What Is a Good GMAT Score? Score Range, Percentiles, and Target Benchmarks

What’s a good GMAT score? It’s one of the first questions students ask me. And with the new GMAT Focus Edition, the answer has gotten more confusing than ever. The scoring scale has changed, percentiles have shifted, and many old benchmarks no longer apply.

That’s why I put this guide together: to give you a clear, up-to-date understanding of what a strong GMAT score looks like now, and how to set a target that makes sense for your goals, whether that’s getting into a top 10 program, earning scholarships, or simply feeling confident in your prep plan.

As a GMAT and MBA coach, I’ve helped students go from the 79th percentile to the 99th in just a few weeks, and others boost their total score by 150+ points. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but with the right guidance and strategy, you can absolutely hit the score you’re aiming for.

Let’s break it down.

Read: 3 Things You Need to Know About the New GMAT Focus Edition

What Is the GMAT and How Does Scoring Work?

The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a standardized exam designed to test your ability to succeed in a variety of business schools and beyond. MBA programs and graduate management programs around the world use the GMAT as part of their admissions process.

In 2023, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) launched the new GMAT Focus Edition, shifting the scoring scale, structure, and the way admissions committees view the total GMAT score range.

Unlike the old version (200-800), this edition drops the Analytical Writing Assessment and emphasizes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is scored from 60 to 90, and the composite score is based on all three.

Under the new GMAT Focus scoring scale, each section is equally weighted, and the composite is the sum of all three. This means a high GMAT score requires consistency across sections, not just excellence in one

GMAT Score Ranges and What They Mean

According to the latest data from the Graduate Management Admission Council, percentiles have shifted significantly due to the revised score scale. Understanding the total MBA test takers' scores range and percentiles is key to interpreting your own result.

GMAT Percentiles: How You Compare to Other GMAT Test Takers

A 645 (roughly equivalent to a 700 on the classic GMAT) now lands you in the 88th percentile, down from the 89th just months ago. Test-takers have flagged this change as “aggressive,” noting that many test-takers saw a drop in percentile rankings even though their raw scores improved. One test-taker summarized it well:

"The GMAC clearly recalibrated the bell curve… so now most test takers receive lower percentile ranks for what used to be decent scores."

Percentile rankings show how your score compares to other GMAT test takers. For example:

Percentile numbers shift as new data from the Graduate Management Admission Council is released. A 705 (Focus Edition) today may land around the 98th percentile, meaning only 2% of GMAT test takers receive a higher score.

Note: Many test-takers find that percentiles are tighter under the new GMAT Focus scale, so small score improvements can yield notable percentile jumps.

Read: GMAT Focus Score Chart With Percentiles

What Is a Good GMAT Score in 2026?

“Good” is relative. A good GMAT score depends on your target schools, program goals, scholarship aspirations, and where you rank among other admitted students.

• 705+ = Excellent for elite schools
• 665-705 = Competitive for most business schools
• 605-655 = Solid for many programs
• <605 = Low GMAT score, still workable but riskier for top schools

Note: These reflect average scores from recently admitted applicants. Some schools use ranges like 80% score range, knowing this helps you define your target more precisely.

Pro Tip: Research each school's average and 80% score range. Aim to be in the upper half of admitted students, not just above the published average.

Read: How to Study for GMAT: The GMAT Tutor's Guide

Average GMAT Scores & What They Tell You

Average GMAT scores represent the class profile at many MBA programs:

• Most top programs report averages between 695-735
• Mid‑tier schools often average 605-675
• Regional and part‑time programs may hover around 550-620

Comparing your score with class averages and percentile rankings helps clarify whether you’re competitive. A score above the average of your target business schools signals strength, while a score below average suggests more prep may be needed.

How to Set Your Target GMAT Score Expectations

Before you start studying, you need to reverse-engineer your target GMAT score based on where you want to go and what kind of applicant you are. Don't ask, “What is a good GMAT score?” Ask, “What is a good GMAT score for my goals?”

Here’s how to set realistic and strategic score expectations:

• Start with school research - Look up the average GMAT scores at your target business schools, along with their 80% score range if available. Don’t just aim for the average; admissions officers know who’s above and who’s just meeting the bar.
• Check percentile rankings - A 665 might land you in the 88th percentile, but a top program may want you in the 95th+. Use the latest GMAT percentile charts (Focus Edition only, classic percentiles are no longer relevant).
• Factor in your goals - If you’re aiming for merit scholarships, dual-degree programs, or highly quantitative schools, you’ll need a higher GMAT score than average to stand out.
• Take a diagnostic test - This isn’t optional. Get a baseline under timed, test-day conditions. From there, build a study plan that closes the gap between your baseline and your target.
• Adjust based on strengths and weaknesses - If you have a lower GPA, a weaker quant background, or a nontraditional profile, your GMAT may carry more weight, so your target score should reflect that.

Example: If you’re applying to Kellogg, where the average score is ~730, aim for 735-755. That gives you a cushion and helps offset any non-academic concerns in your application. A competitive GMAT score is one that exceeds your target school’s expectations, especially in the context of your broader application.

Read: The 10 Best GMAT Tutors

What If You Have a Low GMAT Score?

A low GMAT score doesn’t disqualify you, but it does shift how the rest of your application needs to perform. Schools review candidates holistically, but the lower your score, the more your execution matters elsewhere.

If your final score lands below your target program’s 80% range, here’s how to think about your next steps:

• Retake the GMAT if you’re within reach of a meaningful score bump. Even a 20-30 point gain can improve your odds or unlock scholarship consideration. Focus on targeted GMAT prep and test-day execution, not just doing more problems.
• Explore test-optional or GRE-friendly programs if you’ve hit a plateau. Some MBA programs now accept the GRE or waive test requirements entirely, especially if you have a quant-heavy resume or advanced degree.
• Strengthen the rest of your profile. Use your resume, essays, and recommendations to highlight analytical rigor, leadership, and upward trajectory. Consider adding certifications (e.g., HBS CORe, CFA Level I) to bolster a quant profile.
• Contextualize the score. In optional essays or interviews, explain any gaps (e.g., illness, test anxiety, compressed prep window), but don’t make excuses. Show how the rest of your record compensates, and what you’ve done to grow from the experience.

Remember: The GMAT exam is just one piece of the MBA puzzle. But a higher score can be the tipping point, especially at top business schools, where competition is fierce and small differences matter.

How to Score Higher on the GMAT Focus Edition

Here’s what sets high scorers apart:

Study like a strategist, not a student

High scorers don’t treat GMAT preparation like a school. They’re not just reviewing formulas or memorizing rules; they’re training to think like the test. Especially on data sufficiency and critical thinking questions, success comes from recognizing patterns, not crunching every number. They know when to solve and when to stop.
Read: 3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Prepare for Success

Don’t get trapped by verbal logic

The Verbal Reasoning Section is where most test-takers lose easy points, not because they can’t read, but because they miss what the question is really testing. Top scorers slow down just enough to catch shifts in tone, logic gaps, or misleading answer phrasing. They’ve practiced enough to know when something sounds right but is totally wrong.

Understand how the scoring actually works

The GMAT Focus Edition test scores each section from 60-90, and your total score is based on all three sections equally. But since the test is section-adaptive, it’s not just about getting questions right; it’s about performing consistently across the board. If you crush quant but drop verbal, your final score won’t reflect your potential.

Treat practice tests like dress rehearsals

You don’t build test-day confidence with flashcards. You build it by taking full-length, timed practice exams and learning from them. That doesn’t just mean reviewing wrong answers. It means tracking your pacing, spotting mental fatigue, and figuring out how to reset after a hard question. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s control.

Choose a test date that works for you, not the calendar

Too many test takers rush to schedule the GMAT before they’re ready, thinking an early test gives them more options. But if you’re not peaking, it doesn’t matter. The best test date is the one that lines up with your progress and confidence. A few extra weeks of strategic prep can be the difference between a decent score and a competitive GMAT score.

The Graduate Management Admission Test rewards consistency, not perfection. Many other GMAT test takers struggle with timing or mental fatigue, so optimizing your test date and strategy matters.

Read: How Late Can You Take the GMAT/GRE for MBA Applications?

Final Takeaways: What Makes a Good GMAT?

A good GMAT score is always relative, but in 2026-2027, here's how to frame it:

• 705+ = Excellent GMAT score for top 10 programs (target for M7, scholarship leverage)
• 665-705 = Strong GMAT score for most global business schools and top 25 MBA programs
• 605-655 = Solid score for regional, part-time, or less quant-heavy MBA programs
• Below 605 = Still workable, but increasingly risky for competitive schools without strong offsets elsewhere

Always compare your score to other GMAT exam test takers, your school’s average, and where you want to go. And remember: a “decent score” isn’t enough if you’re aiming for elite programs.

Ready to Find Your Target GMAT Score?

Your target GMAT score should reflect your goals, not someone else’s expectations or outdated benchmarks. Whether you're aiming for M7, maximizing your scholarship chances, or just trying to feel confident on test day, the key is setting a smart, personalized target and building a plan to get there.

If you’re not sure what score you should aim for or how to close the gap, I can help. From breaking down score reports to designing a focused study strategy, we’ll zero in on what actually moves the needle.

Book a free intro call to find your target score and map out your next steps, or read my student reviews to see what kind of score jumps are possible with the right approach

Let’s get started.

Read these next:

• My Top Piece of Advice for Every MBA Applicant
• Top 50+ Free Resources for GMAT & GRE Practice
• How Long is the GMAT (Focus Edition)? Breakdown by Section & Total
• Average GMAT Score by School: Business Schools Ranking
• 3 Month GMAT Study Plan: Prepare for Success

FAQs - What Is a Good GMAT Score?

How does the GMAT Focus Edition differ from the classic GMAT in terms of scoring and sections?

• The GMAT Focus Edition, introduced in November 2023, features a revised scoring scale ranging from 205 to 805, compared to the classic GMAT's 200 to 800. It comprises three equally weighted sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, each scored between 60 and 90. Notably, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) has been removed in this edition.

Can I compare my GMAT Focus Edition score directly with the classic GMAT score?

• Direct comparisons between the GMAT Focus Edition and the classic GMAT scores are not appropriate due to differences in scoring scales and test structures. However, percentile rankings can provide a relative performance comparison across both versions

What percentile does a 705 GMAT Focus Edition score represent?

• A total score of 705 on the GMAT Focus Edition places you in the 98th percentile, indicating a performance better than 98% of test takers.

How have percentile rankings changed with the GMAT Focus Edition?

• With the introduction of the GMAT Focus Edition, percentile rankings have shifted. For instance, a score of 735 now corresponds to the 100th percentile, whereas previously, a score of 760 was needed to achieve the same percentile. This change reflects the updated scoring scale and test structure.

Are there any new features in the GMAT Focus Edition that affect test-taking strategy?

• Yes, the GMAT Focus Edition allows test-takers to review and change up to three answers per section, a feature not available in the classic GMAT. This flexibility can influence test-taking strategies, such as time management and answer review processes.