If you're looking up GMAT® score percentiles, you're probably trying to figure out where you stand.
Maybe you got a practice test score back and want to know if it's competitive. Maybe you're setting a target score and need to know what percentile your target schools expect. Or maybe you just want to understand what the numbers on your score report actually mean.
All of those are good reasons to be here. Percentiles are one of the most useful ways to interpret your GMAT® score — more helpful than the raw number, and more helpful than what schools report as their "average."
Let's walk through everything: the score scale, the full percentile charts for total and section scores, how to convert between Classic and Focus Edition scores, and how to use all of this to set a target.
The GMAT® Focus Edition Score Scale
The current GMAT® (the Focus Edition) scores you on three sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 60 to 90
- Verbal Reasoning: 60 to 90
- Data Insights: 60 to 90
Your total score is the sum of those three section scores, mapped onto a scale from 205 to 805. Each section carries equal weight.
If you're wondering why the total doesn't just range from 180 to 270 (which would be 60+60+60 to 90+90+90) — GMAC designed the total score scale to be familiar to people who knew the old 200–800 scale. The mapping isn't a simple sum. But your section scores do determine your total score in a predictable, linear way.
For the full breakdown of how the scale works and why GMAC changed it, our GMAT® Classic vs. GMAT® Focus Edition guide covers everything.
GMAT® Total Score Percentile Chart
Here's the complete percentile table for GMAT® Focus Edition total scores.
These percentiles are based on data published by GMAC, covering exams taken between 2020 and 2025. The mean total score is approximately 555, which sits at the 48th percentile.
| Total Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 735 – 805 | 100% |
| 715 – 725 | 99% |
| 705 | 98% |
| 695 | 97% |
| 685 | 96% |
| 675 | 95% |
| 665 | 92% |
| 655 | 91% |
| 645 | 87% |
| 635 | 82% |
| 625 | 79% |
| 615 | 76% |
| 605 | 70% |
| 595 | 67% |
| 585 | 61% |
| 575 | 57% |
| 565 | 51% |
| 555 | 48% |
| 545 | 42% |
| 535 | 39% |
| 525 | 34% |
| 515 | 32% |
| 505 | 27% |
| 495 | 25% |
| 485 | 21% |
| 475 | 20% |
| 465 | 17% |
| 455 | 15% |
| 445 | 13% |
| 435 | 12% |
| 425 | 10% |
| 415 | 9% |
| 405 | 7% |
| 395 | 6% |
| 375 – 385 | 5% |
| 365 | 4% |
| 345 – 355 | 3% |
| 315 – 335 | 2% |
| 265 – 305 | 1% |
| 205 – 255 | 0% |
Source: GMAC percentile data, 2020–2025 testing years
Three quick takeaways from this table.
The middle of the distribution is wide. The difference between the 50th and 75th percentile is about 60 points (555 to 615). That's a big range for what feels like a modest percentile jump.
The top of the distribution is tight. The difference between the 96th and 99th percentile is about 30 points (685 to 715). Each point up there can represent a meaningful gap in ability.
And the 90th percentile — the score that beats 90% of test-takers — lands at 655. That's a good benchmark if you're aiming for competitive programs. More on that below.
GMAT® Section Score Percentile Charts
Your total score percentile isn't the whole story. Schools also look at your individual section scores, and the percentile for each section works differently.
Quantitative Reasoning Percentiles
| Quant Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 89 | 97% |
| 88 | 96% |
| 87 | 94% |
| 86 | 91% |
| 85 | 88% |
| 84 | 85% |
| 83 | 80% |
| 82 | 75% |
| 81 | 70% |
| 80 | 64% |
| 79 | 57% |
| 78 | 50% |
| 77 | 43% |
| 76 | 37% |
| 75 | 32% |
| 74 | 26% |
| 73 | 22% |
| 72 | 19% |
| 71 | 15% |
| 70 | 13% |
| 69 | 10% |
| 68 | 8% |
| 67 | 6% |
| 66 | 5% |
| 65 | 4% |
| 64 | 3% |
| 62 – 63 | 2% |
| 60 – 61 | 1% |
Source: GMAC percentile data, 2020–2025 testing years
Verbal Reasoning Percentiles
| Verbal Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100% |
| 88 – 89 | 99% |
| 87 | 98% |
| 86 | 96% |
| 85 | 94% |
| 84 | 89% |
| 83 | 83% |
| 82 | 74% |
| 81 | 66% |
| 80 | 56% |
| 79 | 47% |
| 78 | 38% |
| 77 | 30% |
| 76 | 23% |
| 75 | 18% |
| 74 | 14% |
| 73 | 10% |
| 72 | 8% |
| 71 | 6% |
| 70 | 4% |
| 68 – 69 | 3% |
| 66 – 67 | 2% |
| 60 – 65 | 1% |
Source: GMAC percentile data, 2020–2025 testing years
Data Insights Percentiles
| Data Insights Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 89 – 90 | 100% |
| 86 – 88 | 99% |
| 85 | 98% |
| 84 | 97% |
| 83 | 95% |
| 82 | 93% |
| 81 | 89% |
| 80 | 83% |
| 79 | 76% |
| 78 | 69% |
| 77 | 62% |
| 76 | 53% |
| 75 | 47% |
| 74 | 41% |
| 73 | 35% |
| 72 | 29% |
| 71 | 25% |
| 70 | 21% |
| 69 | 17% |
| 68 | 14% |
| 67 | 12% |
| 66 | 10% |
| 65 | 8% |
| 64 | 7% |
| 63 | 6% |
| 62 | 5% |
| 60 – 61 | 4% |
Source: GMAC percentile data, 2020–2025 testing years
One Confusing Thing About Section Percentiles
The three sections have different percentile distributions. That means the same section score means different things depending on which section it's from. The score reports don't make this obvious — and it can lead to misreading where you stand.
A score of 83 in Quant puts you at the 80th percentile. A score of 83 in Verbal puts you at the 83rd percentile. And a score of 83 in Data Insights puts you at the 95th percentile.
Same number. Three different percentiles.
This happens because the test-taking population performs differently on each section. Quant scores tend to cluster higher (lots of test-takers have strong math backgrounds). Verbal scores spread out more. Data Insights is newer, and fewer test-takers score at the top.
What this means for you: if you're trying to maximize your total score percentile, look at where you have the most room to improve on a per-section basis. A two-point gain in your weakest section may move your total percentile more than a two-point gain in your strongest.
For a deeper look at how the scoring algorithm works behind these numbers, our guide on how the GMAT® scoring algorithm works breaks it down.
GMAT® Classic to Focus Edition Score Conversion
If you're comparing your Focus Edition score to a school's published average, you may need to convert between scales. Most schools are transitioning to Focus Edition reporting, but many still publish Classic scores.
Here's the concordance table for the most commonly cited score ranges:
| Classic Score | Focus Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 760 | 715 | 99% |
| 740 | 695 | 97% |
| 730 | 685 | 96% |
| 720 | 675 | 95% |
| 710 | 655 | 91% |
| 700 | 645 | 87% |
| 680 | 625 | 79% |
| 650 | 605 | 70% |
Source: GMAC Concordance Table
The gap between Classic and Focus scores isn't constant. At the high end, it's about 45–55 points. At the middle of the range, it's closer to 60–75 points.
If a school reports a median of 730 (Classic), the Focus equivalent is roughly 685. Don't compare your Focus score directly to a Classic average without converting first.
How to Use These Charts to Set Your Target Score
Knowing your percentile is interesting. Using it to set a target is useful.
Step 1: List your target schools
Write down the programs you're applying to. Be specific. "Booth, Kellogg, Ross" is more useful than "a top-15 program."
Step 2: Look up each school's median GMAT® score
Check the school's class profile on their website. If they report a Classic score, convert it using the table above. If they report a Focus score, use it directly.
Step 3: Find the percentile for that median
Match the median score to the percentile chart above. That tells you where the middle of their admitted class lands.
Step 4: Set your target at or slightly above the highest median
If your highest median is 675 (95th percentile), aim for 685 or above. That puts you in the upper half of the admitted class at every school on your list.
You don't need to score 50 points above the median. A score at or above the median, combined with a strong application, is competitive at most programs. For more on this, see our guide to what is a good GMAT® score.
What Top MBA Programs Expect
Here are median GMAT® scores at some of the most competitive programs, with Focus Edition equivalents and percentiles:
| School | Classic Median | Focus Equivalent | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford GSB | 738 | ~685–695 | 96–97% |
| Wharton | 733 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| Chicago Booth | 732 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| Harvard | 730 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| MIT Sloan | 730 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| Columbia | 729 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| Yale SOM | 726 | ~675–685 | 95–96% |
| Tuck | 724 | ~665–675 | 92–95% |
| Ross | 722 | ~665–675 | 92–95% |
These are medians, not minimums. Half of the admitted class scored below the median. A score below the median doesn't disqualify you — but the rest of your application might need to compensate.
For a full top-25 breakdown, see our 2026 MBA Rankings analysis.
FAQ
What is a good GMAT® Focus Edition score?
A score of 645 (87th percentile) is competitive at a wide range of programs. A score of 685 (96th percentile) is competitive at most programs, including the most selective ones. What counts as "good" depends on your target schools — the number that matters is the one that gets you into the programs on your list. For a deeper look, see our guide to what is a good GMAT® score.
What percentile is a 655 on the GMAT® Focus Edition?
A 655 is the 91st percentile. You scored better than about 91% of test-takers.
What percentile is a 685 on the GMAT® Focus Edition?
A 685 is the 96th percentile. You scored better than about 96% of test-takers.
What percentile is a 705 on the GMAT® Focus Edition?
A 705 is the 98th percentile. You scored better than about 98% of test-takers.
How is the GMAT® Focus Edition scored?
The GMAT® Focus Edition has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights), each scored from 60 to 90. Your total score ranges from 205 to 805 and is derived from your three section scores. Each section carries equal weight. For the full explanation, see our guide to how the GMAT® scoring algorithm works.
Do GMAT® percentiles change over time?
Yes, but slowly. GMAC updates percentile tables periodically as more data accumulates. A score that was the 90th percentile last year might be the 89th or 91st percentile this year. The shifts are usually small — a point or two at most. GMAT® scores are valid for five years, so your percentile ranking may shift slightly during that window.
What's the difference between GMAT® Classic and Focus Edition scores?
The Classic GMAT® used a 200–800 scale. The Focus Edition uses a 205–805 scale. Focus Edition scores run roughly 45–55 points lower than Classic scores at equivalent percentiles. See our GMAT® Classic vs. Focus Edition guide for the full breakdown.
What GMAT® score do you need for a top-10 MBA program?
Top-10 programs typically have median GMAT® scores in the 675–695 Focus range (95th–97th percentile). A score at or above the median, combined with a strong application, is competitive. You don't need to score 50 points above the median to get in.
Should you retake the GMAT® to improve your percentile?
It depends on where you are, what your target schools expect, and whether you have room to improve. If your score is below the median at your target programs, a retake may make sense. If you're already above the median, the return on a retake may be small. See our guide on when to retake the GMAT®.
How many questions can you get wrong and still get a 655?
There's no fixed number. The GMAT® is adaptive, which means your score depends on which questions you get wrong, not just how many. Getting an easy question wrong costs more than getting a hard question wrong. The scoring algorithm is more nuanced than a simple "miss X questions = score Y" formula. See our scoring algorithm guide for details.
Can you combine section scores from different test attempts?
Yes. GMAC introduced superscoring for the Focus Edition. Schools that accept superscoring will take your highest section score from each section across all your attempts. Not all schools superscore, so check your target programs' policies. See our guide to GMAT® superscore.
Want to learn even more?
The percentile chart tells you where you stand. The next question is what to do about it.
If you're setting up a study plan, our guide on how to build a GMAT® study plan that works walks through the process step by step.
If you're wondering how long your prep will take, we cover that in how long should you study for the GMAT®.
If you're not sure whether the GMAT® is even the right test for you, our comparison of GMAT® vs. GRE® vs. Executive Assessment can help you decide.
And if you want to hear us talk through these topics in more detail, the podcast is a good place to start. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.