GMAT score accepting colleges

A great way to expand your business career possibilities is by getting a business degree. There are many entrance exams that will help you get into the best B-Schools. But often candidates be in a dilemma as to which exam is the best - CAT or GMAT for business schools. So, let's make it easy for you. According to Crack Verbal, in the last few years, there is an increase in the number of candidates who are exploring the GMAT route to MBA admissions.

But why GMAT over CAT.

Well, the reasons are pretty obvious.

When applying for a CAT, in case you miss the deadline, you will have to wait for another year to retake the test. But GMAT offers you the luxury to take the test any time of the year. And if you prefer a 1-year executive MBA program due to your work, GMAT also offers the flexibility of taking the test multiple times a year.

But an essential factor that you need to know is that GMAT is a standardised test while CAT is not. Which means the CAT scores can fluctuate and GMAT scores are stable for a more extended period. Hence B-Schools in India is trying to keep this route open for the MBA aspirants.

About 200+ programs at 100 different business schools in India accept GMAT scores.

Below is the list of the B-schools in India, that accepts GMAT score for the following programmes:

GMAT score is a part of your application which includes your academic background, work experience, statement of purpose (SOP), two reference letters, personal interview and written ability test. And GMAT score is mostly seen as a part of your academic performance.

A good GMAT score can make up if you have fallen short at some point in your career. However, it depends on your final selection, and a score of 680-700+ can fetch you the interview call from the IIMs or ISB.

At this point of your career don’t think over the criteria like IT or non-IT, Engineer or non-Engineer, gender diversity etc. as you have no control over them even though they will influence the final selection. It is safe to score a 700+ if you have a decent career till date.

GMAT scores

Aspirants often have a doubt regarding an average GMAT score to get into top MBA program. The real question is what GMAT score you need to get into an MBA program of your choice?

Every student who appears for the GMAT wants to score maximum to get admission in their desired program. But unfortunately, even a high GMAT score is not enough to gain entrance to your dream university.

GMAT score is essential; however, it is not the sole criteria.

Most business schools, in India and around the world, don’t specify the minimum GMAT score. The reason is quite simple. There is a massive competition going on between B-Schools to obtain the best candidates to fill their batch. Their idea other than the financial gains to keep the business going is that the peer learning environment maintains a standard of excellence.

Hence along with GMAT score, B-schools give importance to your overall profile as well. So make sure your application is a combination of a strong profile and a high GMAT score.  Also see to it that your application highlights strong leadership skills, your achievements, and abilities to tackle complex situations. And try to participate in extracurricular activities to give your overall application an edge over the others.

It is evident that one should have a high GMAT score to get into a top college. However, scoring a low GMAT score does not mean you should not apply to your dream school. If you are not happy with your score, you can always reject it and attempt the GMAT again.

The Average Marks of GMAT score, accepted by IIMs:

GMAT gives a valuable opportunity available for those who believe in getting their MBA degree by sheer luck, and as the saying goes “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

When we talk about GMAT scores and preparation do you have any idea how GMAT is assessed?

The score one bags in GMAT plays a crucial role during the admission process. As listed above, top colleges set cut-off marks as criteria to get admission in their courses. Hence it is essential for you to know how GMAT is evaluated.

GMAT is marked on a scale of 200-800. As confirmed by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), two third of all GMAT applicants score in the range between 400-600.

The chart below explains the scoring pattern of GMAT exam, with corresponding percentile value for each band score:

Scoring in the Verbal and Quantitative section -

The score of a GMAT candidate in the verbal and quantitative section depends on three parameters -

a)  The number of questions answered within the specified time limit.

b)  The total number of right answers.

c)  Considering the statistical characteristics - difficult or easy of the questions answered.

Both the sections are marked by the computer. The first question of GMAT verbal or quantitative section is of mid-range difficulty. If it is answered right by the candidate, the scoreboard hits positive, and the next question will be a little harder. If the first question is answered incorrectly, then the score goes down, but the next question will be easier in nature. So, as a student progresses from one question to another, the scoreboard similarly recalculates. The more you answer a question, the greater it impacts your GMAT score.

The verbal section of the GMAT is marked on a scale of 6-51. The following table shows the probable score and their percentile value for the verbal section.

Verbal Scaled Score	Percentile
51	99%
50	99%
49	99%
48	99%
47	99%
46	99%
45	99%
44	98%
43	96%
42	96%
41	94%
40	91%
39	89%
38	85%
37	83%
36	81%
35	76%
34	72%
33	69%
32	67%
31	62%
30	60%
29	57%
28	52%
27	47%
26	44%
25	40%
24	37%
23	33%
22	31%
21	27%
20	23%
19	20%
18	18%
17	15%
16	13%
15	10%
14	9%
13	7%
12	5%
11	4%
10	3%
9	2%
8	1%
7	1%
6 and below	0%

The quantitative section of the GMAT exam is marked on a scale of 0-60. The following table shows the probable score and their percentile value for the quantitative section:

Quantitative Scaled Score	Percentile
51	97%
50	87%
49	77%
48	71%
47	65%
46	62%
45	59%
44	54%
43	52%
42	47%
41	45%
40	43%
39	39%
38	38%
37	36%
36	33%
35	29%
34	28%
33	26%
32	24%
31	21%
30	20%
29	18%
28	17%
27	14%
26	13%
25	12%
24	11%
23	10%
22	8%
21	8%
20	7%
19	6%
18	6%
17	4%
16	4%
15	3%
14	3%
13	3%
12	2%
11	2%
10	2%
9	1%
8	1%
7	1%
6 and below	0%

Scoring in Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

Analytical Writing Assessment section is marked on a scale of 0-6. Human examiners read and mark this section. Two human examiners mark the same passage. If their scores differ from one another, an average score will be considered.

Scoring in Integrated Reasoning

Integrated Reasoning is not a computer-based segment, and hence the marks are disclosed to GMAT candidates only in the online scorecard. The section is marked on a scale of 0-8.

GMAT Results

On the day of the GMAT, you can get an unofficial total score after completing the paper. This only reflects the Quantitative and Verbal score. However, AWA and Integrated Reasoning is not disclosed on the test.

An official GMAT scorecard includes the following -

• Verbal Section Score   (0 to 60)

• Quantitative Section Score   (0 to 60)

• Total Score   (200 to 800)

• Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Score   ( 0 to 6)

• Integrated Reasoning Score   (1 to 8)

• Digital photograph of examinee taken at the GMAT test centre

• Self-reported background details like telephone number, undergraduate institution, grade point average (GPA), and next graduate study plan

• Percentile rank

In the GMAT, the total band score is a combination of verbal and quantitative scaled scores. The AWA and the Integrated Reasoning sections will be marked separately.