Consider two test-takers, A and B, who both score Q86/V83/DI82 on the GMAT.
- Test-Taker A correctly answered 20 Quant questions, 17 Verbal questions, and 14 Data Insights questions.
- Test-Taker B correctly answered 19 Quant questions, 16 Verbal questions, and 13 Data Insights questions.
Although their section scores are identical, their total scores may not be. Test-Taker A’s total GMAT score might be 685, while Test-Taker B’s score might be 675. Why? Because the Q86/V83/DI82 scaled scores represent a range of performance that both test-takers fell within. GMAT scores are calculated based not only on how many questions a test-taker answers correctly, but also the difficulty of those questions and whether a test-taker leaves any questions blank.
So, test-takers who did not get the same number of questions correct in a section can end up with the same section score. However, because of differences in their performances, they won’t end up with the same total score. (To learn more about how GMAC calculates scores, check out this article on GMAT scoring.)
So, think of any GMAT score calculator as a GMAT score estimator, not a GMAT score guarantor. In fact, even with an accurate score calculator, there is a possible 10-point swing in either direction for the total score produced from any section score breakdown. For example, Q81/V84/DI82 scores are likely to produce a 655 total score, which is what an accurate GMAT score calculator will show. However, due to differences in test-taker performance, those section scores could produce a 645 or 665 on the actual GMAT.
The truth is, no one can predict your total GMAT score based on section scores alone. Why? Because your total GMAT score is based on your Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights performance, not your section scores. A GMAT score calculator cannot tell if your Q84 is a “high” Q84 or a “low” Q84. It simply sees Q84, and the total score generated by the calculator reflects that fact.
- KEY FACT:
- Your total GMAT score is based on your Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights performance, not your section scores