As a GMAT aspirant, you might’ve set a target score that you want to achieve in the exam. However, getting a good GMAT score is no cakewalk. You need to have proper preparation as well as work hard to clear the exam with flying colours. Most importantly, if you are planning to appear for the GMAT exam, you have to be well acquainted with the GMAT score chart, as this will help you calculate your possible score.
Your GMAT score is mainly calculated based on three factors: the number of questions you answer, the correct answers, and the difficulty level of the question paper. However, the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GMAT exam are computer-adaptive; which means, the GMAT algorithm adjusts the difficulty level of upcoming questions based on your response to the previous questions. The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200-800 and it’s no wonder that the top business schools around the world prefer candidates who score 720+. Though the specifics about the algorithm used by the GMAT for calculating the scores have not been revealed, most of the coaching websites provide a rough GMAT score chart. The score charts help you to calculate Verbal and Quant scores that are combined to make the total score.
Next, we’ll take a look at the differences between the GMAT and the IELTS; two of the important exams which are used to test your eligibility to study abroad.
GMAT v/s IELTS
GMAT or IELTS! This has been a controversial topic among students who want to pursue their studies abroad. A comparison between these two exams may not be logical as these two exams serve different purposes. The IELTS exam, conducted by the British Council, is an English proficiency test used to assess your English language expertise for academic purposes and living abroad. On the other hand, the GMAT exam administered by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is used as a parameter of your aptitude for MBA program admissions.
Now, let us take a look at a few differences between GMAT vs IELTS:
| GMAT | IELTS |
| GMAT is divided into four sections — Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. | IELTS exam tests four types of skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Minimum age limit to take the exam – 13 (with guardian permission), 18 (without guardian permission) | Minimum age limit – 16+ |
| The GMAT scores are valid for 5 years from the date of the test. | The IELTS scores are valid for 2 years after the test |
| The test is scored on a scale of 200-800. | The score range for the IELTS exam is 0-9. You can also get decimal points in the IELTS (eg., 5.5). |
| The application fee is approximately INR 18300 | The application fee is INR 14700. |
| The lifetime limit for the GMAT is 8. | No limit for retakes |
| The total duration of the GMAT exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes | The total duration of the IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes |
We hope this article has helped you understand how to use the score chart and also the differences between GMAT v/s IELTS. All the best.
