Has the GMAT score changed? Yes, the GMAT percentiles have changed in August 2024.
The GMAT Concordance Table was updated in August 2024, here are the updated corresponding percentile rankings. MBA admission consultants at GOALisB have analysed the GMAT concordance tables issued in November 2023, January 2024 and August 2024 and shared the insightsin this article.
Here is comparison table that includes the GMAT Focus Edition scores, their old GMAT score equivalents, and the corresponding percentiles across the November 2023, January 2024, and August 2024 updates. This table also accounts for instances where multiple scores or percentiles were associated with a single GMAT Focus Edition score.
GMAT 10th Edition Score | GMAT Focus Edition Score | Percentile (Nov 2023) | Percentile (Jan 2024) | Percentile (Aug 2024) |
800 | 805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
790 | 805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
790 | 795 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
790 | 785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
780 | 785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
780 | 775 | 99.9% | 100.0% | 100.00% |
780 | 765 | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% |
780 | 755 | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% |
770 | 755 | 99.8% | 99.9% | 99.9% |
770 | 745 | 99.7% | 99.8% | 99.7% |
770 | 735 | 99.5% | 99.7% | 99.6% |
760 | 735 | 99.6% | 99.5% | 99.6% |
760 | 725 | 99.2% | 99.4% | 99.2% |
760 | 715 | 98.7% | 99.2% | 99.0% |
750 | 715 | 98.6% | 98.6% | 99.0% |
750 | 705 | 98.1% | 98.6% | 98.2% |
750 | 695 | 97.9% | 98.1% | 97.7% |
740 | 695 | 96.9% | 97.9% | 97.7% |
740 | 685 | 96.7% | 96.9% | 96.2% |
730 | 685 | 96.1% | 96.7% | 96.2% |
730 | 675 | 95.2% | 96.1% | 95.3% |
720 | 675 | 94.0% | 95.2% | 95.3% |
720 | 665 | 93.2% | 94.0% | 92.9% |
710 | 665 | 92.6% | 93.2% | 92.9% |
710 | 655 | 89.6% | 92.6% | 91.3% |
700 | 655 | 89.3% | 89.6% | 91.3% |
700 | 645 | 86.7% | 89.3% | 87.7% |
690 | 645 | 85.1% | 86.7% | 87.7% |
690 | 635 | 83.5% | 85.1% | 83.1% |
680 | 635 | 82.7% | 83.5% | 83.1% |
680 | 625 | 80.1% | 82.7% | 80.5% |
680 | 615 | 80.1% | 80.1% | 77.7% |
670 | 615 | 78.3% | 80.1% | 77.7% |
660 | 615 | 74.5% | 78.3% | 77.7% |
650 | 615 | 74.5% | 74.5% | 77.7% |
650 | 605 | 71.5% | 74.5% | 71.7% |
650 | 595 | 70.7% | 71.5% | 68.5% |
640 | 595 | 65.3% | 70.7% | 68.5% |
640 | 585 | 64.8% | 65.3% | 62.0% |
630 | 585 | 62.8% | 64.8% | 62.0% |
620 | 585 | 62.1% | 62.8% | 52.0% |
620 | 575 | 58.9% | 62.1% | 58.7% |
610 | 575 | 55.8% | 58.9% | 58.7% |
610 | 565 | 55.1% | 55.8% | 52.1% |
600 | 565 | 52.7% | 55.1% | 52.1% |
600 | 555 | 51.4% | 52.7% | 49% |
Key Takeaways from the GMAT Concordance Table Update in August 2024:
Multiple Percentiles and Scores: For many GMAT Focus Edition scores, there are multiple corresponding old GMAT exam scores and percentiles in the November 2023 and January 2024 data. This indicates a nuanced distribution as the scoring system evolved.
Evolution Over Time: The table captures the evolution of percentile rankings and score equivalence as more data became available, particularly showing how certain scores became more competitive over time.
The analysis of the GMAT Focus Edition percentiles reveals several key insights regarding how scores are ranked across different timeframes. Here’s a comparative breakdown based on the provided percentile data:
Based on the provided data from the GMAT Focus Edition score comparisons, here’s an analysis of the scores and their corresponding percentiles over time:
Comparing GMAT Focus Edition Scores and Percentiles:
805:
Percentiles: 100.00% (Nov 2023, Jan 2024, Aug 2024)
795:
Percentiles: 100.00% (Nov 2023, Jan 2024, Aug 2024)
785:
Percentiles: 100.00% (Nov 2023, Jan 2024, Aug 2024)
775:
Percentiles: 99.90% (Nov 2023) → 100.00% (Jan 2024) → 100.00% (Aug 2024)
765 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 99.90% (all periods)
755 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 99.90% (Nov 2023, Jan 2024) → 99.80% (Aug 2024)
745 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 99.70% (Nov 2023) → 99.80% (Jan 2024) → 99.70% (Aug 2024)
735 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 99.50% (Nov 2023) → 99.70% (Jan 2024) → 99.60% (Aug 2024)
725 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 99.20% (Nov 2023) → 99.40% (Jan 2024) → 99.20% (Aug 2024)
715 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 98.70% (Nov 2023) → 99.20% (Jan 2024) → 99.00% (Aug 2024)
705 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 98.10% (Nov 2023) → 98.60% (Jan 2024) → 98.20% (Aug 2024)
695 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 97.90% (Nov 2023) → 98.10% (Jan 2024) → 97.70% (Aug 2024)
685 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 96.70% (Nov 2023) → 96.90% (Jan 2024) → 96.20% (Aug 2024)
675 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 95.20% (Nov 2023) → 96.10% (Jan 2024) → 95.30% (Aug 2024)
665 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 93.20% (Nov 2023) → 94.00% (Jan 2024) → 92.90% (Aug 2024)
655 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 89.60% (Nov 2023) → 92.60% (Jan 2024) → 91.30% (Aug 2024)
645 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 86.70% (Nov 2023) → 89.30% (Jan 2024) → 87.70% (Aug 2024)
635 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 83.50% (Nov 2023) → 85.10% (Jan 2024) → 83.10% (Aug 2024)
625 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 80.10% (Nov 2023) → 82.70% (Jan 2024) → 80.50% (Aug 2024)
615 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 80.10% (Nov 2023) → 80.10% (Jan 2024) → 77.70% (Aug 2024)
605 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 71.50% (Nov 2023) → 74.50% (Jan 2024) → 71.70% (Aug 2024)
595 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 70.70% (Nov 2023) → 71.50% (Jan 2024) → 68.50% (Aug 2024)
585 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 64.80% (Nov 2023) → 65.30% (Jan 2024) → 62.00% (Aug 2024)
575 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 58.90% (Nov 2023) → 62.10% (Jan 2024) → 58.70% (Aug 2024)
565 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 55.10% (Nov 2023) → 55.80% (Jan 2024) → 52.10% (Aug 2024)
555 GMAT Score:
Percentiles: 51.40% (Nov 2023) → 52.70% (Jan 2024) → 49% (Aug 2024)
Summary of GMAT Score Trends
High Scores: Scores of 805, 795, and 785 consistently maintain a 100% percentile, indicating they are at the top of the competitive landscape.
Mid Scores: Scores in the 700s show a trend of increasing competitiveness, particularly for 700 and 690. However, some scores like 715 and 705 show fluctuations in percentiles.
Lower Scores: Scores below 600 generally exhibit declining percentiles over time, indicating that these scores are becoming less competitive.
MBA applicants should focus on achieving higher scores to maintain or improve their percentile rankings, especially in the mid-range scores, which are becoming increasingly competitive.
Overall, the GMAT Focus Edition appears to be adjusting the competitive landscape, particularly in the mid-range scores, where higher percentiles are becoming more attainable, while lower scores are experiencing fluctuations that may affect their competitiveness.
Are there any specific score ranges that have been more significantly altered in the new GMAT concordance table updated in August 2024?
How do GMAT Focus Edition percentile changes impact MBA application competitiveness?
GMAT Focus Edition: Competitiveness Analysis by Percentiles
GMAT Focus Edition Score | Percentile (Aug 2024) |
805 | 100.00% |
795 | 100.00% |
785 | 100.00% |
775 | 100.00% |
765 | 99.90% |
755 | 99.90% |
745 | 99.70% |
735 | 99.60% |
725 | 99.20% |
715 | 99.00% |
705 | 98.20% |
695 | 97.70% |
685 | 96.20% |
675 | 95.30% |
665 | 92.90% |
655 | 91.30% |
645 | 87.70% |
635 | 83.10% |
625 | 80.50% |
GMAT Score Competitiveness Analysis As on August 2024:
Elite GMAT Scores (755-735)
Percentile Range: 99.90% - 99.60%
Competitiveness: Extremely High
Analysis:
Scores in this range are in the top 0.4% of all test-takers.
The difference between 755 and 735 is just 0.3 percentile points, indicating that at this level, even a 20-point score difference represents a tiny fraction of test-takers.
These scores are highly competitive for top MBA programs and are likely to stand out even in elite applicant pools.
Very Strong GMAT Scores (725-705)
Percentile Range: 99.20% - 98.20%
Competitiveness: Very High
Analysis:
These scores are in the top 1.8% of all test-takers.
There's a noticeable 1% percentile drop from 725 to 705, indicating increased differentiation.
Still extremely competitive for most MBA programs, including top-tier schools.
Strong Scores (695-675)
Percentile Range: 97.70% - 95.30%
Competitiveness: High
Analysis:
Represents the top 2.3% to 4.7% of test-takers.
A 20-point score difference here (695 to 675) represents a 2.4 percentile point change, showing increased stratification.
Very competitive for most MBA programs, though may be closer to average for top-10 schools.
Above Average Scores (665-645)
Percentile Range: 92.90% - 87.70%
Competitiveness: Above Average to Good
Analysis:
Spans the top 7.1% to 12.3% of test-takers.
Significant 5.2 percentile point drop over just 20 score points, indicating a critical competitive range.
Competitive for many good MBA programs, but may be below average for top-tier schools.
Solid Scores (635-615)
Percentile Range: 83.10% - 77.70%
Competitiveness: Average to Above Average
Analysis:
Represents the top 16.9% to 22.3% of test-takers.
5.4 percentile point difference over 20 score points, similar to the previous range.
Competitive for many MBA programs, but likely below average for top-50 schools.
Average to Below Average Scores (605-585)
Percentile Range: 71.70% - 62.00%
Competitiveness: Average to Below Average
Analysis:
Spans the top 28.3% to 38% of test-takers.
Large 9.7 percentile point drop over 20 score points, indicating a critical threshold in competitiveness.
May be sufficient for some MBA programs but could be a weak point in applications to more selective schools.
Key Observations on Competitiveness Shifts Based on the GMAT Score Percentiles:
Diminishing Returns at the Top:
Between 755 and 735 (20 points), there's only a 0.3 percentile point difference.
This suggests that at the highest levels, small score differences don't significantly change competitiveness.
Critical Competitive Ranges:
The range 665-645 shows a sharp 5.2 percentile point drop over 20 score points.
Similarly, 605-585 shows a 9.7 percentile point drop.
These ranges represent critical thresholds where small score improvements can significantly boost competitiveness.
Increasing Differentiation at Lower Scores:
As scores decrease, the percentile gaps between 20-point score differences generally increase.
This indicates that score improvements at lower levels can lead to more substantial competitiveness boosts.
Breakpoints in Competitiveness:
700+ (98th percentile): Highly competitive for most programs
650+ (91st percentile): Competitive for many good programs
600+ (71st percentile): Potentially competitive, but may be a weak point for selective programs
Relative Scarcity of Top Scores:
Only about 1% of test-takers score above 735.
About 5% score 675 or higher.
This scarcity makes these high scores particularly valuable in competitive applications.
In conclusion, while every point on the GMAT can potentially make a difference, this analysis shows that the impact on competitiveness varies significantly across the score range. Applicants should consider their target schools' average GMAT scores and their overall application strength when evaluating their score's competitiveness.
Strategic Implications for MBA Applicants
Focus on High Percentiles: With the GMAT Focus Edition placing greater emphasis on percentiles, applicants should focus on achieving high percentiles rather than solely aiming for specific raw scores.
Mid-Range Scores: Applicants targeting mid-range scores (600-700) should aim to improve their performance to achieve higher percentiles, as these scores are becoming more competitive.
Retake Strategy: Candidates scoring in the mid-range should consider retaking the GMAT if they believe they can achieve a score that significantly improves their percentile. For those with lower scores, retaking may not be as advantageous unless they can significantly improve their performance.
Holistic Evaluation: Admissions committees may increasingly consider the overall application profile, including work experience, essays, and recommendations, alongside GMAT scores. Therefore, candidates should ensure that their applications are well-rounded.
4. Implications for MBA Admissions
Admissions Perspective: MBA programs are likely to interpret scores and percentiles with a more nuanced understanding. Candidates with lower raw scores but higher percentiles may still be viewed favorably if they demonstrate strong performance relative to their peers.
Holistic Evaluation: Admissions committees may increasingly consider the overall application profile, including work experience, essays, and recommendations, alongside GMAT scores. Therefore, candidates should ensure that their applications are well-rounded.
5. Long-Term Trends
Monitoring Changes: As the GMAT Focus Edition continues to evolve, applicants should stay informed about changes in scoring and percentile trends. This awareness will help them make strategic decisions regarding their test preparation and retake plans.
In summary, applicants to MBA programs should focus on achieving high percentiles, target mid-range scores for improvement, consider retaking the GMAT strategically, and understand the implications of their scores in the context of holistic admissions processes.
How do percentile changes impact the competitiveness of MBA applications?
Impact of GMAT Percentile Changes on MBA Application Competitiveness
1. Relative Performance Indicator
Significance: GMAT percentiles indicate an applicant's performance relative to other test-takers.
Impact:
A stable score with an increasing percentile suggests improved competitiveness.
Conversely, a stable score with a decreasing percentile indicates reduced competitiveness.
2. Admissions Benchmarks
Shifting Standards: As percentiles change, admissions committees may adjust their expectations.
Impact:
A score previously considered competitive might become less so if its percentile decreases.
Conversely, a score may become more attractive if its percentile increases.
3. Applicant Pool Quality
Indicator of Applicant Quality: Percentile changes can reflect shifts in the overall quality of the applicant pool.
Impact:
Rising percentiles for a given score suggest a more competitive applicant pool.
This could make it harder to stand out, even with a previously competitive score.
4. School Rankings Consideration
GMAT Scores in Rankings: Many MBA rankings factor in the average GMAT scores of admitted students.
Impact:
Schools may become more selective about GMAT scores to maintain or improve their rankings.
This could make higher percentile scores more valuable in the admissions process.
5. Scholarship Opportunities
Merit-Based Aid: Many schools use GMAT scores as a factor in scholarship decisions.
Impact:
An increase in percentile for a given score could improve chances for merit-based aid.
Conversely, a decrease might reduce scholarship opportunities.
6. Differentiation in Competitive Ranges
Critical Score Ranges: Certain score ranges (e.g., 700-740) are often highly competitive.
Impact:
Small percentile changes in these ranges can significantly affect an application's competitiveness.
A few percentile points could be the difference between being considered a strong or average candidate.
7. Holistic Application Review
GMAT as One Factor: While important, GMAT scores are just one part of the application.
Impact:
Percentile changes might affect how much weight admissions committees give to GMAT scores.
In highly competitive applicant pools, small percentile differences could become more significant.
8. International Applicant Considerations
Standardized Comparison: GMAT percentiles provide a standardized way to compare international applicants.
Impact:
Changes in global test-taker demographics could affect percentiles differently for international applicants.
This might influence the competitiveness of international applications relative to domestic ones.
9. Retake Decisions
Score Improvement Evaluation: Percentile changes affect the value of retaking the GMAT.
Impact:
If percentiles are trending upward, the benefits of retaking might increase.
If percentiles are stable or decreasing, the effort of retaking might yield diminishing returns.
GMAT percentile changes can have a nuanced but significant impact on MBA application competitiveness. While a strong GMAT score remains valuable, its interpretation in the context of changing percentiles adds complexity to the application process. Applicants should stay informed about these trends and consider how percentile changes might affect their GMAT preparation.
Ultimately, while GMAT scores and percentiles are important, they are part of a holistic application review process that considers multiple factors in assessing a candidate's potential for success in an MBA program.
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