For 70 years, the GMAT has been a required exam for individuals motivated to gain admission to an MBA program. Those same MBA programs have depended on the GMAT test-makers to deliver a test that measures the skills that are highly predictive of a candidate’s ability to handle the rigors of the programs to which they aspire. The GMAT serves two important purposes: (1) to give candidates an opportunity to show their desired programs that they are deserving of admission; and (2) to give the MBA program administrators the assurance that candidates meeting their score criteria are academically capable, that they possess the knowledge and the analytical skills needed for success in their programs.
Since the inception of the exam, a perennial question from students has resonated: “What is a passing grade on the GMAT?” It may come as no surprise to you that there is no clear-cut answer. There is no magic number that separates passing from failing. A score that one school considers sub-par might be one that another school considers adequate for admission.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how MBA program administrators weigh the GMAT against other factors in an applicant’s profile and how to determine a “passing” score for your schools of choice. We’ll also look at some guidelines for studying for the GMAT and staying motivated to get the GMAT score you want.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Your GMAT Score Can Be “Bad News” or “Good News”
- Use the GMAT Score Chart Percentiles to Assess Your Relative Standing
- What GMAT Score Is Good Enough?
- 9 Tips for Getting That Great GMAT Score
- In Summary
- What’s Next?
First, let’s look at how business schools use the GMAT to evaluate applicants.
Your GMAT Score Can Be “Bad News” or “Good News”
Your GMAT score can be your literal ticket to admission, or it can be the bouncer at the door who lets in only a select few. Admissions committees look at all aspects of an individual’s application, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, work experience, and, of course, GMAT score.
Imagine that you have a checkmark for everything—a solid GPA, great letters and personal statements, and 5 years working in the finance industry. But your GMAT score is in the lower range of accepted scores at the school. Your folder may very well get shunted into the “maybe” stack. Depending on the number of applicants in the “accepted” stack, you might miss your chance of a lifetime by being placed on a waitlist or, worse, by being rejected outright.
But how about this scenario? You have a good (not great) GPA, solid references and personal statement, and 5 years of work experience in business. But the admissions committee does a double-take at your GMAT score —it’s well above the average of admitted students at their school. In this case, it’s likely that your file will go into the “accepted” stack immediately.
The GMAT can be the deciding factor in your business school admission, so why take a chance and let it be a source of anxiety or outright disappointment?
KEY FACT:
A good GMAT score may be the deciding factor in being admitted to the MBA program of your dreams.
Earning a competitive GMAT score is entirely within your control. If you work hard and study smart, your GMAT score can be a bright spot on your application.
Use the GMAT Score Chart Percentiles to Assess Your Relative Standing
As we’ve already seen, the definition of a “passing” GMAT score varies from school to school and from applicant to applicant. However, there is a general score range that is considered “good,” based on the GMAT percentiles that are published by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Currently, scores between the 72nd and 84th percentiles are considered good.
| Total Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 800 | 99% |
| 790 | 99% |
| 780 | 99% |
| 770 | 99% |
| 760 | 99% |
| 750 | 98% |
| 740 | 97% |
| 730 | 95% |
| 720 | 93% |
| 710 | 89% |
| 700 | 86% |
| 690 | 84% |
| 680 | 78% |
| 670 | 76% |
| 660 | 72% |
| 650 | 68% |
| 640 | 61% |
| 630 | 59% |
| 620 | 55% |
| 610 | 51% |
| 600 | 47% |
| 590 | 44% |
| 580 | 40% |
| 570 | 37% |
| 560 | 34% |
| 550 | 31% |
| 540 | 28% |
| 530 | 25% |
| 520 | 24% |
| 510 | 21% |
| 500 | 20% |
| 490 | 18% |
| 480 | 16% |
These are the latest 3-year GMAT scores, based on the scores of 282,098 GMAT test-takers from January 2020 to December 2022.
For example, a score of 700, which is in the 86th percentile (a strong GMAT performance), means that 86% of test-takers scored lower than you and 14% of test-takers scored higher than you scored and is generally considered an excellent score. However, while a score such as 700 is considered excellent, even that score might not be good enough when viewed in light of your overall applicant profile or average or median scores of accepted applicants at your target school.
KEY FACT:
GMAT percentiles compare you to all test-takers, but you must dig deeper to see how your score compares to the GMAT score range of accepted students at your schools of choice.
Let’s take a look at how good your score needs to be in order for you to stand out among your peers.
What GMAT Score Is Good Enough?
You want a GMAT score that is at least equal to your target school’s median or average score. Even better, earn a score that exceeds the school’s median or average. Be sure to look at the range of scores of admitted students at your desired school: this will give you a sense of how much leeway you might have. Remember, even a less-than-stellar GMAT score can still gain you admission if all other aspects of your application are outstanding.
KEY FACT:
In general, you want a GMAT score that is equal to your target school’s median or average score. Even better, get a GMAT score that exceeds the school’s median or average.
GMAT Scores for Top Business Schools
Below is a chart of admissions data for some of the top business schools. Use it to see the GMAT score you might need for admission to an elite school.
While we don’t yet have GMAT Focus admissions data, GMAC has provided a score concordance chart. Using the chart, we can determine equivalent scores and percentiles.
| GMAT Scores for Elite Business Schools, Class of 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Institution | Average GMAT Score | Range of Scores |
| Harvard | 710 median730 mean | 500 – 790 |
| UPenn Wharton | 728 mean | NA |
| MIT Sloan | 730 median | 700 – 760 * |
| Northwestern Kellogg | 731 | 620-780 |
| Columbia | 730 mean | 610-790 |
| Chicago Booth | 728 mean730 median | 600-780 |
So, what score should you aim for? If you’re planning to apply to Chicago Booth, for example, the average undergraduate GPA of the 2025 class is 3.6. If your GPA is below that average, you’ll want a GMAT score above Booth’s average, perhaps 750 (or above).
Likewise, if your application falls a bit short in some other area—perhaps your letters of recommendation are not sterling—you’ll want to be at the higher end of the range.
On the other hand, if your overall profile is strong, a score that falls around Booth’s average of 730 will look solid in your application. Understand, too, that if your GMAT score is at the lower end of the score range, the other aspects of your application will need to be very strong, in order to assure MBA admissions officers that you’ve got what it takes to excel in the program.
TTP PRO TIP:
Use the median and mean test scores and the score range as a guide for determining what competitive score you need on your GMAT at your target schools.
GMAT Scores for Other Well-Known Business Schools
Average scores for some popular business schools with lower GMAT score requirements than the top 10 are shown below.
| GMAT Scores for Less-Exclusive Business Schools | |
|---|---|
| Institution | Average GMAT Score |
| Cornell | 710 |
| Rice | 702 |
| Emory | 709 |
| Georgetown | 695 |
| Vanderbilt | 690 |
If your GMAT score isn’t in the 90th percentile or above, don’t give up on your dreams! As the table above indicates, there are some highly-regarded schools that have lower average GMAT scores that might be more in line with yours. Do your research to find desirable schools where your GMAT score is competitive.
Now that we know more about the GMAT scores considered “good” or “great,” let’s take a look at how you can get a great start and keep up your forward momentum while you are studying for the GMAT.
9 Tips for Getting That Great GMAT Score
Tip 1: Know the Test
Half the battle in the GMAT world is knowing the test. Before you answer a single practice question or make a single entry into your study calendar, become familiar with the format and content on the GMAT. If you don’t, you’ll most likely waste valuable time studying the wrong things.
First, learn the format of the exam. GMAT Focus has significant differences from the traditional GMAT, and you must familiarize yourself with the changes. In addition to format changes, some of the content of the exam has changed as well.
TTP PRO TIP:
Learn the format and content of the GMAT even before you start your formal preparation.
Tip 2: Take a Practice Exam
Wait, what? A practice exam already? Even though you haven’t yet begun your GMAT studying, you definitely want to take a practice exam. Use the first of the two free official exams at mba.com. The reason for taking this first exam is to get your baseline score and a sense of the exam itself. Do not worry about your score.
Let me say that again: Do not worry about your score. Instead, use the score to determine your percentile. Compare your score to your target score. You now have valuable information about how much time you might need to study so that you can get the score that you want.
TTP PRO TIP:
Before you begin your GMAT prep, take a practice exam to get a baseline score.
Tip 3: Use Great Study Resources
One of the big mistakes made by GMAT test-takers is underestimating how tough the exam is. Many think that their undergraduate courses in Algebra and Statistics will sufficiently prepare them for the GMAT Quant section. They think all the textbook reading they did in college will be more than adequate preparation for the Verbal section. But the GMAT is no walk in the park!
It’s not surprising that we at TTP often encounter students who are totally frustrated with their GMAT prep. They often jump around between prep materials rather than stick to one robust resource. This approach to studying is a recipe for disaster. Without having an organized and detailed study plan, it’s nearly impossible to succeed on the GMAT.
So, ensure that your study materials give you a clear road map. It should show you where you are and where you want to go. For example, the TTP GMAT course provides a calendar so our students know exactly what they need to do and when to do it. In addition to providing detailed guidance, it keeps our students motivated to make forward progress toward their GMAT score goals.
TTP PRO TIP:
When you use solid study materials, it’s easy to stay motivated.
Tip 4: Make a Calendar
You should plan to commit about 18 hours per week to your GMAT prep. One way to meet this goal is to study for 2 hours each weekday and 4 hours each weekend day.
A study schedule this demanding is difficult to stick to. It’s likely that you have many other demands on your time, such as job, friends, and family obligations. Therefore, to help you keep yourself accountable, a study calendar is a necessity. The key is to create a schedule that fits well into your life.
TTP PRO TIP:
Use a study calendar to keep organized and to stay motivated.
Tip 5: Use Topical Learning
Many students study using what I call the “fly by night” approach. They just start doing practice problems willy-nilly, and they read the solutions for the questions they miss. This is a bankrupt study strategy. It simply gives them a sense of how much they currently know, but it doesn’t allow for any significant improvement.
A topical approach to GMAT studying is a life-saver! By learning one topic at a time, limiting all your energy to just one Quant or Verbal subject, you will master all the material by the time you take your exam. You’ll encounter no surprises on the exam, and you’ll do the best that you’re capable of.
TTP PRO TIP:
Topical learning ensures that you master each and every GMAT topic.
Tip 6: Practice, Practice, Practice!
While topical learning is the preferred study method, it is of little use unless you practice what you learn. So, after you learn a new topic, do as many high-quality practice problems as you can find. If you’ve chosen a good study resource, you’ll have a multitude of practice questions.
I talk to countless GMAT test-takers who did not hit their score goals because they focused so much on learning that they completely forgot about practice. So, after learning a topic, ensure that you answer plenty of GMAT practice questions on that topic before moving on.
The second part of practicing what you have learned is review. Periodically, you must go back to topics you learned earlier and answer some review questions. There are so many topics that you will learn over a period of several months, and some of your learning might have a short shelf life. So, every week or so, answer a set of mixed review questions. Keep your earlier learning fresh by performing this recurring review for the duration of your GMAT preparation.
TTP PRO TIP:
Once you learn a topic, engage in practice to validate your mastery.
Tip 7: Stay the Course!
One thing I know about GMAT studying—it can be grueling! No one can fault you for wanting to prioritize other aspects of your life over GMAT studying. Here’s the thing: your dedication, motivation, and discipline will bring you closer to your GMAT goal on a daily basis. Without those, you’ll move further away from it.
So, to ensure that you are always progressing toward your goal, don’t stray from your study calendar. Sure, I get it: if you study hard for a few weeks straight, then you may want to give yourself a day off. Just make sure it doesn’t turn into a week off. And, if your energy flags, pull out your flashcards for a quick session even when you don’t feel like studying.
Remember, the time you spend studying to get a great GMAT score is an investment that will pay big dividends for the rest of your life.
TTP PRO TIP:
Even when you lack motivation, keep your eye on the prize. GMAT success will pay big dividends!
Tip 8: Study With Others
GMAT preparation can be a lonely endeavor. Those feelings of loneliness and isolation could lead to a lack of motivation to study. So, to keep your motivation up, interact with others who are also prepping for the GMAT.
In your workplace or city, try to find a GMAT study group, or create one yourself. Weekly study sessions with others can give you a sense of community. When you share common goals with others, you tend to hold each other accountable, and this leads to staying motivated.
If you prefer to connect with others online, try joining a WhatsApp or Discord group. If you have trouble finding such a group, reach out to other students through GMAT Club or the GMAT subreddit. By interacting with other test-takers with similar goals, you’ll likely remain motivated to keep pushing toward your GMAT score goal.
TTP PRO TIP:
Working with others can help keep you motivated to get a great GMAT score.
Tip 9: Take Practice Tests at the End of Your Prep
So, you have followed all the tips we’ve presented here, and you’re close to taking your GMAT. This is great news! But you are not done yet. The last step of your prep is taking practice exams to assess your progress and to prepare for the rigors of test day.
In your final two or three weeks, take the remaining 5 mba.com practice exams. Taking a practice exam is quite taxing, so take the exams about 3 to 5 days apart. Take each exam when you’re rested and relaxed, rather than after a taxing day at work.
After you complete each practice exam, thoroughly analyze any questions you missed or any lucky guesses. If you discover any major knowledge gaps, review your prep materials to fill in those gaps.
If you have followed your study plan and kept yourself accountable, your scores on these practice tests should be close to your target GMAT score. After taking these remaining practice exams, you should be ready to rock the exam and earn a great GMAT score!
TTP PRO TIP:
Take the remaining 5 mba.com practice exams prior to test day.
In Summary
A great GMAT score is the goal of every test taker, but many students are not sure what constitutes passing. It should come as no surprise that there is no one score that is considered passing, or good, or great.
Every business school has its own admissions criteria and application requirements. While it’s important for an applicant to have a solid GMAT score, the total application is considered. This includes GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, work history, and GMAT score. A lower-than-average GMAT score might be offset by an outstanding GPA or letters of recommendation. Similarly, shortcomings in an application package can be offset by an above-average GMAT score.
In Summary
To earn a great GMAT score, It’s important to prepare superbly and keep your commitment and motivation high. We have provided the following tips to help you do just that:
- Know the Test
- Take a Practice Exam
- Use Great Study Resources
- Make a Calendar
- Use Topical Learning
- Practice, Practice, Practice!
- Stay the Course!
- Study With Others
- Take Practice Tests at the End of Your Prep
What’s Next?
Using quality resources is one of the keys to getting a great GMAT score. Our Target Test Prep GMAT course is a way of keeping organized and on track while learning the vast amount of material needed for obtaining a great score.
You want all the help you can get in getting as good a GMAT score as possible, including your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. Check out our tips for improving your GMAT Quant score and scoring high on GMAT Verbal.
Good luck!
