With so many details included in your test results, understanding your official GMAT score report can be a bit confusing. Check out this GMAT scoring guide to learn the point values for each section and discover how the GMAT scoring system calculates both your individual and overall exam results.
Total vs. Individual Scores
An official GMAT score report includes the results for each portion of the exam, a cumulative score, and a percentile ranking. While you may think that the Total Score is the most important result, business schools pay close attention to the individual section scores to get a clearer understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
GMAT Scoring Scale
Total Scores range from 200 to 800 on the GMAT scoring chart.
Depending on your performance on the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections of the test, you will earn a raw score that converts to a number within this GMAT scoring range. For this system, the standard error of measurement is 30-40 points.
How Unanswered Questions Impact Scores
Before taking the GMAT, you should know that there is a penalty for each incomplete part of the exam. If you are unable to finish each test section within the allotted timeframe, your score calculations will only include the answered questions. Each unanswered question will result in a decrease in your Total Score report.
Analytical Writing Assessment Scores
Scores for the Analytical Writing Assessment feature half-point intervals on a scale from 0 to 6. A professional grader and a computer algorithm score your Analysis of an Argument essay to determine your final rating. An additional human rater may review any disparities between the two and adjust the score accordingly if necessary.
Integrated Reasoning Scores
The Integrated Reasoning GMAT scoring range goes from 1 to 8 points. On this portion of the exam, the score comes from the number of right answers you give. Some of the Integrated Reasoning section questions require multiple responses, so you must correctly answer each part of the question to receive full credit.
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning Scores
Questions on the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning parts of the exam are item-level adaptive, meaning the score depends on the test-takers skill level. Depending on how many questions you answer, how many answers are correct, and how difficult those answered questions were, your Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores will range from 6 to 51.
Understanding your GMAT Score
Knowing how GMAT exam scoring works can give you an incentive to complete each section of the test as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Even if you're unsatisfied with one of your results, you'll be able to know which areas you've struggled in so you can decide whether you want to re-take the test and try for a higher score.
Enhanced Score Report
If you want a deeper understanding of your GMAT scores, you can pay an additional fee to receive an Enhanced Score Report. Along with the scores for each section of the exam, this report includes a customized, in-depth performance summary detailing the areas in which you excel, the skills that need improvement, and how your score could impact your business school applications.