Aspiring MBA students are evaluated based on their GMAT scores during the admission process. Many business schools in the United States set a specific average GMAT score as an academic requirement.
If you’re planning to take your MBA in the US, you must have a comprehensive understanding of the GMAT scoring to know what average score to aim for.
Understanding GMAT Scores
The GMAT has four different sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. Each section has a different score range and is calculated on different conditions.
For most business schools, only three scores are necessary for evaluation: Verbal Score, Quantitative Score, and Total Score.
The total GMAT score ranges from 200–800. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the average total GMAT score is 565.
Here’s how the GMAT is scored in each section:
- Total Score
The total GMAT score ranges from 200–800 and is reported in 10-point increments. The total score is calculated based on the verbal and quantitative scores.
- Verbal Score
The verbal score ranges from 0–60 and is reported in 1-point increments. This score is calculated based on how many questions you answered, amount of correct answers you have, and the difficulty of the questions you answered.
- Quantitative Score
The quantitative score ranges from 0–60 and is reported in 1-point increments. The score calculation for this section is the same as the verbal score.
- Integrated Reasoning
The score in this section ranges from 1–8 and is reported in 1-point increments. The score is computed based on how many correct answers you got.
- Analytical Writing Assessment
The score in this section is based on the average score assigned by two readers. The score range is from 0–6 and is reported in half-point increments.
After completing the GMAT, the computer will display your unofficial score (excluding the analytical writing score). You have two options after this: report your GMAT score to business schools or cancel them.
Average GMAT Scores From the 2020 Class in Top US Business Schools
To get a good grasp of how well MBA students in prestigious business schools performed in the GMAT, here’s a look at their average GMAT score:
| Business School | Average GMAT Score |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 733 |
| Columbia Business School | 726 |
| NYU Stern School of Business | 723 |
| Wharton School | 722 |
| Michigan Ross School of Business | 710 |
| UCLA Anderson School of Management | 706 |
| Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business | 704 |
| Kelley School of Business | 652 |
Average GMAT Score Requirements in Top US Universities
Here are the average GMAT score requirements in top-ranked universities in the US:
| Business School | Average GMAT Requirement |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 737 |
| Wharton School | 710 |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | 724 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 724 |
| Yale School of Management | 730 |
So what’s a good GMAT score for an MBA? The answer depends on the average requirement of your MBA program and business school.
If the high average score requirements seem intimidating, don’t get disheartened. There are many universities and MBA programs in the US that accept low GMAT scores, and even waive this requirement based on different conditions.
A good GMAT score is a total score that fits the requirements of your chosen business school. Make sure to read our other articles here at MSM Unify to get more insights on standardized tests and MBA requirements in the US.
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