What Is Sectional scores on the GMAT?

Definition

Sectional scores are the individual scores (60–90 each) you earn on the three sections of the GMAT: Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights. These scores are reported separately and are used by business schools to evaluate your skills in specific areas.

Why it matters on the GMAT

Sectional scores matter for several reasons:

• Schools often look at sectional scores to assess your strengths and weaknesses, especially for programs with quantitative or analytical emphases.
• A balanced profile (all scores within a similar range) is generally preferred, but some programs may weigh one section more heavily.
• Your overall GMAT score is a composite of these sectional scores, so improving a sectional score can directly boost your total.

A concrete example

Imagine you score 80 on Quant, 75 on Verbal, and 70 on Data Insights. Your sectional scores tell a story: you are strong in quant, moderate in verbal, and need to improve your data analysis skills. A school with a data-heavy curriculum might view your 70 on Data Insights as a red flag, while a finance-oriented program might be pleased with your 80 in Quant.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring sectional scores: Many test-takers focus only on the total score, but schools often review the breakdown.
• Assuming equal weight: While the overall score is a sum of scaled section scores, each section is not necessarily equally weighted in the scoring algorithm.
• Neglecting Data Insights: Since Data Insights is a newer section, some students underestimate its importance, but it is just as critical as Quant and Verbal.

How to practice it

To improve your sectional scores, take practice tests that report each section separately. Analyze your performance per section, identify weak areas, and drill those topics. For example, if your Data Insights score lags, practice with data tables, charts, and multi-source reasoning questions. Use official GMAT prep materials to get accurate sectional score estimates.