GMAT: Is 750 the new 700?

Question

Bound to piss a lot of people off, so apologies in advance!

I see that many (most?) folks on this board have GMAT scores of at least 700, and a substantial number having >740. It's almost as if it's "normal" to get scores of above 700 these days; the relatively difficult part is pushing that score over 750. Now, of course, your admission to a top school depends on a billion factors - your GMAT score only plays a somewhat light role taking everything into consideration. I also realize that it takes a herculean effort (and quite a bit of luck!) to cross that 750 barrier. But, with a GMAT score of over 750, I think you can truly feel that you do not need to worry about that part of the application. Anything in the 700-750 range, and there could always be a chance that you think, "Scheisse, if only..." and "Now I need to strengthen the other parts of my app and cross my fingers." Again, no disrespect at all for those with great GMAT scores, but is that the general consensus, that anything below 750 is "pretty good"? Speaking of scores over 750, here's a thread I came across that might be useful to some.

sam77sam7 · Answer

I don't think so. Not yet at least.

750 signifies 98%+. I think that b-schools are looking for way above-average proficiency in both sections (the common 80%/80%) split, but they are not looking for scores that high.

A 750 is a great badge of honor on your b-school app, but I doubt it contributes much more to any individuals success than a 720, or 730 would.

~Sam

kidderek · Answer

In short, the answer is no. If you want to talk about where you separate the men from the boys, then the score starts at 770, for now. You'll see that scores below 760 are actually quite common among students at the top schools. With that said, if you're new to the game, it won't take long for you to realize that gmat really is a small component of the application. That means most people are still hungover with the gmat and hope to add inches with a higher score.

A 740 boasting of how much smarter he is than a 720 is just a tool. Scores in the lower 700s are pretty much the same.

I don't exactly know what you're asking, but just remember that the gmat is overrated.

riverripper · Answer

If it is indeed overrated then its overvalued by schools. There are times when people have been told to retake the test when they are on the WL and then magically they get in. Personally I was happy to be well above the average of every school I applied to. It is the one thing on your application that is the same as everyone elses...it definitely is better to have a higher GMAT. Though once you are 30+ points over the average of a school I think it doesnt matter.

Raabend · Answer

I heard that if you can hit 700 on the dot, you can get into any school you want. 710+ers are at a disadvantage

mojoman · Answer

I wasn't really "asking" for anything. I was just curious as to what other folks target for their GMAT scores before they feel completely satisfied with  that  part of their application.

Yep, I realize that.

My point, precisely. If you've the cash (in case you'd like to retake) and really want to stand out from the rest, GMAT scores from 700-750 won't go far in helping your app.

Raabend · Answer

Havent some schools bragged about how many super high GMAT scorers they have rejected?

terp26 · Answer

I would say 720 is the new 700

Since that is the average most top schools are closely hovering to.

kidderek · Answer

And how many people with 700s were told to re-test?

jallenmorris · Answer

I view the GMAT as the b-schools wanting to know what kind of a base they have to work with when they begin educating each of us in school. If someone scored a V50 but a Q35, that says something about that person's ability to comprehend math. That person is probably very capable of learning it, the GMAT just shows where that person is at the current time in their math education (or regression if it's been a long time since college Algebra).

750 is not the new 700. You also have to remember that people score above 700 are more likely to talk about it on here than those with 600 - 690 simply due to the fear factor. The guy that just got a new pinto for his 16th birthday dosen't go around shouting it out. It's still a car, and better than those walking, but he might look silly shouting next to someone screaming "I just got a brand new Audi for my 16th birthday." It's not that a Pinto is horrible, but that person just doesn't want to announce it to the world that what they got is a little bit less than what others got.

Depending on what year the 700 you reference was scored, I might agree that 700 is the new 720. Programs' average GMAT is steadily increasing. Look at the jump of Yale and I think even Kellogg had a decent jump this year for Fall '08 admits. I was happy that my 720 (Q79%/V95% split) is above average for every program but Standford. I may not be able to say that by the time all the schools release this data early fall. I'm still happy with it, but it reminds me that I must have great essays. That's true for someone with a 790 (kevincan) or a 690. Schools don't want to read essays by someone with a perfect 800 that essentially states "I'm so good I got a perfect on the GMAT. Why an MBA? because I got a perfect on the GMAT. Why now? Because I just recently scored a perfect on the GMAT. Why our school? Because I wouldn't mind placing your school's bumper sticker on the Ferrari I'm going to have handed to me because I got a perfect on the GMAT." I think you get the point.

I do believe that GMAT can make a difference below 700, but there appears to be agreement that at a certain point, your GMAT score isn't going to make all that much difference. I think that point is within 10 - 20 points of the program's average.

Those on the waitlist that are told to retake the GMAT and "magically" get it are those that would be easy admits if their GMAT scores upon first application were close to the average. The schools do have to think of their average. It's much easier to be pulled down than be pulled up.

kidderek · Answer

I think you got it backwards. You really need to take your head out of your ass.

Raabend · Answer

True. All the "asking to retest stories" I have heard are people with 650-690. All the 700+ WLers who have retaken seem to have done it on their own.....

jallenmorris · Answer

Just be lucky you could read my post since I couldn't see the keyboard! I guess my avatar lets everyone know why I sometimes screw up and say that 700 is the new 720. Wouldn't it be nice if I was actualy right though?

Thanks for the correction kidderek.

I think when I finally get admitted somewhere, I'm not going to change avatars, just photoshop the schools name across the butt. What do you think of that?

Raabend · Answer

Photoshop the Yale bulldog's head busting through the back!

kidderek · Answer

Yea, let's do it. 700 is the new 720. Just repeat it to everyone and people will start to believe it.

Can you say, "Post-acceptance rejection?"

jallenmorris · Answer

LOL.

Yes, we can create our own truth. 700 is now the new 720. So those of you that scored 780 or higher, just count it as a perfect!

kidderek, i think you've scared me out of my photoshop idea. I would hope that wouldn't happen, but God that would suck if it did! I'd have to say "Where else should I have put it?" make the socks HBS red?

Yet another stimulating conversation brought to you by GMATClub.

Rubashov1 · Answer

Great post, but I must respectfully disagree.

Pintos are horrible!

fooFighter · Answer

lol the title reminded me of what my ex used to say: 40 is the new 30.

edwarise · Answer

I think average numbers mean nothing. Its like "the average temperature in the hospital". the real average GMAT score in S/W/H for white men non-gay is about 730+ as I've heard. for Chinese/Indian/Russians - 740+. but if you're black lesbian from Honduras you are lucky and should not try so much:)

Pathfinder · Answer

Yeah, 720 is average but it is the average score of ADDMITTED students. If it were average score of all the applicants that would be the reason to worry.

GMAT: Is 750 the new 700?

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