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Last Updated: November 01, 2023

GMAT Scoring Information

The GMAT Focus exam is a standardized test conducted by the GMAC for students who want to enroll in business schools. This test consists of three distinct sections which are Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights.

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 the GMAT and the score report will be discussed on this page.

Official GMAT Focus Score Report

The Official Score Report for GMAT will be available to candidates within 3 to 5 days of the official test date. This report can be accessed 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-

Understanding GMAT Focus Test Score Reports

Students will receive information on their performance in comparison to other applicants for the same program, as well as insights by section, question type, and content domain. They will also receive information on their time management skills and percentile rankings in addition to their overall and section scores at no additional cost. Official score reports for students will be sent in 3-5 business days, but under certain circumstances, it could take up to 20 days. Students might be tempted to concentrate on their Total Score after receiving their Official Score Report. Reviewing their percentile ranking will be equally as crucial to understanding their scores with the new GMAT Exam - Focus Edition score scale. The percentage of test takers that the student outperformed is indicated by the percentile rankings.

Comparing section or total scores from an earlier exam version to the GMAT Focus Edition is not appropriate, accurate, or a meaningful comparison of performance because both the score scale distribution and the total score scale have changed for this version of the test. Percentile rankings should be compared instead of total scores if test-takers competitiveness based on the GMAT Focus Edition needs to be compared to the previous iteration of the GMAT Exam.

New GMAT Focus Edition Total Score Percentiles
ScorePercentile Rankings
805100%
755100%
70599%
65593%
60575%
55553%
50531%
45517%
4058%
3553%
3051%
2550%
2050%
Students who are familiar with the current GMAT percentile rankings will find that the GMAT Focus introduces some significant changes to the landscape. Notably, 695+ GMAT Focus scores are in the top 2%, or 98th percentile and above, for applicants to prestigious business schools. Only scores of 750+ place a test taker in the top 2% of the current GMAT.

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 Data Insights, 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 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. Candidates will receive their scores 3 to 5 business days following the exam and will contain a link leading to the official website of GMAC. It could take up to 20 working days in certain circumstances. 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.

Requesting Additional Score Reports

Additional Score Reports for GMAT can be ordered by candidates online through their official GMAC account. Different countries charge different amounts for additional score reports. For candidates in the United States, the cost is $35 for every extra score report. Candidates also have the option of ordering the Additional Score Report by phone by contacting 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 for 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 candidate must pay an additional fee of US$25 in order to cancel their score report. 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. To get their previously canceled scores back, the candidate must pay a set amount in fees which is US$50. Scores that have been canceled can only be reinstated for 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 provide 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.


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