Impossible to calculate score based on raw score?

Question

Hi,

just started to study for the GMAT, so nooby question. If I wanted to calculate my total score by only knowing how many questions I got wrong in each section, would I be able to know? I read that the calculations are done based on some complex algorithm.

If I missed 2-3 each on RC, CR, and SC for Verbal , and 6-7 total for Quant , what would be total score be?

I used the diagnostic test of the OG to do this.

Thanks! maybe there's a link to the answer but I haven't been able to find it.

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

On the GMAT, your scores are not based on how many questions you answer correctly; they're based on the  level of difficulty  of the questions you answer correctly.

To illustrate this, I'll share an experiment I performed.

When I was writing the article  Taking the GMATPrep Practice Tests Multiple Times  ( https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/taking-gmatprep-practice-tests-multiple-times ), I took GMATPrep Practice Test #1 four times, and each time I answered every second question correctly (I did this for the quant section only)

Given that I correctly answered exactly half of the questions each time, you'd expect my quant scores to be roughly the same for all 4 tests.

My 4 scaled scores were: 19, 23, 26 and 42

This represents a percentile range from approximately 8th percentile to the 63rd percentile.

So, don't worry about how many questions you answered correctly. It has nothing to do with your score.

Aside : If you're interested, we have a free video explaining the GMAT scoring algorithm:  https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/general-gmat-strategies?id=1251

Cheers, 
Brent

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

I suggest that you can a full-length official test (https://www.mba.com/global/store/downloa ... tware.aspx) to see where you presently stand.
I always encourage students to take a practice test VERY early in their studies (within the first week of preparing). I do this for several reasons:

- Students should know, as soon as possible, exactly what they will be preparing for over the coming weeks and months.
- The results of this test help students gauge the amount of work required to reach their target score.
- These practice tests help build confidence, since scores inevitably improve as the student prepares.

If anyone is interested, I wrote an article on taking a practice test early in one's studies: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/take-practice-test-already

Cheers,
Brent

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Watermelonss,

Unfortunately, the Diagnostic Test at the beginning of the OG isn't a great way to establish a 'baseline score' - the number of questions isn't correct, the pencil-and-paper aspect of it isn't realistic, the Test doesn't adapt, it's not a FULL Test, etc. As such, to get a more accurate assessment of your skills, you'll want to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) sometime soon (maybe this weekend). You can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline/plans:
1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

AjiteshArun · Answer

It is  possible , but you'd need to have access to a lot of information that the GMAC does not release (or maybe even collect). So: for all practical purposes, not possible.

The classification that you get from the diagnostic test in the OG should be reliable though.

GMATinsight · Answer

By knowing how many questions you got wrong and at what place we can tell you a very close guess where would your scaled score be So in case you want me to tell you the score then please feel free to send me a PM with the Correct and incorrect attempts with their place values. The conversion of Sectional Scaled scores into GMAT final score can be done by the following Formula Total GMAT Score = (Quant*9 + Verbal*7) rounded to the nearest multiple of 10 This formula of converting scaled score into the GMAT score is highly trustworthy as I have checked it already with thousands of score. If you don't believe me then look at any score break-up (of scaled score) and use the formula to calculate GMAT final score.

I hope this helps not only to you but to many other readers here as well. P.S> this formula also tells us that Every scaled score of Quant has a weight of 9 and every scaled score of Verbal has a weight of 7 marks hence QUant scaled score has greater weight and easier reach (in general)

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