Are GMAT scores changing?

Question

Hi! What do you think?
Are gmat average scores improving each year?
Do you think that a score for two years ago has the same percentile that this year?
Does anyone have percentile from some years ago.
And if they are improving, how much? 10 points each year? 20 points? more?
Please share your thoughts!
Thanks.

nonameee · Answer

Do you think that admission committees consider the fact that average GMAT scores are growing and that the test itself is getting harder?

bb · Answer

It's pretty slow - actually varies by percentile bracket, but for history sake, you can compare this score pamphlet which was released in 2003 with the current one found in the OG 12 or on this page: gmat-score-guide-to-gmat-scores-score-reports-83890.html

bb · Answer

I will save you time - here is 2007 copy:

bb · Answer

Finally, here is the most recent copy I found from mba.com:

https://www.mba.com/NR/rdonlyres/64E741DD-1617-4B4D-A0EA-ECAE1E3851E5/0/totalscore_web_new_2009_2010.png

netrix · Answer

bb thank so much for your input!
This prove that gmat score are improving despite that more people are taking the test.
The big difference is between the first table (2002) and the last one.
Thanks for sharing!!

bb · Answer

Here is another post you may want to dig through: gmat-scoring-algorithm-my-observations-28493.html For example, in 1980, 700 was the 99th percentile 8-)

schemer · Answer

Are people more intelligent today or is the wide availability of study materials responsible for these changes?

mohater · Answer

No, more people from more diverse backgrounds are taking the test. The demographic change is skewing the scores upward.

schemer · Answer

I wonder which background or demographic is raising the percentile scores because i have heard that MBA programs were first started for training engineers in business so I guess engineers have always accounted for a good chunk of test takers.

2 years ago a score of 690 was 90th percentile. Now its 88 percentile. Isn't it likely that candidates are preparing more for the test because I think it's clear that preparation can raise an individual's score.

mohater · Answer

This is easy:

Chinese and Indians for the most part. There are other demographics in the mix, but by and large it's the Chinese and the Indians.

Lawrence Rudner, one of the head R&D guys at the GMAC, said once China and India have more established graduate business schools, we will see a downward trend in the scores (this assumes the people driving the upward skew no longer need the GMAT for local schools).

schemer · Answer

I understand that for the high quant score but what about a section like the AWA that now has 5.0 at 50something percentile.

6.0 was 95% in 2007 now its 87%. Dont you think candidates are becoming more prepared on average?

mohater · Answer

AWA is pretty much rigged: how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html

bb · Answer

I would suggest the following for the increase in scores:

1. Increased variety of materials/strategies available - prep companies are getting better and people have more tests/resources to practice with.
2. Increased emphasis on the GMAT. I bet the GMAT was not as competitive back then as it is now. Many people used to take it unprepared and thought it was a measure of intelligence that you did not need to prep for

PTK · Answer

I would add Internet as one of the factors that contributed to the rise of GMAT score. 
Due to gmat communities like ours, people share knowledge and help each other to succed in the GMAT.

supereco87 · Answer

Gmat scores are increasing by some points every year, most important reason for is for sure that people tend to prepare better for the exam than they used to. You can see average scores under www.gmac.com

amaterasu · Answer

Mann,
the percentile changes are dramatic between 650 and 700.
Today I scored 650 in 79%, but at 2000-2002, it was 85%.
Mann, what a dramatic change that was

novanative · Answer

There's a good and bad part to percentiles lowering for the same score...

But among guys who took the test in the last couple months, the percentiles appeared to be working in our favor a little bit.

zpotm · Answer

I gave my exam a day ago. Scored 740(50,39)

My score report says 50 as 92%ile. That is shocking. I thought it was supposed to be 94.

novanative · Answer

Percentiles can fluctuate over time for the same score, and percentiles have dropped for the same score over the last 7 years or so. A 700 used to be 92-93%ile but now is the 90th.

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