What Is GMAT percentile?
The GMAT percentile is a score that tells you how you performed relative to other test-takers over the past three years. It is a critical number because business schools use it to compare applicants across different test administrations.
Definition
Your GMAT percentile is the percentage of test-takers whom you scored higher than, based on scores from the last three years. For example, a 90th percentile means you performed better than 90% of test-takers.
Why it matters on the GMAT
Percentiles are used by admissions committees to understand your performance in context. A high percentile can offset a lower total score, and it helps schools compare candidates who took the exam at different times. It is especially important for the Quant and Verbal sections, as schools often have minimum percentile expectations.
A concrete example
Suppose you score 700 on the GMAT. The percentile associated with that score might be 90th, meaning you scored higher than 90% of test-takers in the last three years. If you score 650, the percentile might be 75th. These percentiles can change slightly over time as the pool of test-takers changes.
Common mistakes
- Thinking percentile is the same as the percentage of questions answered correctly.
- Assuming a fixed score always has the same percentile; percentiles shift over time.
- Ignoring section percentiles and focusing only on the total.
How to practice it
When taking practice tests, look up the official percentile tables from GMAC to see where your scores fall. Use percentiles to set target scores for each section, and track your progress. Remember that percentiles are relative, so aim to improve your percentile rather than just your raw score.