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A GMAT score report shows the total score on a 205–805 scale and section scores of 60–90 in Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights, along with percentile rankings. Candidates choose which scores to send, and schools use them for admission evaluation.
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The GMAT score report is a vital document in your MBA application process. It summarizes your performance on the GMAT exam and provides the quantitative evidence that admissions committees use to evaluate your academic readiness. Understanding what the report includes, how to interpret the scores, and how to use the report strategically can help you maximize your MBA admissions prospects.
A GMAT score report is an official document provided by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) that details performance across the sections of the GMAT. It includes the total score, section scores, percentile rankings, and analytical information related to performance. Business schools use it to assess academic ability and readiness for graduate-level coursework.
By default, the term GMAT score report refers to the official score report, which is provided free of cost within three to five days of the exam and is the version forwarded to business schools. However, there are also two other types of score reports – the unofficial score report and the enhanced score report – that serve additional purposes and are worth understanding.
Let us understand the three types of GMAT score reports and the purpose each one serves.
An unofficial GMAT score report is the immediate summary shown on screen when a candidate finishes the exam. It is generated by the initial automated scoring pass and displays the Total Score and section results for Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. It appears right after test completion and is for personal awareness; schools do not receive or use it. The unofficial report helps candidates gauge performance quickly, decide on next steps such as preparing for a retake, and plan application timelines while waiting for the verified results. The official score report, which is the version schools rely on, typically becomes available in the candidate’s mba.com account within about three to five business days. Schools base their decisions on that official report, not on the immediate snapshot.
An official GMAT score report is the standardized record of a candidate’s performance on the exam, issued by GMAC. It is distinct from the unofficial score shown immediately after testing, as it is the version business schools recognize. The report becomes available within five to seven business days after the exam and remains valid for five years. The report entails a candidate’s total score, section scores, percentile rankings, and personal details submitted during registration. It may also include any past GMAT scores still within the five-year validity window, ensuring schools have a complete picture of performance history. Its uses are central to the admissions process. Business schools rely on the official score report to compare applicants fairly, measure academic readiness, and evaluate potential for success in demanding programs. For candidates, it represents the official credential that supports applications to MBA and related graduate management programs.
An ESR is an optional report that candidates can purchase after taking the GMAT. It goes beyond the official score report by providing section-by-section breakdowns, pacing data, question difficulty analysis, and statistics on correct and incorrect answers. Although it does not include actual questions, it delivers analytics that reveal performance patterns. The ESR covers Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, showing time spent on different question types and performance by difficulty level. This allows candidates to identify areas for improvement and refine their preparation strategy. The ESR costs USD 30 and is particularly useful for candidates considering a re-attempt. By highlighting strengths and weaknesses, it supports better decisions about retaking the exam and how to prepare more effectively. While schools do not receive it, for test takers it is a strong diagnostic tool for future performance.
| Aspect | Unofficial GMAT Score Report | Official GMAT Score Report | Enhanced Score Report (ESR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Provided immediately on screen after completing the exam | Available online within 3–5 business days | Available on request, purchased after the exam |
| Cost | Free | Free | Paid, USD 30 |
| Validity | Temporary, for personal reference only | Valid for 5 years | Available for up to 5 years after test date |
| Sections Covered | Total Score, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights | Total Score, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights | Section-by-section analysis of Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights |
| Percentile Rankings | Yes | Yes | Yes, along with deeper insights by difficulty level |
| Personal Information | No | Yes, includes candidate details entered during registration | No |
| Score History | No | Includes other valid GMAT scores within 5 years | No |
| Delivery to Schools | Not sent to schools | Sent to schools chosen by the candidate | Not sent to schools |
| Purpose | For immediate awareness of performance and deciding whether to accept or cancel the score | The official record used by business schools for admission evaluation | A self-diagnostic tool to analyze performance and prepare for possible re-attempts |
| Question-Level Detail | Not provided | Not provided | Shows performance by question type and difficulty level (easy, medium, hard) |
| Timing Data | Not provided | Not provided | Average time spent per question type and per section |
| Accuracy of Performance Analysis | Broad overview only | Comprehensive record of scores but no performance analytics | Deep analysis of strengths and weaknesses, highlighting areas to improve |
| Best Use | Quick post-test feedback | Admission decisions and applications | Understanding performance patterns and deciding strategy for re-attempts |
To know your current GMAT level, you may want to take a free full-length GMAT diagnostic test
The GMAT score report includes several components:
This is the most prominent number on your report. It ranges from 205 to 805 and is derived from your performance in the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights sections. Each of these sections contributes equally to your total score.
Each of the three sections, Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights, is scored on a scale of 60 to 90. These scores reflect your scaled performance and are not raw counts of correct answers. Instead, they account for the difficulty level of the questions answered correctly.
Each score is accompanied by a percentile rank. This number shows how your score compares with those of other test takers. For example, a 90th percentile score means you performed better than 90 percent of other examinees. Percentile ranks are updated annually to reflect changes in the test-taking population. Typically, as test-takers have grown more sophisticated, percentile rankings have grown steeper.
The report lists all GMAT exams taken within the last five years, unless you have chosen to cancel a score. Cancelled scores do not appear on reports sent to schools, but reinstated scores will be included. If you have retaken the GMAT, you can choose which score to forward to which school.
You may receive additional analytical details in your GMAT score report, such as section-level breakdowns, performance by question type, time management data, and insights into accuracy and pacing trends. This information helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and test-taking patterns, allowing you to better understand your performance and prepare more effectively for future attempts.
Immediately after completing the GMAT, you will see your unofficial score on screen. This includes your total score and section scores but not your official percentile rankings. The official GMAT score report is typically available within three to five business days after your test. You will receive an email notifying you that your scores are ready in your mba.com account.
You can forward your GMAT scores through your account on mba.com. You are allowed to send your GMAT scores to up to five business schools for free within 48 hours of receiving your official scores. After that window, you may still send scores, but each additional report requires a fee. You can send scores from different test dates to different schools, and each report reflects only the scores from one test attempt.
Business schools receive official GMAT score reports directly from GMAC. These reports show your total and section scores, percentile rankings, and only the valid scores that you have chosen to share. Cancelled attempts are not included; the schools do not see any cancelled scores.
Yes. Immediately after taking the test, you may cancel your score at no cost if you feel it does not reflect your true performance. If you initially cancel and later change your mind, you can request a reinstatement for a fee, at any time during the five years the score remains valid. Reinstated scores become part of your official record and can be sent to schools.
Admissions committees rely heavily on GMAT scores to assess an applicant’s readiness for the academic demands of a business program. The score report offers standardized data that can be compared across all candidates. Strong section scores may also help demonstrate competence in specific areas, such as quantitative reasoning for finance-focused programs or verbal reasoning for programs that emphasize communication and leadership.
Your GMAT score report can be more than just a summary of numbers. Here is how to use it to your advantage:
Use section scores and percentile data to understand where you excel and where you may need to strengthen your profile.
A high score in a particular section can reinforce your strengths, such as a strong Verbal score supporting a liberal arts background.
Research the average GMAT scores for your target programs. Ensure your scores align with or exceed those benchmarks. Remember, you must research the average score, taking into account not only your targeted program but also your specific profile. The admissions committee will judge you against others of your demographic.
If your scores fall below your target schools’ expectations or are not balanced across sections, consider retaking the exam.
Regular GMAT mock tests under exam-like conditions keep you in touch with every section and topic, help build stamina, sharpen test taking strategies, and make exam day feel familiar. Duly analyze each mock. Note weak areas, timing slips, and recurring mistakes, then fix them in your next study cycle. Take mocks throughout your preparation. In the early weeks keep the frequency low, then increase it as your test date nears. Do not save mocks only for the end. Your best score grows from steady, honest practice.
The GMAT score report is a central part of your business school application and deserves close attention. Understanding its structure and implications can help you use it to your advantage. From knowing when and how to send your scores to interpreting what each number means, being informed about the GMAT score report will help you make strategic choices in your MBA journey.
