulty level of the question, the marks for each answer vary. There are two types of score reports:
Unofficial Score Report: As soon as you complete the test, you'll receive it. If you don't accept your score, you'll have two minutes to cancel it. For $25, you can cancel your score online within 72 hours of the scheduled start time of your exam.
Official Score Report: You'll receive this report within 20 calendar days. It includes scores for all sections of GMAT and all your test scores except for AWA.
When it comes to GMAT, your score is determined by the difficulty level of questions you get wrong and not how many errors you make. So if you forget twelve easy issues on the Quant section, then your grade would be in the 20s or 30s; but if you got 12 difficult ones wrong, then this could result in as high a score as 47Q or even 48Q.
The same goes for Verbal, although it is slightly more sensitive to the number of incorrect answers. This is because it's hard to come up with very challenging verbal questions in comparison to Quant items, which can be increased and decreased easily.
How to Calculate Your GMAT Score
GMAT composite scores derive from both verbal and quantitative scores, with a formula not disclosed publicly. Notably, the calculation isn't entirely linear. Similar performance in both sections yields a higher composite score, while a significant discrepancy between them results in a lower composite score.
To get an idea of the composite score calculation, you can use a GMAT score chart. This will only give you a rough idea since each subscore has more nuance than appears on the score report. You could, for example, mistake a 49Q for a 48.6Q or a 49.4Q, and that difference could affect your composite GMAT score by 10 or 20 points. Consequently, two test-takers with the same quant and verbal subscores could have distinct composite scores.
The Integrated Reasoning (IR) and Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) sections are both graded on a scale of 0-8 and 0-6, respectively. Although they don't factor into the composite GMAT score, MBA programs generally put less emphasis on these scores than on the GMAT quant and verbal subscores, which are used to calculate your overall GMAT score and are usually factored into many MBA program rankings.
GMAT Enhanced Score Report
To help you understand your strengths and areas for improvement, the GMAT Enhanced Score Report (ESR) provides detailed data and analysis of your performance on the GMAT exam. An Enhanced Score Report is available for exams delivered at a test centre. Currently, it is only available for exams delivered at a test center.
Based on the type of question, the area of focus, and the speed of the test, the Enhanced Score Report provides personal insights. With this actionable information, you can better understand your performance, plan future preparation, and speak more authoritatively about your skills if you decide to take the exam again in the future. Understand how you performed, how you ranked, and how you managed your time for each question type, regardless of what you decide to do.
Preparing for the GMAT
Preparing for the GMAT exam can be one of the most challenging and time-consuming parts of your MBA application process. It requires a strong focus on multiple areas such as quantitative reasoning, verbal skills, and analytical writing. However, with the right resources, you can streamline your study process and improve your chances of success.
- Are you looking for GMAT help? We've got you covered! GMAT prep courses, GMAT tutoring
- Do you want to know what score will make you competitive for top MBA programs? Check out: Is Your GMAT Score Acceptable?
- Are you worried about your GMAT percentile rankings? Read GMAT Percentiles: Why They Don't Matter.
- Average GMAT scores at top MBA programs.
- The Best GMAT Preparation Courses in 2025
What is a Good GMAT Score?
Once you understand how the score is calculated from GMAT score chart, the next question is what constitutes a 'good' result. This really depends on your target MBA program. As a guideline, if your test score is above the median of those applying for that program, it may give your application an edge. So it's no wonder that every student wants to know how to score above 700 on GMAT.
Nevertheless, for many top MBA courses, getting an incredible GMAT score won't be enough; you must show that you are also impressive in other areas. On the other hand, even with a slightly lower-than-average GMAT score, you could still make it through if the rest of your application makes up for it. For more, you can also go through MBA.com.
Boosting your GMAT Score
Along with the GMAT syllabus, specific understanding and working on your targets is also essential. The study habit alone can not guarantee you a high GMAT score. You would also be required to work on things that are indirectly in effect with the GMAT preparation process. Here are a few tips to get you started-
Understand your Strengths and Weaknesses
Take a diagnostic test to ascertain where you stand in your prep. While taking a test at the start of your prep may seem counterintuitive, it gives you an idea of the bigger picture of strengths and weaknesses.
Build Core Skills
Don’t blindly practice questions: Many GMAT aspirants mistakenly believe that simply attempting numerous questions is enough to pass the test. While this might work out for some incredibly gifted candidates, it is not a desirable approach, as it will hardly make any meaningful contribution towards the goal of clearing the GMAT. Going through questions without acquiring an understanding of concepts and problem-solving techniques can, at most, bring about minimal improvement and won't suffice to prepare someone for this challenging examination adequately.
Build an Error Log consistently
A GMAT Prep tool that is arguably underrated and widely ignored is the Error Log. Those who have maintained one diligently have gained valuable insights into their preparation and have been able to make surgical corrections, enabling them to reach their target score much more quickly and easily.
Master one sub-section at a time
We recommend that you focus on one subsection at a time while preparing for the test. Trying to multitask by juggling different sections will only confuse you.
Use Full-length mocks to measure test readiness
For GMAT aspirants, the 6 Official Mocks from mba.com are crucial. Simulating the actual exam, they let test-takers become accustomed to the adaptive pattern before venturing into the real exam. Despite this, many people still utilize them without a clear plan and eventually run out of official tests, forcing them to purchase uncompetitive unofficial versions that cost more.
Tips for Improving GMAT Scores
Improving your GMAT score requires a combination of effective study techniques and a solid understanding of the test structure. Here are some tips to help you improve your GMAT score:
- Set a target score: Before you start studying, it’s important to set a target score. This will help you stay motivated and focused throughout your preparation.
- Take a diagnostic test: Taking a diagnostic test will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to focus your study efforts on the areas where you need the most improvement.
- Create a study plan: Once you know your target score and your strengths and weaknesses, create a study plan that is tailored to your needs. This should include a mix of practice tests, study materials, and review sessions.
- Practice under test conditions: To prepare for the GMAT, it’s important to practice under test conditions. This means taking practice tests in a quiet environment, without distractions, and with a strict time limit.
- Focus on your weaknesses: As you study, focus on your weaknesses. Spend more time practicing the areas where you need the most improvement.
- Take breaks: Studying for the GMAT can be stressful, so it’s important to take breaks. Take time to relax, exercise, and do things you enjoy to help reduce stress and stay motivated.
By following these tips, you can improve your GMAT score and increase your chances of getting into the business school of your choice.
Related Blogs
Conclusion
To sum up, understanding how to estimate and calculate your GMAT scores is vital as you gear up for your MBA journey. It's crucial to have a specific program in mind and tailor your preparation to meet the average GMAT score required for admission. While knowing how your GMAT score is calculated is useful, it's important not to obsess over it. Stay focused on your preparation efforts while keeping your program goals in mind.
