If you’re applying to business school and want to earn an MBA, you likely understand the importance of doing well on the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT™. Strong scores may help you get into your dream program.
The three digit number that qualifies as a good score can depend on how competitive the program you’re applying to is. In general, a 655 or higher is considered a good GMAT score, but in some cases, over 700 may be needed.
In addition, schools take a look at your unique background when evaluating your application to help them build a well-rounded student body. As a result, what qualifies as a strong score varies by school and by applicant. Learn more about the GMAT, scores, and applying to business school.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• A good GMAT score is 655 or higher, placing test takers in the top 10%.
• Scores range from 205 to 805, with a mean score of 553.
• Schools consider unique backgrounds, professional achievements, and career goals alongside GMAT scores.
• Preparation should span 100-120 hours over six months, including practice tests and time management.
• Unofficial scores are available immediately after the test, while official scores are provided within 3-5 days.
How Is the GMAT Scored?
If you’re deciding whether getting an MBA is worth it, you’re probably curious what score you’d need on the GMAT to be accepted.
Before considering what is a good GMAT score, know that the total range on the latest version of the test, which is called the GMAT Focus Edition, is 205 to 805. The mean score among all GMAT test takers from 2019 to 2024 was 553, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC), which administers the exam. Seventy-five percent of test takers score a total of 495 or higher.
Generally speaking, a good GMAT score is 655 or higher, which would put you in the top 10% of test takers. For more competitive programs, you may want to aim for a score over 700. What is the highest GMAT score — a perfect 805— is difficult to achieve, but can potentially counteract other weak points in a student’s application.
After taking the GMAT, students will receive a score report, which will feature four different numbers:
• Total score
• Quantitative Reasoning score
• Verbal Reasoning score
• Data Insights score.
Total score is calculated by combining the scores of each of the three sections. Each section contributes equally.
Here’s a breakdown of how each is calculated, according to The Princeton Review®:
| Section | Score Range | How the Score Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 205 to 805 | This score is reported in 10-point increments and is calculated based on performance in all three sections equally. |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 60 to 90 | Based on the number of questions you answered correctly, how difficult the questions you got right are, and your pattern of performance throughout the section. Reported in one point increments. |
| Verbal Reasoning | 60 to 90 | Based on the number of questions you answered, correctly, and how difficult the questions you got right are. Reported in increments of one. |
| Data Insights | 60 to 90 | Based on your ability to interpret data in various formats and to apply logical reasoning to reach your conclusions. Reported in increments of one. |
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How to Figure Out Your GMAT Range
As mentioned above, the full GMAT range goes from 205 to 805. Though a score of 695 to 705 puts you in competitive standing, what functions as a good score is relative. In other words, a good score for you is the one that helps you get into the program of your choice and advance your career goals.
• Students interested in attending a top B-school will generally need a high score. For example, the 2026 class of full-time MBA students at Stanford University had average GMAT scores of 738.
• However, if you’re interested in a less competitive program, you may be fine with a score under 600, especially if you have a strong professional background.
Here’s another way to look at it: What is a high GMAT score for someone applying to a less competitive B-school may be seen as low to someone applying to a top-tier program.
Before taking the GMAT, think about your career goals. What type of program do you want to attend to achieve your business objectives? Does the MBA program’s affordability factor into your decision-making process? Do you have the potential time and money required to earn a lofty GMAT score to get into a top institution?
• For example, someone aiming to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company, may want to attend a top-rated school.
• Those planning to lead a smaller business or even start their own enterprise might pursue a less competitive program.
To figure out just how competitive your scores need to be, research the programs you’re interested in. Some schools will post the average GMAT score of their students, which can help you see what you likely need.
It may also help to reach out to school admissions to find out what factors have a big impact on admissions.
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Researching Average Scores
When thinking about test scores, it’s possible to get too narrowly focused on that one number. Schools are looking at a student’s complete application to determine whether they’ll be a good fit.
However, you can certainly get a better idea of the types of students your target schools are admitting by researching average GMAT scores.
The easiest way to do this is to log on to the school’s MBA class profile web page, which may give you all sorts of information. You’ll likely find everything from the average GMAT test score to the number of applicants versus the number of enrolled students to demographic information.
Keep this in mind: The total score isn’t the only thing that schools look at, and the weight given to each of the three scoring sections on the test may vary from school to school.
For example, an MBA program with a focus in data science might zero in on your Data Insights scores more than other programs. Reach out to school admissions offices to find out if they give special weight to a particular score section.
Knowing the average scores of your target program can help you understand how competitive your score needs to be.
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How to Prepare for the GMAT
As you prepare for the GMAT — and to achieve your target score — it can be a smart move to give yourself a good amount of time to study. You may want to begin the process as much as six months in advance of taking the test. Common test prep advice suggests that it may take 100 to 120 hours or more of studying and taking practice tests to adequately prepare.
Keep in mind, you may be in school or working at the same time, researching graduate school scholarships, and living daily life. You don’t want to be stuck cramming for this test.
Set up a study schedule. Start by setting up a calendar on which you schedule study dates and times to take practice tests. Resist the urge to procrastinate.
Review the material for each section of the test at a time. You can access free practice tests online that give you an insight into the format and the types of questions you’ll be asked. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to digest all sections at once.
Practice tests can help you identify areas that may require extra studying. They can also help you practice pacing. The GMAT is a timed exam, and time management is critical to finishing.
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Unofficial vs. Official Scores
When you complete your test, you’ll typically be shown your unofficial score right away for each section as well as your official score. You are not allowed to record or print your scores. You will receive an email when your official score report is available. Your official score is typically available in three to five days.
In previous versions of the GMAT, immediately after completing the test, students were given a chance to accept it or cancel their unofficial score. That is no longer the case in the newest version of the GMAT (the GMAT Focus Edition).
If you feel as if you could use guidance as you navigate the test-taking and application process, some aspiring business students choose to hire an MBA application consultant.
What Business Schools Look at in Addition to the GMAT
A GMAT score that is on par with a program’s enrolled students can help demonstrate you are prepared for the academic rigors of the program. What’s a good GMAT score will, as noted above, vary depending on the school you want to attend.
That said, business schools look at other factors as well, including:
• Gender
• Demographics
• Your resume.
In particular, they may be looking for signals that students have what it takes to become good managers and business leaders. They may examine previous accomplishments, quantifiable achievements, and progression in a chosen career path.
For your part, be sure to think carefully about paying for grad school. That can impact which schools you may decide to apply to and which offer you accept. There are a variety of programs, from in-person to online, as well as courses of study designed for people who are already out in the work world and holding down a job.
As you consider all this, you will likely want to pay attention to the price tag. Especially if you will be in school full-time and not earning any money, it’s wise to consider the true cost of an MBA degree.
As you think about how to pay for an MBA, you may want to investigate any scholarships and grants you might qualify for.
The Takeaway
When applying to a business school, it’s critical to understand average GMAT scores, so you have a target to help you focus your studies and prepare for the test. The average score is currently 553, but a good GMAT score may be 695 or even 705 or above, depending on the program to which you are applying.
If you are accepted to a business school program, you may need to take out student loans to pay for your education. After graduating, some students may refinance their student loans, which may help them get a lower interest rate, if they qualify, and reduce the amount they owe.
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FAQ
Is 700 a good GMAT score?
Yes. In fact, a 700 on the new GMAT is considered a very good score. It places you in the 93rd percentile of all test takers.
How are GMAT scores calculated?
GMAT scores are calculated on the difficulty of the questions a test taker answers correctly, the difficulty of the questions they answer incorrectly, and the number of questions they leave unanswered. It’s important to note that because the GMAT measures test takers’ ability to answer questions in the allotted time, there are penalties for leaving questions unanswered.
What is a top 10% GMAT score?
In the new version of the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition, a score of 655 or above puts you in the top 10% of test takers.
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