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GMAT Scoring

The GMAT scoring is made up of scores in three different aspects such as verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing. Verbal and mathematical or quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. Analytical Writing Assessment scores range from 0 to 6 that represent the average of the ratings from the two GMAT essays.

The Analytical Writing Assessment consists of two essays; in the first essay, the students must analyze an argument, and in the second they must analyze an issue.
Quantitative section has two types of questions: problem solving and data sufficiency that quantitative reasoning ability, but data sufficiency uses an unusual set of directions. Scores above 50 and below 7 are rare.
Verbal section has three types of questions: sentence correction that evaluates American English grammar, usage and style; critical reasoning that evaluates logical thinking, and reading comprehension that evaluates the ability to read critically. Scores above 44 and below 9 are rare.

The total score ranges from 200 to 800 that is the combination of verbal and mathematical scores. The analytical writing assessment (AWA) score is independent and it does not have an impact on the total score. People can take the GMAT several times and these scores are valid for five years, but GMAT transcript will only report the three most recent scores, which can be forwarded to one or many business schools.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is used widely as part of assessment processes for admission, because GMAT score is an important factor to determine whether a student will be admitted a top business school or MBA programs. However, GMAT scores vary at different schools which consider other requirements such work experience, undergraduate GPA, interview, essays, and letters of recommendation.

What about the essay score on the GMAT?

Applicants have to write two essays, which are scored on a scale of 1 to 6, but these are not added to other GMAT score. The first essay consists to analyze an argument, and in the second they must analyze an issue. These essays are read by two readers; the first reader is IntelliMetric that analyzes creative writing and syntax, and the second reader is a person who evaluates the quality and ability to organize, develop, and express ideas with relevant support.

The essays are extremely simple. So don't spend a lot of time studying for the AWA essays, and don't put too much emphasis on the essay score because these are being graded by computers that make them even more worthless.

Should applicants take a GMAT - Prep Course?

If applicants hope to attend a top business school, they will invest time and money in a good prep course. There are a wide variety of test prep courses including online, classroom, tutors, books, software, and more. All these courses offer an extensive suite of courses and available technology in different areas. Other alternatives are to look for a good instructor which has experience about the test so applicants will be better prepared, or they would read GMAT-prep books and turn their attention to the application essays.