GMAT Scoring Information

The GMAT exam is a standardized test conducted by the GMAC for students who want to enroll in business schools. This test consists of four distinct sections which are Analytical Writing Assessment, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Each of these sections is graded differently and has different time durations and a different number of questions which makes the exam quite unique when compared to others.

The score report of GMAT is considered to be a huge part of business school admissions. Students who receive a score above 700 are supposed to be exceptionally bright with a chance of entering the school of their choice easily. The details regarding the scores of GMAT and the score report will be discussed on this page.

GMAT Total Score- Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative

The total score of GMAT is calculated between 200 and 800 which includes only the Verbal Reasoning section score and the Quantitative Reasoning section score. The Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning scores will be listed out separately on the score report and are not added to the overall score of the GMAT. It is estimated that over 66% of the test takers achieve a score between 400 and 600.

The Quantitative and Verbal score range is between 0 and 60. But it is stated by GMAC that getting a score below 6 or above 51 is considered to be exceptional and rare at the same time which sometimes even makes candidates consider the score range for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning to be between 6 and 51. Though the score range of both these sections is the same, due to the nature of both these sections they can’t be compared to each other under any circumstance.

Computing Analytical Writing Assessment Score

An Argument essay makes up the Analytical Writing Assessment score which lies between 0 and 6 and increases with a 0.5-point increment. This is the only section of the test that is considered for rescoring. The essay is graded both by a human and a computer-based system both of whose scores are considered and taken an average of as the final score in the section. While the human takes care of the structural integrity and writing style of the essay, the system assesses over 50 structural and linguistic aspects, together with syntactic selection, organization of ideas, and topical examination.

If the two independent ratings vary by more than one point, an expert reader comes in to determine the final score. College and university faculty members are trained as AWA scorers. They look for the quality of ideas presented in the argument and the overall ability of the candidate to organize, develop and articulate those ideas. Also, it helps to have relevant supporting examples and reasons.

They will also be looking at how candidates can make use of the elements of standard written English. The raters are trained to be fair and sensitive when reviewing the essays of test-takers whose first language is not English.

Computing Integrated Reasoning Score

The score range for Integrated Reasoning lies between 1-8 with 1-point increments. There will be 12 questions in all in the section which will be a combination of both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning skills. The score of this section will be calculated along with the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections though it will not be added to the total GMAT score. This score will be available separately on the GMAT Official Score Report.

Unofficial GMAT Score Report

GMAC issues an unofficial score report which will be generated right after the candidate completes their GMAT test. This report will have a breakdown of their performance in the Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the paper. It will also contain a total score of the GMAT test along with an authentication code which will provide the candidate with access to their Official Score Report eventually. This code will not be duplicated under any circumstance and hence has to be kept safe until the declaration of the official results.

This score report will not contain information regarding the Analytical Writing Assessment section nor will it contain details regarding the percentile rank of the candidate or their scores from previous attempts of GMAT. This report is for use by the candidate only and cannot be sent to schools.

Receiving Official Score Report

Candidates will be sent an email regarding the publication of the Official Score Report. This will be within 20 calendar days of the test date and will contain a link leading to the official website of GMAC. They will have to use the authentication code from the Unofficial Score Report to view the final scores. Candidates will have the option of viewing, downloading, and printing the Official Score Report.

Official GMAT Score Report

The Official Score Report for GMAT will be available to candidates within 20 days of the official test date. This report can be accesses only through the authentication code that is given to candidates with the Unofficial Score Report at the end of the examination. The validity of the GMAT Official Score Report is only 5 years. This score report will contain the following details-

• Quantitative Reasoning Score
• Verbal Reasoning Score
• Integrated Reasoning Score
• Total Score
• Analytical Writing Assessment Score
• GMAT Percentile Ranking
• Personal Information like
  Digital Photo taken at Test Center
  • Background Information
• Previous GMAT Scores

Requesting Additional Score Reports

Additional Score Reports for GMAT can be ordered by candidates online through their official GMAC account. They will have to pay a fee of $35 for each additional report they choose to purchase. Candidates also have the option of ordering the Additional Score Report by phone by contacting the GMAT Customer Service. This will incur an additional expense of $10.

Additional Score Reports can only be purchased by candidates who have taken the test within the last 10 years. Score reports that have been over 5 years old will be sent to schools only with a mark of caution since most schools do not accept reports that are over 5 years old.

Cancelling GMAT Scores

GMAT scores can be canceled by candidates right after they have taken the test at the test center. Opting this method provides them with the option of canceling the test scores without incurring an additional fee for the same.

Candidates are also provided with the option of canceling their examination online for a fee within 72 hours of taking the test. The cancellation fee under this circumstance is currently $25. If the candidate is unable to cancel their scores online, they are requested to contact the GMAT Customer Service for the same purpose.

Reinstating Cancelled Scores

Candidates who wish to reinstate their once canceled scores will have to do the same through their official account or call the GMAT Customer Service number in order to do the same. The fee for reinstating is $50 with an additional $10 if the candidate is requesting the same through the phone. Scores that have been canceled can only be reinstated until 4 years and 11 months after which it expires officially.

Why Take the GMAT?

GMAT is supposed to be a good predictor of academic success for the first year in Business Schools and research has shown that GMAT test skills have benefitted students in the study of management at graduate levels. Furthermore, when other aspects like GPA, transcripts, and letters of recommendation can vary from place to place, GMAT scores are standardized and provides admission officers with a basis for assessing all candidates equally. GMAT scores can be said to give the admissions committee a sort of unbiased, standardized assessment tool for all applicants.

But at the same time, having a GMAT score only will not provide candidates with a chance at joining business schools. They will need to have a good GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and sometimes even experience certificates in order to enter schools of their choice.